Summary
Minecraft shaders are graphical enhancements that transform the game's visual experience. These mods introduce advanced lighting effects, shadows, reflections, and textures, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the Minecraft world. By adding depth and realism to the game's visuals, shaders create a more immersive and visually stunning environment, allowing players to customize their Minecraft experience and enjoy a more visually captivating version of the iconic blocky landscapes. With a wide variety of shader packs available, players can choose the one that best suits their preferences, whether they prefer a vibrant and colorful world or a more subdued and realistic aesthetic.
| Requirements |
| Minecraft Java is required to install shaders. Minecraft must be launched once to ensure all files are installed. |
| Note | The guide below is for Minecraft version 1.16.5 and above. For older versions, see the Optifine guide here. |
| Note | Minecraft shaders may impact performance depending on the user's hardware. |
How to Install Shaders on Minecraft (Vanilla)
1. Open the Iris Shaders website here.
2. Choose Download Universal Jar.
3. Run the Iris-Installer-[version].jar file.
4. Under Select game version:, choose the desired version from the dropdown menu.
5. Under Installation type:, select Iris Install.
6. Click Install.
7. Download the desired shader from websites like Curseforge or Modrinth.
It must match the Minecraft version.
8. Minimize the file to use later in the tutorial.
9. Open the Minecraft launcher.
10. On the Play tab, select Iris & Sodium for [version] from the menu.
11. Hit Play.
12. Mark the checkbox and click Play.
13. Select Options.
14. Choose Video Settings.
15. Go to the Shader Packs tab.
16. Select Open Shader Pack Folder.
17. Drag and drop the downloaded shader from step 8.
18. On Minecraft, select the shader and click Apply. 
How to Install Shaders on Minecraft (Fabric/Quilt)
1. Download the prerequisites below. It must match the Minecraft version.
2. Minimize the files to use later in the tutorial.
3. Navigate to the Minecraft installation directory.
| Note | Launchers like CurseForge and Modrinth will have different installation directories for each Minecraft instance. |
4. Open the mods folder.
5. Drag and drop the prerequisite files from step 2.
6. Download the desired shader from websites like Curseforge or Modrinth.
It must match the Minecraft version.
7. Minimize the file to use later in the tutorial.
8. Launch Minecraft.
9. Select Options.
10. Choose Video Settings.
11. Go to the Shader Packs tab.
12. Select Open Shader Pack Folder.
13. Drag and drop the downloaded shader from step 7.
14. On Minecraft, select the shader and click Apply.
How to Install Shaders on Minecraft (Forge/NeoForge)
1. Download the prerequisites below. It must match the Minecraft version.
2. Minimize the files to use later in the tutorial.
3. Navigate to the Minecraft installation directory.
| Note | Launchers like CurseForge and Modrinth will have different installation directories for each Minecraft instance. |
4. Open the mods folder.
5. Drag and drop the prerequisite files from step 2.
6. Download the desired shader from websites like Curseforge or Modrinth.
It must match the Minecraft version.
7. Minimize the file to use later in the tutorial.
8. Launch Minecraft.
9. Select Options.
10. Choose Video Settings.
11. Go to the Shader Packs tab.
12. Select Open Shader Pack Folder.
13. Drag and drop the downloaded shader from step 7.
14. On Minecraft, select the shader and click Apply. 
