How you enable or disable shaders depends on your Minecraft edition. In Bedrock Edition, use Settings → Video → Graphics Mode to turn Vibrant Visuals on or select another mode to turn it off. In Java Edition, shader packs require a compatible mod setup, such as Iris; they are not controlled by Bedrock’s Graphics Mode menu.
Choose the instructions for your edition
| Edition or feature | Where the control is | Mod required? | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedrock: Vibrant Visuals | Settings → Video → Graphics Mode | No; it is a built-in graphics mode | Available only on supported devices and platforms. See Minecraft Help and the Vibrant Visuals overview. |
| Java: shader packs | The shader-pack controls in a compatible mod setup | Yes; Iris is one option | Depends on Minecraft version, mod loader, shader pack, and device. See Iris download and the Iris site. |
Enable or disable Vibrant Visuals in Bedrock Edition
- Update Minecraft to the latest version available for your device.
- Open Settings, then select Video.
- Under Graphics Mode, choose Vibrant Visuals to enable it.
- To disable it, return to the same setting and choose another available graphics mode.
Minecraft describes Vibrant Visuals as a Bedrock graphics mode, not a universal shader switch. Availability depends on platform and device support.
Use shader packs in Java Edition
Java Edition does not use Bedrock’s Vibrant Visuals dropdown. A shader mod such as Iris provides a route for loading compatible shader packs.
- Download and run the official Iris installer.
- Select your Minecraft version and install. The installer also downloads and installs Sodium.
- Launch the modded profile created by the installer.
- Use the shader-pack controls available in that installed setup to select a pack or turn it off. Button names and menu locations can vary by game and Iris version, so follow the labels in your current installation.
Iris lists support for Minecraft 1.16.5 and later, Fabric on 1.16.5 and later, and NeoForge on 1.21.1 and later; it does not support Forge. Some shaders may not work on some devices. Resource packs that use core shaders will not work while a shader pack is enabled. Check the Iris site for its compatibility details.
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If Vibrant Visuals is grayed out
- If a world is open, save and exit it, then open Settings from the launch screen and check Video → Graphics Mode again.
- Update Minecraft. Minecraft Help also recommends updating the operating system and graphics drivers where possible.
- If the option is still unavailable, the device may not meet the feature’s compatibility requirements.
See Minecraft Help’s Vibrant Visuals guidance for the published troubleshooting steps.
If a Java shader pack is missing or does not work
- Confirm that the pack is compatible with your Minecraft version and the loader used by your Iris installation.
- Check the pack’s device requirements; Iris notes that some shaders are incompatible with some devices.
- If a resource pack uses core shaders, disable that resource pack or turn off the shader pack, since Iris says they do not work together while the shader pack is enabled.
Keep Bedrock ray tracing separate
Windows Bedrock ray tracing is a distinct, hardware-dependent feature; its requirements are not general requirements for Java shader packs or Bedrock Vibrant Visuals. Minecraft Help’s published minimums include Windows 64-bit, Intel Core i5 or equivalent, more than 8 GB of RAM, Bedrock 1.16.200 or later, and a DirectX hardware ray-tracing-capable GPU. Its examples include NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 Series and higher or AMD Radeon RX 6000 Series and higher. Check Minecraft’s ray-tracing requirements if that is the feature you mean.
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