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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIn Minecraft Java Edition 1.17, aim for Y=15 in the Nether when mining for ancient debris, the ore used to make Netherite. Mojang says level 15 has the highest average chance of finding it, but it is not a guarantee. Ancient debris does not generate exposed to air, so dig through solid Nether blocks rather than relying only on open cave walls.
Why Y=15 is the recommended level
Mojang’s Netherite scrap guide says that, on average, level 15 gives players the highest chance of finding ancient debris. It also describes up to two generation attempts per chunk: one vein between Y=8 and Y=22, and another between Y=8 and Y=119. The lower range explains why Y=15 is a practical target; the broader second range means debris can also appear at other heights.
This is Mojang’s general Nether recommendation, not a distribution chart published in the Java Edition 1.17 release notes. Those notes establish the version context—Caves & Cliffs: Part I—but do not specify ancient-debris distribution. The level recommendation is therefore useful for a 1.17 player, but should not be mistaken for a 1.17-specific chart.
How to mine for ancient debris
Use a tunnel at Y=15
- Enter the Nether and check your coordinates to locate Y=15.
- Dig a tunnel through solid Nether blocks at that height. Ancient debris is never exposed to air, so tunnel mining helps reveal buried blocks that an open cave face may not show.
- Mine any ancient debris with a diamond pickaxe or better. Mojang says a diamond pickaxe is required to successfully mine it.
Finding nothing in one stretch of tunnel is normal: Y=15 offers the best average chance, not a guaranteed deposit.
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Consider nearby tunnel levels or beds
A later Mojang tutorial, How To Find Ancient Debris (published in 2022, after version 1.17), recommends tunnels at Y=11, 12, or 15 and describes using beds to expose blocks with explosions. Treat that as optional guidance rather than a special 1.17 mechanic. Beds explode when used in the Nether; Mojang’s tutorial advises sheltering behind a block and preparing for the risk of injury. The method also consumes resources, so ordinary pickaxe tunneling is the simpler starting approach.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What you do with ancient debris
You do not mine finished Netherite directly. Ancient debris is the first material in the crafting and upgrading process:
- Smelt ancient debris to make Netherite scrap.
- Combine four Netherite scrap with four gold ingots to craft one Netherite ingot.
- Use a smithing table to upgrade diamond equipment with the ingot.
Mojang explains the debris-to-Netherite progression in its Nether Update article.
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