Screenshot 1 of 1. Forest scene with lush trees, sky and the player hotbar visible, shown while running VulkanMod.
What VulkanMod works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Fabric |
| Minecraft versions | 1.18.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.6, 1.21.11, 26.1.2 |
| Environment | Client |
VulkanMod is a Vulkan renderer mod for Minecraft Java that replaces the default OpenGL renderer with a new voxel rendering engine. It targets lower CPU and GPU overhead and runs on Fabric, with an older Quilt line whose builds have stopped. It is client-side only, and servers do not support it.
Loaders and versions
- Fabric: Minecraft 1.18.2 to 26.1.2. The newest build needs no dependencies.
- Quilt: Minecraft 1.18.2 to 1.19.4, builds stopped after March 2023. The newest build needs no dependencies.
What it changes
The Vulkan API exposes device capabilities that the stock OpenGL renderer cannot use, or cannot use widely. The main features are:
- Reduced CPU and GPU overhead
- Terrain rendering optimizations, from an optimized draw loop to section culling
- Chunk building optimizations
- Entity rendering optimizations
- Native Wayland support on Linux
- Windowed fullscreen mode
How to install VulkanMod
Your GPU must support Vulkan 1.2 or higher. If you have not set up the loader yet, follow the Fabric install guide, and see the general mod installation guide if this is your first mod.
- 1.Install the Fabric loader for your Minecraft release.
- 2.Download the VulkanMod file from Modrinth.
- 3.Place it in the mods folder of your instance, usually .minecraft/mods.
- 4.Launch with the Fabric profile.
Compatibility and shaders
Compatibility with other mods is not guaranteed. Mods that make direct OpenGL calls can crash the game once VulkanMod is loaded, and the project keeps an incompatible mods list to check before you launch. If an instance crashes, first confirm your system supports Vulkan, then look for mods on that list. The creator points to Beryl for shaders on VulkanMod.
Questions about VulkanMod.
4 questions
Does VulkanMod work on multiplayer servers?
VulkanMod is a client-side mod and is not supported on servers. It changes how your own machine renders the world, so it does not need to be installed on a server. Install it only in your own instance's mods folder.
What do I need to run VulkanMod?
You need a GPU that supports Vulkan 1.2 or higher and the Fabric mod loader. The newest Fabric build requires no other mods. Put the mod file in the mods folder of your instance and launch with the Fabric profile.
Can I use shaders with VulkanMod?
The creator points players who want shaders with VulkanMod to a separate project called Beryl. VulkanMod replaces the default OpenGL renderer with a Vulkan-based engine. Mod compatibility is not guaranteed, and mods that make direct OpenGL calls might crash the game, so check the incompatible mods list before adding others.
Why does my game crash with VulkanMod installed?
Common causes are a GPU or driver without Vulkan support, or another mod that calls OpenGL directly. Check that your system supports Vulkan, compare your mods against the incompatible list, and search the issue tracker before reporting a new problem.
