What Insanity Shader works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Iris, OptiFine |
| Minecraft versions | 1.20.6, 1.21, 1.21.1, 1.21.2, 1.21.3 |
Insanity Shader is a horror themed shader pack for Minecraft Java on the Iris and OptiFine pipeline, built as a customized edit of BSL Shaders with a scarier, hazier atmosphere and its own cloud rendering. The last public build shipped in June 2024 and stops at Minecraft 1.21.3, so there is no version for Minecraft's newer 26.x drops. It still installs and runs fine within that version range, and its low performance tier keeps it playable on modest hardware.
What Insanity Shaders Look Like
The pack leans into mood over realism. Daylight stays hazy and slightly dim, ambient occlusion deepens shadows in interiors and caves, and the custom clouds add a low, oppressive ceiling to the sky instead of open blue. Water and block lighting keep the colored light bounce Insanity inherited from BSL, but the overall palette is desaturated, built for players who want their world to feel watched rather than photographed. Presets range from a lighter atmosphere setting to a heavier full effect, so the horror tone can be dialed up or down.
Insanity Shader on Iris and OptiFine
Insanity only runs on the Iris and OptiFine pipelines. It is client side only and does not run on a server, and there is no Bedrock version. Install Iris (or OptiFine) first, then drop the shader pack into the shaderpacks folder and select it from the in-game Shader Packs menu.
- 1.Install Iris or OptiFine for your Minecraft Java version.
- 2.Download the Insanity Shader zip file from its Modrinth page.
- 3.Open the shaderpacks folder from the in-game Video Settings menu, or find it inside your .minecraft folder.
- 4.Move the downloaded zip into the shaderpacks folder without extracting it.
- 5.Open Shader Packs in Video Settings and select Insanity, then adjust the preset to taste.
Which Minecraft Versions Insanity Shader Supports
The final release, version 1.650, lists support through 1.20.6 and the 1.21 line up to 1.21.3. Nothing past that has shipped. Players running Minecraft's 26.x drops will not get an official Insanity build, and forcing an unsupported version through Iris is not something we recommend. Anyone who wants a horror or atmosphere shader that keeps pace with current Minecraft versions should look at Solas Shader instead, which carries the same fantasy leaning look and is still receiving updates.
Installing Insanity Shader with Iris
Questions about Insanity Shader.
4 questions
How do I install Insanity Shader?
Install Iris or OptiFine for your Minecraft Java version first. Download the Insanity Shader zip from its Modrinth page, then place it directly in your .minecraft/shaderpacks folder without extracting it. Open Video Settings in Minecraft, choose Shader Packs, and select Insanity from the list to activate it.
Does Insanity Shader work with Iris or OptiFine?
Yes. Insanity Shader only supports the Iris and OptiFine pipelines, and it needs one of them installed to run. It does not work with a mod loader alone, it is client side only, and there is no server or Bedrock version.
Which Minecraft version does Insanity Shader support?
The last published build, version 1.650 from June 13, 2024, covers Minecraft 1.20.6 through 1.21.3. That is the full range the shader officially supports, and nothing newer has been released.
Does Insanity Shader support Minecraft 26.x?
No. ElocinDev has not shipped an Insanity Shader build since June 2024, and the pack tops out at Minecraft 1.21.3. There is no 26.x version, and there is no announced plan for one. Players on current Minecraft versions who want a similar horror or fantasy look should try Solas Shader, which is still actively updated.
