Help CenterAt first, building a Minecraft modpack in Modrinth can seem a bit overwhelming, but once you understand how everything works, it becomes an easy process. The Modrinth app makes it simple to find, add, and organize mods all in one place without any manual setup or uploading.
In this guide, we will take you through every part of creating your own modpack from beginning to end. You will learn how to set up a new profile, explore and install mods and shaders, manage updates, and discover helpful tips to keep your modpack running smoothly.
Step 1: Install the Modrinth App
Before we start creating your modpack, we need to install and set up the Modrinth app. This program is what you will use to manage your mods and create your own modpack profile for Minecraft. The Modrinth app keeps everything neat and simple by automatically handling mod updates, compatibility checks, and any required files, so you do not have to worry about those details yourself.
1. To get started, visit the official Modrinth download page. Choose the version that matches your computer’s operating system, and select the standalone option, as it is the easiest to install and use.
2. After the download is complete, open the file to start the installation. When the installation finishes, launch the Modrinth app.
3. When you open the Modrinth app for the first time, begin by signing in with your Minecraft account. This step is important, as you’ll need the account later when launching your modpack. To do this, click Select account, then choose Login, and follow the prompts to sign in with your Minecraft credentials.
👋Note: You can also create a Modrinth account, which allows you to connect with friends.
Once you’ve successfully signed in, your Minecraft account will appear as the active account being used. If you want to switch or include another account, simply click the Add Account button to add a new one.
Step 2: Creating an Instance
Before you can start adding mods, you need to create an Instance. As instance is basically a modpack profile if you're familiar with the CurseForge app. This profile sets the foundation for your modpack by determining which Minecraft version, mod loader, and general setup you will be using.
If you are not sure what mods you want to use, a good first step is to explore the available mods. Click on the Discover Conent button in the Modrinth app, filter by Mods, and take some time to look around for ones that catch your interest.
When you find a mod you want to include, make a note of its name in a text document so you can reference it later. To check the mod details, click on the mod to open its page, then select the Versions tab. This will show you the available mod loader and game versions for that mod, which is important information to ensure it works correctly in your modpack.
While browsing for mods, make sure to check which mod loader each one uses, such as Forge, NeoForge, or Fabric. This is an important detail because your modpack must use the same mod loader for those mods to work correctly when you launch the game.
Once you’ve decided on the Minecraft version and mod loader you want, you can start creating your instance, which is your modpack profile.
1. From the Modrinth app’s home page, click Library. This is where all your instances will appear, and where you can view and manage them.
2. Click Create new instance. A small window will open.
3. Fill in the profile details:
- Modpack Name - Choose any name you like for your modpack profile.
- Mod Loader - Select the loader your mods use, such as Forge, NeoForge, or Fabric.
- Minecraft Version - Pick the version of Minecraft that matches your mods, for example 1.21.8.
- Mod Loader Version - Choose the version of the loader that fits your mods. If you’re unsure, the default option is usually fine.
For example, our modpack profile is called My Modpack. It uses Minecraft version 1.21.8 with NeoForge as the mod loader, and we selected the latest stable version available for the loader version.
👋Note: You can also set a profile picture to help tell your instances apart or just to give it a personal touch.
4. Click Create and wait a few moments while the app sets up your new modpack profile. Your blank modpack profile is now ready.
Step 3: Adding Mods
1. In the Library window of the Modrinth app, click on the modpack you just created to open it. This will take you to a new page where you can view and manage all the content installed in this profile.
2. To start adding mods, click Install Content. A new window will open where you can browse available mods. Make sure you are on the Mods tab before searching or adding anything.
3. Browse through the list and look for the mods you want to include in your modpack. Only mods that are compatible with your selected game version and mod loader will appear. When you find a mod you want, click Install to add it to your instance.
4. Once you’ve installed all your desired mods, click Back to instance in the top-right corner to return to your modpack’s main page. You’ll now see all the mods you’ve added displayed in your profile.
You will now see that all your selected mods have been added. You may notice a few extra mods installed as well, these are dependency mods. They are required for certain mods to function properly, and without them, your modpack might not launch or could have errors.
After confirming that all your chosen mods are installed correctly, you are ready to move on to the next step, where we will add shaders and resource packs to complete your setup.
Step 4: Adding Shaders & Resource Packs (optional)
Before adding them to your modpack, it is helpful to understand what resource packs and shaders do and how they differ.
A resource pack changes how Minecraft looks and sounds. It can modify block and item textures, the game’s menus, fonts, and even the sounds or music you hear while playing. Resource packs do not change how the game works or runs; they simply give Minecraft a fresh visual or audio style. You can install and use them directly through the game’s settings without needing any additional mods.
A shader changes how lighting, shadows, reflections, and other visual effects appear in Minecraft. Shaders can make the game look more natural or cinematic by adding features such as realistic lighting, soft shadows, and shimmering water. Unlike resource packs, shaders require a mod such as OptiFine or Iris to function. Keep in mind that shaders can affect game performance depending on your computer’s hardware.
Installing Shaders
1. From your modpack profile, click Add Content, just like you did earlier when adding mods.
2. Select the Shaders tab to show only shaders, then browse through the available options. When you find one you like, click Install to add it to your modpack profile.
Once your shaders are installed, you’ll need an additional mod or set of mods to enable and use them in Minecraft. These mods also enhance the game’s visuals by improving lighting, shadows, reflections, and water effects.
The shader support mods you’ll need depend on your selected mod loader and Minecraft version:
- NeoForge or Fabric: Use Iris Shaders together with Sodium
- Forge: Use Oculus with Embeddium or Rubidium, or use OptiFine by itself
3. Next, change the filter to Mods and either search for the mod by name or browse until you find it.
4. Click Install on each shader support mod to add them to your instance.
Once everything is installed, your shaders will be ready to use the next time you launch the game. You will now see your installed shaders listed in the Shaders section of your modpack profile. You can click the Shaders tab to view which ones are available. The same applies to the other tabs, where you can check what is installed under categories such as Mods, Resource Packs, or Worlds if you have any of those added.
Installing Resource Packs
When you’re ready to add resource packs, the process is the same as installing shaders or mods. From your modpack profile:
1. Click Add Content and set the filter to Resource Packs.
2. Browse or search for the resource packs you want to use, then click Install to add them to your instance.
3. After you’ve installed your resource packs, click Back to instance to return to your modpack profile.
To confirm that your resource packs were installed correctly, click the Resource Packs tab in your modpack profile, just like you did earlier with shaders. You’ll see a list of all the resource packs currently added to your modpack.
Adding Data Packs
A data pack in Minecraft is a file that changes or adds gameplay features, such as new crafting recipes, loot tables, or custom rules. It does not require any mods but can enhance gameplay or support certain mods.
1. From your modpack profile, click the Add Content button.
2. Set the filter to Data Packs.
3. Browse the available options and click Install on the ones you want. Once installed, your data packs will automatically load when you play your world.
To confirm that your data packs were installed correctly, click the Data Packs tab in your modpack profile, just like you did earlier with resource packs. You’ll see a list of all the data packs currently added to your modpack.
Step 5: Launching Your Modpack
Once you have all of your mods, shaders, and other additions set up for your modpack profile, you are ready to play.
1. From your modpack profile, click the green Play button.
2. The Minecraft launcher will appear, it may take a few minutes as this happens.
3. From the main menu, you can confirm that your mods are loaded by looking at the bottom left of the screen or by going to the Mods folder option on the main menu and checking that they are listed there.
4. Click Singleplayer, create a new world, and wait for it to load.
When you load into the world, your mods should be active. If a shader is not working, press the O key in game to bring up the shader menu or go to Settings, then Video Settings, and toggle or enable your shader depending on the shader support mods you are using.
You can enter Creative mode to check that any mods that added blocks or items are present in the game. This is a good way to confirm that the mods are installed correctly.
Another way to test is simply by playing and exploring the world.
You now know how to create and launch your own modpack on Modrinth. If you run into any issues, double check the steps above or refer to the troubleshooting section below.
Updating Your Mods
Over time, as bugs are fixed and new versions of Minecraft are released, updated versions of the mods you are using may become available. While updating is not required, doing so can resolve potential issues with the versions currently installed.
Be aware that updating mods can sometimes cause problems. It is important to make a backup of your profile before making any changes to ensure you can revert unwanted changes. You can also create a copy of your modpack profile and use it as a testing profile for updating or managing mods. To make a backup, do this:
1. From the All Instances screen, right click your modpack profile.
2. Select Duplicate Instance.
3. Make sure you are editing the correct profile you intend to update.
To update your mods, follow these steps:
From your modpack profile, set the filter to Mods so that only mods are displayed. Any mod that shows a green download arrow next to it has an available update.
You can update your mods in one of two ways:
- Click the green download arrow next to an individual mod to update it, or
- Click the Update All button in the top-right corner to update every mod at once.
Once the updates are complete, the green arrows will disappear, and your mods will be fully up to date.
Troubleshooting
Game Crashes on Startup
Crashes at startup usually mean that a required dependency is missing or a mod is not compatible with your selected Minecraft version. Check the mod’s page for version and dependency requirements. If you cannot find a compatible version, try looking for an alternative mod or removing mods to test things out.
Sometimes crashes happen because the game does not have enough RAM allocated. Increasing the amount of RAM allocated to the Modrinth app can help. You can do that through the instances settings tab.
Mods Do Not Appear in Game
Ensure that the mods were installed in the correct modpack profile and that the appropriate mod loader (Forge, Fabric, or NeoForge) is selected. Also confirm that you launched the correct modpack profile.
Some mods require a new world to function properly. For example, the Biomes o Plenty mod needs a new world to generate the new biomes it adds. Create a new world to see if the mods appear correctly.
Performance Issues
Some mods can be resource intensive and may cause lag or stuttering. Installing optimization mods such as Sodium, Lithium, or OptiFine can help improve performance. Increasing the amount of RAM allocated to the Modrinth app can also help.
Issues After Updating Mods
Updating mods can resolve bugs and compatibility issues, but it can also cause new problems if a mod update is not fully compatible with your profile. Always make a backup of your modpack profile before updating mods. You can also create a duplicate profile to use as a test environment for updates.
If you encounter issues after updating, check the mod’s page for version requirements or conflicts and consider reverting to your backup.
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