Take me to...
- Modpack Issues
- Game/Launcher Issues
- "An access violation occurred when attempting to install Minecraft launcher"
- "An unexpected error occurred while trying to install Minecraft"
- "Couldn't load launcher core from..." / "Unable to start the Minecraft Runtime Environment"
- Can only play Demo
- Clicking 'Play' in Minecraft's Launcher Doesn't Start the Game (McAfee Real-Time Scanning)
- "Failed to create Minecraft directories"
- "Failed to download Minecraft launcher due to a network error"
- "Failed to install Minecraft launcher" (download error)
- "Failed to install Minecraft launcher (parsing error)"
- "Failed to unzip Minecraft launcher"
- No sound in game
- The legacy Minecraft launcher opens instead of the current one
Modpack Issues
Modpacks Won't Get Installed
If you encounter an error before, during or after attempting to install a modpack please first check whether the error appears in this list. If it does, follow the corresponding instructions to resolve it.
If no specific error is shown, or if your issue isn’t listed, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Repair the Installation
Attempt to repair the CurseForge installation. This can resolve common issues affecting modpack setup.
Installing Forge Modpacks
If the problem occurs specifically with Forge modpacks, please review the recommended solutions in Issues Related to the Forge Modloader.
Disable IPv6
Disabling IPv6 is suggested only as a last resort. If you choose to try this, follow the steps outlined here.
Java
Java is required to run Minecraft modpacks. If it’s not installed on your system, you may receive a Windows system message when attempting to launch a modpack.
Even if Java is already installed, using an outdated version can still cause issues when running modpacks. In either case, installing the latest version of Java is often the best solution.
To install the latest version of Java:
- Download the latest version from: https://java.com/download
If your operating system isn’t automatically detected, you can select it manually from: https://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp - Run the Java installer.
Java installs by default into the system’s Program Files directory. If you are not an administrator on your Windows system, you may not have the necessary permissions to complete the installation. In that case, please contact your system administrator for assistance.
3. Once the installation is complete, restart the computer and try launching your modpack(s) again.
"Failed to download file" in CurseForge Client / "Error Code 0"
This issue can often be resolved by using the Repair Installation feature.
For detailed instructions on how to use this option, please click here.
"The System cannot find the file Specified" error (Windows OS)
If you're attempting to launch modpacks but nothing happens or you receive the error message "The System cannot find the file Specified" try the following solutions:
Reinstalling the Launcher
To reinstall the launcher, open the menu on the right side of the CurseForge app and select Repair Installation. Once completed, try launching a modpack again.
Fixing the Command Prompt (cmd.exe)
If you encounter the error "CMD configuration may be causing issues", it means CurseForge is unable to access the Command Prompt file located at:
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
Here are a few steps to resolve this:
- If the file has been renamed or altered, restore it to its original name and location.
- If Command Prompt opens but immediately closes, it may be a sign of system corruption, possibly caused by malware.
To repair potential corruption, follow the steps provided in this guide.
Note: This process involves making changes to your system's registry, so please proceed with caution or consult a professional.
Invalid Modding Folder Path
If you encounter an error while trying to set a modding folder, please ensure the path you've selected is valid. The following types of directories are not supported and may cause issues:
- The desktop or any folder located within the desktop
- A OneDrive folder or any subfolder within the OneDrive directory
- The Vanilla Minecraft directory (e.g., C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\)
- Paths that contain non-English or special characters
- A root directory (e.g., C:\, D:\), which refers to the top-level of a drive
If you're unsure which path to choose, we recommend either:
- Using the default path suggested by the app:
C:\Users\[user]\curseforge\ - Creating a new folder outside the C:\Users directory, such as:
C:\CurseForge or D:\CurseForge
and selecting that folder as your modding directory.
Import Error ("Invalid File")
If you encounter an error when trying to import a modpack, please ensure the ZIP file is valid and correctly structured. The ZIP must include a manifest.json file inside the archive.
If the file appears to be structured correctly, try the following steps:
- Use the Repair Installation option, then attempt to import the file again.
- If the modpack uses the Forge modloader, refer to the recommended steps in Issues Related to the Forge Modloader.
If you're unsure whether the ZIP file is valid, or if the steps above haven’t resolved the issue, please reach out to the modpack creator or contact us directly and share the file so we can assist you further.
Custom Profile (modpack) Not Launching
If your custom profile (modpack) isn’t launching, it may be due to incompatibilities between the installed mods or between the mods and the selected modloader.
For assistance, you can reach out to the Minecraft community through the official CurseForge Discord Server.
You can also review this article for additional troubleshooting tips and best practices.
Game/Launcher Issues
"An access violation occurred when attempting to install Minecraft launcher"
This error usually indicates a permissions issue.
To resolve it, try the following:
Ensure your system user has full read/write access to your Windows user directory (e.g., C:\Users\[user]\).
Alternatively you can create a new folder directly under the C: drive (e.g., C:\curseforge\).
Then in the CurseForge app, select the Advanced option during installation and set the newly created folder as your modding directory.
"An unexpected error occurred while trying to install Minecraft"
This is a known issue that our team is actively investigating.
If you encounter this error, please contact us with any additional details you can provide. Your input can help us resolve the problem more effectively, and we'll make sure to follow up with you directly.
"Couldn't load launcher core from..." / "Unable to start the Minecraft Runtime Environment"
If you’re encountering either of these errors, try repairing the installation through the CurseForge app:
To do this, open the menu on the right-hand side of the app and select Repair Installation:
Once completed, check to see if the issue has been resolved.
Can only play Demo
If you're launching a modpack and the button says 'Play Demo' instead of 'Play', it typically indicates an issue with your Minecraft account login.
To resolve this, try logging out of your Minecraft account and then logging back in:
Make sure that you logged in to the correct account.
This should refresh your account status and allow full access to the game.
Clicking 'Play' in Minecraft's Launcher Doesn't Start the Game (McAfee Real-Time Scanning)
If you click 'Play' in the Minecraft launcher but the game doesn't begin loading shortly after, it may be due to McAfee's Real-Time Scanning feature.
Check if this setting is enabled. If it is, try disabling it temporarily then relaunch the modpack to see if the issue is resolved.
"Failed to create Minecraft directories"
This error typically occurs due to insufficient user permissions.
Please ensure that your Windows or Mac user account has the necessary permissions to read, write, and modify the following directory:
- Windows: C:\Users\[your user]\
- macOS: /Users/[your user]/Documents/
If the issue persists, try using a different location for the modding folder:
- In the CurseForge app, select Advanced.
- Choose a new folder, such as:
- Windows: C:\CurseForge\
- macOS: /Users/Shared/CurseForge/
"Failed to download Minecraft launcher due to a network error"
Please ensure that your internet connection is stable and that neither your firewall nor antivirus software is blocking Minecraft or Overwolf.
"Failed to install Minecraft launcher" (download error)
Verify that your network connection is stable, and check that your firewall or antivirus is not interfering with Minecraft or Overwolf.
"Failed to install Minecraft launcher (parsing error)"
This is a known issue that we are actively investigating.
If you've encountered this error, please contact us with any relevant details. Your input is appreciated and will help us work toward a resolution.
"Failed to unzip Minecraft launcher"
We are aware of this issue and currently working on a solution.
If you're experiencing this error, please contact us and provide any additional information you can. We'll make sure to follow up with you.
No sound in game
If you're not hearing any in-game sounds after launching a modpack, try reloading the game's assets by pressing F3 + T once you've entered a single-player or multiplayer world.
The legacy Minecraft launcher opens instead of the current one
If the legacy Minecraft launcher appears when launching a modpack, follow these steps to resolve the issue (Windows OS):
- Navigate to Overwolf’s installation folder (default location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Overwolf)
- Right-click on OverwolfLauncher.exe
- Select Properties
- Open the Compatibility tab
- Ensure the checkbox for "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" is unchecked
- Once you’ve unchecked the box, click Apply and restart the computer.
Then, open CurseForge and try launching the modpack again.