Minecraft doesn’t respond: how to make it respond?

Minecraft is one of the most popular games played all over the world. The title is based on an open world where gamers get to build stuff using raw or regular materials. The world in Minecraft is basically infinite (even if things are just a simulation), but it is all useless if you cannot get into the game.

The Minecraft application on Windows seems to be ridden with various problems. Users often complain that the app is not responsive (or it becomes unresponsive during gameplay). You are probably here to learn how to make Minecraft respond on your computer.

Why is Minecraft not responding?

Considering the volume of user reports where the question “Why is Minecraft not working?” appears, it seems a wide range of factors and events are in play as causes or reasons due to which the application refuses to respond in Windows. We did our best to recreate the same conditions or scenarios where the problems manifested themselves. We got some results with varying degrees of success.

In the end, we concluded that the Minecraft application in Windows 10 might become unresponsive due to one (or more) of the following reasons, factors, and events:

Outdated Java version or bad Java installation:

Minecraft is quite reliant on the packages, frameworks, and protocols from the Java platform. It needs Java to configure its mechanics and run normally. If the Java installation on your PC is outdated or broken, then you will experience issues with the Minecraft application.

Corrupt or incomplete Minecraft:

The Minecraft application might fail or refuse to respond if its program files or packages are corrupt or inaccessible. Perhaps, you installed a new game version but the update operations did not go well (or their processes did not reach completion).

Problem with video drivers:

Minecraft, as a game, needs your video drivers to function well. If your video drivers are in a poor state, then the video or graphics operations for Minecraft will be executed badly. The graphics inconsistencies here might eventually translate to the issue where Minecraft refuses or fails to respond.

Lack of Windows updates:

It should be obvious to you that Minecraft runs on the Windows operating system, which is sometimes ridden with bugs and inconsistencies. Minecraft struggles on your PC might be down to you refusing or failing to install Windows updates, which would have eliminated the bad stuff in Windows code.

The list above is far from exhaustive. We know other reasons due to which the Minecraft application ends up being unresponsive, but we need not spend any more time on them. It is time we moved on to describe the most effective procedures used to resolve the problem. You are probably here for the solutions, after all.

How to fix the Minecraft not responding issue on a Windows 10 PC

We recommend that you explore the procedures below in the order they have been listed. Well, this is the only way you get to maximize your chances of finding a fix to the Minecraft not responding problem in the fastest time possible.

1. Update Java:

Java, as a framework, is made up of several packages and files, which are read and used by games and applications in the Windows operating system environment. Minecraft is one of those programs that are quite reliant on Java. Minecraft even has the Java tag in its title – in case you are yet to notice it.

Therefore, if the Minecraft application on your PC is not running as it is supposed to, your system Java installation is easily the first thing you must check or review. If you cannot get Minecraft to respond, then you have to fix issues with Java. Ideally, you should try to update or install a new Java version. Whether the Java installation on your computer is broken or incomplete, the proposed update procedure will do enough to make things right.

First, you have to check the OS build that applies to your computer (32- or 64-bit). Go through these steps:

• Give the Windows logo button on your machine’s keyboard a tap to see the programs and options that make up the Windows Start menu (or click on the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your PC’s screen for the same outcome).
• Input Dxdiag into the text box (that appears the moment you begin to type) to perform a search operation using that keyword as the query.
• Once Dxdiag (Run Command) comes up as the main or only entry on the results list, you have to click on it (or hit the Enter button on your keyboard).

Windows will bring up the DirectX Diagnostic window now.

• Assuming you are on the System tab, you have to check the value for the Operating System field. You will see all the necessary details about the Windows 10 build installed on your PC.

Since you now know what build of Windows 10 is running on your machine, you must continue with the steps below to search for and download the Java framework designed for your system configuration:

• Fire up your web browser. Once the program window comes up, you have to fill the URL or text field there with the following keywords: Download Java for Windows.
• Hit the Enter key on your machine’s keyboard to run the search operation using the inputted keywords as the query.
• Assuming you are now on the Google Search results page, you have to click on the first entry, which should be Download Free Java Software (a link to the Java official page).
• Look to the top-left corner of the page and then click on the All Java Downloads link.

You will now be directed to the download page for Java for different Windows builds.

• Click on the Java version that applies to your computer. Do whatever you need to do to get your browser to fetch the package.
• Assuming your browser is done downloading the file, you have to click or double-click on it to get Windows to run it.

You might have to extract the contents of the package to an accessible location.

• Ideally, after you open the relevant directory, you must copy the file version folder there.
• At this point, you have to fire up the File Explorer application using the Windows logo button + letter E keyboard shortcut.
• Once the File Explorer window gets brought up, you have to click on This PC and then navigate through the folders on this path:

C: \ Program Files \ Java (if your machine is running Windows 10 32-bit)

C: \ Program Files (x86) \ Java (if your device is running Windows 10 64-bit)

• Now, you must paste the file on your clipboard into the directory you are in currently. Do a right-click on any spot free of icons or objects to see the available context menu and then select Paste.
• Copy the name of the folder that just got pasted into the appropriate directory.
• Now, you must leave the File Explorer window. Launch the Minecraft mod manager app by clicking on its launcher or shortcut on your desktop.
• Once the program window comes up, you have to click on Edit profile (an option situated close to the bottom of the screen).
• Now, you must look underneath Java settings (Advanced), click on the box for the Executable parameter, and fill the field with the correct path.
• Click on the Save Profile button (close to the bottom of the window) to save the changes you just made to the launcher configuration.
• Close all the applications you opened and then restart your PC.
• Launch Minecraft. Play the game to confirm that the application now runs for as long as you want it to without issues.

2. Run Minecraft as an administrator:

In Windows, applications with administrator privileges or rights get to execute top-level operations and perform advanced tasks without complications or slowdowns. In other words, those programs’ processes function without needing to get permission for most stuff. There is a good chance that Minecraft struggles on your computer – especially those that result in its application becoming unresponsive – are down to the game’s inability or failure to do certain things.

Minecraft might need to access an entry quickly, modify a file in real time, or delete something without you knowing about it. By running Minecraft as an administrator, you get to provide the game application with the powers it needs to do everything.

First, you have to check and confirm that you are currently logged into your PC as an administrator (signed in using the admin account). If you are currently on a regular local account, you have to sign out of your desktop and then come back using the admin profile.

Once everything is in order, you have to follow these steps to run Minecraft as an administrator:

• First, you have to open the File Explorer application by clicking on the program icon on your taskbar.

Alternatively, you can use the Windows logo button + letter E keyboard shortcut to do the same thing.

• Assuming you are now on the File Explorer window, you have to click on This PC and then navigate to the folder where the Minecraft application on your computer is installed.
• Locate the Minecraft executable (the one used to launch the game), click on it to get it highlighted, right-click on it to see some options, and then select Properties.

Windows will bring up the Properties window for the chosen Minecraft executable now.

• Now, you must click on the Compatibility tab (at the top of the window) to go there. Click on the box for Run this program as an administrator to get this parameter selected.
• Click on the Apply button and then click on the OK button to save the changes that you made to Minecraft’s launch configuration.
• Close all programs and windows. Restart your PC.
• Fire up Minecraft. Test things by keeping the game up for as long as necessary to see if it becomes unresponsive like before.

3. Disable the overlay function in Discord:

Discord is a decent VoIP application through which users get to communicate with one another while they are playing video games or engaging in other activities (especially group programs). The Discord app on Windows is equipped with an overlay function, which you can enable for use with any game. You can then chat with other users directly on that overlay without having to switch to other windows (using the alt-tab shortcut, for example).

The overlay is quite intuitive and incredibly useful, but several reports point towards it coming into conflict with the Minecraft app – and that event translates into the latter becoming unresponsive. Yes, it seems the overlay function in Discord and the Minecraft app do not mix in Windows.

Since getting Minecraft to stay up and run normally is your top priority, you have to do away with the overlay function (or even Discord). Ideally, you should stop the Discord application from running on your computer, but you might prefer to put the overlay function down to see if this operation does enough to make Minecraft run without issues.

Follow these instructions to disable Discord’s overlay:

• First, you have to check and confirm that Minecraft and similar applications that rely on or use the overlay function are not running currently.

You might have to launch the Task Manager program (using the Ctrl + Shift + Escape keyboard shortcut). If you find anything that should not be active there, you will have to right-click on it to see the available context menu and then choose the End task option.

• Once you are sure that everything is in order, you have to fire up the Discord application. Click on the Discord launcher or shortcut on your desktop.
• Assuming you are now on the Discord window, you have to click on the Settings icon.
• Check the list of items close to the left pane. Locate Overlay and then click on it.
• On the screen close to the right border of the window, you have to click on the toggle for the Enable in-game overlay parameter to deselect it.

That should be all.

• Close Discord. Run Minecraft and test things to confirm that the game application not responding issue has been resolved.

4. Disable or uninstall Discord:

If the same problem – where the Minecraft application fails or refuses to respond – persists even after you disabled the overlay function, then you have to make bolder moves against the Discord app. Here, you must stop it from running completely. This way, its components are prevented from getting into conflict with the Minecraft process.

If Discord is a startup program – which means Windows is configured to initialize its components at boot – then you have to remove it from the Startup programs list first or deselect the auto startup function in the Discord application itself.

These are the instructions you must follow to turn off the Auto Start feature in Discord:

• First, you have to launch the Discord application by clicking on its launcher or app shortcut on your desktop.
• After the Discord window gets brought up, you have to click on User Settings represented by the gear icon (on the right side of your avatar).
• Go through the list close to the left pane of the window. Click on Windows Settings.
• On the pane close to the right, you have to click on the toggle for Open Discord to get this parameter deselected. That should do it.

Alternatively – or if Discord continues to start up at boot even after you put down the Auto Start feature in its settings – then you have to go through these steps to remove the application as a startup program:

• Use the Ctrl + Shift + Escape keyboard shortcut to launch the Task Manager application quickly.
• Once the Task Manager window gets brought up, you have to click on the Startup tab (close to the top of the window) to go there.
• Check the list of apps that Windows is scheduled to fire up at every startup. Locate Discord. Click on it to get it highlighted.
• Click on the Disable button (that recently appeared close to the bottom of the window).

This move is guaranteed to work.

In any case, once you make the required changes to ensure Windows never starts up the Discord app at boot, you have to restart your computer. After the recommended reboot, you have to play Minecraft to confirm that the game application no longer becomes unresponsive.

If the Minecraft not responding problem manifests itself again, then you have to uninstall Discord. Well, the removal of the Discord app corresponds to the ultimate procedure that confirms its involvement or noninvolvement in causing trouble for you.

These are the instructions you must follow to uninstall Discord:

• Use the Windows logo button + letter R keyboard shortcut to open the Run application quickly.
• Once the small Run window gets brought up, you have to fill the text box on it with the following code:

appwiz.cpl

• Click on the OK button close to the bottom of the Run window to force Windows to run the code (or give the Enter button on your machine’s keyboard a tap for the same outcome).

Windows will bring up the Programs and Features menu in the Control Panel application.

• Go through the applications on the list. Locate the Discord app, click on it to get it highlighted, right-click on it to see its context menu, and then select the Uninstall option.

Your system will now bring up the Discord uninstaller or uninstallation wizard window.

• Follow the instructions as they come up. Do whatever you have to do to remove the Discord application from your computer.
• Once the uninstallation operations for the Discord app reach completion, you have to close all programs and then restart your computer.
• Of course, after the recommended reboot, you have to open Minecraft to confirm that your troubles with its app are over.

5. Update your video drivers:

Minecraft is a game, so it is only natural that its application process executes numerous graphics operations. There is a good chance that the Minecraft not responding issue has something to do with glitches or inconsistencies that come into play during the execution of graphics operations. Well, most graphics problems are down to issues with the graphics driver – at least, when other factors or variables are negligible.

Drivers, in Windows, refer to the programs that control or handle the interactions between applications (or Windows itself) and physical components (or devices). For example, your graphics driver consists of code that manages image display and video rendering tasks performed by your GPU device for apps or utilities. Surely, you can see how issues with the graphics card driver translate into more serious problems.

You do not have to figure out why your graphics driver is malfunctioning or performing badly. The driver is probably old, outdated, broken, or corrupt. All you have to do is install a new driver to fix the issues affecting Minecraft. The driver update process is far from straightforward, though – at least, when compared to the procedures that we described earlier in this guide.

The operations that make up the manual driver update procedure are quite tedious and complicated, so we will not bother you with them. Ideally, you should update your GPU driver through an automatic function or operation. First, we will walk you through the procedure involving the automatic driver update function built into Windows.

Follow these instructions to update your graphics card driver:

• Use the Windows logo button + letter R keyboard shortcut to open the Run application quickly.
• Once the Run window gets brought up, you have to fill the text box on it with the following code:

devmgmt.msc

• Click on the OK button close to the bottom of the Run window to force Windows to run the code (or give the Enter button on your machine’s keyboard a tap for the same outcome).

Windows will fire up the Device Manager application now.

• Assuming you are now on the Device Manager window, you have to go through the list of items. Locate Display Adapters and then click on the expansion icon beside this category.

Once the contents of the category in view get expanded, you will see your GPU devices. If your computer is equipped with a dedicated GPU device – which is a more powerful graphics card that handles intensive operations in place of the integrated unit – then you are likely to see two devices. Otherwise – if your computer lacks an additional GPU dedicated to graphics operations – you are likely to see a single device under the Display Adapters category.

Minecraft is a game, so your computer probably runs it using the more powerful graphics unit. Therefore, we will be focusing on the update operation for the dedicated graphics card’s driver. It won’t hurt to update that of the integrated GPU too, though.

• Locate the dedicated graphics device, click on it to get it highlighted, right-click on it to see its options, and then select Update driver.

The How do you want to search for drivers? window will be brought up now. Two options will be provided.

• You have to click on the Search automatically for updated driver software option – since you are here to update the driver for your graphics device using the automatic function.

Windows is now supposed to use your internet connection to contact the necessary servers or centers to see if a new driver version is available for your graphics card. If it finds something, the required software will be downloaded and installed automatically while you watch the process.

If Windows does not find a new driver version, then your system will display a message stating your computer is running the latest driver. Ignore the notification.

• Once Windows finishes installing the new driver, you have to initiate a reboot.

If you could not get your system to update your graphics card driver through the automatic function built into Windows or if you continue to experience the Minecraft not responding issue even after you install a new driver, then you have to try another automatic procedure for drivers. Here, you will need to download and run Auslogics Driver Updater.

After you install the application, you must instruct it to run a scan on your computer to identify the malfunctioning or faulty drivers (the corrupted, old, outdated, and broken drivers) and gather the necessary details on them. It will then move on to search for, download, and install the latest manufacturer-recommended drivers to serve as replacements for the bad software.

You can use the program to install new drivers for all the devices on your PC. This way, nothing gets left out in your quest to fix all driver problems. Anyway, once you are done with the driver installation operations, you have to restart your computer to allow Windows to take note of the changes in driver code and settings. After the reboot, you have to run Minecraft (as you have done many times in the past) to confirm that everything is now fine with the game app.

6. Update or reinstall Minecraft:

If the Minecraft failing to respond issue has anything to do with bugs in the game application itself, then the problem might stop manifesting itself after you download and install updates for the app. Mojang (the firm that develops and manages Minecraft) seems to release updates quite frequently. In those updates, the developers typically embed fixes for existing bugs (and also introduce new features).

You can initiate a manual check for updates this way:

• First, you have to fire up the Minecraft launcher. Once the program window gets brought up, you have to click on Options (situated close to the username).
• On the screen or window that follows, you have to click on Force update.

The application will now try to contact the necessary servers or centers to see if there is anything your computer is missing. The new stuff (if available) will be downloaded and installed automatically, but you will be able to monitor the progress of the relevant events.

• Once the update processes reach completion, you have to restart your PC.
• Once Windows settles down (after the recommended reboot), you have to run Minecraft and play your game to test things.

If Minecraft failed to find updates for its application or if the same problem persists even after you installed updates for the game app, then you have to uninstall the application and then install it again cleanly. Before you proceed with the task here, you might want to back up your progress in the cloud. This way, you will lose nothing from the reinstallation operation.

The processes that make up the reinstallation operation might do enough to deliver the changes needed to eliminate the issues that are causing the Minecraft app to crash. Follow these instructions to reinstall Minecraft:

• Press and hold the Windows logo button and then give the letter R key a tap to launch the Run application quickly.
• Once the Run window appears, you have to fill the text box on it with the following code:

appwiz.cpl

• Click on the OK button close to the bottom of the Run window to run the code (or give the Enter button on your machine’s keyboard a tap for the same outcome).

Windows will bring up the Programs and Features menu in the Control Panel application.

• Go through the items listed there. Locate the Minecraft app, click on it to get it highlighted, right-click on it to see its context menu, and then select the Uninstall option.

Your system is supposed to bring up the Minecraft uninstaller or uninstallation wizard window now.

• Follow the instructions or guidelines as they show up. Do whatever you have to do to remove Minecraft from your computer.
• Once you finish uninstalling the Minecraft app, you have to close all open applications and then restart your computer.
• After Windows settles down, you have to fire up your web browser and then go to Minecraft’s official site for application downloads.
• You have to get the executable designed for your system configuration.

Before you run the main installation package for Minecraft, you have to do this:

• Use the Windows button + letter R button shortcut to fire up the Run app, fill the text box there with %appdata%, and hit the Enter button on your keyboard to run the code (or click on the OK button on the Run window).

You will be directed to the AppData directory in a File Explorer window.

Assuming you are in the AppData directory, you have to check for and take note of these three folders:

• Local
• LocalLow
• Roaming

You must go into each of the folders above, locate the Minecraft folder there, right-click on it to see some options, and then choose Delete.

Yes, you have to get rid of the Minecraft directory that exists in those directories.

• At this point, you have to restart your computer for obvious reasons.
• After Windows boots up and settles down, you must run the installer or installation package for Minecraft using administrator privileges.
• Perform the necessary tasks or do whatever you have to do to install Minecraft.
• Once your computer finishes installing Minecraft, you have to run the game to confirm that its application can now stay up for a long while remaining responsive.

Other things you can try to resolve the Minecraft not responding issue on a Windows 10 PC

If you are still struggling with the problem where the Minecraft application becomes unresponsive during gameplay (or after launch), then you have to try out the procedures on our final list of fixes and workarounds.

7. Disable or uninstall programs that come into conflict with Minecraft:

Some reports point toward certain applications being bad for Minecraft. Antiviruses top the list of programs that are known to come into conflict with games like Minecraft. The Norton antivirus, in particular, has been fingered in numerous complaints.

You might want to put down your antivirus and other applications that you suspect play a role in causing the problems that result in the Minecraft app becoming unresponsive. Ideally, you should uninstall all the troublesome programs, restart your computer, and then run Minecraft to see if things get better.

8. Disable all Minecraft mods:

Given the variety of mods for Minecraft available on the web, we know that they are quite popular among users. You too might have added or installed some mods to enhance your experience in the game. However, you must know that some mods cause issues for the game mechanics, which means they might be responsible for the problems you are facing.

To this end, you will do well to remove or uninstall all mods and then test things out. Getting the Minecraft app to stay stable and responsive while you play the game is your top priority, after all.

9. Download and install all Windows updates released for your computer.

10. Report the issue to Minecraft developers; wait for the game publishers to release a patch to address the problem.