[Updated May 2023]: Minecraft Not Responding on Startup

Are you encountering problems when you start Minecraft launcher on your computer greeted with a Minecraft not responding message?

Well, several users also reported having the same issue that you are experiencing right now. Minecraft is one of the most popular games today, and this doesn’t mean that it is safe from occasional problems and runtime errors.

Now, the Minecraft not responding on startup error is mostly due to an outdated Java software on your computer, outdated Windows version, improper game installation, corrupted files, and game mods that you have installed on Minecraft.

Today, to make it a little easier for you, we are going to show you a few tips and tricks that you can easily follow to try and fix Minecraft not responding on startup error your computer.

Let’s get started.

Common Reasons for Minecraft Not Responding Issue

In this section, we’ll discuss some of the most common reasons why Minecraft may not be responding on startup. Understanding these reasons can help you narrow down the cause of the problem and find the most appropriate solution for your specific case.

1. Outdated Java Software: Minecraft relies on Java to function properly. If the Java software installed on your computer is outdated or corrupted, it can cause Minecraft to freeze or not respond during startup. Make sure that you have the latest version of Java installed on your computer to avoid this issue.
2. Outdated Windows Version: Minecraft updates may not be compatible with older versions of the Windows operating system. If your Windows version is outdated, it can cause compatibility issues with the latest Minecraft updates, leading to the not responding issue.
3. Inadequate System Resources: Minecraft requires a certain amount of system resources, including RAM and CPU, to function smoothly. If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for Minecraft, the game may not respond or freeze during startup.
4. Corrupted Game Files: Damaged or missing game files can cause Minecraft to not respond on startup. This can happen due to various reasons, such as improper installation, unexpected system crashes, or malware infections.
5. Incompatible Game Mods: Installing mods can enhance your Minecraft gaming experience, but some mods may not be compatible with the current version of the game or might conflict with other mods. This can lead to the not responding issue during the startup of Minecraft.
6. Outdated or Corrupted Video Drivers: Video drivers play a crucial role in the graphical performance of games like Minecraft. Outdated or corrupted video drivers can cause Minecraft to freeze or not respond on startup.
7. Discord Overlay: Some users have reported that the Discord overlay feature can cause issues with Minecraft, such as freezing or not responding on startup. Disabling the Discord overlay can help resolve this issue.

By understanding these common reasons for the Minecraft not responding issue, you can quickly identify the root cause of the problem and apply the appropriate solution to get your game up and running again. Remember to follow the methods shared in this article to fix the issue and enjoy a seamless Minecraft gaming experience.

Method 1: Update Your Java Software

When you are having issues running the game on your computer, the first thing that you should check is your Java installation packages. Java software is essential for games and applications that are coded using the Java language like Minecraft to run properly on your computer.

If the current Java packages on your computer is outdated or corrupted, then you would most likely encounter problems when playing Minecraft.

To check for an update on your Java software, follow the steps below.

Step 1. On your computer, press on Windows Key + S and search for Java in the dialogue box and press enter.

Step 2. After that, click on Configure Java to open its Settings page.

Step 3. Lastly, click on the Update tab located at the top of your screen and click on the Update Now button.

Note: You may also manually look for the Java executable file if you navigate to the following path “Drive C Program Files x86 Java for 32 bit systems” or “Drive C Program Files Java for 64 bit systems”.

Now, wait for the update process to finish, then go back to your Desktop and try launching Minecraft through the Minecraft Launcher to see if the Minecraft not responding on startup error has finally been fixed.

On the other hand, if you are still finding that Minecraft won’t launch on your computer, you can proceed to the next method below.

Method 2: Check Windows for an Update

Another reason why the Minecraft not responding error occurs is when your operating system is outdated. It is possible that Minecraft rolled out an update and the current version of your operating system is not supported by the latest update of Minecraft.

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To fix this, you can try to check for updates on your Windows operating system. Check out the steps below.

Step 1. On your computer press Windows Key to open the Start Menu.

Step 2. Now, click on the Gear icon located at the Start Menu to open Windows Settings.

Step 3. After that, inside Windows Settings click on Update & Security.

Step 4. Next, click on the Windows Update tab on the side menu.

Step 5. Lastly, Windows will automatically check for an update on your operating system. Follow the on-screen prompts to update to the latest version of Windows.

After updating Windows, restart your computer and try launching Minecraft through the Minecraft launcher to see if the not responding error would still occur on the game.

Method 3: Run Minecraft as an Admin

If you get a Minecraft not responding error on your computer and freezes right away, the game may lack specific permissions on your operating system, which causes the problem.

To fix this, you can try running the Minecraft launcher as an administrator to bypass any restrictions set by Windows on the game.

Check out the step-by-step guide below.

Step 1. On your computer, go to the Desktop and find the Minecraft launcher shortcut.

Step 2. Right-click on the Minecraft icon and click on Run as Administrator.

Step 3. Lastly, when a prompt appears, press on Yes to run this program as an administrator.

To permanently run Minecraft as administrator, follow these steps:

Step 1. Right click on the Minecraft launcher icon and select properties

Step 2. Click on Compatibility and put a check on Run this program as an administrator and click Apply.

Step 3. Close out the Window by clicking OK.

After that, open the Minecraft launcher to see if Minecraft would continue launching without any problems. However, if Minecraft still freezes and enters a not responding state, you can proceed to the next method below.

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Method 4: Update Your Video Drivers

Just like any game, Minecraft also requires your computer to have a working graphics card for the game to run smoothly and properly on your system. However, it is possible that your graphics driver is currently outdated or it is corrupted and not installed properly.

To fix this, you can try updating your graphics driver to fix the issue with Minecraft freezing.

Step 1. On your computer, press Windows Key + S and search for Device Manager in the dialogue box and press enter.

Step 2. After that, click on Open to start the Windows Device Manager.

Step 3. Now, inside the Device Manager, click on Display Adapters to expand it and show your graphics card driver.

Step 4. Right-click on your graphics card and select Update Driver to start updating your graphics driver. Follow the on-screen prompts to guide you through the process.

After updating your graphics card driver, restart your computer and open the Minecraft launcher once again to see if the Minecraft not responding error has been fixed.

Method 5: Disable all the Mods on Minecraft

What makes Minecraft so popular is the library of mods that you can use on the game. You can choose from hundreds of mods created by other users that you can play with your friends or other players online.

However, there are times when these mods are not properly working and can cause problems on your computer since these are created by other users and not the actual Minecraft developers.

If the Minecraft not responding issue occurred after installing mods on the game, what you can do is to uninstall those mods or move the mods folder in the Minecraft folder to a different location as it can be the cause of the error on Minecraft.

After removing the mods on the game, restart your computer and try launching Minecraft to see if the issue is already resolved.

Method 6: Reinstall Minecraft

Now, if none of the methods worked in fixing the issue with Minecraft. What we suggest you to do is to reinstall the actual game on your computer. It is possible that some of its files got corrupted while you are installing mods or while updating the game.

To reinstall Minecraft, follow the steps below to guide you through the process.

Step 1. On your computer, press Windows Key + S and search for Control Panel in the dialogue box and press enter.

Step 2. After that, click on Open to launch Control Panel.

Step 3. Next, click on Uninstall a Program from the list of settings.

Step 4. Lastly, find Minecraft from the list of programs installed on your computer and right-click on it, and select Uninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall Minecraft on your computer.

Method 7: Disable the Discord Overlay

There have been reports from Minecraft players that they were able to fix their Minecraft issue after they were able to disable the Discord overlay. If the above steps failed, then we suggest you try to follow our guide on how you can disable discord overlay.

Step 1. Open the Discord app and click on the User Settings button located right next to your username.

Step 2. Click on the Game Overlay option on the left pane and uncheck the Enable in-game overlay option.

Step 3. Open the Minecraft launcher and confirm if the issue has finally been fixed.

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Now, re-download Minecraft on your computer and try launching the game through the Minecraft launcher once again to see if the issue would still occurs on your computer.