Most often Minecraft won’t launch because the PC is below the official minimum (64-bit system, 8 GB RAM, Vulkan 1.3 capable GPU, at least 2 GB VRAM). Below are 5 causes specific to this game, official known issues and step-by-step fixes.
Unique FPSHQ metrics from this page's data
Per the official requirements (checked Oct 4, 2026) Minecraft needs 64-bit system, at least 8 GB RAM and a GPU on the level of Vulkan 1.3 capable GPU, at least 2 GB VRAM. Of 338 FPSHQ gamers’ PCs, 91% meet all minimum requirements. The main crash causes for this game: new Java Edition requirements: Vulkan 1.3 and a 64-bit system; graphics API; at least 8 GB RAM.
Built from the official requirements and the game’s anti-cheat, launcher and engine data. Red means the game will not start at all.
Mojang updated Java Edition requirements: 64-bit system, 4-core CPU, 8 GB RAM (12 GB with integrated graphics) and a Vulkan 1.3 GPU with at least 2 GB VRAM. The game is moving from OpenGL to Vulkan: on older GPUs and some older integrated graphics it may stop launching. (Jul 21, 2026)
Minecraft runs on Vulkan. You need a recent GPU driver supporting the required Vulkan version; vulkan-1.dll and “vkCreateInstance failed” errors point to an old driver or GPU.
The official Minecraft minimum is 8 GB RAM. With less, or with the page file disabled, expect “out of memory” crashes and the game closing without an error.
Minimum GPU for Minecraft: Vulkan 1.3 capable GPU, at least 2 GB VRAM. At least 2 GB of VRAM is needed: with less, expect “Out of video memory”, DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED and missing textures.
Minecraft launches via: Minecraft Launcher.
Mojang updated Java Edition requirements: 64-bit system, 4-core CPU, 8 GB RAM (12 GB with integrated graphics) and a Vulkan 1.3 GPU with at least 2 GB VRAM. The game is moving from OpenGL to Vulkan: on older GPUs and some older integrated graphics it may stop launching.
| Edition | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| OS | 64-bit system |
| CPU | 4-core processor |
| GPU | Vulkan 1.3 capable GPU, at least 2 GB VRAM |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| VRAM | 2 GB |
| Graphics API | Vulkan |
| Anti-cheat | not stated |
| Launcher / stores | Minecraft Launcher |
Source: www.minecraft.net, checked Oct 4, 2026.
Share of PCs from anonymous FPSHQ scans (338 builds) meeting each minimum requirement. GPU and CPU are compared by FPSHQ scores against the minimum models in the official requirements.
A failed item is the most likely reason for a crash or launch failure on such a PC.
Enter your GPU, CPU, RAM and Windows version — we compare them with the game’s official minimum and tell you what to fix. Nothing is stored on the server.
Check Windows, RAM, VRAM and GPU in “My PC” above. If anything is below the Minecraft minimum, the other steps will not help.
Get the NVIDIA, AMD or Intel driver from the official site only; Windows Update drivers are often old. On a laptop assign the discrete GPU to the game.
Close overlays (Discord, GeForce Experience, Steam), MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner, screen recorders and “boosters”, remove GPU and memory overclocks — then launch again.
Causes are built from official minimum requirements (Steam Store, publisher sites and support), the game’s anti-cheat, launcher and engine data. Known issues come only from patch notes and support articles (or outlets quoting an official statement — marked). PC shares come from anonymous FPSHQ scans (k-anonymity); GPU and CPU are compared by FPSHQ scores. PCGamingWiki is not used. More about the methodology →