How to Add Shaders in Minecraft (With & Without OptiFine)

Introduction​

Want to make Minecraft look like a next-gen game? With shaders, you can add realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections! In this guide, you'll learn two methods to install shaders: with OptiFine and without OptiFine (using Iris + Sodium). Both work for Minecraft Java Edition.

Method 1: Installing Shaders with OptiFine​

Step 1: Download OptiFine​

Go to https://optifine.net/downloads
Choose the version that matches your Minecraft version (e.g., 1.20.1)
Click Download and save the .jar file

Step 2: Install OptiFine​

Double-click the .jar file
Click Install
Launch the Minecraft Launcher and select the OptiFine profile

Step 3: Download Shaders​

Some popular shader packs:

• 
  []https://www.sonicether.com/seus/ (SEUS)
  []https://shadersmods.com/bsl-shaders/ (BSL Shaders)
• https://sildurs-shaders.github.io/ (Sildur’s Shaders)

Download the .zip shader file (do not extract)

Step 4: Add Shaders to Minecraft​

Launch Minecraft with the OptiFine profile
Go to Options > Video Settings > Shaders
Click Shaders Folder
Move the downloaded .zip file into this folder
Go back to the game and select the shader pack

Done! You now have shaders running in Minecraft with OptiFine.

Method 2: Installing Shaders Without OptiFine (Using Iris + Sodium)​

OptiFine is great, but Iris + Sodium offers better performance and is more compatible with mods.

Step 1: Download Iris Shaders Installer​

Visit https://irisshaders.net/download/
Click Download Universal Installer
Run the .jar installer
Choose your Minecraft version and click Install

Step 2: Install the Same Shader Packs​

Use the same shader .zip files listed above
Open Minecraft Launcher, select the new Iris profile
Go to Options > Video Settings > Shader Packs
Click Open Shader Pack Folder
Move the .zip file into this folder and select it in-game

That’s it! You now have shaders running without OptiFine — better for modding and smoother performance.

FAQ​

Q: Can I use shaders on Minecraft Bedrock Edition?
A: Not natively. You’ll need a third-party app like MCPE shaders for mobile, or RTX support on Windows 10.

Q: Which method gives better performance?
A: Iris + Sodium generally gives better FPS than OptiFine.

Q: Will shaders slow down my game?
A: Yes, but you can use lightweight shaders like Sildur’s or tweak settings for performance.

Final Tips​

Keep Java updated
Allocate more RAM if Minecraft runs slow
Use lower shader presets if your PC is struggling

Have questions? Reply below and get help from the community!​