How to Fix the “Drowned” Error Code in Minecraft

Encountering the “Drowned” error code in Minecraft can be frustrating, disrupting your gameplay and leaving you wondering what went wrong. This error typically arises from issues with your game installation, corrupted files, or mod conflicts. Thankfully, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem and get back to building and exploring.

Understanding the “Drowned” Error

The “Drowned” error in Minecraft usually indicates a problem with loading or processing game data. This can be caused by several factors, including:

  • Corrupted Game Files: Damaged or incomplete game files can prevent Minecraft from running correctly.
  • Mod Conflicts: If you’re using mods, incompatibilities between them can lead to errors.
  • Outdated Game Version: Using an older version of Minecraft might cause conflicts with newer content or server versions.
  • Insufficient System Resources: Minecraft requires sufficient RAM and processing power to run smoothly. If your system is struggling, it might trigger errors.
  • Driver Issues: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause problems with rendering and game stability.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix the “Drowned” Error

Here’s a comprehensive guide to fixing the “Drowned” error in Minecraft:

1. Restart Minecraft and Your Computer

The first and simplest step is to restart Minecraft and your computer. This can often resolve temporary glitches or software conflicts.

  • Close Minecraft completely.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Relaunch Minecraft.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

Although Minecraft is playable offline, a stable internet connection is required for updates, authentication, and multiplayer. Ensure your internet connection is working correctly.

  • Check your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
  • Restart your router or modem.
  • Try accessing other websites to confirm your internet is working.

3. Update Minecraft

Using the latest version of Minecraft can resolve bugs and compatibility issues. Check for updates regularly.

  • Open the Minecraft Launcher.
  • If an update is available, it will be displayed on the main screen.
  • Click the “Update” button to install the latest version.

4. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause various issues in Minecraft. Update them to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.

  • NVIDIA: Go to the NVIDIA website and download the latest drivers for your graphics card, or use the NVIDIA GeForce Experience application.
  • AMD: Go to the AMD website and download the latest drivers for your graphics card, or use the AMD Radeon Software.
  • Intel: Go to the Intel website and download the latest drivers for your integrated graphics.

5. Allocate More RAM to Minecraft

Minecraft can sometimes require more RAM than is allocated by default. Increasing the allocated RAM can improve performance and resolve errors.

  • Open the Minecraft Launcher.
  • Go to “Installations”.
  • Select your Minecraft installation and click the three dots, then “Edit”.
  • Click “More Options”.
  • In the “JVM Arguments” field, find the line that starts with “-Xmx”. This value represents the maximum RAM allocated to Minecraft (e.g., -Xmx2G for 2GB). Change the number to a higher value, such as -Xmx4G for 4GB or -Xmx6G for 6GB, depending on your system’s available RAM. Don’t allocate more RAM than your system has available.
  • Save the changes and launch Minecraft.

6. Disable Mods (If Applicable)

If you’re using mods, they could be causing conflicts. Disable them one by one to identify the problematic mod.

  • Move your mods from the "mods" folder to a temporary folder.
  • Launch Minecraft to see if the error is resolved.
  • If the error is gone, add the mods back one by one, relaunching Minecraft each time, to identify the mod causing the issue.
  • Once you find the problematic mod, remove it or look for an updated version.

7. Reinstall Minecraft

If none of the above steps work, reinstalling Minecraft can resolve issues caused by corrupted game files.

  • Uninstall Minecraft through your operating system’s control panel or settings.
  • Delete the Minecraft installation folder (usually located at %appdata%\.minecraft).
  • Download the latest version of Minecraft from the official website.
  • Install Minecraft and launch the game.

8. Check for Conflicting Programs

Certain programs running in the background can interfere with Minecraft. Close any unnecessary applications, especially those that might use significant system resources.

  • Close programs like OBS, streaming software, or resource-intensive applications.
  • Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to identify and close unnecessary processes.

9. Run Minecraft as Administrator

Running Minecraft with administrator privileges can help bypass permission-related issues.

  • Right-click on the Minecraft launcher icon.
  • Select “Run as administrator”.

10. Check for Malware

Although rare, malware can sometimes interfere with game functionality. Run a scan with your antivirus software.

  • Use a reputable antivirus program to scan your system for malware.
  • Remove any detected threats.

Conclusion

The “Drowned” error in Minecraft can be a nuisance, but by following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue. Start with the simplest solutions and work your way through the more complex ones until you find the fix that works for you. Happy crafting!