How to Fix the Error Code ‘Drowned’ in Minecraft

Encountering the ‘Drowned’ error in Minecraft can be frustrating, but it generally indicates a problem with loading game files, corrupted data, or mod conflicts. Addressing this issue often involves a series of troubleshooting steps focused on verifying game integrity and resolving conflicts.

Understanding the ‘Drowned’ Error

The ‘Drowned’ error in Minecraft typically arises when the game fails to properly load certain files or encounters conflicts during startup or gameplay. This can be due to several reasons:

  • Corrupted Game Files: Essential game files may be damaged or incomplete.
  • Mod Conflicts: Incompatible or conflicting mods can disrupt game loading.
  • Outdated Game Version: Using an outdated version of Minecraft may cause compatibility issues.
  • Insufficient System Resources: Your computer may not meet the minimum requirements to run Minecraft smoothly.
  • Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix the ‘Drowned’ Error

Here’s a detailed guide to resolving the ‘Drowned’ error:

1. Restart Minecraft and Your Computer

  • Close Minecraft Completely: Ensure the game isn’t running in the background.
  • Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches and free up system resources.

2. Verify Game File Integrity

Minecraft launchers often include a feature to verify the integrity of game files. This process checks for and replaces any corrupted or missing files.

  • Using the Official Minecraft Launcher:

    1. Open the Minecraft Launcher.
    2. Go to the ‘Installations’ tab.
    3. Select the Minecraft version you’re using.
    4. Click the three dots next to ‘Play’ and select ‘Edit’.
    5. Click “Browse” to find your Minecraft installation folder.
    6. Close the launcher, then delete the “versions” folder inside your installation folder.
    7. Reopen the launcher and replay the game. The game will automatically download missing files.

  • Using the CurseForge Launcher (for modded Minecraft):

    1. Open the CurseForge Launcher.
    2. Select the modpack profile encountering the error.
    3. Click the three dots and choose ‘Profile Options’.
    4. Under “Minecraft”, check “Allow content management for this profile”.
    5. Click the three dots again and choose “Open Folder”.
    6. Delete the “mods” folder.
    7. Reinstall each mod one-by-one to identify the problematic mod.

3. Update Minecraft

Ensure you’re running the latest version of Minecraft. Developers regularly release updates that address bugs and improve compatibility.

  • Update via the Launcher:
    1. Open the Minecraft Launcher.
    2. Select the latest version from the dropdown menu before launching the game.

4. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause compatibility issues with Minecraft.

  • NVIDIA: Download the latest drivers from the NVIDIA website or the NVIDIA GeForce Experience application.
  • AMD: Download the latest drivers from the AMD website or the AMD Radeon Software.
  • Intel: Download the latest drivers from the Intel website or the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

5. Check for Mod Conflicts (If Applicable)

If you’re using mods, conflicts between them can lead to errors. Disable mods one by one to identify the problematic mod.

  • Disable Mods:
    1. Locate your Minecraft installation folder.
    2. Rename the ‘mods’ folder to something like ‘mods_disabled’.
    3. Launch Minecraft to see if the error persists.
    4. If the error is gone, re-enable mods one at a time to identify the conflicting mod.

6. Allocate More RAM to Minecraft

Sometimes, Minecraft may not have enough RAM allocated, leading to errors.

  • Allocate RAM:
    1. Open the Minecraft Launcher.
    2. Go to the ‘Installations’ tab.
    3. Select the installation you want to modify.
    4. Click the three dots next to ‘Play’ and select ‘Edit’.
    5. Click “More Options”.
    6. In the ‘JVM Arguments’ field, locate -Xmx2G (or a similar value). Increase the number to allocate more RAM (e.g., -Xmx4G for 4GB).
    7. Save the changes and relaunch Minecraft.

7. Reinstall Minecraft

If none of the above steps work, try reinstalling Minecraft completely.

  • Uninstall Minecraft:
    1. Uninstall Minecraft through your operating system’s control panel or settings.
    2. Delete the Minecraft installation folder (usually located in %appdata%\.minecraft on Windows).
  • Reinstall Minecraft:
    1. Download the latest version of the Minecraft Launcher from the official website.
    2. Install the launcher and download Minecraft.

8. Check System Requirements

Ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Minecraft.

  • Minimum Requirements:
    • CPU: Intel Core i3-3210 3.2 GHz / AMD A8-7600 APU 3.1 GHz or equivalent
    • RAM: 4GB
    • GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4000 or AMD Radeon R5 series with OpenGL 4.4
    • OS: Windows 7 64-bit or later, Linux, macOS

9. Run Minecraft as Administrator

Running Minecraft with administrative privileges can resolve permission-related issues.

  • Run as Administrator:
    1. Right-click the Minecraft Launcher icon.
    2. Select ‘Run as administrator’.

Conclusion

The ‘Drowned’ error in Minecraft can usually be resolved by systematically troubleshooting potential causes, such as corrupted files, mod conflicts, or insufficient system resources. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to identify and fix the underlying issue, allowing you to enjoy a smooth Minecraft experience.