How to install Minecraft Forge 1.20.5 – Modding Engine (API) Installer for Client and Server

Minecraft Forge API 1.9.4Minecraft Forge 1.20.5 is an open-source modding engine/framework for Minecraft It allows developers to directly contact to internal functions of Java based Minecraft through API calls and add new features to the game while maintaining compatibility with other mods.

What is Forge API?, Do I need it?

It depends. If you are a player of Minecraft Java Edition and want to customize your game with community-created mods, then yes, it is a must have tool. Forge 1.18 has both client (player) and server (host) installer types available.

Not only Forge increases the compatibility but it also makes installing new mods easier. After installing the Forge, all you have to do is to create a %appdata%/.minecraft/mods folder and move all your downloaded mods Jar/Zip there, then launch the game. Pretty simple, right!

This project is made possible by community developers; LexManos, cpw and many others.

Installation Video:

List of Downloads for Minecraft Forge

Below you can find installers for almost every recent Minecraft version.

For 1.20.2 Installer (Direct): forge-1.20.2-48.0.1-installer.jar (21st September, 2023)

For MDK (Direct): Forge-API-MDK.jar

For 1.20.1 Installer (Direct): forge-1.20.1-47.0.19-installer.jar (10th June, 2023)

For MDK (Direct): Forge-API-MDK.jar

For 1.19.4 Installer (Direct): forge-1.19.4-45.0.24-installer.jar (25th March, 2023)

For MDK (Direct): Forge-API-MDK.jar

For 1.19.3 Installer (Direct): forge-1.19.3-43.0.8-installer.jar (11th August, 2022)

For MDK (Direct): Forge-API-MDK.jar

For 1.19.2 Installer (Direct): forge-1.19.2-43.0.8-installer.jar (14th August, 2021)

For MDK (Direct): Forge-API-MDK.jar

For 1.18.2 Installer (Direct): forge-1.18.2-40.0.1-installer.jar (1st December, 2021)

For MDK (Direct): Forge-API-MDK.jar

For 1.18 Installer (Direct): forge-1.18-38.0.5-installer.jar (1st December, 2021)

For MDK (Direct): Forge-API-MDK.jar

For 1.17.1 Installer (Direct): forge-1.17.1-37.0.1-installer.jar (15th January, 2021)

For MDK (Direct): Forge-API-MDK.jar

For 1.16.5 Installer (Direct): forge-1.16.4-36.0.0-installer.jar (15th January, 2021)

For 1.16.4 Installer (Direct): forge-1.16.4-35.0.18-installer.jar (18th November, 2020)

For 1.16.3 Installer (Direct): forge-1.16.3-34.1.1-installer.jar (30th September, 2020)

For 1.16.2 Installer (Direct): forge-1.16.2-33.0.0-installer.jar (13th August, 2020)

For 1.16.1 Installer (Direct): Forge-1.16.1-installer.jar

For 1.15.2 Installer (Direct): Forge-1.15.2-installer.jar

For 1.15.1 Installer (Direct): Forge-1.15.1-installer.jar

For 1.14.4 Installer (Direct): Forge-1.14.4-installer.jar

For 1.13.2 Installer (Direct): Forge-1.13.2-installer.jar

For 1.12.2 Installer (Direct): Forge-1.12.2.jar

For 1.12 Installer (Direct): Forge-1.12-.jar

Recent Changes made to the Forge API

These are the list of changes in the recent builds of Minecraft Forge, these are usually meant for mod makers, you can skip reading them.

Build: 1.15.2-31.2.30 - Thu Jul 02 05:43:41 GMT 2020

- Fix improper handling of baked lighting in forge light pipeline
- Fix IItemHandler wrappers for chests not updating both chests (#6874)
- Fix Language.javaLocale parsing (#6861)
- Allow RayTraceContext to be constructed with a null entity. (#6708)
- Replace explicit shears reference in vanilla loot tables with tag for modded shears. (#6765)
- Fix cache file sorting issue on linux (#6793)
- Modify how modfiles load slightly, for better decoupling.
- Throw an exception from DeferredRegister when trying to register entries after registry event has fired (#6789)
- Potential userProperties Fix (#6740)

Forge Modloader

How to install Forge 1.20 (Client) in Minecraft

• Close the Minecraft Launcher if it is running.

• Download the latest JAR installer from the link(s) mentioned above. Make sure the installer matches the game version.

• Now double-click Forge installer.jar file.  Make sure “Install Client” radio button is selected. Then click Install.

• Forge Installer will begin downloading the required libraries and build processes, this process will take few minutes.

• Then you will get a Successfully installed message, click OK and then start Minecraft Launcher

• Select the profile newly created with Forge and click Play.

Debug Screen Forge

 

Installation Instructions for Old Game versions

Forge API only started shipping Installer after Minecraft v1.5.2, so if you are still using legacy versions then you have to follow these steps to install Forge.

  • Download the latest version of Forge from link above.
  • Go to your /.minecraft/bin folder and open Minecraft.jar using WinRAR or 7zip
  • Open mod zip file, drag and drop its files and folders into the jar
  • Delete META-INF inside the jar
  • Launch Minecraft and verify.

How do I install Forge Mods?

It’s the easiest part of whole process. Once you have the API installed, all you have to do is to start Minecraft. You will see a big “Mods” button on the front screen of game, click it.

Forge Installed inside Minecraft Launcher

Then click “Open Mods Folder“, it will pop up a Window in your Operating system. Now drag and drop the mod files with extensions such as .JAR and .ZIP. Do not attempt to extract the mod files.

You can also access the mod directory by entering the the following path in Run dialog box. (press WinKey+R)

%appdata%/.minecraft/mods

Forge Mods Folder in Windows

Tips and Warnings

  • Minecraft Forge has a built in FML (ModLoader), you don’t need to install any.
  • OptiFine is now compatible with Forge
  • It’s better to install MCF on a fresh copy of Minecraft.
  • Majority of Forge mods install inside, <C:\Users\UserID\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\mods> folder.
  • Do a test run before installing any mods in MCForge.
  • Minecraft Forge updates very often, make sure you have latest version.

 

131 Comments

    • You’re probably using an outdated version of Forge i had the same problem but it was because of a different version of MC

      Reply
      • I’m running MC 1.5.1, trying to add the Thaumcraft 3.0.3 mod and get the same error: Mojang logo and then just a black screen, no menu.
        I’m sure I installed the Forge correctly: if there are no files in the ‘mods’ folder, it runs just fine. The black screen of death appears when I place the Thaumcraft mod RAR file into the folder (as instructed in the modding guide).
        Help?

        Reply
        • I have the same problem, but it’s not just with thaumcraft, it’s with all mods

          Reply
          • I get the “FML is setting up your minecraft environment” and nothing happens. Stuck at 0% and the game it’s self has a black screen. Trying to get Mo’s creatures and Zanminimap to work. So far nothing.

        • Yes,i have the same exact problem.What is going on?Anyone?

          Reply
        • Probably the mod is outdated ( Its not for your version of Minecraft. )

          Reply
          • i down loaded the right version of the mod and i, too get the black screen

          • Ya that means the mods you put in there one of the mods can not work with the other mod

        • Here Are Some Helps
          1-If The mod Does Not Work
          a)Check The Version
          b)If The Version Is OKay
          The Mod Is Not Good
          Note – Its Not The Forge
          Which Have Problem It Is
          The Mod
          or The Mod Is Not Compatible With The Forge

          Reply
        • it’s probaly Thaumcraft not Minecraft because I’m pretty sure Thaumcraft 3 only works up to 1.5.2

          Reply
      • No I am using latest Version, And after Mojang it just crashes. Or, Blackscreen. Almust same thing.

        Reply
      • I’m getting the same crash. I’m using Minecraft 1.6.1, forge installer 1.6.1 without any mods. Any help?

        Reply
    • i started a minecraft then the fml showed up (i download Forge cause im gonna download New minerals mod) it go tp 91% and it disappear and my minecraft Black screened

      Reply
    • Simple problem to fix. Either you’re using an outdated version of forge, or minecraft, or you’re deleting meta-inf after you install forge. To ensure you deleted the right folder, because forge itself comes with its own meta-inf folder which you should NOT delete, delete meta-inf first, then drag the contents of forge into your bin. For the most recent version of forge, click on the link above that says minecraftforge-universal-latest.zip

      Reply
    • OMG! Thank you sooooooo much! I really hate how the new launcher had to change the mod/forge installation stuff.

      Reply
      • yeah ikr why did they make a stupid new launcher and complicate everything its dumb

        Reply
    • you deleted META.INF and copied the files to minecraft.jar?
      answer and reply

      Reply
    • if you have forge then look for the thing that says its capable for that loader that you have.

      Reply
    • the games crashes because you’re stupid and didn’t read the instructions

      Reply
    • Patronpv, it has crashed because you have obviously dowloaded a NON COMPATIBLE (Can’t use forge) Minecraft mod, next time make sure that you download a Forge Compatible mod…

      Reply
    • Actually..

      If the mod doesn’t work, it is maybe it is because :
      – the version is wrong
      – the mod is not okay
      – the mod is not good
      – the mod is incompatible with forge version or other mods on your minecraft.

      I had the same problem one year ago when I was a minecraft noob.

      Do what I did.. which is :
      – fuckin’ search on google.
      – check if the version of the mod is compatible with the forge version or with other mods.. blah, blah, blah.
      – ask the ‘creator’ of the mod and ask for his/her help.

      My tips are just the same as the ones below, but, eh.

      Reply
    • maybe it’s the mods that don;t work. sometimes you need a higher version of Forge

      Reply
  • i instaled it but when i open minecraft jar i domt see mod file but i see all others

    Reply
    • Something must’ve been installed wrong then…what operating system are you using?

      Reply
      • If you’re using mac or any operating system now there’s no need (actualy don’t) delete META-INF as a file overrides that folder and is critical to run forge

        Reply
    • Try making a mods folder by making a new folder and naming it mods (no caps)

      Reply
  • When i put the chickencore mod into the coremods folder it gives me a fatal error

    Reply
  • I get fatal error, a. Jar clean recently upgraded to 1.5.1 with the first download link.

    Win7 64 i7 16gb 2gddr

    Why???? I try many times

    welcome answers.

    thanks

    Reply
    • You’re using cracked minecraft version. Same for me. It only works for premium minecraft.

      Reply
    • u need to delete the coremods folder, but then you might get the black screen error which I cant fix, im looking for the answer right now.

      Reply
  • Hi!
    I just down loaded this version of minecraft forge, and after I put it in and got started minecraf.jar minecraft. it says only that it has some tasks to do before I can play. and it has been so the last half hour. what is wrong???

    Thank you

    Reply
  • Damn, it didn’t crash but i can’t play it says Done loading and nothing more

    Reply
    • hey, had the same problem but tried after copying forge to mincraft.jar I deleted the META-INF. but, I think its best to start with a fresh mincraft.jar by running an update then try this approach.

      Reply
    • This happened to me too! it says done loading for like 20 mins and doesn’t start. I didnt have a mods folder so i made one instead.

      Reply
  • I installed Forge correctly, but only 5 (including the three that come with the program) actually work. The mods are in the ‘mods’ folder in .minecraft, but they still don’t even show up in the Mods section on Minecraft.

    Reply
  • Ok. So I’m using the minecraft majic launcher and i can install most mods no problem. but when i try to use the new forge, it sais “1 error”. I try to open minecraft and it gives me a black screen. What am i doing wrong?

    Reply
    • Yesterday I had the very same…Forge would load but would give me the “1 error” warning, the Mojang screen, then black screen. I tried the Forge installation on MC1.5.1…no good, so I updated to MC1.5.2 and still I get the error. My game is clean. No mods have been installed, and I am using MagicLauncher. The Forge file states it is for 1.5.1/1.5.2…I just don’t know, unless the new update is not working with this file, or the file is corrupt. I have re-downloaded the file and force updated the game also. But nada. I cannot get Optifine to function either. The file will not extract correctly and throws an error. I spent hours on this yesterday…I’m stumped. If we are all having this problem, then it is not us, but the files.

      Reply
  • I keep coming up with this problem where it says “there was a fatal error starting up minecraft and FML, please consult this file…”

    Please help!

    Reply
  • so it says there was a fatal error and it couldnt be started in its “current state” any help?

    Reply
  • The Forge Modloader isn’t compatible with the 1.5.2 update.
    It says the following : FML is setting up your minecraft environment
    But it never finishes the “setting up”.
    Help?

    Reply
    • May be you have downloaded the wrong version. Forge for 1.5.2 is released a day ago.

      Reply
      • The new version doesn’t help.
        It now loads the game itself, but after the Mojang screen, it makes the screen black and doesn’t do anything.
        Is it just me or is that normal?

        Reply
        • I’m having the same as well. I’m getting an error report after trying to re download my mods when FML is loading after starting it up.

          Reply
  • o universal forger é compativel com o optifine pois sempre que uso os dois juntos o jogo crasha antes de abrir logo apos o logotipo da mojang

    Reply
  • READ ME I KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT WORK!
    You delete the old meta inf then drag in the MCForge files.

    Reply
  • Mine says 1 ERROR on Magic Launcher. If I go on SINGLE PLAYER, It crashes, the startup and menu is fine but single player.. nuh uh. I haven’t tried MULTIPLAYER yet But I’ll try.

    Reply
    • mine says ok, but when i try to start up a world it just sits there on loading world and nothing happens. It won’t even let me close minecraft unless I use task manager.

      Reply
  • —- Minecraft Crash Report —-
    // Uh… Did I do that?

    Time: 5/5/13 5:16 PM
    Description: Failed to start game

    java.lang.NullPointerException
    at net.minecraft.client.gui.FontRenderer.getFontTexturePack(FontRenderer.java:1144)
    at net.minecraft.client.gui.FontRenderer.func_98306_d(FontRenderer.java:222)
    at net.minecraft.client.gui.FontRenderer.func_98304_a(FontRenderer.java:150)
    at net.minecraft.client.gui.FontRenderer.(FontRenderer.java:112)
    at net.minecraft.client.Minecraft.func_71384_a(Minecraft.java:407)
    at net.minecraft.client.MinecraftAppletImpl.func_71384_a(SourceFile:56)
    at net.minecraft.client.Minecraft.run(Minecraft.java:732)
    at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:680)

    A detailed walkthrough of the error, its code path and all known details is as follows:
    —————————————————————————————

    — System Details —
    Details:

    plz help

    Reply
  • I have had no luck ever since the update from 1.4.7 to 1.5 . Now forge will not install, I get FML setting up and just hangs. I am running Ubuntu 10.04 and have a launcher that was created by AnjoCaido and was working great till now. I need to get forge installed my kid is driving me nuts…..

    Reply
  • same as above, 1.5.1 works with forge as per instructions, but nothing I do can get 1.5.2 to work with it.

    Reply
  • I tried downloading forge onto my tablet but all that came up was the logo! Can someone help me how to use forge?

    Reply
  • I recently updated my MC to 1.5.2 then I install newest mineforge but then it just gives me error… -_-

    Reply
  • Hello I tried to plusieur method with forge walks(works) not ca mark(brand) Fatal to error here is the quon file(case) has to consult: 2013-05-29 13:47:39 [INFORMATION [ FORGEMODLOADER] FORGE MOD LOADER] version 5.2.17.653 for loading Minecraft 1.5.2 2013-05-29 13:47:39 [INFORMATION] [ ForgeModLoader] Java is Customer Java(Popular waltz) HotSpot (TM) VM, version 1.7.0_17, running one Windows 7:x86:6.1, installed at C:\Program Files\Java\jre7 2013-05-29 13:47:39 [ liqueur brandy] [ ForgeModLoader] Java classpath at launch is C:\Users\gigi\Downloads\Minecraft.exe 2013-05-29 13:47:39 [ liqueur brandy] [ ForgeModLoader] Java library path at launch is C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin; C:\Windows\Sun\Java\bin; C:\Windows\system32; C:\Windows; %%SystemRoot \system32; SystemRoot %; SystemRoot %\System32\Wbem; %%SYSTEMROOT \System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0 \; C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin

    Reply
  • My 1.5.2forge… I dont know if its working or not arent u soposed to have a bunch of status on the left bottom corner?
    Please !I want the tornado mod and 4 other ones.

    Reply
  • I tried to use Mo’s Creatures on the right version but only Mojang then Black Screen

    Reply
  • I’m using Mineshafter, will it work with that? I get a black screen, and I KNOW I’m doing it right.

    Reply
  • I’ve got some issues with the forge api universal. I’m trying to load Industrial craft 2, buildcraft and powersuits and it keeps crashing. First, with magic loader it told me I had old coremods so I’ve got the new ones. Then it just kept crashing. What can I do? I alredy tryed to load just one of them and none work.

    Reply
  • i cant get it worked, after i installed it and deleted the meta.inf fml keep downloading extra file, sometimes it has fatal error and sometime it worked, but every time i closed minecraft the fml download extra files again.

    Reply
  • Man, i have the new version of minecraft with the new launcher that accept to play the older versions, can i install and how i install frome the 1.5.1 / 1.5.2 and 1.6.1 versions ?

    Reply
  • What you need to do when your game crash is force update Minecraft and reinstall Forge, but before you install the files in minecraft.jar you need to delete the original META-INF

    Reply
  • Im trying to run minecraft 1.5.2 mods on the new (1.6.1) launcher. Is the process for downloading Forge the same as downloading a normal mod with the new launcher? And does the 1.5 folder in the 1.6.1 version of Forge have anything to do with it? The mod I’m trying to use is Forge-required and I really want to try it out. HALP.

    Reply
  • I’m having a problem with my forge. It crashes after mojang, but I’m sure I have the right version of forge(and I think MC). Can someone help me?

    Reply
  • I don’t use .jars a lot so I can even download the thing without messing something up SOMEONE MAKE A .zip OF IT ASAP otherwise im stuck with no mods! D:

    Reply
  • I cant find my bin map in .minecraft , tried to install forge zip file in my launcher zip, but i cant get it to work. Any ideas??? Pls help

    Reply
  • me is stay in converting world for hours i wait its still in the converting world im using minecraft 1.5.2

    Reply
  • Guys! now i know, you don’t need to delete META-INF if you had a Forge, that just make your Minecraft Black Screen/Crashed.
    Hope this helps 😀

    Reply
  • I have a problem.
    When I click to the file, it’s giving me a fast cmd message saying;

    – “Error: Could not find or load main class C:\Users\MyAccount\Downloads\minecraftforge-installer-1.6.2-9.10.0.804.jar”

    I don’t know if the problem is the .jar file or Java. Any advices? ^^”

    Reply
  • i just downloaded minecraft 1.6.2 and i dont have a bin folder or even a minecraft.jar file! anyone have any ideas?

    Reply
  • Its WinRar file… I did it before from an site which has .exe files for mods and everything was fine till i reinstalled Minecraft. Then it cant update forge and i cant play. Please respond and help me if u can 🙁

    Reply
  • Steps to ensure your minecraft is not gonna crash:

    a)Before installing forge Make Sure to DELETE THE META-INF Folder(Because Forge has a META-INF of its own).

    b)Download Forge as given in the steps in the main page.

    c)Run tests to check whether Forge is working to its fullest.

    Then you have forge and HAPPY MODDING!

    *Short Note:If you’ve downloaded optifine or cube bots mod(Before forge)Force update your minecraft or else you will get the BLACK SCREEN OF DOOM.

    Reply
  • i thought i set up everything correctly and my minecraft is running perfectly fine but nothing changed at all. there’s no mods option on the title screen or in settings. and no mod i have in the modds file is active.

    Reply
  • Have a solution
    If your forge is already installed,and your minecraft crashed right after Mojang screen appears out, try to:
    -Move all your mods from your mods folder to another folder that you want and leave one mods that you want to use.
    ex: You have tmi mods, crysis mods, complex mods, and timber mods. don’t put them all in the mods folder, only put one mod in the mods folder. if you want to use another mods, move the used mods and put another mods.

    Hope this helps 🙂

    Reply
  • Thanks so much, I’ve been waiting to install mods into my Forge for a long time… now i get to play! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

    Reply
  • can someone help me, when i try to click the fml folder it tells me it is corrupt download detected, cannot install

    does anyone know how to fix it 🙁

    Reply
  • I have installed a MineCraft server (1.6.2) and set up port forwarding so my son and his pals can play…was pretty proud of myself getting that all setup. Now they are asking to make it so they can install mods. I read some stuff on Bukkit, i’m seeing MineCraft Forge talk about enabling mods.

    Quite honestly i’m having trouble wrapping my head around what to do. Any suggestions? Kids are saying they want 1.7.4. What do I need to install on a Mac to allow them to do multiplayer and add mods?

    Thanks in advance.

    Greg

    Reply
  • How do you download Mincraft Forge for 1.7.2 I’m running it on my Windows 8 laptop but when I go to %appdata% and then to .minecraft there’s no bin file plz help

    Reply
  • For people who get a black screen (not even a Mojang screen) and then crash: move all the mods from the \.minecraft\mods folder (to another random folder, preferably not in \.minecraft). Minecraft will work then.

    Reply
  • I can’t start Minecraft:

    I’ve got the latest version of Minecraft Forge for Minecraft 1.7.2, installed with the Forge installer. After deleting the META-Inf folder, i tried to start Minecraft, but after the Minecraft Launcher window has closed, nothing happens for a few seconds, and then the Minecraft Launcher comes up again without a crash report.
    And yes, i’ve selected the “Forge”-Profile.

    I’ve tried it now with nearly every version of Forge, but it still doesn’t work. Can someone help me?

    Reply
  • i have minecraft 1.7.4 but when i try to install it says i have to run mc version 1.7.2 manually once first, how?? please help

    Reply
  • So, I’m just wondering, do you have any sort of time estimate on when 1.7.4 will come out? I know it must be a long process sometimes but it doesn’t usually seem to take this long.

    Reply
  • for some reason my forge create a new profile called forge and it work only on 1.6.4 but i took the 1.7.2 version

    Reply
  • Can you upload your Minecraft that already installed with pxelmon?
    i really dont know what’s happening in my minecraft..

    Reply
  • Can I use Forge with MC PE on an Android Phone? If yes, could somebody give some advice how to install it?
    Thanks.

    Reply
  • Java file for forge not showing up. Java is installed. any help would be appriciated

    Reply

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