Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1 – Graphics Fixes for Intel & AMD Issues

download Skip to Downloads

Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1 is a pre-release update aimed purely at bug fixes and performance improvements rather than introducing new content. This version is part of Mojang’s ongoing commitment to stability across different hardware configurations, with a particular focus on fixing graphical issues affecting Intel and AMD graphics cards. No new features or gameplay changes are included in this build.

This release helps ensure that the game remains accessible and playable across a wider range of devices, especially for players experiencing crashes or rendering bugs related to graphics drivers.

Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1

Features:

  • Bug Fixes from 1.21.5:
    • MC-295947 – Game screen freezes after extended play on certain Intel integrated graphics.
    • MC-296107 – Entities and block entities become visually corrupted over time on Intel iGPU setups.
    • MC-296908 – Textures and fonts in the game become distorted due to texture atlas corruption.
  • Bug Fixes from 1.21.6:
    • MC-297784 – Incorrect lighting/shading on entities when using Intel Gen11 graphics.
    • MC-298903 – Items in inventory turn solid-colored or invisible, with text showing incorrect coloring on Intel chips.
    • MC-298908 – Lighting direction in inventory behaves incorrectly, as if reversed on some Intel GPUs.
    • MC-299144 – Crash caused by loading resource packs with invalid shaders on AMD graphics cards.

Screenshots:

Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1 Screenshots 1

Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1 Screenshots 2

Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1 Screenshots 3

Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1 Screenshots 4

Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1 Screenshots 5

Requires:

Java

Java Runtime Environment

How to install:

Why use Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1?

Even though this version doesn’t add new gameplay content, it’s critical for stability—especially if you’re playing on machines with Intel integrated graphics or AMD GPUs. If you’ve noticed visual glitches, inventory rendering bugs, or frequent freezes, updating to this release can drastically improve your experience.

  • Essential fix for users with Intel Gen11 and AMD graphics
  • Prevents texture corruption and client crashes
  • Improves rendering consistency in the inventory and HUD
  • Optimizes memory handling with shaders and texture atlases

This version is also valuable for modders and content creators who want to ensure their resource packs and shaders don’t trigger critical errors, especially on lower-end systems.

FAQs

Does this update add any new mobs or features?

No. Minecraft 1.21.8 Release Candidate 1 is focused only on fixing bugs and performance issues. No new mobs, blocks, or features are introduced.

Should I update if I’m not using Intel or AMD graphics?

If you’re not affected by the bugs listed, the update is optional. However, it’s always a good idea to stay current for long-term compatibility and support.

Does this version include any fixes for Bedrock Edition?

No. This release is for **Minecraft Java Edition** only. Bedrock Edition updates are handled separately.

Is it safe to use shaders and resource packs now?

Yes, but ensure your resource packs are valid and compatible. The crash fix (MC-299144) addresses shader-related errors, but using broken packs may still cause issues.

How can I check if I’m affected by these bugs?

If you notice disappearing inventory items, solid-colored UI elements, or graphical glitches after playing for a while, especially on **Intel integrated GPUs**, this update should help.