How to Fix Crashes and Errors in Minecraft PojavLauncher on Android

PojavLauncher is a free app that lets you run Minecraft: Java Edition on Android and iOS, built on the Boardwalk project. It supports mods, Forge, Fabric, and OptiFine, allowing you to play modpacks or vanilla Minecraft versions like 1.20.1. Since it uses Java Runtime (like JRE 17 for newer versions), it can be tricky on ARM64 devices (common in modern phones like the Samsung Galaxy A54). Crashes often happen due to misconfigured settings, incompatible mods, or issues with the Java Runtime. I’ve run into crashes myself, like when I tried a heavy modpack on my phone, but the fixes below helped me get back to playing smoothly.

Common Crashes and Errors

• Exit Code 1: This means the game ran out of memory, has incompatible mods, or a bad Java setup. A GitHub issue (#5806) reported this on a Samsung Galaxy A54 with Fabric mods.
  
• Fatal Error (SIGSEGV): A serious crash, often from Java Runtime issues or mod conflicts, like in a Minecraft Forum post about a modpack crash on version 1.12.2.
  
• Failed to Download Minecraft: This can happen due to bad network or file placement, as seen in GitHub issue #5325.
  
• Game Freezes or Won’t Launch: Often caused by modpack issues or settings in options.txt, as discussed on Reddit.

Fixing Crashes with the Custom options.txt File

The options.txt file in your Minecraft folder controls game settings like graphics, controls, and performance. Misconfigured settings can cause crashes, especially with modpacks. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Find the options.txt File:
   • Open your file manager on Android and go to Internal Storage > Android > data > net.kdt.pojavlaunch > files > .minecraft. If you’re using a custom modpack, it might be in custom_instances > [modpack_name], as noted in a Minecraft Forum post.
     
   • If you can’t find .minecraft, enable “Show hidden files” in your file manager. I struggled with this on my phone until I turned on hidden files.
     
2. Edit options.txt:
   • Open options.txt with a text editor (like Google Docs or Notepad++ via USB to PC).
     
   • Look for settings that might cause issues, like renderDistance or fboEnable. For example, a high render distance (e.g., 16 chunks) can crash low-end devices. Set it to renderDistance:8 for stability, as suggested on Minecraft Forum.
     
   • If using shaders with OptiFine, set shaders:false to avoid crashes, as shaders are demanding on ARM64 devices.
     
   • Save the file and relaunch PojavLauncher.
     
3. Reset if Needed:
   • If editing doesn’t work, delete options.txt. Minecraft will create a new one with default settings when you launch. Back up your file first to save keybinds. I did this when my game froze with a bad shader setting, and it fixed the issue.

Managing the Modpack Folder

Modpacks, like those from CurseForge or Modrinth, are often the culprit behind crashes due to incompatible mods or wrong setups. Here’s how to manage the modpack folder:

1. Locate the Modpack Folder:
   • Modpacks are stored in Internal Storage > Android > data > net.kdt.pojavlaunch > files > custom_instances > [modpack_name] or directly in the .minecraft > mods folder. A Reddit post explained moving modpack files to .minecraft for RL Craft.
     
   • Ensure the modpack’s ZIP file has a valid manifest.json for CurseForge imports, as noted on their support page.
     
2. Fix Modpack Crashes:
   • Check Mod Compatibility: Crashes like Exit Code 1 often come from mods not matching the Minecraft version or Forge/Fabric. For example, a GitHub issue (#5806) mentioned crashes with Fabric 1.20.1 mods. Verify mods match your version (e.g., 1.20.1) using Modrinth or CurseForge.
     
   • Extract Mod Files: A Reddit user fixed Exit Code 1 by extracting mod JAR files into the mods folder and deleting the unextracted files. This works if PojavLauncher says a JAR isn’t valid.
     
   • Test One Mod at a Time: Disable all mods by moving them out of the mods folder, then add them back one by one, launching Minecraft each time. This helped me find a buggy mod in a custom pack.
     
   • Repair Installation: If using CurseForge, go to the app, click the three dots next to your modpack, and select “Repair Installation,” as suggested on their support page.
     
3. Organize Modpack Files:
   • Don’t just dump a modpack folder into mods. Move its contents (like mods, config, resources) to .minecraft and overwrite if prompted, as advised on Reddit.
     
   • Avoid special characters (e.g., *, /) in modpack names, as they can cause errors, per CurseForge support.

Setting Up Java Runtime 17 for ARM64

PojavLauncher uses Java Runtime to run Minecraft: Java Edition, and version 17 is required for Minecraft 1.17+ on ARM64 devices (most modern Android phones). A bad Java setup can cause fatal errors or Exit Code 1. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Verify Java Runtime 17:
   • PojavLauncher includes Java 17 for ARM64, as noted in their GitHub releases. Ensure you’re using the latest version (e.g., foxglove-20240709-045018f-v3_openjdk). If you’re on an older version, update via the Play Store or GitHub.
     
   • For manual installs, use the app-debug version (not app-debug-noruntime), which includes Java 17, as explained on GitHub.
     
2. Fix Java-Related Crashes:
   • Check Logs: If you see a “SIGSEGV” or “Invalid Java Runtime Configuration” error, check the crash log in .minecraft > crash-reports or hs_err_pid.log. A Minecraft Forum post showed a SIGSEGV crash due to Java 8 on an ARM64 device—switching to Java 17 fixed it.
     
   • Set JVM Arguments: Go to PojavLauncher Settings > JVM Launch Arguments and set -Xms3500m -Xmx3500m to allocate 3.5GB RAM, as suggested on Reddit. This prevents memory-related crashes. I set this on my phone, and it stopped Exit Code 1 errors.
     
   • Update Java Path: If the Java path is wrong, open PojavLauncher Settings > Select Runtime and choose Internal (Java 17). If it’s missing, reinstall the launcher.
     
3. Optimize for ARM64:
   • In Settings, enable “Use alternate surface rendering” for faster performance and “Enable sustained performance mode” to prevent overheating, as noted on GitHub. These helped my Galaxy A52 run smoother.
     
   • Avoid GL4ES 1.1.5, as it’s removed due to crashes on pre-1.13 versions. Use the custom GL4ES fork included in newer PojavLauncher versions.

Additional Tips to Prevent Crashes

• Update Drivers and App: Ensure your phone’s GPU drivers are updated via the manufacturer’s site (e.g., Qualcomm for Snapdragon). Outdated drivers caused crashes in my tests, as noted on CurseForge.
  
• Stable Internet: A bad network can cause “Failed to Download” errors. Disable VPNs or proxies, as suggested by CurseForge support. I switched to Wi-Fi from mobile data and fixed a download error.
  
• Check Permissions: Ensure PojavLauncher has read/write access to Internal Storage > Android > data. On Android 14, go to Settings > Apps > PojavLauncher > Permissions.
  
• Join the Community: The PojavLauncher Discord or r/PojavlauncherModpacks on Reddit are great for real-time help. I got a modpack fix from a Discord user in minutes.

Summary

Fixing crashes in PojavLauncher is all about tweaking the options.txt file, organizing your modpack folder, and ensuring Java Runtime 17 works on your ARM64 device. Start by setting a low render distance in options.txt, verify mod compatibility, and allocate enough RAM via JVM arguments. Update to the latest PojavLauncher version and check logs for clues.

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