How to Download Shaders from Modrinth 2026: Iris Setup Guide

Modrinth hosts many popular shader packs that work with the Iris shaders mod. Downloading and installing them takes only a few steps.

What You Need

• Iris installed (works with Sodium for best performance)
• Sodium installed (Iris requires it)
• A shader pack downloaded from Modrinth

If you have not installed Iris and Sodium yet, install them first. They are both on Modrinth.

Step 1: Find a Shader Pack on Modrinth

1. Go to modrinth.com and select the Shaders category
2. Browse or search for a shader pack (Complementary, BSL, Photon, etc.)
3. Confirm it supports your Minecraft version and Iris
4. Click Download and choose the version matching your game

The download is a .zip file. Do not unzip it.

Step 2: Place It in the Shaderpacks Folder

1. Open your Minecraft directory (.minecraft)
2. Open the shaderpacks folder (Iris creates this automatically)
3. Drop the downloaded .zip file into it

Quick way to open the folder:

• In-game: Options → Video Settings → Shader Packs → Open Shader Pack Folder

Step 3: Enable the Shader

1. Launch Minecraft with the Iris/Fabric profile
2. Go to Options → Video Settings → Shader Packs
3. Select your downloaded shader from the list
4. Click Apply or Done

The shader loads immediately. If your FPS drops too much, choose a lighter shader or lower the shader's settings.

Common Issues

Shaders not showing up:

• Confirm the .zip is in the shaderpacks folder (not unzipped)
• Make sure Iris is installed and active

Game crashes when enabling:

• The shader version may not match your Minecraft version
• Your GPU may not support the shader's features

Low FPS:

• Use a performance-focused shader pack
• Lower render distance and shader quality settings

Recommended Shader Packs on Modrinth

• Complementary Reimagined / Unbound, balanced quality and performance
• BSL Shaders, popular, customizable
• Photon, modern, high quality
• Sildur's Vibrant, good for lower-end systems

FAQ

Can I download shaders from Modrinth? Yes. Modrinth has a Shaders category. Download the .zip and place it in your shaderpacks folder.

Do I need Iris for Modrinth shaders? Yes. Iris (with Sodium) is the recommended shader loader for Fabric.

Should I unzip the shader file? No. Keep it as a .zip and place it directly in the shaderpacks folder.

Related: Does Sodium support shaders?, Best Minecraft shaders 2026, Modrinth texture and resource packs