Fixing Dark Loading Screen Not Applying or Crashing

Config Not Taking Effect

If your color changes do nothing, first confirm you edited the right file: .minecraft/config/dark-loading-screen.json, not a copy inside a modpack instance folder. Modpacks often use a separate game directory — check the instance's own config folder. Remember that manual edits require a full restart, so quit and relaunch rather than just returning to the title screen.

Also verify the JSON is valid. A single missing comma or a trailing comma before a closing brace will make the mod fall back to defaults silently. Paste the file into any JSON validator to check.

Crashes and Conflicts

A crash on startup right after editing the config almost always means malformed JSON. Delete or rename the file so the mod regenerates a clean default, then re-apply your changes carefully.

If the game runs but the loading screen looks vanilla, another mod is likely rendering over it. Temporarily remove other splash/loading mods and resource packs that replace the loading screen, then reintroduce them one by one. If Mod Menu shows no config button, Cloth Config API is missing or mismatched — install a compatible build and relaunch.