Deferred Lighting Shader FAQ
10 questions players actually ask, answered.
How do I get the Deferred Lighting shader to actually turn on in my world?
Open the world's settings, go to the Experiments section, and enable the "Render Dragon Features for Creators" toggle. The pack depends on the game's deferred rendering technology, and that toggle is what switches it on.
Does this shader work in the regular release of Minecraft Bedrock?
Not currently. It only works in the Preview/Beta builds of Bedrock, because the deferred rendering technology it needs hasn't been added to the main game yet. In a normal release build, the pack won't produce its lighting effects.
I enabled the pack but my world looks exactly like vanilla. Did I install it wrong?
First confirm you're on a Preview/Beta build and that "Render Dragon Features for Creators" is on in that world's Experiments. If both are correct and nothing changes, your device's GPU probably doesn't support the effect. On unsupported hardware the pack can look identical to vanilla, and that isn't an installation error.
What graphics card do I need for deferred lighting to show up?
The effects depend on your GPU. A capable, modern GPU such as an NVIDIA RTX-series card or similar hardware should show the intended look. You don't need a costly card for the shader to run, but older or weaker GPUs may show no visible change.
Can I use the Deferred Lighting shader on mobile or console?
Yes. The shader isn't very demanding and runs on consoles, PCs, and mobiles. Whether the lighting actually appears still depends on your device's GPU, so some devices may see little or no difference from vanilla.
What does this shader actually change in-game?
It adds dynamic shadows, tone mapping, a custom sun and moon texture, bloom, and point lights. It also includes adjustable settings so you can tweak the look.
Where are the shader's adjustable settings and what can I change?
The pack has its own custom settings. In Bedrock, these are usually reached through the settings (gear) option on the pack in your resource pack list. Use them to tune effects like shadows, bloom, and tone mapping to your taste or your device's performance.
Why do torches and lamps glow differently at night with this pack?
That's the point light feature. Light sources cast their own lighting into the surrounding area instead of using only vanilla block light. Night scenes like villages are where it's most noticeable, especially when combined with bloom.
Is the Deferred Lighting shader going to lag my game?
It's designed to be lightweight and runs even on mobiles and consoles. If you notice slowdowns, lower or disable the heavier effects through the pack's adjustable settings.
Do I have to turn on the experimental toggle for every world?
Yes. "Render Dragon Features for Creators" is a per-world experimental setting, so you need to enable it in each world where you want the shader to work. Worlds without it will render like vanilla.