Distant Horizons Mod FAQ
10 questions players actually ask, answered.
How do I turn on Distant Horizons after installing it?
The mod works automatically once installed, but you need to raise your Distant Horizons render distance in its settings menu to actually see far terrain. Open the mod's config screen and increase the LOD distance slider, then let the terrain data build up as you explore.
Why does Distant Horizons look blurry or low detail far away?
That's intentional — distant terrain is stored as simplified Level of Detail (LOD) data instead of full blocks to keep performance high. As you move closer, the LODs are replaced by real chunks, so the blurriness resolves itself when you approach.
How do I make Distant Horizons load terrain faster?
Explore the world normally so the mod can generate and cache LOD data for each area, and increase the CPU thread allocation in the mod's settings if your hardware allows it. Pre-generating chunks with a chunk pre-generator mod also helps a lot.
Does Distant Horizons work on servers and multiplayer?
Yes, but the server needs the mod installed for distant terrain to be sent to you automatically. On vanilla servers you can still use it, but LODs will only build from chunks your client has already loaded.
Can I use shaders with Distant Horizons?
Yes, but you need a compatible shader setup — typically Iris or OptiFine alongside the mod. Not every shader supports DH's LOD rendering, so check the shader's documentation or try a few to find one that works.
Why is my Distant Horizons terrain not showing up at all?
Make sure the DH render distance is set higher than your vanilla render distance, otherwise there's nothing extra to display. Also check that you've explored the area — LODs only exist for chunks the game has already seen.
Does Distant Horizons hurt my FPS?
It's designed to be lightweight because distant terrain is simplified, but very high LOD distances and low-end hardware can still cost performance. Lower the DH render distance or reduce the quality settings if you notice frame drops.
Will Distant Horizons show my builds from far away?
Yes, player-built structures are captured as LODs just like natural terrain, so you can see your base or tower from a long distance. Very small details may be simplified until you get closer.
How do I reset or clear Distant Horizons terrain data?
The mod stores LOD data per-world in its own folder, and you can delete that world's DH data to force a rebuild. This is useful if terrain looks wrong or outdated after world edits.
Why does Distant Horizons show old terrain after I changed the world?
LODs are cached and don't update instantly when blocks change, so recently edited areas can look stale from far away. Moving closer or letting the mod refresh the region will update the LODs to match the current world.