Troubleshooting Shadows Not Appearing or Looking Wrong

Verify Shader is Active

Check Video Settings > Shaders to confirm Only Shadows Shaders is selected and enabled. The shader name should appear in the active shaders list. If it's not loaded, reload shaders or restart Minecraft.

Check Lighting Settings

Ensure Smooth Lighting is enabled in Video Settings. Only Shadows Shaders works best with proper vanilla lighting foundations. Disable any conflicting visual mods that might override shader effects.

Examine Shadow Distance

If shadows disappear at certain distances, your shadow render distance is too low. Increase it in shader options, keeping performance in mind.

Look for Compatibility Issues

Some resource packs or other shader mods can conflict with Only Shadows Shaders. Try using only the default resource pack to isolate the problem. Disable other visual enhancement mods temporarily.

Reset to Defaults

If settings are corrupted, reset shader options to default values. This often resolves visual glitches or missing effects.

Test in Different Locations

Shadows may appear subtle indoors or underground. Move to open areas during daytime to verify the shader is functioning correctly.