Tschipcraft’s Dynamic Lights Mod FAQ
10 questions players actually ask, answered.
How do I turn on dynamic lights?
Dynamic lights work automatically once the mod is installed — just hold a light-emitting item like a torch, lantern, or glowstone in your main hand or offhand and the area around you lights up as you move. There's no keybind to enable it; if nothing is lighting up, check that you're actually holding an eligible item.
Does it work in my offhand?
Yes. Holding a torch, lantern, or other light-emitting item in your offhand will make you glow just like holding it in your main hand. This is handy for keeping your main hand free for a sword or tool.
Why isn't my torch lighting anything up?
Make sure the item is actually in your hand and not just in your inventory — dynamic lights only trigger from held items, dropped items, or entities. Also check your light level settings, since the mod lets you cap how bright dynamic lights can get, and a low cap can make the effect hard to notice.
Which items emit light?
Over 47 vanilla items can emit light, including torches, lanterns, glowstone, lava buckets, amethyst-trimmed armor, and enchanted gear. Different items emit at different light levels, so a torch and a lava bucket won't necessarily produce the same brightness.
Do dropped items on the ground emit light?
Yes. If you drop a light-emitting item like a torch or glowstone on the ground, it will light up the area around it without needing to be placed as a block. This is useful for temporarily lighting a path or cave while you explore.
Can mobs carry light sources and glow?
Yes. Mobs and entities that carry or are associated with light sources — like a zombie holding a torch, a fireball, or a glowing squid — will emit dynamic light as they move. This means you can use glowing mobs as mobile light sources in dark areas.
How do I stop dynamic lights from being too bright?
The mod includes settings to control light levels, so you can cap the maximum brightness dynamic lights produce. Adjust these in the mod's config to keep the effect subtle if you find it overwhelming or if it clashes with your build's lighting.
Do light-emitting items react to water?
Some items change their light emission when they come into contact with water, adjusting how much light they give off. This means a torch or similar item might behave differently underwater or when wet, so don't be surprised if the brightness shifts.
Does this mod work with shaders or other lighting mods?
Dynamic lights generally work alongside shaders and other lighting mods, but results can vary depending on how those mods handle light sources. If you notice conflicts or missing light, try adjusting your shader or mod settings, or check for known compatibility notes.
Will this mod hurt my performance?
Dynamic lights can add some performance cost because the game has to calculate light from moving sources, especially with many entities or items emitting light at once. If you notice lag, try lowering the light level cap or reducing the number of light-emitting entities nearby.