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Minecraft "Exit Code -1" crash

What exit code -1 means in Minecraft and how to fix it, from mod crashes during loading to driver and memory settings.

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The problem

What exit code -1 means in Minecraft and how to fix it, from mod crashes during loading to driver and memory settings.

Possible causes

  • The game stopped unexpectedly during loading, often because of a mod error.
  • Custom JVM arguments in the launcher that the Java version does not accept.
  • Too much memory allocated for the amount of RAM in the PC, or too little for the modpack.
  • Outdated graphics drivers, especially after a Windows update.

How to identify the cause

  • Open logs/latest.log in the instance folder and scroll to the end. The last lines before the log stops show what the game was doing.
  • If there is a file in crash-reports, it names the failing mod in the Description and stack trace.
  • If the log ends without any error, suspect drivers or memory settings rather than a mod.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Remove any custom JVM arguments you added and launch with the launcher's defaults.
  2. Set the memory allocation to a sensible value. The RAM calculator gives a starting point.
  3. Update your graphics drivers.
  4. Check the crash report for a mod name and update or remove that mod.
  5. Launch once with no mods to confirm the base game and loader work.

If that did not work

  • Reinstall the loader version for the instance; a partial download can leave missing libraries.
  • Try another launcher (Prism Launcher, the official launcher or your modpack's launcher) to rule out a launcher-specific problem.

Affected versions

All Minecraft versions, Java Edition.

Frequently asked questions

Is exit code -1 different from exit code 1?

Both mean the game stopped abnormally. The number alone does not tell you the cause; the log does.