Uninstalling Minecraft mods requires careful steps because mod files are stored in multiple locations, including the game’s launcher profiles and user data folders. The method depends on the mod loader used, such as Forge, Fabric, or Rift, and whether you want to remove individual mods, the entire modded profile, or the loader itself.
Step 1 Identify the Mod Loader
Before removing mods, check which mod loader your profile uses. Open the Minecraft Launcher and go to Installations. Confirm the version of your modded profile. Examples include Forge 1.20.1 or Fabric 1.21. This ensures you delete files from the correct locations.
Step 2 Remove the Mod Files
The primary method to uninstall mods is to delete the mod files from the mods folder.
Locate the Mods Folder
Open the Minecraft Launcher and select your modded profile. Go to Installations. Hover over the modded installation and click the folder icon to open the main .minecraft directory. Inside this directory, locate the folder named mods.
Delete the Mods
Open the mods folder. Each mod appears as a .jar file. Delete the specific .jar file for the mod you wish to remove. To remove all mods, delete all .jar files in the folder.
For large modpacks such as FTB or Technic that use custom launchers, delete the entire instance folder within the launcher directory.
Step 3 Clean Up Configuration and Data
Many mods create configuration files and temporary data which remain after deleting the .jar files. Cleaning these ensures a complete removal.
Delete Configuration Files
Navigate to the main .minecraft folder. Open the config folder. Delete any configuration files associated with the removed mods. Also check for any folders named after the mods, such as journeymap or schematics, and delete them if you want complete cleanup.
Remove Mod Dependencies
Some mods rely on other mods, often called API mods. If you remove a main mod, remove its dependency mods as well to prevent orphaned files.
Step 4 Optional Remove the Mod Loader
If you want to revert to a vanilla Minecraft profile, you must remove the mod loader itself.
Open the Minecraft Launcher and go to Installations. Locate the modded profile, such as Fabric Loader or Forge. Click the three dots next to that profile and select Delete. This removes the modded profile and loader files, leaving your base Minecraft installation intact.
Step 5 Final Verification
Restart the Minecraft Launcher. Select a vanilla profile and launch the game once. Ensure it runs correctly without errors related to deleted mods or the mod loader.
Additional Notes
Always back up important mods and configuration files before deletion. Removing mods does not affect saved worlds unless the mod altered world data. For custom modpacks, follow the launcher-specific instructions, as instance folders may contain additional files.
Resources
REFramework Modding tools and development guides
https://reframework.dev
Minecraft Official Support
https://help.minecraft.net
Forge Mod Loader Documentation
https://files.minecraftforge.net
Fabric Loader Documentation
https://fabricmc.net