Unable to update the Minecraft Runtime Environment

This post provides the solutions to fix the “Unable to update the Minecraft Runtime Environment” error in Minecraft. This error usually occurs in Minecraft Java Edition. According to the users, whenever they start the Minecraft Launcher, Minecraft throws the following error message:

Minecraft Launcher – Unable to update the Minecraft runtime environment

Below, we have provided some fixes to resolve this error. But before you proceed, we suggest you run the Minecraft launcher as an administrator. For this, right-click on the Minecraft shortcut on your Desktop and select Run as administrator. If this works, you can make it always run as an administrator.

Also, check if you are using the latest version of Java. If not, first, uninstall the current version of Java from your computer, then install its latest version after downloading it from its official website and check if it fixes the issue or not.

If this does not work, proceed toward the solutions provided below.

Unable to update the Minecraft Runtime Environment

The following solutions may help you get rid of this error.

1. Check the installation location of Minecraft Launcher and Java.
2. Move the Curse folder to the C drive.
3. Check your Firewall settings.
4. Switch to another Minecraft Launcher.
5. Copy the Runtime folder to another location.

Below, we have described each of these solutions in detail.

1] Check the installation location of Minecraft Launcher and Java

This is the most common cause of getting the Minecraft Runtime Environment error while running the Minecraft Launcher. You may not be able to run the Minecraft Launcher if the installation location of Minecraft and Java is not the same. Let’s say, you have installed Minecraft on D Drive and Java on C Drive. In this case, you will receive the “Unable to update the Minecraft Runtime Environment” error. To fix it, uninstall Minecraft and reinstall it on your C Drive.

2] Move the Curse folder to the C Drive

Some users have stated that the error was fixed when they moved the Curse folder to the C Drive. You can also try this and see if it helps.

If this does not work, try the next solution.

3] Check your Firewall settings

Sometimes, the Firewall blocks some programs from accessing the internet. This is also one of the causes of this error. Hence, you should check if Windows Defender Firewall is blocking Minecraft from accessing the internet. One way to check this, disable the Firewall temporarily and run the Launcher. If you do not receive the error, it means that the Firewall was blocking Minecraft Launcher. To fix this issue, you must unblock Minecraft in Windows Defender Firewall.

If you use third-party antivirus software, follow its user guide to learn how to unblock Minecraft in Firewall or contact its customer support.

4] Switch to another Minecraft Launcher

According to some users, the error occurs when they use Curse Launcher to launch Minecraft. If you are experiencing the same issue, you can switch to another Minecraft Launcher like FTB Launcher.

5] Copy the Runtime folder to another location

You might experience this error if the modpacks in the Curse Launcher folder are not working. To fix this issue, copy the Runtime folder from the Minecraft installation directory, which is generally Program Files (x86), and paste it into the Curse Launcher folder.

Why does Minecraft say unable to update?

There are several reasons why Minecraft says unable to update. If you have an unstable internet connection, Minecraft will not be able to download the updates and throws the error message:

Unable to update the Minecraft Runtime Environment

Sometimes, Antivirus Firewall blocks some legit programs from accessing the internet. This is another cause of this problem. You can fix it by unblocking Minecraft in Windows Defender Firewall or your third-party Antivirus Firewall settings.

Why does my Minecraft Launcher keep crashing?

The main reason why Minecraft Launcher crashes is the hardware support. If your computer hardware is not incapable to run Minecraft, the Launcher will crash every time you launch it. Hence, it will be better to check the hardware requirements for Minecraft before you purchase the game.

Apart from this, Minecraft Launcher also crashes due to corrupted files. Hence, we also suggest you run an SFC scan. The System File Checker utility scans your system for corrupted files and repairs them.

I hope this article helped you fix the issue.

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