Most "the mod won't load" problems come down to versions. Crackers Wither Storm Mod is built for specific Minecraft versions and a specific loader, and everything in your setup has to line up.

Java Edition only

Cracker's Wither Storm Mod is a Minecraft: Java Edition mod. It runs wherever Java Edition runs: Windows, macOS and Linux. It does not run on Bedrock Edition, consoles or phones. If you arrived here searching for a Bedrock version, the Bedrock guide explains why.

Version branches in the repository

The project's GitHub repository keeps work for different Minecraft versions in separate branches. The archive linked on this site is the 1.16.5 branch. Other branches target other Minecraft versions, and features can differ between them, so a guide written for one version may not match another exactly.

Always pick the build that names your exact Minecraft version. A file for 1.16.5 will not load on 1.20.1, and the reverse is also true.

Matching Forge

The 1.16.5 branch is a Forge project. Install Forge for Minecraft 1.16.5; a recent, stable Forge build for that version is the sensible default. Don't expect it to load through Fabric or Quilt.

Java runtime vs Java Development Kit

For playing, the official Minecraft Launcher ships with a suitable Java runtime, so you rarely need to install Java yourself. For building the mod from source you need a JDK. Minecraft's own Java requirements by version are:

Minecraft versionJava version Minecraft uses
1.16.5 and earlierJava 8
1.17.xJava 16
1.18 to 1.20.4Java 17
1.20.5 and laterJava 21

A mod project may pin its own build JDK, so check its build files when compiling.

Version checklist

  1. Minecraft version of your profile: noted.
  2. Forge installed for that same version.
  3. Mod .jar built for that same version.
  4. Any dependencies the release lists, in matching versions.
  5. No leftover mods from other versions in the mods folder.

With those lined up, the installation guide should go smoothly.

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