Minecraft keeps crashing with Java Not Responding Errors – What To Do

If you play Minecraft and keep seeing ‘Java Platform SE Binary has stopped working’ errors, you’re not alone. Despite Java being installed on over 3 billion devices, it still has its issues and this is one of them. Minecraft is run purely in Java so if you see the error, you cannot play the game. This tutorial will walk you through some ways to fix this issue.

You see this error a lot in the Minecraft forums and in other program forums that depend on Java. One of the strengths of the programming language is that it is operating system agnostic, meaning it doesn’t care whether you use Windows, Mac, Android or iOS as it will work with all of them. It is also free and open source, which is why so many programs use it.

The full error syntax for this is ‘Java(TM) Platform SE binary has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available.’ Presumably Mac and mobile users will get a similar message.

Minecraft keeps crashing

There are three main causes of this error in Windows, graphics drivers, Java updates and Windows updates. There are also occasionally Java cache conflicts which can cause Java to crash out. Try these fixes in order to try to get Minecraft working properly again.

Update your video drivers

Both Oracle, the people behind Java and Mojang, now Microsoft, the people behind Minecraft blame graphics drivers for much of the instability. Some of that is warranted while some of it isn’t. As new graphics drivers almost always benefit gamers, let’s try for a new set.

1. Download a copy of Display Driver Uninstaller from here and install it.
2. Download the latest graphics driver for your system.
3. Open DDU and select Clean and Restart. Allow the process to complete.
4. Install the graphics driver you downloaded and reboot your computer.

DDU is the correct way to update video drivers when something is going wrong. It completely removes the old driver and cleans up after them. You can then install fresh drivers with no legacy files or settings from the old drivers. If you ever have problems with graphics drivers, this is how to replace them.

Update Java

If you use a program that depends on Java and there is an update, you will usually be notified and asked to update. That doesn’t always happen so it’s worth checking the Java website. If the version you see is newer, definitely update. Even if the version you see is the same, update anyway to overwrite any corrupted or damaged files that could be causing the crash.

Navigate to the Java website and update to the latest version of Java.

Once updated, retry Minecraft and see what happens. If it no longer crashes, it was a Java file issue. If you still see crashing, move on to the next step.

Update Windows

Occasionally, Java is updated to address a change in Windows 10, but if you don’t have that change yet it can cause instabilities. It is always better to let Windows automatically update itself but you can also do it manually if you prefer.

1. Right click the Windows Start button and select Settings.
2. Select Update & Security and Check for Updates on the right.
3. Allow Windows to download and install any updates it finds.

Retry Minecraft once the updates have installed and the computer rebooted.

Clear the Java cache

Java caches a lot of files to make the easier and faster to find when they are needed by Minecraft. Sometimes those cached files can be corrupted or overwritten and can cause problems. Clearing the cache makes Java load fresh files and could fix the problem.

1. Type ‘control’ into the Windows search box and select Control Panel.
2. Select Java.
3. Select the General tab in the new Java window and select Settings where you see Temporary Internet Files.
4. Select Delete Files.

Retest Minecraft again to see if Java still crashes or whether you have fixed the problem.

Use Windows compatibility mode

Newer versions of Java and of Minecraft both play nicely with Windows 10 but sometimes enabling compatibility mode can be enough to get it working properly again. I have no idea why but have heard it happen a few times.

1. Navigate to the Minecraft executable on your desktop or in Windows Explorer.
2. Right click and select Properties.
3. Select the Compatibility tab and check the box next to Run This Program in Compatibility Mode for.
4. Select Windows 8 as the option.

Retest Minecraft to see if this works.

Reinstall Minecraft

Having exhausted the usual suspects, the only real option left is to reinstall the game. You shouldn’t need to do this but it’s the option of last resort.