Fix: Fabric Installer has Crashed (Minecraft Mod Loader)

Fabric API is a mod loader for Minecraft that is much lighter and faster than the others. However, it gives the “Fabric installer has crashed” error sometimes. when users download and try to install it.

This, of course, keeps you from developing or sharing new mods and customizing both your Minecraft Java and Bedrock editions.

The foremost reasons why this happens are:

1. SSL Filtering is enabled
2. Outdated Java version
3. Incorrect installation of Fabric

First, you should try to turn off SSL filtering, and if that doesn’t work, install the latest Java version. Also, a clean reinstallation of Fabric will do the job.

Along with these, I will explain four more methods that have been proven to solve this issue.

1. Temporarily Disable SSL Filtering in ESET

SSL inspection is enabled to detect potentially harmful malware or virus files that would harm your computer. The SSL filtering in ESET can sometimes assume the Fabric Installer is malware and become the reason why it crashes every time.

So, it would be best if you disabled this option temporarily until the Fabric installation is done. Afterward, you can enable it again.

Here’s how to do that:

1. Open the main window of ESET.
2. Open Advanced Setup by pressing F5.
3. Click on Web and email on the left menu under Network protection.
4. Expand SSL/TLS on the right side.
5. Disable the Enable SSL/TLS protocol filtering option by clicking on the toggle next to it.

6. Run the Fabric installer again.

2. Turn off your VPN

Being connected to a different IP address than yours can also be the reason for the “Fabric installer has crashed” error. If you have a third-party VPN, then simply launch the program and click on the power button to disable it.

And if you have set up a personal VPN on Windows, follow the steps below to turn it off:

1. Click on the Start Menu.
2. Type Settings and hit Enter.
3. Select Network & Internet.

4. Select VPN on the left side.
5. Click Disconnect.

3. Use Java 17 or Above

Fabric recommends using at least Java 17 if your Minecraft version is 1.17 or above. Apart from the .exe file, there’s a .jar file for Fabric as well, which can only be run if your computer has Java.

Firstly, start off by checking your current Java version:

1. Select the Start Menu
2. Type command prompt.
3. Select Run as administrator.
4. Paste the following:

   java -version

5. Hit Enter, and you’ll see the following if Java is already installed:

Now, the second step is to uninstall the existing version.

1. Click Start.
2. Type Uninstall a program.
3. Click on the Apps & Features settings.
4. Select Java and click on Uninstall.

The third and final step is to install Java in the following way:

1. Go to the Java download page on Adoptium.
2. Select .msi file next to x64 or x32 Windows.

3. Run the Java Installer.
4. Select Entire feature will be installed on local hard drive for the following:
   • Set JAVA_HOME variable
   • JavaSoft (Oracle) registry keys

5. Click Next and finish the installation.
6. Now run the java -version command again in the Command prompt to check if Java has been installed correctly.
7. Finally, run the .jar Fabric installer.

4. Switch to a Closed Network

Switching to a closed (private) network from an open (public) network can also fix this problem. It’s pretty straightforward to change the network on both Windows 10 and 11. I’ll mention the steps for both.

For Windows 10

1. Click on the WiFi icon in the icon tray on the bottom right.
2. Click Properties under the network you are connected to.

3. Select Private under Network profile.

For Windows 11

1. Select Start.
2. Type Settings.
3. Go to Network & internet.
4. Select Wi-Fi.
5. Click on Manage known networks.
6. Select the network you’re connected to.
7. Select Private under Network profile type.

5. Reinstall Fabric

The problem can be that you’ve installed the installer wrongly or that a glitch or bug came in between the processes. Therefore, reinstalling the API altogether will negate the “Fabric Installer has crashed” error.

The steps are the same for installing both the .exe and .jar versions.

1. Go to the Fabric Downloader page.
2. Click on Download for Windows.

3. Run the .exe file after it downloads.
4. Select the Minecraft and Loader versions under the Client tab.
5. Select the Install location.
6. Check Create Profile if you want a new profile.
7. Click Install.

6. Click Close once the installation finishes.

6. Download Another Version

The latest version of the Fabric installer is 0.11.2. However, if you’re having trouble installing it, try installing another version. The reasons can be that your PC doesn’t support 0.11.2 or that you have an older Java edition (refer to method #3 for this).

Follow the steps below to browse and download other versions of Fabric.

1. Go to the Fabric Downloader page.
2. Click on the Show other versions hyperlink next to the installer version.

3. Scroll through the different versions and select the second or third latest one.
4. Download .jar or .exe file and install it.
5. See whether the installer crashes now or not.

7. Install Fabric Using MultiMC

MultiMC is an open-source Minecraft launcher that can be downloaded for free. After installing it, you can manage different Minecraft instances with their mods at the same time.

It also allows you to download Fabric using it. Many users have done the same, and the Fabric installer ran without any problems.

Here are the steps for both Windows and macOS:

1. Download MultiMC.
2. Unzip the file and run MultiMC.
3. Click on Add Instance on the top left.

4. Enter the instance name and select the Minecraft version.
5. Click OK.

6. Now select the instance and click on the Edit Instance option.

7. Select Install Fabric under the Install section.

8. Choose the version of the Fabric loader.
9. Click OK.

10. Intermediary Mappings and Fabric Loader should be listed and checked now.
11. Click Close.

12. Run the newly created instance.
13. Wait for MultiMC to install the Minecraft and library files.
14. It will then create the instance subfolders.
15. See if Fabric is running cleanly now.
16. If yes, then close Minecraft and install the mods you like.