Gaming · Platform not recorded
How to Enable Ray Tracing in Minecraft for Windows
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Ray tracing is available in Minecraft Bedrock Edition for Windows on compatible DirectX ray-tracing hardware and requires ray-tracing-capable content. Microsoft notes that it remains supported but has largely been superseded by Vibrant Visuals, so check the current graphics option and content requirements before troubleshooting.
Confirm current ray-tracing support
Read Microsoft's current Minecraft Bedrock ray-tracing requirements. It requires 64-bit Windows, compatible DirectX hardware ray tracing, sufficient memory, and Bedrock content built with physically based textures. Java Edition's shader mods are a different, unsupported workflow.
Update Windows, Minecraft, and the GPU driver
Install current Windows updates, update Minecraft for Windows through Microsoft Store, and install the supported driver from NVIDIA or AMD. Restart Windows before opening Minecraft so the game detects the current graphics capability.
Verify the correct Minecraft edition
Open Minecraft for Windows, not Minecraft: Java Edition. From Settings > Video, check the graphics options shown by the current build. If Ray Tracing is unavailable, confirm hardware and content support instead of editing configuration files.
Open compatible content
In Marketplace, choose a world or resource pack marked for ray tracing, or use a trusted PBR pack built with the raytraced capability. Back up an existing world before activating a new resource pack.
Enable the graphics mode
Open the compatible world, go to Settings > Video, and enable Ray Tracing when the toggle is available. Apply the setting and return to the world. The option may remain disabled in ordinary content without the required PBR resources.
Compare Vibrant Visuals
Microsoft says ray tracing remains supported but has largely been superseded by Vibrant Visuals. If the current device or content offers Vibrant Visuals instead, test that owner-supported graphics mode rather than forcing an obsolete toggle.
Diagnose a missing toggle safely
Confirm the GPU model, driver, Windows architecture, Bedrock version, and resource pack. Remove third-party graphics injectors and retest known-compatible Marketplace content. Report the exact configuration through Minecraft Support if the supported option is still absent.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If the labels differ, update the app or launcher and compare the current Microsoft Learn guidance before continuing; do not guess at hidden files, registry values, ports, account links, or security controls.
- If the problem survives a clean supported test, preserve the exact error, timestamp, platform, account region, and completed steps for the product owner's support team instead of repeating destructive resets.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Platform not recorded.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.