What happens when you switch from Fabric to Forge
Forge is a different mod loader than Fabric, meaning it uses a separate system to install mods into Minecraft. When you switch, your game installation changes how it loads mods, but your worlds, saves, and single-player progress stay intact. You will need to reinstall your mods using Forge instead of Fabric, and some mods may not have Forge versions available.
The switch itself is straightforward: you uninstall the Fabric launcher, download and run the Forge installer for your Minecraft version, then add Forge-compatible mods to your mods folder. Your existing Minecraft launcher and game files remain unchanged. The main work is finding and installing new versions of the mods you want to use.
Key Takeaways
- Your Minecraft worlds and saves do not disappear when you switch loaders — they remain in your .minecraft folder regardless of whether you use Fabric or Forge.
- You cannot run Fabric and Forge mods together in the same installation; you must choose one loader and install mods built for that loader only.
- Forge installation requires running an executable installer file, while Fabric uses a simpler launcher-based setup.
- Not every mod has both a Fabric and Forge version, so check mod sites like CurseForge or Modrinth before committing to the switch.
How to install Forge on top of your existing Minecraft
Download the Forge installer from the official Forge website (files.minecraftforge.net). Select the Minecraft version you want — this must match the version your Fabric mods were built for, or you will need different mods. The installer file is usually named something like "forge-1.20.1-installer.jar".
Run the installer by double-clicking it. A window will open asking where to install Forge. The default location is your .minecraft folder, which is correct. Click "Install client" and wait for the process to finish. The installer will create a new Forge profile in your Minecraft launcher automatically.
Open the Minecraft launcher, select the Forge profile from the dropdown menu at the bottom left, and click Play. Minecraft will launch with Forge loaded. You should see "Forge" in the bottom left corner of the main menu. If you see this, the installation worked.
Removing Fabric before you start
You do not have to remove Fabric to install Forge — both can exist in your .minecraft folder without interfering with each other. However, keeping both installed can cause confusion about which mods are active. Most players delete the Fabric mods folder to avoid accidentally loading the wrong mod set.
Navigate to your .minecraft folder, then open the mods folder. Delete all Fabric mods (the .jar files). Do not delete the mods folder itself, just the files inside. Forge will use the same mods folder, so leaving it empty prevents Fabric mods from loading under Forge.
If you want to keep your Fabric setup intact for later, create a backup folder on your computer and copy your Fabric mods into it before deleting them. This way you can restore them if you decide to switch back.
Finding and installing Forge versions of your mods
Not every mod has a Forge version. Check CurseForge (curseforge.com) or Modrinth (modrinth.com) for each mod you want. Search by mod name and filter by your Minecraft version and the Forge loader. If a mod shows no Forge version, you have two options: find a similar mod that does have a Forge version, or keep that mod off your list.
Download the Forge .jar file for each mod. Place each file directly into your .minecraft/mods folder. Do not unzip or extract the files — they stay as .jar files. Close Minecraft completely, then reopen it with the Forge profile selected. Minecraft will load all mods in the folder automatically.
Start a new world or load an existing one. If the game crashes, check the crash log (located in .minecraft/logs/latest.log) to see which mod caused the problem. Remove that mod and try again. Mod conflicts are common when switching loaders, so expect some trial and error.
Why some mods only exist for Fabric or Forge
Fabric and Forge use different code structures to hook into Minecraft. A mod written for Fabric will not work in Forge without being rewritten. Some mod developers support both loaders, but many choose one based on which community they want to reach or which loader makes their mod easier to build.
Fabric tends to have more mods focused on performance and client-side features (visual changes, quality-of-life improvements). Forge has a larger ecosystem of server-side and gameplay-changing mods. This is a general trend, not a rule — both loaders have mods in every category.
Switching back to Fabric later
If you decide Forge is not for you, switching back is the same process in reverse. Download and run the Fabric installer, select the Fabric profile in your launcher, and replace your Forge mods with Fabric mods. Your worlds remain untouched throughout.
The only risk is if you used Forge-specific mods that changed your world (added new blocks, biomes, or creatures). If you load that world in Fabric without those mods, the new content will be missing or cause errors. To avoid this, keep a backup of any world you plan to use with Forge mods before you make the switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my worlds disappear if I switch to Forge?
No. Your worlds are stored separately from the mod loader in your .minecraft/saves folder. They will appear in your world list whether you use Fabric, Forge, or vanilla Minecraft. However, if your Fabric world contains blocks or features added by Fabric mods, those will not load in Forge unless you install the same mods in Forge.
Can I run Fabric and Forge mods at the same time?
No. Each installation uses one loader. You can create two separate Minecraft installations (one with Fabric, one with Forge) and switch between them, but a single installation cannot load both types of mods simultaneously.
What if a mod I need only exists for Fabric?
You have three options: stay on Fabric, find a Forge mod that does the same thing, or create a separate Fabric installation for that specific mod set. Many popular mods have equivalents on both loaders, though the exact features may differ slightly.
Do I need to reinstall Minecraft to use Forge?
No. Forge installs into your existing .minecraft folder and works with your current Minecraft launcher. You do not need to download Minecraft again or create a new account.
Why did my game crash after installing Forge mods?
Mod conflicts are the most common cause. Check your crash log in .minecraft/logs/latest.log to see which mod failed to load. Remove that mod and try again. You can also try installing mods one at a time to identify which combination causes the crash.