[MC-190027] Dispensers can only put armor onto entities with CanPickUpLoot set to true

Dispensers are only able to equip mobs like zombies with armor if that mob has the NBT tag CanPickUpLoot:1b.

Linked issues

is duplicated by 4

MC-274692 Dispenser cannot dispenser armor, elytra, heads or carved pumpkins on mobs with CanPickUpLoot false Resolved

MC-203381 Dispensers do not immediately equip gear on zombies/skeletons/other such mobs Resolved

MC-253636 Dispensers do not equip Armor, Pumpkins, or Player Heads to mobs Resolved

MC-254319 Unable to dispense wearables to mob. Resolved

Comments 11

[Mod] violine1101 2020-06-16T16:12:38Z

It only works for mobs with CanPickUpLoot:1b. Not sure if this is intended.

Avoma 2020-11-25T15:44:13Z

Can confirm in 20w46a.

migrated 2021-06-21T18:09:09Z

Affects 1.17

A11v1r15 2021-11-27T17:43:50Z

Affects 1.18 release candidate 3

migrated 2022-03-17T00:19:42Z

I can confirm this on 1.18.2

1 more comments

migrated 2023-10-06T05:34:12Z

Still an issue in 1.20.2. This bug applies to all mobs, not just hostile, meaning villagers are currently the only mobs able to be dispenser-equipped without the use of cheats.

[Mod] Jingy 2024-04-12T22:15:44Z

I can confirm this issue in 1.20.5 Pre-Release 1.

apple502j 2024-09-06T06:56:05Z

Can confirm in 24w36a.

Alex 2025-12-04T01:21:45Z

Confirmed in 1.21.10.

AnonAya09081227 2026-08-08T19:47:53Z

Can confirm in 26.3 Snapshot 7.