Workarounds
We're working on a fix, but in the meantime, if you see this and do not also see a progress bar at the bottom, or you see an `Unable to start Minecraft` error in the top right, give the following steps a try:
1. Restart the launcher and attempt to launch the same version again. In most cases, this should fix the issue.
2. If that does not work, close the launcher, then navigate to `.minecraft/assets/indexes` and delete the numbered files in there (for example `5.json`), then try again.
3. Update the Microsoft Store.
4. Go to Microsoft Store and either update the game from there, or stop the download and restart the download in the Store.
Sometimes when I try to start the game, the Launcher just says "WAITING ON INSTALL" and never does anything no matter how long I wait. My internet connection is fine and I have already played that version of the game before anyways.
Linked issues
is duplicated by 19
MC-263273
Minecraft won*t start after Experimental 1.20 has been changed to Full Version 1.20
Resolved
MCL-23433
When launching Minecraft, Instead of a loading button it says "waiting on Install"
Resolved
MCL-23468
When trying install the latest release on Windows 10 says "waiting for install" with no progress
Resolved
MCL-23477
minecraft legends, minecraft for windows and minecraft dungeons all show "waiting on install", yet all are already installed
Resolved
MCL-23497
Minecraft doesn't run
Resolved
Attachments
Comments 16
This is an issue when launching Java Edition. I do experience MCL-23433, but that isn't the same issue. The issue is that, when it says "WAITING ON INSTALL", sometimes it never loads at all and just gets stuck there.
Just uninstalled and reinstalled the Minecraft launcher after several attempts of trying to fix the launcher crashing during the loadscreen of the launcher. Finally got that fixed and now I'm stuck on the green "Waiting on install" button. Have not been able to even attempt launching any of the version instances.
There are no files in `.minecraft/assets/indexes` yet. Any ideas?
Edit: Seems that Microsoft Store was failing to download Bedrock Edition. Which caused Java Edition not willing to be launched.
Encountering this issue attempting to install "Minecraft for Windows". Java installed just fine, but the other edition refuses to. Launcher has been installed and uninstalled and reinstalled multiple times. Files in /indexes have been removed. No troubleshooting has successfully resolved the issue. This has persisted for a week.
Same problem. However, let's not turn this into a chain of people basically just starting a chain of "Same".
1) If you are running into this problem - I'm guessing you are on a win10/11 machine. If so, open the MS Store (aka.ms/MSStoreHome) and go to "Downloads" (or "Library" if you don't have a downloads section in the lower left hand corner) and check to see if it's currently installing anything. If it is - let that finish and see if anything changes.
2) Also, tell the Store to check for updates and install anything pending/necessary.
These 2 steps SHOULD address the issue if you are still in a stuck state.
Oh and 3) First, restart the Launcher & let it update.
I also had this problem. Sometimes when I tried to start JAVA EDITION, it would download the BEDROCK EDITION update and would often get stuck unless I opened Microsoft Store then force closed both Microsoft Store and Minecraft Launcher using Task Manager then reopened Minecraft Launcher
Hi there! Does this issue occur with Minecraft: Java Edition or Minecraft for Windows? If the latter, it's a duplicate of MCL-21596. If the former, please check if MCL-23433 describes your issue and if you can provide the requested information there.