Split Screen Co-Op Does not Work

Bug Report for Minecraft Bug Tracker

Title: Splitscreen Players Join as Host Account or Cannot Join in Vibrant Visuals Update (Xbox Series X, Bedrock 1.21.90)

Project: Minecraft: Bedrock Edition

Category: Multiplayer / Splitscreen

Platform: Xbox Series X

Version: 1.21.90

Affects Versions: 1.21.90 (Vibrant Visuals Update, Chase the Skies Drop)

Status: New

Description:

Since updating to Minecraft: Bedrock Edition 1.21.90 with the Vibrant Visuals feature, splitscreen co-op on Xbox Series X is broken. When a second player attempts to join splitscreen, they either cannot join (no prompt appears, or the game hangs on “Building Terrain”) or are incorrectly logged in as the host’s Microsoft account instead of their own. Splitscreen worked fine before this update. Disabling Vibrant Visuals sometimes allows splitscreen, but the issue persists in some cases, and players want to use the new graphics mode.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Launch Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (version 1.21.90) on Xbox Series X.

2. Sign in with the host’s Microsoft account and load a world (new or existing).

3. Enable “Vibrant Visuals” in the Experimental Features tab when creating/editing the world, or ensure it’s active in Video Settings (Graphics Mode).

4. Ensure “Multiplayer Game” and “Visible to LAN Players” are enabled in world settings.

5. Have a second player turn on their controller and press the Options button to join splitscreen.

6. Attempt to sign in with the second player’s Microsoft account or as a guest.

7. Observe if the second player joins or if an error occurs.

Expected Result:

• The second player should join splitscreen with their own Microsoft account or as a guest, and the screen should split, allowing both players to play in the same world with their respective profiles.

• If Vibrant Visuals is enabled, the game should either support splitscreen with the new graphics or clearly notify players it’s unsupported without affecting account sign-in.

Actual Result:

• The second player either cannot join (no sign-in prompt appears, or the game hangs on “Building Terrain”) or joins as the host’s account, showing the host’s gamertag and inventory.

• When Vibrant Visuals is enabled, the game reverts to “Fancy” or “Simple” graphics, but the account issue persists in some cases.

• In some instances, the second controller’s inputs are unresponsive, or the game fails to recognize the second player’s profile.

Additional Details:

• Environment: Xbox Series X, connected via HDMI to a 1080p TV, both controllers synced.

• Accounts: Tested with two Microsoft accounts (both with Xbox Live Gold) and guest accounts.

• World Settings: Tested with new and existing worlds, with and without Vibrant Visuals enabled. Issue is more consistent when Vibrant Visuals is active.

• Workarounds Tried:

•  Disabled Vibrant Visuals in Video Settings and Experimental Features tab.

l•  Signed out all accounts, cleared local cache, and reinstalled Minecraf

2. Reset Xbox multiplayer settings to allow local play.

3. Created a new world with default settings.

4•  Ensured “Microsoft Account Sign-In Required” is off for guest accounts.

5•  Issue persists despite these attempts.

• Previous Behavior: Splitscreen worked correctly before the 1.21.90 update, with each player joining under their own account.

Notes:

• This issue disrupts local co-op, a core feature for console players, especially since splitscreen was functional before the Vibrant Visuals update.

• Community reports on Reddit and X (e.g., @desproducciones) mention similar issues with Vibrant Visuals on Xbox Series X.

• Please prioritize fixing splitscreen compatibility with Vibrant Visuals or provide a clear warning in-game about the limitation.