Minecraft 1.21.9 Release Candidate Live: What Gamers Must Try Today

Mojang has unveiled the first release candidate for Minecraft Java Edition 1.21.9, offering players a chance to try the latest fixes ahead of the official patch. This candidate version addresses multiple reported bugs and represents a potential final step before the full update is deployed globally.

Players can access the release candidate through the Minecraft Launcher by enabling snapshots under the “Installations” tab. Mojang cautions that using this version may risk corrupting existing worlds, so backing up data or testing in a separate folder is advised. A cross-platform server jar is also available for those wanting to evaluate the update in multiplayer environments.

Key issues resolved in this update include a bug where creepers could spawn despite the “spawnMonsters” rule being set to false (MC-302243) and a graphical error that caused conduit textures to appear upside down (MC-302278). Mojang emphasizes that player feedback is crucial, encouraging bug reports via the official Minecraft Issue Tracker and discussions through the Feedback site or the Minecraft Discord community.

With the official 1.21.9 update on the horizon, this release candidate provides players a last opportunity to help polish the game. Mojang’s development team hopes that testing will ensure a smoother experience when the update goes live for all players.

Separately, Microsoft and Playground Games announced Forza Horizon 6 during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show livestream. The next installment of the popular racing series will take players to Japan, fulfilling long-standing fan requests for the location.