How to Add Modpacks to Minecraft Easily (and Pick the Right Launcher)

Modpacks are how most players take Minecraft from a chill survival game to a full-blown adventure. Even things that aren’t meant to exist in Minecraft can become real with these packs.

Instead of going through the torture of downloading a pile of random mods and hoping they work to achieve this, a modpack bundles everything together - the mods, configs, and settings, so you can jump straight in and start playing without the headaches.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to add modpacks to Minecraft the right way - from using launchers like CurseForge to manual installations.

And if you just want to skip the setup and get playing, we’ll show you the easiest route - using Kinetic Hosting’s Automatic Modpack Installer when you host a Minecraft server with us.

Let’s jump in:

How to Install Modpacks with CurseForge

If you’ve never installed a modpack before, CurseForge is the best place to start. It does all the heavy lifting for you - no messing around with folders or guessing which version of Forge you need. Just pick a pack, click install, and play.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Download the CurseForge App

Go to the CurseForge website and grab the launcher for Windows or Mac.

Once it’s installed, open it and click Minecraft on the home screen.

2. Find a Modpack You Like

Hit Browse Modpacks to see what’s popular, or use the search bar if you already know what you want.

You’ll find everything from survival-focused packs like RLCraft to big exploration worlds like Better MC or SkyFactory 4.

Each one already includes the right mods, configs, and game version, so you don’t have to set anything up yourself.

3. Click Install

When you’ve picked your modpack, just hit Installation.

CurseForge will download everything automatically and create a separate Minecraft profile for it. You don’t have to touch a single folder.

4. Launch and Play

Once the installation finishes, go to My Modpacks and click Play.

CurseForge will open your Minecraft launcher - click play again, and you’re good to go.

How to Install Modpacks with Modrinth

If you like things lightweight and open-source, Modrinth is a solid alternative to CurseForge. It’s fast, clean, and doesn’t feel cluttered - perfect if you just want to jump in, grab a pack, and start playing.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Download the Modrinth App

Head to the Modrinth download page and grab the launcher for your system.

Once it’s installed, open it and log in with your Minecraft account.

2. Search for a Modpack

Click the Browse tab and type the name of the modpack you want - or scroll through the featured and trending lists to see what catches your eye.

Modrinth covers a wide range of packs, from performance-boosting builds like Sodium + Lithium combos to full-on adventure experiences.

3. Install the Modpack

When you find one you like, click Install.

The launcher will handle everything for you - downloading the mods, setting up Forge or Fabric, and creating a ready-to-play profile.

4. Launch the Game

Go to My Instances, select your new modpack, and click Play.
That’s it - no file dragging, no version mismatches, no headaches.

Why Players Like Modrinth

• It loads faster than most launchers.

• The interface is clean and easy to navigate.

• It focuses on performance and privacy - no ads or unnecessary extras.

If you prefer something that “just works” without the bloat, Modrinth is a great pick.

How to Install Modpacks with FTB App

If you’ve been around Minecraft modding for a while, you’ve probably heard of Feed The Beast (FTB). Their app is the go-to launcher for official FTB modpacks - big, polished experiences built by the same team behind some of the most popular modded Minecraft series out there.

If you want something stable, balanced, and ready to go straight out of the box, the FTB App is a great pick.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Download the FTB App

Go to the Feed The Beast website and download the app for your system.

Once installed, log in with your Minecraft account so the launcher can link your game.

2. Browse Modpacks

Click Browse at the top to see all available FTB modpacks.

You’ll find fan-favourites like FTB Infinity Evolved, FTB Revelation, and FTB Skies, along with smaller themed packs focused on exploration or automation.

Each pack comes fully set up - all mods, config files, and the correct Forge version included.

3. Install Your Pack

When you’ve found one you like, click Install.

The app will do everything automatically, creating a separate Minecraft instance for that pack.

4. Launch and Play

Once the download finishes, go to My Modpacks and hit Play.

That’s it - no manual file copying or setup needed.

Why Go With FTB Packs?

• They’re stable and well-tested.

• They focus on balance - no random mod chaos.

• Regular updates keep everything running smoothly.

If you want a pack that “just works” without breaking halfway through your playthrough, FTB’s curated collection is one of the safest bets around.

How to Install Modpacks with MultiMC

If you prefer having full control over your setup, MultiMC is the launcher for you.

It doesn’t look flashy, but it gives you the freedom to run any custom modpack - whether it’s one you downloaded yourself or built from scratch.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Download MultiMC

Head to MultiMC.org and download the version for your system.

There’s no installer - just unzip the folder somewhere easy to find, then open the MultiMC.exe file to start.

2. Log In and Create an Instance

When MultiMC opens, click Add Instance in the top-left corner.

This is basically a new Minecraft profile.

Pick the version you want to use (make sure it matches the version your modpack was made for).

3. Install Forge or Fabric

After creating your instance, click Edit Instance → Install Forge (or Install Fabric, depending on your modpack).

This step adds the modloader your mods need to run.

4. Add the Modpack Files

Now you’ll want to drop the modpack files into your instance folder.
Right-click the instance → Edit Instance → Open .minecraft Folder, then drag the mods, config, and any other folders from the modpack ZIP into there.

Once that’s done, close the window and hit Launch.

5. Optional: Import ZIP Files Automatically

If your modpack came as a ZIP file (like ones from CurseForge or Modrinth), you can skip all that and just click Import from ZIP on the main MultiMC screen.

It’ll unpack everything and create the instance for you.

Why Use MultiMC?

• You can manage multiple modded setups side by side.

• It’s lightweight and doesn’t clutter your drive with extra files.

• You can easily tweak memory, Java versions, and game settings for each pack.

It’s a bit more hands-on than other launchers, but once you get the hang of it, MultiMC gives you the most control over how you play.

How to Manually Install Modpacks (Vanilla Launcher)

If you like doing things the old-school way - or just don’t want another launcher on your PC - you can install modpacks manually through the default Minecraft launcher.

It takes a few extra steps, but once you’ve done it once, it’s easy to repeat.

Here’s how to do it cleanly:

1. Install Forge or Fabric

Every modpack needs a modloader to run.

Head to the official Forge website (or Fabric’s site) and download the version that matches your modpack.

Run the installer and choose Install client.

When it’s done, open the Minecraft launcher - you should now see a new Forge or Fabric profile in the dropdown menu.

2. Run Minecraft Once

Launch the game with that new Forge/Fabric profile.

This step creates all the necessary folders, including the one where your mods go.

3. Find the Minecraft Folder

Once Minecraft has loaded and closed again, press Windows + R, type %appdata%, and open the .minecraft folder.

If you’re on Mac, go to ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft instead.

Inside, you’ll see a mods folder.

If it doesn’t exist yet, just create one.

4. Add the Modpack Files

Open the ZIP file for your modpack and drag everything inside into your Minecraft folder - mainly the mods and config folders.

If you’re asked to replace files, that’s normal - just confirm.

5. Launch and Play

Open the Minecraft launcher again, select the Forge or Fabric profile, and hit Play.

If everything loads without errors, you’re good to go.

Going the vanilla route is not as fast as using a launcher, but once you’ve done it, you’ve basically mastered the manual route - and you’ll understand exactly how your modpacks fit together under the hood.

6 Common Modpack Problems (and How To Fix Them)

Even if you follow every step perfectly, modded Minecraft can still act up. Mods clash, versions don’t match, or your PC just doesn’t like running 200 new features at once.

Here’s how to handle the most common issues before they ruin your session:

1. The Game Won’t Start

If Minecraft crashes before loading, it’s usually one of three things:

• Wrong version – Your Forge or Fabric install doesn’t match the modpack version. Recheck that first.

• Missing dependencies – Some mods rely on others to run. The error message will tell you what’s missing.

• Corrupted files – Delete the modpack folder and reinstall it fresh.

2. Black Screen or Infinite Loading

This usually means your PC is out of memory.

Go into your launcher settings (CurseForge, Modrinth, or MultiMC) and increase the allocated RAM to at least 4GB, 6 GB, or 8GB if you’re running a heavy pack.

3. Mods Aren’t Showing Up

Make sure you’ve put the mod files in the right folder. They need to be inside .minecraft/mods.

Also, double-check that the mods are for the same Minecraft version as your Forge/Fabric profile.

4. Game Keeps Crashing Mid-Play

This is usually caused by a single broken mod or a bad config file. Try removing the last mod you added and relaunching.

If that fixes it, you’ve found the culprit. If not, move mods out of the folder one by one until you find which one causes the crash - and yes, this can be annoying, but sometimes, this is the only way!

5. Lag, FPS Drops, or Stuttering

A few quick fixes help here:

• Allocate more RAM (4–8GB).

• Lower your render distance and particles.
  Install performance mods like Sodium, Lithium, or OptiFine (if your pack supports them).

• Close background apps - Chrome and Discord can eat memory fast.

• Really consider this one; is your laptop/PC good enough to run your selected modpack? While you may think, “ahh, it's just Minecraft!”, it can become VERY demanding on your gaming system.

6. Multiplayer Errors

If you’re joining a friend’s server, make sure both of you are using the same modpack and version.

Even one mismatched mod will stop the connection.

Play Instantly with Kinetic Hosting

Modpacks take Minecraft from a chill sandbox to a full-blown adventure - new biomes, new bosses, new chaos.

But all that means nothing if your game keeps lagging, crashing, or fighting with setup files.

That’s where Kinetic Hosting comes in.

Every Minecraft server comes with:

• One-Click Modpack Installer – install 400+ modpacks instantly.

• Full Mod & Plugin Support – Forge, Fabric, Paper, Spigot, and everything in between.

• Low-Latency Global Servers – 15+ worldwide locations for smooth, stable ping.

• Instant Setup – your server’s live within seconds of ordering.

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Ready to launch your own modded world? Contact us today for more information.