Cant Enable Ray Tracing In Minecraft Bedrock Heres Why

Ray tracing in Minecraft Bedrock Edition promises stunning visual realism—dynamic lighting, accurate reflections, and lifelike shadows. But many players find themselves staring at a grayed-out toggle or missing option when trying to turn it on. The frustration is real, especially after hearing about the immersive upgrade. The truth is, ray tracing isn’t universally accessible. It requires specific hardware, software, and game version conditions that are often overlooked. Understanding exactly why you can’t enable it is the first step toward unlocking this advanced feature—if your setup allows.

Understanding Ray Tracing in Minecraft Bedrock

Unlike traditional rasterization, which approximates lighting, ray tracing simulates how light behaves in the real world by tracing the path of individual rays. In Minecraft Bedrock, this means sunlight streaming through windows casts realistic shadows, water reflects surrounding blocks accurately, and torches illuminate caves with natural diffusion.

However, this graphical leap comes at a steep computational cost. Real-time ray tracing demands powerful GPUs capable of handling complex calculations per frame. As a result, Mojang and Xbox Game Studios implemented strict requirements to ensure performance stability. This isn’t a bug—it’s intentional limitation based on device capability.

“Ray tracing is not just a visual toggle; it's a hardware-dependent feature designed for high-end systems.” — Microsoft Gaming Technical Team, 2023 Update Briefing

Common Reasons You Can’t Enable Ray Tracing

The inability to activate ray tracing typically stems from one or more of the following factors. Identifying which applies to your situation is critical before attempting fixes.

1. Unsupported Device or Platform

Not all devices running Minecraft Bedrock support ray tracing. While available on Windows 10/11 PCs with compatible GPUs, it’s absent on mobile, older consoles, and lower-tier hardware. For example:

• iOS and Android devices: No support due to GPU limitations.
• Xbox One (non-X/S models): Lacks required processing power.
• Entry-level laptops and integrated graphics: Often excluded even if the OS is supported.

2. Missing GPU Requirements

Even on Windows, your graphics card must meet minimum specifications. Ray tracing leverages DirectX Raytracing (DXR), a feature only available on certain GPUs:

GPU Brand	Supported Series	Minimum Model Example
NVIDIA	GeForce RTX 20-series or newer	RTX 2060
AMD	Radeon RX 6000 series or newer	RX 6700 XT
Intel	Intel Arc A-series	A580 or higher
Integrated Graphics	Not supported	Intel UHD, Iris Xe (non-Arc)

If your system uses integrated graphics or an older discrete card like a GTX 1080, ray tracing will not be available—even if other settings appear normal.

3. Outdated Game or Operating System

Minecraft Bedrock introduced ray tracing gradually, starting in late 2020 with major updates. To access it, you need:

• Minecraft Bedrock Edition version 1.16.200 or later (with RTX enabled worlds).
• Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) or Windows 11.
• Latest GPU drivers installed (NVIDIA Game Ready, AMD Adrenalin, etc.).

Failing any of these criteria disables the ray tracing option entirely.

Tip: Check your current Minecraft version under Settings > About in the main menu. If below 1.16.200, update via Microsoft Store or platform launcher.

Step-by-Step: How to Troubleshoot and Enable Ray Tracing

Follow this structured process to determine whether enabling ray tracing is possible on your system and how to activate it if eligible.

1. Verify Your Platform: Confirm you're playing on a supported platform—Windows 10/11 PC with a compatible GPU. Console and mobile users cannot use ray tracing.
2. Check Your GPU Model: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, go to Performance > GPU. Identify the model and cross-reference it with the table above.
3. Update Your GPU Drivers: Visit NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s official website and download the latest driver for your card. Outdated drivers often disable DXR features.
4. Ensure Latest Windows Version: Go to Settings > System > About > Windows Specifications. Build number should be 19041 or higher (for Win 10) or any Win 11 version.
5. Update Minecraft Bedrock: Open Microsoft Store, click Library, and check for updates under \"Updates available.\"
6. Launch a Ray Tracing-Compatible World: Not all worlds support RTX. Select “Create New World,” choose a template labeled “RTX ON” or manually enable it under “Settings > Video > Ray Tracing.”

If the “Ray Tracing” option remains grayed out after completing these steps, your hardware likely does not meet the technical threshold.

Real-World Example: Alex’s Failed Attempt and Breakthrough

Alex, a college student using a mid-range HP laptop with an Intel Core i5 and NVIDIA GTX 1650, excitedly downloaded the latest Minecraft update expecting to try ray tracing. Despite updating drivers and Windows, the option didn’t appear.

After researching, Alex discovered that while the GTX 1650 is a capable gaming GPU, it lacks dedicated RT cores required for DirectX Raytracing. The architecture simply doesn’t support real-time ray tracing in games like Minecraft. Upgrading wasn’t feasible, so Alex opted for resource packs and shaders within non-RTX boundaries to enhance visuals moderately.

This case illustrates a common misconception: having a “gaming GPU” doesn’t guarantee ray tracing support. Only RTX-enabled cards (or equivalent AMD/Intel models) can render the effect.

Do’s and Don’ts When Trying to Enable Ray Tracing

Action	Do	Don't
Driver Management	Download directly from GPU manufacturer	Rely solely on Windows Update
Game Installation	Use Microsoft Store or Xbox App on PC	Install third-party modded versions
Performance Testing	Start with low ray tracing quality preset	Set to ultra immediately
Troubleshooting	Verify system specs using Dxdiag or GPU-Z	Assume all modern PCs support RTX

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is ray tracing not showing up in my video settings?

The most likely causes are unsupported hardware (especially GPU), outdated game version, or incorrect platform. Mobile, console (except Xbox Series X|S), and older PCs won’t display the option at all. Ensure your GPU supports DXR and that Minecraft is updated to version 1.16.200 or higher.

Can I force enable ray tracing with mods or third-party tools?

No. Unlike Java Edition, Bedrock does not support community-created shader packs or mods that simulate ray tracing. Any external tool claiming to add RTX functionality may compromise account security or violate Microsoft’s terms of service.

Does Xbox Series X|S support ray tracing in Minecraft?

As of 2024, ray tracing is **not** available on Xbox consoles, including the Series X|S. While these systems have capable hardware, Microsoft has not enabled the feature on console platforms due to performance trade-offs and inconsistent frame rates during gameplay.

Final Checklist Before Giving Up

Before concluding that ray tracing is impossible on your device, run through this final verification list:

• ✅ Running Windows 10 (build 19041+) or Windows 11
• ✅ Using Minecraft Bedrock version 1.16.200 or later
• ✅ Equipped with a supported GPU (NVIDIA RTX 20xx+, AMD RX 6000+, Intel Arc)
• ✅ Updated GPU drivers installed
• ✅ Creating or loading a world with RTX templates enabled
• ✅ Launching game via Microsoft Store or Xbox app (not pirated/modded builds)

If all items are checked and ray tracing still won’t activate, the feature is unavailable for your configuration. Consider future upgrades or enjoy alternative visual enhancements like texture packs and ambient occlusion where available.

Conclusion: Know Your Limits, Plan Your Upgrade

Inability to enable ray tracing in Minecraft Bedrock isn’t a flaw—it’s a reflection of the technology’s demanding nature. True real-time ray tracing requires cutting-edge hardware and precise software alignment. While disappointing for some, this ensures those who do experience it enjoy stable, visually rich gameplay.

If your system falls short today, use this as motivation to plan a future upgrade path. Monitor sales on RTX-capable GPUs, consider building a budget-friendly rig, or explore cloud gaming options that might one day stream ray-traced experiences seamlessly. For now, focus on optimizing what you have—and stay informed as Mojang continues to evolve Bedrock’s capabilities.

💬 Have you successfully enabled ray tracing? Or still troubleshooting? Share your experience in the comments—your insight could help another player overcome the same hurdle.