In this guide, you will learn how to build a Nether portal, how to activate it, and discover the most common mistakes that prevent it from working properly.
Steps to Make a Nether Portal
To create a Nether portal, you need to obtain at least 10 blocks of obsidian, arrange them in the correct shape, and light it using flint and steel. Below you will find a detailed guide on how to complete each step.
Get Obsidian
To create a portal, you need a very durable block that forms when water comes into contact with a lava source block. You can craft it yourself by pouring lava from a bucket onto a water source. Water can be found in oceans, rivers, and lakes, while lava is most commonly found underground in caves or in random surface pools.
If you don’t want to create it yourself, you can find obsidian naturally in the game world. The best source is ruined portals – you can mine the obsidian with a diamond pickaxe or simply use the existing structure. Besides ruined portals, it can also be found in ocean ruins and woodland mansions, where it generates in special rooms.
Build the Obsidian Frame
The next step is to build the portal frame using obsidian blocks. The correct minimum dimensions of the portal are:
- 4 blocks wide
- 5 blocks high
The corners of the frame are not required, which allows you to save 4 obsidian blocks.
Light the Nether Portal
The final step is to activate the portal so it can be used. To do this, you need to light the inside edge of the frame:
- get flint and stee,
- use it on the inside of the obsidian frame
the portal will activate when a purple glow appears.
If you don’t have flint and steel, open a crafting table and combine flint with an iron ingot.
Alternatively, you can light your portal using a fire charge. A fire charge is crafted by combining blaze powder, gunpowder, and charcoal. However, if this is your first trip to the Nether, you most likely won’t have access to blaze powder.
FAQ
How much obsidian for a Nether portal?
To build a Nether portal, you need at least 10 blocks of obsidian. This is a cost-efficient version where the corners of the frame are skipped. A standard portal is 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks high, while a full frame requires 14 obsidian blocks. It’s also worth knowing that you are not limited to this size – you can build a much larger portal, up to 23 by 23 blocks. Regardless of the size, the portal must have a rectangular shape.
How to light a Nether portal with lava?
A Nether portal can also be activated without flint and steel or a fire charge. You can use a lava bucket to trigger it. To do this, place a column of flammable blocks (such as wood) next to the portal frame, and then place lava nearby so that the blocks catch fire. Once the fire spreads into the inside of the portal frame, the portal will activate automatically.
Can you build a Nether portal in the End?
No, you cannot build a functioning Nether portal while you are in the End. After building the frame and trying to light it, nothing will happen.
Why is my Nether portal not working?
If your Nether portal is not working, the cause is usually one of several common mistakes:
- Incorrect size or shape – the portal must be at least 4×5 blocks. If the structure is too small or not rectangular, it will not activate.
- Wrong material used – you may have accidentally used crying obsidian, which can be misleading due to its name. It is a completely different block, and the frame must be made of regular obsidian.
- Incomplete frame – the corners are optional, but the rest of the frame must be complete. Missing even one required block will prevent it from working.
- Blocked interior – the inside of the portal must be empty. No blocks or objects can be placed inside.
- Incorrect lighting – to activate the portal, the fire must appear inside the frame, not on the outside.
