How To Make a Nether Portal In Minecraft

Introduction.

Minecraft is a game that offers players endless possibilities for adventure and creativity. If you’re a fan of exploring new realms and facing unique challenges, creating a Nether Portal is a must.

The Nether is a dark, dangerous dimension filled with both incredible rewards and terrifying enemies.

So, learning how to make a Nether Portal opens up a whole new side of the game that can completely change your experience.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating a Nether Portal in Minecraft, from the materials you need to how to use it once it’s built.

Why Is the Nether Portal Important?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about why you should bother making a Nether Portal in the first place.

The Nether offers a ton of unique resources you can’t find in the Overworld, including nether quartz, blaze powder, soul sand, and the coveted ghast tears.

It’s also the only place where you can find nether fortresses, which are essential for collecting blaze rods (used to make potions and eyes of ender).

And, if you want to get to the End dimension, you’ll need blaze powder from the Nether to craft the eyes of the ender.

Plus, navigating the Nether means you’ll get to face new mobs and challenges, which can make your Minecraft journey way more exciting.

Materials You’ll Need for the Portal

Building a Nether Portal requires some specific materials that can be found in the Overworld. Here’s a list of what you need to gather:

Obsidian Blocks: These are the key to creating the portal frame. Obsidian is created when lava comes into contact with water, and you’ll need at least 10 blocks to make the portal.
Flint and Steel (or any fire-starting method): This will be used to ignite the portal once it’s built.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Nether Portal

Now, let’s get into the actual steps of making the Nether Portal.

Step 1: Gather Obsidian

To collect obsidian, you need a diamond pickaxe. Obsidian forms when lava comes in contact with water, and you’ll need to mine it with your diamond pickaxe to gather the blocks.

You’ll need a minimum of 10 obsidian blocks, but you can use more if you want to make a larger portal. The portal frame requires a rectangular shape: 4 blocks tall and 5 blocks wide.

Step 2: Build the Portal Frame

Now that you have your obsidian, you’ll start building the frame. Follow these steps:

Place two vertical columns of obsidian, each consisting of 3 blocks, leaving space in the middle for the portal.
Add 2 more blocks horizontally on the top and bottom to complete the rectangular frame.

This will give you the classic Nether Portal shape. If you’re feeling fancy, you can make a larger portal by using up to 14 blocks of obsidian, but 10 is the minimum needed to activate it.

Step 3: Light the Portal

Once the frame is built, it’s time to light it up and activate the portal. The easiest way to do this is to use flint and steel. To make flint and steel, you’ll need:

1 flint (from gravel)
1 iron ingot (from smelting iron ore)

To use it, just right-click (or tap the action button) on one of the inner blocks of the portal frame. A purple, shimmering light will appear, and the portal is now active!

Step 4: Enter the Nether

Once the portal is lit, you can walk through it to enter the Nether. When you step inside, you’ll be transported to this dangerous and mysterious dimension. It’s worth noting that your spawn point in the Nether might be random, so be prepared for a potentially dangerous arrival.

Tips for Surviving in the Nether

The Nether isn’t exactly a friendly place. Here are a few survival tips to keep in mind:

Bring proper gear: Armor, weapons, and plenty of food are essential. The Nether has hostile mobs like ghasts, blazes, and wither skeletons that can quickly take you out if you’re not prepared.
Watch out for lava: The Nether is full of lava lakes, so always be careful where you step. It’s easy to fall into lava and lose all your items.
Mark your portal: The Nether is vast and dangerous, so be sure to mark your portal’s location with a beacon or some other landmark. You don’t want to get lost, especially since there’s no guarantee the portal will be easy to find again.
Use a shield: Ghasts and blazes can shoot fireballs, and having a shield is a lifesaver when navigating the Nether.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and you might run into some issues. Here are a few common problems and how to fix them:

Problem 1: My portal won’t light!

This could be because your portal frame is too small or it has a block that blocks the ignition. Double-check that you’ve used the correct number of blocks (at least 10) and that the frame is clear of any obstructing blocks.

Problem 2: I entered the portal, but I can’t get back to the Overworld!

This can happen if your portal in the Overworld and Nether aren’t properly aligned. Make sure you’re using the correct coordinates for both portals, or else you may end up in a completely different location.

Problem 3: The portal keeps deactivating!

If your portal unexpectedly turns off, it could be due to an update or glitch in the game. Rebuild the frame and light it again, and it should work fine.

FAQs

1. How many blocks of obsidian do I need to make a portal?

You need at least 10 blocks of obsidian to create a Nether Portal frame. You can use up to 14 blocks if you want a larger frame, but 10 blocks is the minimum requirement.

2. Can I make a portal without using obsidian?

Unfortunately, obsidian is the only block that can be used to create a Nether Portal frame. You can’t use any other blocks to build the frame.

3. What happens if my portal gets destroyed in the Nether?

If the portal is destroyed in the Nether, you won’t be able to return to the Overworld using that portal. You’ll need to rebuild the portal in the Nether or find another way back.

4. Can I make a Nether Portal in the End?

No, you can’t build a Nether Portal in the End. The End has its portal to get to the Overworld, and the Nether only connects to the Overworld.

5. How do I return to the Nether from the Overworld?

Simply step into the Nether Portal again, and you’ll be transported back to the Nether, where you originally entered.

Further Resources

Minecraft Wiki: A great resource for in-depth explanations about Nether portals and the Nether dimension itself. Minecraft Wiki
YouTube Tutorials: Many players have shared video tutorials on building and exploring the Nether. Check out popular Minecraft YouTubers for tips.
Minecraft Forums: Join a community of players to share tips and get advice on surviving in the Nether.

Conclusion

Learning how to make a Nether Portal in Minecraft opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Whether you’re after valuable resources, looking to battle new mobs, or hoping to make your way to the End, the Nether has it all. Just remember to come prepared, as the Nether can be unforgiving to the unprepared.

What’s the first thing you’re most excited to do once you step into the Nether? Let me know!