In modded Minecraft, the Igneous Extruder is a staple machine found in mods like Thermal Expansion or Thermal Series. It’s commonly used to generate Cobblestone, Stone, or Obsidian using water and lava. However, one frustrating issue many players encounter is when the Igneous Extruder is not outputting anything despite appearing correctly configured. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve the problem step by step, ensuring your automation process stays efficient and reliable.
Understanding the Igneous Extruder
Basic Functionality
The Igneous Extruder is a machine that passively creates blocks using water and lava. Depending on your modpack and machine configuration, it may not require energy to function, particularly when producing Cobblestone. However, in more advanced versions, it could still require power for automation or upgrades. Understanding how the machine works is key to diagnosing why it isn’t outputting.
- Cobblestone: Requires water and lava.
- Stone: Requires water and lava, and usually some energy.
- Obsidian: Typically consumes both lava and water, and often requires more time and energy.
Common Setup
A standard setup includes placing the Igneous Extruder, supplying it with at least one bucket each of lava and water, and ensuring it has a place to output the created block. Many players will use item ducts or chests to collect output automatically, which is where a lot of issues can arise.
Why the Igneous Extruder Is Not Outputting
1. Output Side Configuration
One of the most common reasons for the Igneous Extruder not outputting is that its sides are not correctly configured. Machines in Thermal mods have color-coded sides to represent input, output, and other functions.
- Open the GUI and look for the configuration tab (usually a gear icon).
- Make sure the output side is set correctly, typically to the bottom or side where you placed the chest or duct.
- The output slot should be colored orange in the configuration panel.
If you don’t set the output slot properly, the machine will produce the block internally but won’t eject it, which can lead to a full internal buffer and eventual stoppage.
2. Internal Inventory Full
If the Igneous Extruder has produced items but hasn’t been emptied, its internal inventory might be full. This can happen if:
- There is no connected storage device.
- The output storage is full or inaccessible.
- You’re trying to extract using item pipes but haven’t configured the pipes properly.
Open the GUI and check the internal buffer. If it shows a full stack of Cobblestone, Stone, or Obsidian, you’ll need to remove those items or fix your extraction setup to resume production.
3. No Available Lava or Water
The machine won’t work without both lava and water present in its input tanks. In newer versions of Thermal Series, the machine visibly shows fluid levels. If one fluid is missing, it won’t output any blocks.
- Check if both fluids are filled. If not, add water and lava manually or through pipes/tanks.
- In some packs, you can automate lava and water input using Thermal Pipes or Fluiducts.
Also note that for Obsidian and Stone, the machine may consume the lava or water entirely rather than just needing it present.
4. Redstone Control Set to Disabled
Many machines in modded Minecraft have a redstone control setting that determines whether they operate based on redstone signals. If your Igneous Extruder is set to require redstone but isn’t receiving any signal, it won’t produce or output blocks.
- Go to the redstone control tab in the GUI (usually a redstone torch icon).
- Make sure it’s set to Ignored if you don’t want to use redstone control.
This allows the machine to work continuously without requiring a signal. If it’s set to Low or High, make sure there’s a redstone signal present that matches the setting.
5. Mod Conflicts or Disabled Recipes
In some modpacks, especially custom ones, recipes or machine behaviors might be altered. It’s possible that the recipe for Stone or Obsidian is disabled, or the machine has been nerfed or changed via configs.
- Check JEI (Just Enough Items) or the mod’s manual to ensure the recipe is valid.
- Look into the config files if you’re using a custom pack to see if anything has been modified.
Mod conflicts can also arise from automation mods like Refined Storage, Applied Energistics, or EnderIO, particularly if transfer settings aren’t properly defined.
6. Power Requirements (Mod Version Dependent)
Although the Igneous Extruder traditionally didn’t require power to produce Cobblestone, in newer mod versions, especially Thermal Series, it may require energy for all operations.
- If it’s not outputting even with the right fluids, check whether it needs Redstone Flux (RF).
- Hook it up to a generator or power source like a Dynamo to provide sufficient energy.
Stone and Obsidian generation in particular usually require more power, and the machine won’t work at all without it in modern versions.
How to Fix and Optimize Your Igneous Extruder Setup
Quick Fix Steps
To quickly troubleshoot and fix an Igneous Extruder that’s not outputting, follow this checklist:
- Open the machine GUI and check the configuration tab.
- Ensure the output slot is set to the correct side.
- Make sure there’s room in the internal inventory or a connected chest.
- Confirm both water and lava are present in the tanks.
- Verify redstone control is set to Ignored or receiving the proper signal.
- Check for required power and connect a power source if needed.
Automation Tips
Once the machine is running again, you can improve and automate your setup further:
- Use Thermal Fluiducts to automate lava and water input.
- Attach Itemducts or export buses for auto-extraction of blocks.
- Pair with a Redstone Furnace to smelt Cobblestone into Stone automatically.
- Use filters to direct each output type to specific destinations.
Automation not only ensures continuous operation but also helps prevent internal buffer overflow that causes production to stop.
The Igneous Extruder is one of the most reliable machines in modded Minecraft when configured properly. If it’s not outputting, it’s usually due to configuration, fluid issues, redstone control, or power requirements. Carefully checking each aspect of the setup will almost always reveal the problem. Once fixed, the Extruder becomes a powerful and self-sustaining tool for generating vital building materials. Whether you’re producing endless Cobblestone or automating Obsidian for crafting, understanding and optimizing the Igneous Extruder will greatly enhance your Minecraft automation experience.