How to Find a Ruined Portal in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Ruined portals generate in every biome in both the Overworld and the Nether - the only structure in two dimensions. Explore and watch for netherrack patches and obsidian frames; their chests hold gold gear, flint and steel, and obsidian.

What you need

Exploration gear
Flint and steel (or from the chest)
Shovel for netherrack

Step by step

Understand the target: ruined portals spawn in every biome of the Overworld AND the Nether, on the surface, underground or underwater. 5% generate as giant portals.
Look for the signs: a patch of netherrack (including stalactite-like shapes) with an obsidian frame, often with crying obsidian mixed in.
While caving, watch for air pockets with netherrack - underground ruined portals generate surrounded by air.
Ocean travel works too: drowned-infested netherrack mounds on the seabed are usually underwater portals.
Loot the chest: gold ingots and nuggets, golden tools and armor, flint and steel, fire charges, obsidian, golden apples, bells - and since 1.21.5, sometimes a lodestone.
Use it: the obsidian frame plus a flint and steel is often enough obsidian to light your first Nether portal without a diamond pickaxe.
Nether-side portals matter too: a ruined portal near your Nether spawn is free obsidian and a landmark.

Java vs Bedrock

Ruined portals generate identically in Java and Bedrock: all biomes in both dimensions, 5% giant variants, the same loot table family including lodestones since 1.21.5. Both editions let you complete the frame and light it.

Versions: Ruined portals were added in 1.16 (20w16a, the Nether Update), which is why their loot leans golden. Lodestones joined their chest loot in 1.21.5, making ruined portals a rare source of that wayfinding block.

Frequently asked questions

What is inside a ruined portal chest?

Gold gear, gold ingots and nuggets, flint and steel, fire charges, obsidian, golden apples, enchanted golden tools, bells and clocks - thematically the leftovers of whoever broke the portal. Since 1.21.5, lodestones can appear too.

Can I repair a ruined portal?

Yes - that is their secret purpose. Replace the crying obsidian (it does not light) with regular obsidian, fill the gaps, and ignite with flint and steel from the chest. Many speedrunners find their first portal this way.

Why is there crying obsidian in the frame?

Crying obsidian is decorative and cannot form a working portal - you must mine it out (diamond or netherite pickaxe) and swap in normal obsidian. Save the crying obsidian for respawn anchors.