Finding this is straightforward once you know where to look; the hard part is that the game never points you there.

If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. It helps to know why a step exists, because then you can adapt it when your situation differs slightly. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago.

The short answer

There is one reliable route and several unreliable ones. Take the first, and bring what the list below suggests.

If it is not there

Nothing below requires mods, paid tools or an account on some sketchy site. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough.

People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Mark the location the moment you arrive, because coming back is common.

Where to look

The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. Small details matter more than they should here, so read the order of steps carefully. Give the first attempt an honest try before deciding the method does not work.

  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Test one change at a time instead of five at once.

Getting there safely

There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. If the game has a day-night cycle, timing changes what you meet en route. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago.

People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
  • Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
  • Copying someone else's setup without checking that it fits your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get it early?

Usually yes, with enough patience. Whether that is worth doing depends on how much the item actually helps at that stage.

Do I need any add-ons or third-party tools?

No. Everything described here works with the game as installed, which also means nothing breaks when the next patch lands.

Is the location randomised?

The general area is fixed in most versions; the exact placement within it can shift between saves.

If you take one thing away about how to find brown mushrooms in minecraft, make it the preparation step; everything after it becomes much easier.