To repair netherite tools in Minecraft, use an anvil with netherite ingots or identical tools to restore durability while keeping enchantments. For long-term use, apply the Mending enchantment, which repairs tools using XP. Avoid grindstones if you want to keep enchantments, and manage anvil costs carefully to prevent the “Too Expensive!” error.
How does repairing netherite tools actually work?
Netherite tools don’t use some secret system. They follow the same durability and repair rules as diamond tools, just with higher numbers and stricter penalties. Every time you use a netherite pickaxe, sword, or axe, its durability ticks down. Once it hits zero, the tool is gone for good.
Repairing restores durability, but Minecraft tracks how many times a tool has been worked on. That hidden counter is why repairs slowly become more expensive and eventually hit a wall. Netherite tools last longer than diamond, but the system behind them is the same. Ignore it, and you’ll burn XP fast. Work with it, and one tool can last your entire world.
Can you repair netherite tools without losing enchantments?
Yes. This is the part most players get wrong.
You do not lose enchantments when repairing netherite tools using:
- An anvil with netherite ingots
- An anvil with another identical netherite tool
- The Mending enchantment
You will lose enchantments if you use a grindstone. Grindstones strip enchantments by design. They’re meant for resetting gear, not preserving it. If your netherite tool has Fortune, Silk Touch, Unbreaking, or Efficiency, keep it far away from grindstones.
Bottom line: anvils preserve, grindstones erase.
How do you repair a netherite pickaxe using an anvil?
This is the most direct method and the easiest to control.
Place your damaged netherite tool in the first anvil slot. In the second slot, add either a netherite ingot or another netherite tool of the same type. The output slot shows the repaired item along with an XP cost.
Using netherite ingots is usually cleaner. Combining tools can transfer enchantments, but it also increases the repair penalty faster. Each anvil use adds to the internal cost counter, even if the repair looks small.
Here’s the trade-off:
- Ingots give predictable durability restoration
- Tool-combining can save materials but spikes XP cost sooner
Early repairs are cheap. Late repairs are not. That’s by design.
Does mending work on netherite tools?
Yes, and it’s the best option by far.
Mending converts XP directly into durability instead of filling your XP bar. Pick up XP orbs while holding the tool or wearing the armour piece, and it repairs itself automatically. No anvil. No materials. No cost scaling.
Mending works perfectly on netherite tools and armour, with only a few caveats:
- It won’t repair items sitting in a chest
- It competes with XP gain, so your levels rise slower
- It doesn’t work with Infinity on bows
Once a netherite tool has Mending, manual repairs should stop. Every anvil use pushes you closer to the cost limit. Mending avoids that entirely.
What causes the “Too Expensive!” anvil message?
This message shows up when the anvil repair cost exceeds the hard XP limit. The game tracks how many times an item has been repaired, renamed, or combined. Each action increases a hidden value called the prior work penalty.
Netherite tools hit this limit slower than iron or diamond, but they still hit it. Renaming alone counts as a prior work. Combining enchanted books counts too. The more steps you take, the faster the wall appears.
This isn’t a bug. It’s Minecraft telling you that the tool has been modified too many times.
How do you fix the “Too Expensive!” anvil problem?
You can’t reset the penalty completely in survival, but you can manage it.
The safest approach is front-loading enchantments. Combine books together first, then apply them to the tool in one go. Fewer steps means a lower penalty.
If you’re already stuck, there’s one limited workaround: renaming the item can sometimes lower the visible XP cost enough to complete a final repair. It doesn’t reset the counter, but it can push a borderline repair through.
After that, the real fix is prevention. Stop using anvils once Mending is on the tool.
Can you repair tools forever in Minecraft?
Not manually.
Every tool has a practical repair limit when using anvils. Netherite stretches that limit, but it doesn’t remove it. Eventually, the XP cost becomes impossible.
Mending changes the equation. With a steady XP source like mob farms, trading halls, or mining, a netherite tool with Mending can last indefinitely. No anvil interaction means no penalty growth.
This is why experienced players treat Mending as non-negotiable for endgame gear.
Do netherite tools lose enchantments when repaired?
No, as long as you repair them correctly.
Anvils preserve enchantments. Mending preserves enchantments. Only grindstones remove them. Repairs do not reset enchantments, downgrade them, or weaken them in any way.
If enchantments disappear, it’s because the wrong block was used, not because the tool was repaired too often.
Can you repair netherite armour with a grindstone?
You can, but you shouldn’t.
Grindstones remove all enchantments and refund a small amount of XP. They’re useful for clearing junk gear or resetting mistakes early game. Using one on netherite armour defeats the purpose of upgrading to netherite in the first place.
If the armour matters, repair it with an anvil or let Mending handle it naturally.
Can a netherite pickaxe be blown up or destroyed?
Netherite items are fire-proof, not indestructible.
They won’t burn in lava or fire, which is a huge advantage. Explosions can still destroy dropped items under certain conditions, and falling into the void deletes everything instantly. Durability damage from use is still the biggest risk.
If a netherite tool breaks from zero durability, it’s gone. Repairs only work before that happens.
Is netherite really better than diamond?
Yes, in every practical way.
Netherite tools last longer, mine faster, deal more damage, and survive lava. They also carry enchantments just as well as diamond. The repair rules are stricter, but that’s a balance choice, not a downgrade.
The real difference shows up long-term. Diamond tools get replaced. Netherite tools get maintained.
Video Explanation:
Compare repair methods
| Method | Keeps Enchantments | Long-Term Safe | XP Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anvil + Ingot | Yes | Limited | High over time |
| Anvil + Tool | Yes | Limited | Very high |
| Mending | Yes | Unlimited | None |
| Grindstone | No | No | Low |
The smart way to treat netherite tools
Think of netherite tools as assets, not consumables. Build them once. Enchant them carefully. Repair them early. Add Mending as soon as possible. After that, stop touching anvils unless you absolutely have to.
That mindset saves XP, saves materials, and saves frustration. One well-built netherite pickaxe can carry a world from its first ancient debris to its final megabase.
FAQs:
Can I fix netherite tools in Minecraft?
Yes. Netherite tools can be repaired using an anvil with netherite ingots, combined with another netherite tool, or repaired automatically using the Mending enchantment. All three methods work, but Mending is the only option that avoids rising XP costs over time in Minecraft.
How do you repair a netherite pickaxe without losing enchantments?
Use an anvil or Mending. Anvils preserve all enchantments when repairing with netherite ingots or identical tools. Mending repairs the pickaxe using XP orbs and never removes enchantments. Avoid grindstones, as they always strip enchantments completely.
Does mending work on netherite tools?
Yes, Mending works perfectly on netherite tools and armour. When you collect XP while holding the tool, durability is restored instead of adding to your XP bar. This allows netherite tools to last indefinitely without using an anvil.
How do you fix a damaged tool in Minecraft?
You can fix a damaged tool using an anvil, a grindstone, or the Mending enchantment. Anvils and Mending keep enchantments intact. Grindstones remove enchantments but refund a small amount of XP, making them unsuitable for valuable tools.
Do netherite tools lose enchantments when repaired?
No. Repairing netherite tools with an anvil or Mending does not remove or reset enchantments. Enchantments are only lost if a grindstone is used or if the tool breaks completely at zero durability.
What is mending not compatible with?
Mending is not compatible with the Infinity enchantment on bows. On all other tools and armour, including netherite gear, Mending works normally and stacks safely with Unbreaking and other enchantments.
Can you repair tools forever in Minecraft?
Not with anvils. Every anvil repair increases a hidden cost, eventually triggering the “Too Expensive!” limit. Tools with Mending can be repaired forever because they never use anvils or increase repair penalties.
How do you fix the “Too Expensive!” anvil error?
You can’t fully reset it in survival mode. You can reduce the risk by combining enchantments before applying them, limiting repairs, and adding Mending early. Renaming the item may allow one last repair, but it doesn’t remove the penalty permanently.
Does repairing reset enchantments?
No. Repairing with an anvil or through Mending does not reset, weaken, or reroll enchantments. Only grindstones remove enchantments, and repairs never downgrade their levels.
Can you repair armour with a grindstone?
Yes, but all enchantments will be removed. Grindstones are useful for clearing unwanted enchantments, not for repairing valuable armour. Netherite armour should be repaired with anvils or Mending instead.
How do you undo damage in Minecraft?
There’s no way to reverse damage already done, but you can restore durability by repairing tools before they break. Once a tool reaches zero durability and breaks, it cannot be recovered or repaired.
Is netherite better than diamond?
Yes. Netherite tools last longer, perform better, deal more damage, and don’t burn in lava. While repair costs are stricter, netherite gear is designed for long-term use, especially when paired with Mending.
Rachel combines her technical expertise with a flair for clear, accessible writing. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, she specializes in creating detailed tech-focused content, Govt Jobs, Payslips that educates our readers about the latest in web development and SEO tools at Spinbot blog.