Can't Empty Bucket of Water

[oAyati]

I have never been able to empty a bucket. This is what it says when I select the filled bucket and it always chooses to place the bucket on the ground vs emptying.

Tab + Right Click: Empty Contents

Tab + Rick Click: Place on Ground

I've been trying to figure it out on my own but just can't seem to. Any assistance would be very much appreciated.

 

[Professor Dragon]

You need to have the cross-hairs aimed at a water source block before using <Tab> + right click.
Otherwise, it will attempt to place the water on the ground.

I have my buckets set to be <Cntrl> rather than <Tab>. Not sure if this is something that I've done - but it's different to what you have.

Professor Dragon.

Edited October 27, 2025 by Professor Dragon

[oAyati]

1 minute ago, Professor Dragon said:

You need to have the cross-hairs aimed at a water source block before using <Tab> + right click.
Otherwise, it will attempt to place the water on the ground.

I have my buckets set to be <Cntrl> rather than <Tab>. Not sure if this is something that I've done - but it's different to what you have.

But what if for instance I did a hole and want to fill it with water? There’s no water source block to target. 

[Professor Dragon]

2 minutes ago, oAyati said:

But what if for instance I did a hole and want to fill it with water? There’s no water source block to target. 

Ah, right. I think of that as "placing" water, not "emptying a bucket."

Anyway, it's the same thing. If you have a hole, then <Tab> + right click in your case will create a water source block in the hole. Ttarget inside the hole with the crosshairs - side or bottom of the hole does not matter.
The bucket will empty, and you will have created a water source block - which you can now use to refill your bucket.

Emptying a bucket is the same thing. If you point with a full bucket at a water source, and do the same thing, then it will empty the bucket.

Clear as water?

Professor Dragon.

Edited October 27, 2025 by Professor Dragon

[Professor Dragon]

Ahh. I see the issue. If you look at my settings, I have two controls - "Shift + right click" and "Cntrl + right click"  - doing different things. Your screen pop-up has the same "Tab" + right click doing DIFFERENT things.

I recommend you check your Settings, Controls against my image.

Professor Dragon.

EDIT. Thanks for the screen shots with the tool tips, by the way. That really helps to explain the issue. I wish this was more common.

Edited October 27, 2025 by Professor Dragon

[Münire]

I JUST figured this out today. It's not clear from vanilla instructions but Ctrl + right click creates a water source with the bucket.

[oAyati]

1 hour ago, Münire said:

I JUST figured this out today. It's not clear from vanilla instructions but Ctrl + right click creates a water source with the bucket.

I’ve seen people say this as well but it didn’t work for me. I’ll try adjusting my settings when I get home, thank you though!

[oAyati]

1 hour ago, Professor Dragon said:

Ah, right. I think of that as "placing" water, not "emptying a bucket."

Anyway, it's the same thing. If you have a hole, then <Tab> + right click in your case will create a water source block in the hole. Ttarget inside the hole with the crosshairs - side or bottom of the hole does not matter.
The bucket will empty, and you will have created a water source block - which you can now use to refill your bucket.

Emptying a bucket is the same thing. If you point with a full bucket at a water source, and do the same thing, then it will empty the bucket.

Clear as water?

Professor Dragon.

Thank you as well for the screen shot! I definitely think I see what the issue is in my controls. I’ll give it a go when I get home. Thank you!

[oAyati]

11 hours ago, Professor Dragon said:

Ah, right. I think of that as "placing" water, not "emptying a bucket."

Anyway, it's the same thing. If you have a hole, then <Tab> + right click in your case will create a water source block in the hole. Ttarget inside the hole with the crosshairs - side or bottom of the hole does not matter.
The bucket will empty, and you will have created a water source block - which you can now use to refill your bucket.

Emptying a bucket is the same thing. If you point with a full bucket at a water source, and do the same thing, then it will empty the bucket.

Clear as water?

Professor Dragon.

Thank you so much! It was indeed the “Mouse click modifiers”. It works perfectly now.