How do I change my server difficulty?
🎮 How to Change the Difficulty on Your Minecraft Server
🧠 Difficulty Options in Minecraft:
Difficulty | Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
Peaceful | 0 | No hostile mobs, no hunger degeneration. |
Easy | 1 | Hostile mobs spawn but don't give debuffs. Hunger will decrease. |
Normal | 2 | Hostile mobs give debuffs. Hunger drops you to half a heart. |
Hard | 3 | Hostile mobs are stronger, spawn more often, and hunger can kill you. |
🛠️ How to Change Your Server Difficulty:
✅ Option 1 — Quick Console Command:
Once your server is online, open the Console and type:
difficulty hard(Replace hard with peaceful, easy, normal, or hard.)
Note: In newer Minecraft versions (1.13+), it's better to use difficulty names (like normal) instead of numbers.If the console method doesn't work, follow the full method below:
✅ Option 2 — Edit server.properties
- Log into the Control Panel.
- Click 'Manage' next to your server.
- Navigate to your server files.
- Find and open the
server.propertiesfile.
- Locate the
difficultysetting and update it.
You can set difficulty in two ways depending on your server version:
- Minecraft 1.12.2 and earlier:
Use a number:
difficulty=2
- Minecraft 1.13 and newer:
Use the difficulty name:
difficulty=normal
- Press the 'Save File' button.
- Restart your server for the changes to apply.
Need help? How do I restart my server?
🌎 Important Notes
- Restarting the server is required for the new difficulty setting to take effect.
- Always make a backup before editing important server files.
- Difficulty settings affect mob behavior, hunger, and player survival — choose carefully based on your gameplay style!
Updated on: 25/04/2025
Thank you!