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infoServer ErrorsAffects: All versions

How to Fix Server Difficulty Locked

Fix Difficulty Locked by changing the difficulty setting in server.properties.

Quick Fix

Change difficulty in server.properties and restart, or use /difficulty <level> from console.

Error Message

Cannot change difficulty / Difficulty locked

How to Fix

1

Set difficulty=<easy|normal|hard> in server.properties

2

Use /difficulty <easy|normal|hard> from server console

3

For singleplayer, open to LAN and use /difficulty

Common Causes

  • Difficulty locked via the lock button in singleplayer
  • server.properties difficulty overriding in-game setting

Diagnostic Steps

  1. Open server.properties
  2. Change difficulty value
  3. Restart the server

FAQ

What are the difficulty values?

peaceful, easy, normal, hard. In server.properties, use the name not a number.

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