Is it possible to change the difficulty of a server while it is running?

Is it possible to change the difficulty of a Minecraft server while it is running?

5

7 Answers

No, it's not possible. You have to edit the server.properties file and restart the server.

5

It's possible as of version 1.4.2 (12w32a) with the /difficulty x server command, where x is a number from 0 to 3:

0 = peaceful
1 = easy
2 = normal
3 = hard 

The setting will be saved across restarts.

8

Yes you can change difficulty 'adhoc' using the /difficulty command,

However this does nothing to the server.properties file and upon server restart, the difficulty is reset to that of the properties file.

On bukkit servers you can say /server reload.

You can try the /difficulty command.

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Alternatively, you can edit the server.properties file.

Go to Finder.
Find the server.properties file.
Find difficulty=
Put in any number from 1 to 3.

Then I save it, close the window, and restart the server.

1

Of course it is, /difficulty peaceful, if you are not opped open the command console for your server and type the same thing.

I use the command /difficulty _____ (peaceful, easy, normal, hard) all the time on my server. It works instantly.