---
title: "How to change difficulty on a Java server"
icon: lucide/sliders-horizontal
description: "How to change the difficulty of a Minecraft Java server via server.properties or a console command in the panel."
---

# How to change difficulty on a Java server

Difficulty on a Java Minecraft server controls how challenging the game is: mob spawns, damage, hunger, and other survival aspects. You can change it in two ways from the panel.

## Difficulty values

| Value | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| `peaceful` | No hostile mobs, hunger does not drain. |
| `easy` | Weaker hostile mobs, low damage. |
| `normal` | The Minecraft default. |
| `hard` | Stronger mobs, hunger can kill. |

## Via server.properties

1. Open `https://panel.nexuscloud.id/`.
2. Select your Java server.
3. Open the **Console** menu.
4. Open the `server.properties` file.
5. Press `Ctrl+F` (on a PC or laptop) to search.
6. Find the `difficulty` line and change the value to what you want.
7. Click **Save Content**.
8. Go back to **Console**, then click **Restart**.

Example `server.properties` content:

```properties
difficulty=normal
```

## Via the console

1. Open `https://panel.nexuscloud.id/`.
2. Select your Java server.
3. Scroll down and find the **Execute Command** field.
4. Type one of the following commands and press **Enter**.

```text
difficulty easy
difficulty normal
difficulty peaceful
difficulty hard
```

5. The server difficulty changes immediately, no restart required.

## Notes

- Changes made via `server.properties` require a restart to take effect.
- Changes made via a console command take effect right away for players who are online.
- New players joining will use whichever difficulty is currently active on the server.

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