How to Change the PvP Setting on Your Minecraft Java Server

Whether you are running a peaceful survival world or a competitive PvP arena, controlling whether players can attack each other is one of the most common things server owners want to change. On a Minecraft Java server hosted with RiverHosting, you can switch PvP on or off in just a few clicks using the built-in Properties tab. There is no need to edit any files manually.

Before you start

• Make sure you are logged in to the RiverHosting panel at panel.riverhosting.com.
• Open your Minecraft Java server from the server list.
• You will need to restart your server after saving the change for it to take effect.

1. Open the Properties tab

The Properties tab gives you a simple editor for your server's main settings file. You do not need to open or edit any files directly.

1. Log in to the RiverHosting panel and open your Minecraft Java server.
2. In the left-hand menu, click Properties.
3. The Server Properties page will load with your current settings grouped into cards.

2. Change the PvP setting

Once the Properties page is open, finding the PvP option is straightforward.

1. In the Gameplay card near the top of the page, find PVP Enabled (pvp).
2. Switch it to true (PvP enabled) or false (PvP disabled).
3. Once you have made your choice, click the Save Changes button to apply the change.

3. Restart your server to apply the change

Saving the setting in the Properties tab updates the configuration file, but the change will not take effect until your server restarts.

1. Go back to the main server page by clicking Console in the left-hand menu.
2. Click the Restart button at the top of the page.
3. Wait for the server to fully start back up. You will see the startup messages appear in the console log.
4. Once the server is online, the new PvP setting will be active for all players.

Troubleshooting

• The PvP setting does not seem to have changed after restart. Make sure you clicked Save Changes on the Properties page before restarting. If you navigated away without saving, your change may not have been recorded. Go back to the Properties tab to confirm the current value.
• Players can still damage each other even with PvP set to false. Some plugins or mods can override the default PvP setting. If you have plugins installed, check whether any of them manage PvP separately, such as a protection or region plugin.
• I cannot find the pvp option in the Properties tab. It is called PVP Enabled and sits in the Gameplay card at the top of the page.
• The server fails to start after saving the change. Open the Console to read the startup log and look for any error messages. If something looks wrong, go back to Properties and double-check the value is set to either true or false exactly.

Need help?

If you run into any issues changing your PvP setting or your server behaves unexpectedly after the change, the RiverHosting support team is happy to help.