On Minecraft 1.21.9 and newer, PvP is a game rule: open the Settings tab, click Game Rules, switch Pvp off and click Save. It applies at once. On older versions it is the PvP switch in Server Properties (Java), which applies after a restart.
Recent versions: the Pvp game rule
- Open your server in the panel and click the Settings tab.
- Under Config files, click Game Rules.
- Type
pvpin the search box at the top. - Switch Pvp off so players cannot damage each other, or on to allow it.
- Click Save. No restart is needed.
In the Console you can type gamerule pvp false (or true) instead.
Older versions: the PvP switch
If your Minecraft version still has PvP in server.properties, the switch is there:
- Open the Settings tab and click Server Properties (Java).
- Switch PvP off or on:
Whether players can damage each other. - Click Save & restart.
The panel only shows the settings your version has, so you see either the switch or the game rule, never a switch that does nothing.
Good to know
- PvP is on by default.
- PvP off stops players hurting each other directly. It does not protect builds: for protected areas, see How to protect your spawn with WorldGuard on your Minecraft server.
- More rules: How to change game rules on your Minecraft server.
