How to Enable Command Blocks on a Minecraft Server (26.x Fix)

To enable command blocks on a Minecraft Java server running 1.21.9 or newer, including all 26.x versions, run gamerule command_blocks_work true in the server console. On 1.21.8 and older, set enable-command-block=true in server.properties and restart. Then make sure you are an operator in creative mode, and get one with /give @s minecraft:command_block. If you still see "Command blocks are not enabled on this server", the steps below find the reason.

Why "Command blocks are not enabled on this server" appears

That message means the server has command blocks switched off. On a dedicated server they used to be off by default, because a command block can run almost any command, including ones that give items, teleport players or wipe areas.

Where the switch lives depends on your version:

The reason guides disagree is that Java 1.21.9 moved the setting out of server.properties into a game rule, and 1.21.11 then renamed every game rule to snake case. An old guide telling you to edit enable-command-block is right for old servers and does nothing on a 26.x server.

Step 1: Turn command blocks on (Java 1.21.9 and newer)

1. Open the server console.
2. Run:

gamerule command_blocks_work true

3. Check with gamerule command_blocks_work. It should say true.

No restart is needed, and the setting is saved in the world. On 1.21.9 and 1.21.10 the rule still had its older camel case name: type gamerule command in the console and press Tab, and the console fills in the exact name your version uses.

On Paper, Purpur and Spigot every dimension has its own game rules. If you have command blocks in the Nether or the End, set it there too:

execute in minecraft:the_nether run gamerule command_blocks_work true
execute in minecraft:the_end run gamerule command_blocks_work true

Step 1 for older servers (1.21.8 and below)

1. Stop the server.
2. Open server.properties in the main folder.
3. Change enable-command-block=false to enable-command-block=true.
4. Save and start the server.

The file is only read when the server starts, so changing it while the server runs and not restarting is the most common reason this "does not work". Also check you edited the real server.properties in the server's root folder, not a copy in another directory.

Step 2: Become an operator

Only operators can place, open and edit command blocks. Run this in the console:

op YourName

Command blocks need operator level 2 or higher. The default op-permission-level is 4, so a normal op is plenty. If someone was given a lower level by hand in ops.json, raise it. Details in how to op someone on a Minecraft server.

Step 3: Switch to creative and get a command block

Command blocks only show in the creative inventory if you turn on the Operator Items Tab in your Controls settings, and you can only edit them in creative mode. The /give command is quicker:

/gamemode creative
/give @s minecraft:command_block

Place it, right click it, and type your command into the box. Commands inside command blocks do not need a slash. For the other types, give yourself minecraft:chain_command_block or minecraft:repeating_command_block.

Step 4: Test it

Put say Hello in the block, set it to Needs Redstone, and place a button on it. Press the button. If "Hello" appears in chat, everything works. If not, check the table below.

Still not working? Checklist

Stop command blocks spamming chat

Every time a command block runs, operators see a grey message in chat, and repeating blocks flood it. Turn that off:

gamerule command_block_output false

To also hide the replies commands send to the person who ran them, use gamerule send_command_feedback false. On servers before 1.21.11, the names are commandBlockOutput and sendCommandFeedback. The full list is in how to change game rules on a Minecraft server.

Command blocks on a Bedrock server

On Bedrock Dedicated Server, command blocks need two things:

1. allow-cheats=true in server.properties, then a restart. This disables achievements for that world.
2. The game rule on, which is the default. If someone turned it off, run gamerule commandblocksenabled true in the console.

Then op yourself, switch to creative and run /give @s command_block. Bedrock's server.properties guide has the rest of the settings.

Is it safe to turn on command blocks?

Command blocks can only be placed and edited by operators, so on a friends server with trusted ops they are fine. The risk is on public servers: anyone with operator can create a block that ops them again after you deop them, or that destroys an area. Keep operator for people you trust, and use a permissions plugin like LuckPerms to give helpers only the commands they need. Custom maps that rely on command blocks are covered in how to add a custom map to a Minecraft server.

Note for 26.3 map makers: signs no longer run commands in their text by default unless they have the new allow_op_features field set, as covered in our 26.3 server update notes. That is separate from command blocks.

Command blocks on GamezServers

On a GamezServers Minecraft server, open the Console tab, run gamerule command_blocks_work true, then click Make operator with your username. You do not need to edit any files or restart. Older versions use the Files tab to edit server.properties, then Restart.

FAQ

How do I enable command blocks on a Minecraft server in 26.x?

Run gamerule command_blocks_work true in the server console. The enable-command-block line in server.properties was removed in 1.21.9.

Why is enable-command-block missing from my server.properties?

Your server runs Java 1.21.9 or newer, where the setting became a game rule. Use the gamerule command instead.

Do I need to restart after enabling command blocks?

Not on 1.21.9 and newer, since game rules apply instantly. On older servers, yes, because server.properties is only read on start.

Why can't I open a command block?

You need to be an operator and in creative mode. Run op YourName in the console, then /gamemode creative.

How do I get a command block in Minecraft?

Use /give @s minecraft:command_block. It only appears in the creative inventory when the Operator Items Tab is turned on in Controls settings.