How to Stop Time in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use a game command to stop time with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

Wouldn't it be great to always see the sunrise or play only during the daytime? Did you know that you can use a cheat in the game to allow you to lock time at a certain moment? Let's explore how to use this cheat (game command).

Supported Platforms

The stop time command is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

PlatformSupported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac) Java Edition (PC/Mac)Yes (1.6.1)
Pocket Edition (PE) Pocket Edition (PE)Yes (1.0.5)
Xbox 360 Xbox 360No
Xbox One Xbox OneYes (1.2)
PS3 PS3No
PS4 PS4Yes (1.14.0)
Wii U Wii UNo
Nintendo Switch Nintendo SwitchYes (1.5.0)
Windows 10 Edition Windows 10 EditionYes (1.0.5)
Education Edition Education EditionYes

* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.

Requirements

To run game commands in Minecraft, you have to turn cheats on in your world.

Stop Time Command

Examples

How to Enter the Command

1. Open the Chat Window

The easiest way to run a command in Minecraft is within the chat window. The game control to open the chat window depends on the version of Minecraft:

  • For Java Edition (PC/Mac), press the T key to open the chat window.
  • For Pocket Edition (PE), tap on the chat button help command at the top of the screen.
  • For Xbox One, press the D-Pad (right) xbox one on the controller.
  • For PS4, press the D-Pad (right) ps4 on the controller.
  • For Nintendo Switch, press the right arrow button nintendo switch on the controller.
  • For Windows 10 Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.
  • For Education Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.

2. Type the Command

In this example, we are going to stop time from advancing with the following command:

/gamerule doDaylightCycle false

Type the command in the chat window and press the Enter key to run the command.

stop time

The game rule will be changed for your world.

completed stop time

You will see the message "Game rule has been updated" appear in the lower left corner of the game window to indicate that time has been stopped. Now, the sun will not travel across the sky and the time will not change.

Congratulations, you just learned how to use the cheat to stop time in Minecraft!

TIP: When time is stopped, you can still change the time to day with the /time command.

Check the value of doDaylightCycle gamerule

Other Time Cheats

You can use other time commands in Minecraft such as: