How to Stop Time – Wiki Guide
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).
Requirements
To run game commands in Minecraft, you have to turn cheats on in your world.
Stop Time Command
Stop Time Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac), the syntax to stop time from advancing using the /gamerule command is:
/gamerule doDaylightCycle false
Examples
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac)
To stop time from advancing in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac):
/gamerule doDaylightCycle false
To allow time to continue advancing so that there is both day and night cycles again:
/gamerule doDaylightCycle true
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
 at the top of the screen. - For Xbox One, press the D-Pad (right)  on the controller.
- For PS4, press the D-Pad (right) Â on the controller.
- For Nintendo Switch, press the right arrow button  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.
 at the top of the screen.
 on the controller.
 on the controller.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.
The game rule will be changed for your world.
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
Check in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac), you can check the value of the doDayLightCycle gamerule with the following /gamerule command:
/gamerule doDaylightCycle
This command will return one of the following values:
doDayLightCycle = true doDayLightCycle = false
When doDayLightCycle is true, time is advancing as normal (this is the default). When doLightCycle is false, time is stopped at the current moment.
Other Time Cheats
You can use other time commands in Minecraft such as:
How to Set Time to Day
How to Set Time to Night
How to Set Time to Sunrise
How to Set Time to Noon
How to Set Time to Sunset
How to Set Time to Midnight
How to Query Time
How to Add Time
How to Restart Time
How to Use the AlwaysDay Command
How to Use the DayLock Command
How to Use the Time Command
