Status effects in Minecraft do more than passive damage or slowness from a swamp. With the right command, you can apply any effect to any player at any level — instantly. Whether you’re building a minigame that needs constant speed, running a hardcore server, or just want to test what level 50 jump boost looks like, the effect command is the tool for it. This guide covers the full syntax for Java and Bedrock, how to remove effects, and the complete list of available effects.
The Effect Command
The effect command has been available since Minecraft’s early command system. It requires cheats enabled in singleplayer or operator status on a server, because effects can give significant advantages. You can also run effect commands through command blocks to apply effects automatically and repeatedly without manual input.
If you need help enabling cheats or getting operator access before using these commands, see the guides on how to enable cheats in Minecraft and how to OP yourself.
Java Edition Examples
Java Edition has two different effect command formats depending on your version. Confirm which version you’re running before entering a command, as the syntax changed in 1.13 and the wrong format will not work.
Minecraft 1.13 and Above
Use the following format in chat:
/effect give [targets] [effect] [seconds] [amplifier] [hideParticles]
The [amplifier] and [hideParticles] values are optional. A basic example:
/effect give Neme speed 120
This gives the player named Neme the Speed effect for two minutes at level 1. To apply Speed II instead, add the amplifier value after the duration:
/effect give Neme speed 120 2
To hide the effect particles, add true after the amplifier:
/effect give Neme speed 120 2 true
Minecraft 1.12 and Below
Older versions use a shorter format:
/effect [player] [effect] [seconds] [amplifier] [hideParticles]
Example for Strength II lasting two minutes:
/effect Neme strength 120 2
Add true at the end to hide particles. The amplifier and hideParticles values are optional here as well.
Bedrock Edition Example
Bedrock Edition uses a single effect command format across all its versions, matching the older Java syntax:
/effect [player] [effect] [seconds] [amplifier] [hideParticles]
Example for a powerful jump boost with hidden particles:
/effect EnderX jump_boost 60 5 true
This applies Jump Boost V to the player EnderX for one minute with no visible particles. The amplifier can go as high as 255, so level 50 jump boost is technically possible.
How to Remove Effects
To clear effects, use the clear variant of the command.
Java 1.13 and above:
/effect clear [targets] [effect]
Java 1.12 and below / Bedrock:
/effect [player] clear
On Bedrock, this removes all active effects from the player. Alternatively, drinking milk from a bucket removes all effects on any edition — useful when you cannot run commands.
Effects List
The table below lists every available status effect ID, its description, and which edition supports it. Use these IDs in your effect commands.
| Effect ID | Description | Java | Bedrock |
|---|---|---|---|
| absorption | Adds absorption health hearts to your character. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| unluck | Lowers the probability of obtaining valuable loot. | ✔️ | ❌ |
| bad_omen | Triggers hostile mobs to spawn when entering a village. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| blindness | Spawns a thick black fog in the player’s view. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| conduit_power | Adds ability to breathe underwater, plus improved visibility and mining speed. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| darkness | The world slowly gets darker over periodic pulses. | ✔️ | ❌ |
| dolphins_grace | Boosts swimming speed. | ✔️ | ❌ |
| fatal_posion | Every 1.25 seconds, damage is inflicted. | ❌ | ✔️ |
| fire_resistance | Grants immunity to fire, lava, and fireballs. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| glowing | Displays a bright white outline on players and mobs. | ✔️ | ❌ |
| haste | Increases block-breaking speed. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| health_boost | Adds extra hearts to your health bar. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| hero_of_the_village | Receive discounts on villager trades. | ✔️ | ❌ |
| hunger | Drains hunger points quickly. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| instant_damage | Instantly damages the player. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| instant_health | Instantly heals the player. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| invisibility | Makes the player invisible to others. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| jump_boost | Increases jump height. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| levitation | Causes the player to float upward automatically. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| luck | Increases the chance of obtaining valuable items. | ✔️ | ❌ |
| mining_fatigue | Decreases block-breaking speed. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| nausea | Distorts the player’s vision. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| night_vision | Allows the player to see at full brightness in the dark. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| poison | Damages the player every 1.25 seconds (does not kill). | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| regeneration | Restores half a heart every 2.5 seconds. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| resistance | Reduces all incoming damage. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| saturation | Replenishes hunger points rapidly. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| slow_falling | Reduces fall speed and negates fall damage. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| slowness | Decreases movement speed. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| speed | Increases movement speed. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| strength | Increases melee attack damage. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| village_hero | Receive discounts on villager trades. | ❌ | ✔️ |
| water_breathing | Allows the player to breathe underwater indefinitely. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| weakness | Reduces melee attack damage. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| wither | Deals damage every 2 seconds, similar to poison. | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Common Issues
Unable to Use Effects
If the effect command is not working, confirm you have the correct permissions. On a server, you need operator status — run op [player] from the server console in your Apex panel. In singleplayer, cheats must be enabled in your world settings. Also verify you are using the correct syntax for your version: the 1.12 format does not work in 1.13+.
Cannot Remove Effects
If /effect clear is not working, check your version. Java 1.13+ uses /effect clear [targets] [effect], while older Java and Bedrock use /effect [player] clear. If commands are unavailable, drinking milk from a bucket removes all effects instantly on any edition.
Cannot Set a Long Duration
Minecraft caps how long a status effect can last before it becomes permanent. There is no vanilla method to extend this limit. Plugins or mods may offer extended duration options if you need them for a specific server setup. Check the full list of Minecraft server commands for other command options available on your server.
Conclusion
The effect command gives full control over status effects in Java and Bedrock. Use the correct syntax for your version, confirm you have operator access or cheats enabled, and reference the effects table above for valid effect IDs. For persistent effects on a server, command blocks automate the process without requiring manual input each time.
