Spawn protection prevents new players from destroying blocks around the world spawn point. By default, this area covers a 33×33 block square and only operators (OPs) can break or place blocks inside it. You can change the size of this protected area or disable it entirely by editing your server.properties file.
How Spawn Protection Works
The spawn-protection option in server.properties defines a square around the spawn point that only OPs can modify. The value represents the number of chunks (16 × 16 block areas) extended from the centre in each direction minus one. For example:
- A value of 1 protects a 3×3 area around spawn.
- A value of 2 protects a 5×5 area.
- A value of 0 disables spawn protection completely, though one block remains protected.
If no operators are present on the server, spawn protection is disabled regardless of this setting.
Configuring Spawn Protection
- Navigate to the Wabbanode Control Panel and Stop your server. Changing configuration files while the server is running may cause them to be overwritten.
- Open Files and locate the
server.propertiesfile in the root of your server directory. Click the file name to open it in the editor. - Find the line that begins with
spawn-protection=. Change the number after the equals sign to the radius you want in chunks. For example, setting it to0will effectively disable spawn protection (only the central block remains protected), while10will protect a much larger area. - Save the file and Start your server. The new protection radius will take effect immediately.
Tips for Managing Spawn Areas
- Grant operator permissions to trusted players. Operators bypass spawn protection and can build or break anywhere. You can grant OP status through the console using
/op <player>. - Use plugins for more control. If you need more granular spawn management, consider installing a spawn plugin that allows you to define regions, warps and rules.
- Communicate with players. Let your players know where they are allowed to build and that the spawn area may be protected.
By adjusting the spawn-protection value you can tailor how your server’s spawn area behaves. Remember to stop your server before editing configuration files and restart it afterwards so your changes take effect.
