How to Stop Water From Freezing in Minecraft (2025)

Ever tried to enjoy a peaceful morning dip in your Minecraft pond only to find it locked under a layer of ice? If you’ve built a mountain cabin or an icy fortress, you know how quickly frozen water can ruin your plans. From sabotaging your farm to freezing your boat in place, ice is one of those sneaky mechanics that turns convenience into chaos.

In this guide, we’re digging into every trick in the book: from clever building hacks to game-altering cheats, to keep water flowing smoothly. In addition, you’ll learn how to outsmart Minecraft’s frosty mechanics and transform this icy annoyance into a total non-issue. Let’s melt the problem away, shall we?

When Does Water Freeze in Minecraft?

Water in Minecraft freezes under specific conditions related to biome, altitude, light level, and exposure to the sky. In cold biomes such as Snowy Plains, Snowy Taiga, Frozen Ocean, Ice Spikes, and similar snowy or icy areas, water will turn into ice if two conditions are met:

• The water block is exposed to the sky, meaning no solid block or slab is covering it.
• The light level at the water block is below 12.

Additionally, water can freeze at or above y-level 90 regardless of biome, provided it is open to the sky and the light level is low. Time of day does not directly affect freezing; it is the light level and exposure that matter. 

How To Prevent Water From Freezing

Freezing water can be frustrating, especially when crafting intricate builds or managing functional water systems. Here are some effective methods to keep your water flowing without turning to ice:

1. Freeze Game Ticks with Cheats

If cheats are enabled in your world, you can use game commands to take control of time and weather cycles, indirectly stopping water from freezing:

• /gamerule doDaylightCycle false — Freezes time at a specific hour by halting the day-night cycle.
• /gamerule doWeatherCycle false — Prevents weather changes, keeping conditions stable.

While these commands don’t directly prevent water from freezing, maintaining high light levels during the frozen moment will ensure the water remains liquid. This approach is ideal for creative builds or server management when you want full control over your environment.

2. Use Light Sources Strategically

Light is your strongest ally in stopping freezing water. A light level of 12 or higher near water prevents it from turning into ice. Here are some effective light sources to use:

• Torches, Glowstone, Lanterns, or Magma Blocks work wonders.
• Hidden options: Place light sources under glass or sea lanterns for a cleaner and more aesthetic look.

Pro Tip: Glowstone provides a stronger light output than torches, making it perfect for large-scale water features like moats or fountains.

3. Avoid Cold Biomes

The simplest solution? Build your water systems in warmer biomes like plains, forests, or deserts. Water doesn’t freeze in these regions regardless of time or weather. If you prefer setting up in snowy or cold zones, consider relocating essential water systems to a nearby warmer biome. This minimizes the need for extra effort to keep your waterways frost-free.

4. Cover Water with Slabs or Blocks

Blocking your water source with trapdoors or slabs, or solid blocks will protect it from freezing due to exposure to sky temperatures. You should cover canals with stone slabs or comparable materials, which enable both visibility and continued functionality. Glass or ice blocks serve as premium moisture barriers, which enable smooth water circulation without freezing because they allow light transmission. This technique appropriately safeguards decorative ponds and irrigation systems, and decorative water features that prioritize retaining their look, together with operational integrity.

5. Leverage Mods/Plugins (Advanced)

For advanced users, mods or server plugins can completely disable freezing mechanics. Tools like WorldGuard (Java Edition) or custom scripts are great for public servers or roleplay worlds where realism isn’t a priority, or situations where you want a hassle-free, permanent solution.

Reminder: Always ensure compatibility with your Minecraft version and other plugins before implementing mods or scripts.

Conclusion

Keeping water from freezing in Minecraft is all about understanding the game’s rules and bending them to your advantage. Whether you’re using slabs to block sky exposure, hiding glowstone beneath glass, or pausing time with cheats, there’s a method to suit every playstyle. Don’t let icy mechanics slow you down—experiment with these strategies and turn a survival hurdle into a creative win. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try combining techniques, like pairing slabs with campfires for a warm, glowing aesthetic. After all, Minecraft thrives on innovation, and sometimes the best solutions come from thinking outside the ice cube.