Fix "Flying is not enabled on this server" in Minecraft
Stop players being kicked for flying on your Minecraft server by setting allow-flight=true, and when you should leave it off.
Updated · 2 min read
If players get kicked with "Flying is not enabled on this server", set allow-flight=true in server.properties and restart. This is needed whenever players legitimately fly in survival, for example with plugins or mods that grant flight.
Why players get kicked
Minecraft's server checks whether players in survival or adventure mode stay in the air for too long. With allow-flight=false (the default), a player hovering for several seconds is assumed to be using a fly hack and is kicked.
This catches real cheaters, but also legitimate situations:
- fly commands or perks from plugins like EssentialsX,
- jetpacks or flight items from mods,
- heavy lag making normal movement look like hovering,
Creative and spectator mode flight are always allowed and never trigger this.
Note that elytra gliding is a normal game mechanic and is handled separately from this check.
Allow flight
- Stop the server.
- Edit
server.properties:
allow-flight=true
- Save and start the server.
This does not give anyone the ability to fly. It only stops the server from kicking players who are flying. Who can actually fly is still controlled by game modes, plugins and mods.
Should you leave it off?
| Server | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Uses fly plugins, perks or flight mods | allow-flight=true |
| Modded (Forge) server | allow-flight=true, many mods need it |
| Small whitelisted friends server | Either is fine. true avoids false kicks during lag |
| Public vanilla-style server without anti-cheat | false gives basic protection against fly hacks |
The built-in check is very basic. Public servers that care about cheating are better served by a dedicated anti-cheat plugin on Paper, with allow-flight=true so the two do not conflict.
Still being kicked?
- Make sure you restarted after saving the file.
- Check there is only one
allow-flight=line. - An anti-cheat plugin may be kicking players with its own message. Check its configuration and the console.
- If kicks happen during lag spikes, the server may be overloaded. See view distance and simulation distance.
Related: server.properties explained.