Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Glowing Effect in Minecraft: Causes and Cures
Glowing is a Java Edition effect that outlines a mob or player so you can see it through walls. Spectral arrows give it, and ringing a bell with a raider within 32 blocks makes every raider within 48 blocks glow for 3 seconds, raid or not. The outline is white, or the team color if the target is on a team.
What gives Glowing?
| Cause | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spectral arrow | On the mob or player hit |
| Bell | Raiders within 32 blocks, Java |
| /effect | Any target with cheats |
Every effect in the game: status effects.
What does Glowing do?
It does not hurt; it only shows where the target is, even behind blocks and other mobs. It is not in Bedrock Edition. See spectral arrows.
How do you remove or counter it?
Milk removes it from players. Teams set the outline color, which minigames use to show sides. Most effects show an icon in your inventory and at the top right of the screen, with the time left; the /effect command can give or clear any of them.
More about Glowing
The outline shows even through solid walls, so it is strong in hide-and-seek games and PvP, and it helps find the last raiders hiding in a village. Spectral arrows still deal arrow damage as well. Map makers give it by command to highlight important mobs or players.
Status effects come from potions, food, beacons, conduits, mobs and blocks. Each has a level and a timer, and most can be cleared by drinking milk; beacon and conduit effects keep refreshing while you stay in range, so they never run out there.
Tips
Hit a hiding player with one spectral arrow and the whole team can track them. Related: bells.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glowing in Bedrock?
No, it is Java only.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.