How to Get Monster Spawner in Minecraft (Not Craftable!)

You cannot craft a monster spawner in vanilla Minecraft survival mode. This guide explains how to obtain one through creative mode, commands, or in-game structures, plus practical usage tips for mob farms.

Why Crafting Isn't Possible (And What Actually Works)

If you've searched for "how to craft a monster spawner," you've likely hit a wall. Here's the critical fact: Vanilla Minecraft intentionally prevents crafting monster spawners in survival mode. This design choice maintains game balance, as spawners enable infinite mob generation that would trivialize resource gathering. Don't waste hours trying nonexistent recipes – let's explore legitimate methods instead.

3 Reliable Ways to Obtain a Monster Spawner

Creative Mode Access

The simplest method for builders and server admins:

• Open your inventory (E key)
• Navigate to the Redstone tab
• Search "spawner" in the creative menu
• Drag the spawner block into your hotbar

Pro Tip: Creative mode spawners default to pig spawns. You'll need commands to change mob types (covered later).

Command-Based Acquisition

For survival servers or single-player worlds:

• Enable cheats if playing solo (Open to LAN > Allow Cheats)
• Press T to open chat
• Enter: /give @p spawner

For immediate placement, use: /setblock ~ ~ ~ spawner

Command	Use Case
/give @p spawner 1	Basic spawner (pig)
/give @p spawner{BlockEntityTag:{SpawnData:{id:"zombie"}}} 1	Zombie spawner
/setblock ~ ~ ~ spawner{BlockEntityTag:{Delay:0,SpawnCount:4}} 0 replace	High-output farm setup

Finding Natural Spawners

Dungeons generate with spawners in these structures:

• Underground Dungeons: 50% chance in 5x5x3 rooms (cobblestone walls, torches, mob-specific spawners)
• Mineshafts: Rarely in cave sections (spider spawners)
• Strongholds: Guardian spawners near ocean monuments

Warning: Natural spawners have limited range (16-block radius) and require light control for efficient farming.

Advanced Usage: Transforming Your Spawner

Raw spawners have limited value. Maximize utility with these techniques:

Mob Type Conversion

Use this command structure to change spawns:

/data merge block ~ ~ ~ {SpawnData:{id:"minecraft:enderman"}}

Replace enderman with any mob ID (creeper, blaze, etc.). Find IDs at Minecraft's official registry.

Optimizing Mob Farms

• Range Boost: Place spawner on Y=15 for maximum spawn area coverage
• Spawn Prevention: Light adjacent blocks to stop unwanted spawns
• Item Collection: Use hoppers under kill chambers for automatic loot gathering

Modded Minecraft Exceptions

While vanilla Minecraft blocks crafting, these mods add recipes:

• Actually Additions: Craft with 4 iron bars + 1 spawner core (obtained from bosses)
• Thaumcraft: Create using arcane assembler with essentia and nitor
• Industrial Craft 2: Requires quantum suit components

Important: Mod recipes vary by version. Always check the specific mod's documentation – never assume cross-mod compatibility.

Practical Applications for Builders

Leverage spawners for these proven projects:

• XP Farms: Zombie spawners in compact designs yield 5,000+ XP/hour
• Resource Generators: Cave spider spawners for potion ingredients
• Defense Systems: Iron golem spawners in village protectors

Remember: Spawners deactivate beyond 128 blocks from players. Design farms within spawn chunks for 24/7 operation.

FAQ: Monster Spawner Essentials

Can you craft a monster spawner in Minecraft survival mode?

No, crafting monster spawners is impossible in vanilla Minecraft survival mode. They're only obtainable through creative mode, commands, or by finding them in generated structures like dungeons.

What's the easiest command to get a monster spawner?

Use /give @p spawner in chat after enabling cheats. For immediate placement, type /setblock ~ ~ ~ spawner. Both commands work in single-player with cheats enabled or on servers with operator permissions.

How do I change what mob spawns from a spawner?

Execute this command while targeting the spawner: /data merge block ~ ~ ~ {SpawnData:{id:"minecraft:your_mob_here"}}. Replace 'your_mob_here' with the mob ID like 'skeleton' or 'cave_spider'. The spawner updates instantly.

Where do natural monster spawners generate most frequently?

Underground dungeons have the highest spawn rate (50% chance per dungeon). These 5x5x3 rooms contain mob-specific spawners surrounded by four torches and cobblestone walls. Spider spawners also appear in mineshaft cave sections.

Do monster spawners work in the Nether or End dimensions?

Yes, but with limitations. Spawners function normally in all dimensions, but natural spawners only generate in Overworld structures. Nether and End spawners must be placed manually via commands or creative mode.