One way to explore the vast possibilities in Minecraft is by experimenting with redstone. Some redstone contraptions range from basic redstone circuits to highly advanced redstone circuits that perform complicated tasks. One block that can help you make these types of advanced builds is observer blocks. By the end of this guide, you will learn how to get an observer in Minecraft.

How to Get an Observer in Minecraft

You can get an observer in Minecraft by crafting it. To craft an observer, you need six blocks of cobblestone, two redstone dust, and one nether quartz. You can’t use stone as a replacement for cobblestone, and you can’t use either redstone ore blocks or a nether quartz ore block as replacements. You also need to craft it using a crafting table. The blocks and items will not fit in your 2×2 inventory crafting space. The image above shows the exact crafting recipe you need to make the observer.

An observer has two main sides you will focus on. The first side that looks like a face detects any changes in a block to emit a redstone signal. The second side with the red square is the side that emits the redstone signal. This means that when a block changes and the observer detects it, any redstone dust or blocks like redstone lamps will activate on the opposite side of the block.

The changes that the observer will react to differ in Java and Bedrock Edition. For example, exclusively in Minecraft Java Edition, an observer will detect the opening and closing of shulker boxes, changes in fire or any note blocks played. Bedrock Edition does not include these but has several exclusive features that Java Edition does not have. Some of these involve activating a dragon head or beacon in front of an observer, using bone meal to grow sugar cane, and cooking food on a campfire. Some changes that are available in both versions of Minecraft include but are not limited to the following:

  • Activating a dispenser or dropper
  • Changes in Redstone ore
  • Using potions on a brewing stand
  • Interacting with a flower pot
  • Changing the shape of partial blocks such as fences, iron bars, glass panes, stone walls and redstone
  • Opening and closing doors

Minecraft is available on PC, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation platforms.