Minecraft wiki entry for Channeling, associated text: In Java Edition, Channeling doesn't affect mobs in some circumstances[1][2][3]. A mob cannot be: in water, in lava, in powder snow, in a cobweb, on soul sand, on a honey block, on snow (if snow layer is 8), in a minecart or in a boat while being hit with this enchantment. Mobs in minecarts and boats can be struck only if passive.