Optimizing Minecraft Server Performance
Minecraft can be incredibly resource-intensive. Below are the steps to ensure a lag-free experience for your players.
1. Use Aikar's Flags
These startup flags are the industry standard for optimizing how Java handles garbage collection. They drastically reduce lag spikes.
Check out our Aikar's Flags Guide for the full copy-paste command and explanation.
2. Pre-Generate Your World
The single biggest cause of lag is generating new terrain when players explore. You can eliminate this by pre-generating the world.
Install the Chunky plugin, then run:
This will generate a 5,000 block radius around spawn. See our World Management Guide for more tips.
3. Server.properties Settings
Adjust these settings in server.properties for better performance:
view-distance=10(Lower to 6-8 if lagging)simulation-distance=5(Controls active entity AI range)
4. Use Paper or Purpur
Never run a vanilla server.jar. Always use PaperMC or Purpur. See our Server Software Comparison.
5. Diagnosis with Spark
When you don't know why it's lagging, use a professional profiler. Refer to our Spark Profiler Guide to find the exact cause of lag.
Looking for managed Minecraft server hosting? Supercraft runs Minecraft dedicated servers with daily backups, instant setup, and 5 region options. Plans from $5.99/mo.