> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Fix Minecraft Server Lag: A Step-by-Step Checklist > Fix Minecraft server lag step by step: check TPS, lower view and simulation distance, pre-generate the world, cut entities and find the cause with spark. To fix Minecraft server lag, first check TPS with `spark tps` (20 is perfect). Then lower **View distance** to 6–8 and **Simulation distance** to 4–6 in **Server Properties**, pre-generate your world with Chunky, cut down entities and farms, and run the spark profiler to find the plugin or mod causing it. On a FREAKHOSTING server most of these steps are in the Game Panel. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | | - | - | - | | Intermediate | 20 minutes | Paper and Paper forks (most steps work on every type) | *** ## Is it server lag or your connection? | What players notice | Likely cause | Check | | - | - | - | | Blocks reappear after breaking, mobs freeze, everyone lags at once | **Server lag** (low TPS) | Run `spark tps` in the console | | One player lags, others are fine | That player's connection or PC | Ask them to test another server | | Low frame rate, but blocks and mobs behave normally | The player's PC (FPS, not TPS) | Lower their render distance or shaders | TPS (ticks per second) is how many game updates the server manages each second. Minecraft aims for 20. Below about 18, players notice. *** ## The lag checklist ### 1. Lower view and simulation distance This is the biggest single change. Open **Server Properties**: | Setting | Minecraft default | Suggested for busy servers | | - | - | - | | **View distance** | 10 | 6–8 | | **Simulation distance** | 10 | 4–6 | Click **Save and restart**. Players see slightly less far, but the server loads and runs far fewer chunks. A lower simulation distance with a higher view distance keeps the view wide while fewer chunks stay active. ![Server Properties page in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel where View distance and Simulation distance are set under World and performance](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc/images/games/minecraft/mc-server-properties.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc\&q=85\&s=16200db53b9791faeee4bfc4e455c16a) View and simulation distance are on the Server Properties page ### 2. Pre-generate the world Generating new chunks while players explore is one of the heaviest jobs a server does. Install **Chunky** and generate the world in advance. See [pre-generate with Chunky](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/pre-generating-your-world-to-prevent-lag-chunky.md). ### 3. Cut down entities Too many mobs, items and minecarts in one place slow every tick. * Limit big mob farms. Hundreds of animals in one pen are a common cause. * Clear dropped items now and then with `kill @e[type=item]`. * Named mobs never despawn, so use name tags sparingly. * Lower mob caps in [bukkit.yml](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/optimizing-bukkityml.md) and activation ranges in [spigot.yml](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/optimizing-spigotyml.md). ### 4. Find the cause with spark spark shows exactly which plugin, mod, entity or chunk uses the server's time. It is built into Paper from 1.21. Run `spark profiler start --timeout 600` while the lag happens. See [spark profiler](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/profiling-server-lag-with-spark.md). ### 5. Remove or replace heavy plugins and mods If spark points at a plugin or mod, update it first (**Plugins** or **Mods** > **Installed** > **Check for updates**). If it still lags, switch it off with its toggle and restart to confirm. ### 6. Tune Paper's world config On Paper and its forks, `config/paper-world-defaults.yml` has options that help busy servers. Stop the server, make a backup, edit in **Files** and start it again. | Key | Default | Suggested | Effect | | - | - | - | - | | `environment.optimize-explosions` | `false` | `true` | Faster TNT and creeper explosions. | | `chunks.max-auto-save-chunks-per-tick` | `24` | `8` | Spreads auto-saves out to avoid lag spikes. | | `collisions.max-entity-collisions` | `8` | `2` | Less work when mobs are crammed together. | | `tick-rates.mob-spawner` | `1` | `2` | Spawners tick half as often. | | `chunks.prevent-moving-into-unloaded-chunks` | `false` | `true` | Stops fast players loading chunks too quickly. | ### 7. Restart regularly A nightly restart clears memory and stops small problems building up. Use **Schedules** > **New schedule** > **Restart every night**. See [schedules](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-schedules-and-tasks.md). ### 8. Check memory If memory sits at your plan's limit and you see `OutOfMemoryError`, you need fewer mods or more RAM. See [how much RAM you need](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-much-ram-do-i-need-for-my-modded-minecraft-server.md). > [!WARNING] > > Don't use `/reload` after editing configs or plugins. Restart the server instead. *** ## Frequently asked questions ### Why does my Minecraft server lag with only a few players? Usually exploring (new chunks), a large farm or one heavy plugin or mod. Pre-generate the world and run spark to see which it is. ### Does more RAM fix lag? Only if memory is the problem. If memory has room but TPS is low, the cause is CPU time, and more RAM won't help. See [RAM for modded servers](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-much-ram-do-i-need-for-my-modded-minecraft-server.md). ### What does "Connection throttled! Please wait before reconnecting" mean? It's not lag. The server limits how quickly one address can reconnect. Wait a few seconds and join again. The limit is `connection-throttle` in [bukkit.yml](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/optimizing-bukkityml.md). ### Does hosting a Minecraft server slow down my computer? Not with FREAKHOSTING: your server runs on our hardware, not your PC. Only the game client runs on your computer. ### Which server type is fastest? For plugins, Paper or one of its performance forks. For mods, the loader your mods need, with performance mods added. See [Paper vs Purpur vs Fabric vs Forge](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/paper-vs-purpur-vs-fabric-vs-forge.md). *** ## Related guides > **[Minecraft server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/minecraft-server-hosting-guide.md)** > > Every Minecraft guide in one place. > **[spark profiler](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/profiling-server-lag-with-spark.md)** > > Find the exact cause of lag. > **[Pre-generate with Chunky](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/pre-generating-your-world-to-prevent-lag-chunky.md)** > > Stop exploration lag. > **[bukkit.yml settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/optimizing-bukkityml.md)** > > Mob caps and spawn rates. > **[spigot.yml settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/optimizing-spigotyml.md)** > > Entity activation ranges. > **[Server statistics](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-view-server-statistics.md)** > > CPU and memory over time. > [!NOTE] > > **Reviewed by the FREAKHOSTING team** on 29 October 2026. Game Panel steps were checked on our panel (Minecraft 26.1, Paper and Fabric). Config defaults checked against the [PaperMC documentation](https://docs.papermc.io/paper/reference/world-configuration/); game and plugin details follow their official documentation. Steps may differ slightly if the game or its plugins change. *** > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** October 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.