Lag can ruin the Minecraft experience for everyone. Whether it's rubberbanding, delayed block breaking, or just an overall sluggish feel, no one wants to play on a laggy server. If you're running your own Minecraft server, especially a hosted one, understanding how to diagnose and fix lag is crucial. Here are five essential fixes to optimize your Minecraft server's performance when hosted.

1. Optimize Your Server Configuration

Minecraft's `server.properties` file contains a wealth of settings that can impact performance. Tweaking these settings is a great first step to combatting lag.

  • `view-distance`: This determines how many chunks are sent to each player. A lower value reduces the load on the server. Experiment with settings like `8`, `6`, or even lower, depending on your player count and server resources.
  • `max-tick-time`: This setting defines the maximum time a server tick can take before the server considers it overloaded. Increasing this value can prevent the server from crashing due to lag spikes, but it won't solve the underlying problem. It's best to leave this at its default value and address the root causes of lag.
  • `simulation-distance`: Introduced in newer versions, this dictates the number of chunks actively processing game logic (entities, block updates, etc.). Lowering this can significantly improve performance, especially on servers with many entities.

2. Choose the Right Server Software

Vanilla Minecraft is perfectly fine for small, lightly modded servers. However, for larger player counts or more demanding modpacks, consider using optimized server software.

  • Paper: A highly optimized fork of Spigot, Paper offers significant performance improvements over Vanilla Minecraft. It includes numerous bug fixes and optimizations that reduce lag and improve overall server stability. ExpHost makes it simple to switch between different server software with our intuitive panel.
  • Purpur: Another powerful fork built upon Paper, offering even more extensive customization options and performance enhancements.

Choosing the right server software is essential for smooth gameplay. ExpHost offers a range of pre-configured options to get you started quickly and easily.

3. Monitor Server Resource Usage

Keeping an eye on your server's resource usage is crucial for identifying bottlenecks.

  • CPU Usage: High CPU usage indicates that your server is struggling to process game logic. This can be caused by too many players, complex redstone contraptions, or inefficient plugins.
  • RAM Usage: Running out of RAM can lead to severe lag. Make sure your server has enough RAM to handle your player count, plugins, and world size.
  • Disk I/O: Slow disk performance can cause lag spikes when the server needs to load or save chunks. ExpHost uses only NVMe SSDs, ensuring lightning-fast disk performance.

If you notice consistently high resource usage, it may be time to upgrade your server plan. With ExpHost, you can easily scale your resources to meet your server's needs. Check out our pricing.

4. Optimize Redstone and Entities

Redstone contraptions and entities (mobs, items, etc.) can be major sources of lag if not properly managed.

  • Redstone: Encourage players to use efficient redstone designs. Avoid unnecessary clock circuits and optimize complex contraptions.
  • Entities: Too many entities can bog down your server. Implement measures to control mob spawning and encourage players to clean up dropped items. Consider using plugins that limit entity counts in specific areas.

5. Utilize Server Optimization Plugins

Many plugins are designed to optimize Minecraft server performance.

  • ClearLagg: Automatically removes excessive entities and cleans up the server to reduce lag.
  • Spark: A powerful profiling plugin that helps identify the root causes of lag by analyzing server performance in detail.

By carefully configuring these plugins, you can significantly improve your server's performance without sacrificing gameplay features.

ExpHost provides you with the tools and resources you need to optimize your Minecraft server for peak performance. Our high-performance hardware, coupled with our custom-built control panel, makes it easy to manage your server and troubleshoot lag issues. If you need more assistance, our dedicated support team is always available to help. You can even check our news page for regular optimization tips!

ExpHost was founded and built by Minecraft players, not corporate shareholders. This means every decision, feature, and service is designed with the Minecraft community in mind — focusing on performance, honesty, and real value instead of profit margins.