In this guide, you will learn how to fix common lag sources on your Minecraft server and configure settings to improve performance. Even modest adjustments to default settings can meaningfully decrease lag.
Daily Restarts
Implementing automatic daily restart schedules helps maintain controlled resource usage and gives your server a fresh start every 24 hours.
Optimizing Server Properties
The primary method for reducing lag involves adjusting your server.properties file.
- Access the GhostCap Panel and
Stopyour Minecraft server. - Navigate to
File Managerand openserver.properties. - Set
sync-chunk-writes=false(versions 1.16 and newer only). - Update
simulation-distanceandview-distanceaccording to your player count. Startyour server.
Recommended Settings Table
| Player Count | Simulation Distance | View Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 Players | 8 | 10 - 14 |
| 6-10 Players | 6 | 8 - 10 |
| 10-20 Players | 5 | 5 - 7 |
| 20+ Players | 3 - 4 | 5 |
If you lower the server view distance, players can still see further by installing client-side mods. Modded servers should use lower simulation distances around 5.
Enable Aikar's Flags from the Server Options page for additional performance benefits, particularly effective for older Minecraft versions.
Picking The Right Server Type
Vanilla Minecraft servers are resource-intensive. Recommended alternatives:
- Paper — The best choice for most server admins, offering plugins, configurability, and optimizations.
- Fabric — Lightweight mod option requiring specific performance mods like Lithium.
For modpack-specific guidance, consult our Forge, Fabric, or NeoForge performance guides.