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Fix Minecraft server lag

Find the cause with TPS and spark, and fix the most common problems.

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Updated 21 October 2026

Lag on a Minecraft server has two very different causes: the server can't keep up (everyone lags, blocks reappear, mobs freeze) or a player's connection is slow (only one player lags). This guide helps you find out which one it is and fix it.

1. Check the TPS

A healthy server runs at 20 ticks per second (TPS). Type this in the console:

tps
  • 19 to 20: the server is fine. Is one player lagging? Then it's their connection or their computer.
  • Below 18: the server can't keep up. Continue with step 2.

2. Find the cause with spark

spark is a free profiler plugin that shows exactly what slows your server down. Install it like any other plugin (see Install Minecraft plugins), restart, and run:

spark profiler start
(wait 2 to 5 minutes while the lag happens)
spark profiler stop

You'll get a link to a report. The biggest blocks in it point to the cause: a specific plugin, entities, or chunk generation.

3. The most common fixes

Too many entities

Huge animal farms, item piles and mob farms are the number one cause. Count them with spark or look around your farms. Limit farm sizes and use hoppers or a clear-lag plugin for dropped items.

Chunk generation

Players exploring new land make the server generate chunks, which is heavy. Pre-generate your world with the Chunky plugin, for example:

chunky radius 3000
chunky start

Run it when nobody is online. Then set a world border at the same size so players stay in the generated area.

View and simulation distance

In server.properties, set view-distance=8 and simulation-distance=6. Players barely notice, but the server does much less work.

A heavy plugin

If the spark report shows one plugin on top, update it or look for a lighter alternative.

Redstone and lag machines

Big redstone clocks run every tick. Turn them off when not needed.

4. Is it memory?

If the memory graph in SparkPanel sits at the maximum and the server crashes with OutOfMemoryError, you need more RAM or fewer plugins. Read How much RAM does a Minecraft server need?

Can players not connect at all? Use our free Minecraft server status check to see whether your server is online and what it reports.

Still lagging?

Email info@serverspark.nl with the name of your server and your spark report link. We'll take a look.