Best Minecraft Server Settings for a Smooth Gaming Experience

Introduction

A well-functioning Minecraft server requires optimized settings to ensure a smooth and lag-free gaming experience. Whether you're running a private server for friends or managing a larger community server, the right configurations can make a huge difference. In this guide, we’ll go through the best settings and optimizations to maximize performance and minimize lag.

1. Adjust server.properties for Optimal Performance

The server.properties file is the core of your server’s configuration. Below are the most important parameters to adjust:

Recommended Settings:

view-distance=6  
simulation-distance=6  
max-tick-time=60000  
max-players=50  
allow-flight=true  
sync-chunk-writes=false  
use-native-transport=true  
enforce-whitelist=true  

Explanation of Key Changes:

• view-distance=6 and simulation-distance=6 – Reduces the number of rendered chunks per player, lowering server load.
• sync-chunk-writes=false – Reduces lag by writing chunks asynchronously.
• use-native-transport=true – Improves performance on Linux-based servers.
• max-tick-time=60000 – Prevents server crashes due to high CPU load.

2. Use PaperMC for Better Performance

Vanilla Minecraft servers are not optimized for large player counts. PaperMC is an enhanced version that offers better performance and more configuration options.

How to Install PaperMC:

1. Download the latest version from Papermc.io.
2. Upload paper.jar to your server directory.
3. Start the server with the following command:

   java -Xms4G -Xmx8G -jar paper.jar nogui  
   

PaperMC provides several lag-reducing features, such as:

• Optimized mob spawning
• Asynchronous chunk loading
• Improved redstone handling

3. Optimize spigot.yml and paper.yml

Key Changes in spigot.yml

entity-activation-range:  
  animals: 16  
  monsters: 24  
  raiders: 48  
  misc: 8  

• Reduces the number of entities actively processed.

entity-tracking-range:  
  players: 48  
  animals: 32  
  monsters: 32  
  misc: 16  

• Limits how far players can see mobs and entities to reduce CPU load.

Key Changes in paper.yml

max-entity-collisions: 2  
armor-stands-tick: false  
prevent-moving-into-unloaded-chunks: true  

• Reduces lag caused by entity interactions.

4. Install Optimization Plugins

Plugins can help improve performance by eliminating unnecessary tasks and resource-intensive mechanics.

Recommended Optimization Plugins:

• ClearLag – Automatically removes excessive mobs and drops.
• Spark – Provides detailed insight into server performance.
• VillagerOptimiser – Reduces lag from villagers.
• LaggRemover – Monitors and reduces server lag.

5. Optimize Your Server Machine

Hardware and OS settings also play a crucial role in your Minecraft server’s performance.

Essential Optimizations:

• Use an SSD/NVMe drive – Faster disk speeds mean quicker chunk loading.

• Run Java 17 or later – Newer Java versions provide better performance and security.

• Allocate the right amount of RAM –

  java -Xms4G -Xmx8G -jar paper.jar nogui  
  

  (Adjust based on your server needs, but too much RAM can worsen garbage collection!)

• Use a dedicated server from PineRiver – Powerful Ryzen CPUs provide optimal performance.

6. Schedule Automatic Restarts and Backups

Regular restarts and backups improve server stability and protect against data loss.

Setting Up Automatic Restarts:

On Linux, use a cron job:

crontab -e  

Add this line to restart the server daily at 04:00:

0 4 * * * /home/minecraft/restart.sh  

For Windows, use Task Scheduler to schedule restarts.

Automatic Backups:

Use a simple script like this:

#!/bin/bash  
tar -czf /home/minecraft/backups/mc_backup_$(date +%F).tar.gz /home/minecraft/server/  

Schedule it with cron to run every night.

Final Thoughts

By optimizing your Minecraft server settings, you can reduce lag, improve performance, and provide a better gaming experience for your players. Use the recommended settings, optimization plugins, and hardware adjustments to achieve the best results.

Looking for a high-performance Minecraft server with optimized hardware and DDoS protection? Check out PineRiver and get the best hosting solution today!