How to Improve TPS and Minecraft Server Performance
TPS, or ticks per second, measures how regularly a Minecraft server processes game updates. Minecraft Java servers generally aim for a stable 20 TPS. A lower TPS means the server is struggling, which players experience as block lag, rubber-banding, or delayed mob AI.
Common Causes of Low TPS
A lower TPS can occur when the server is handling:
- Heavy world generation from players exploring new chunks quickly.
- Too many entities in loaded chunks (dropped items, dense animal farms, massive mob grinders).
- Demanding or poorly coded mods and plugins.
- Complex, rapidly clocking Redstone contraptions.
- A view distance that is set too high for the available CPU resources.
- More overall activity than the selected plan and allocated RAM/CPU can comfortably handle.
How to Optimize Performance
1. Utilize NVMe Storage
Fast storage drastically improves world loading and reduces delays when the server reads or saves chunk data. At VisiHost, we use NVMe SSDs to ensure the physical storage is never the bottleneck for your world saves.
2. Optimize Java Memory Management
Supported Java runtimes and appropriate memory settings (like Aikar's flags for Paper/Purpur) can help a Minecraft server operate more consistently. Ensure you are using the correct Java version for your server jar.
3. Upgrade CPU Resources
Minecraft's main tick loop relies heavily on single-thread performance. If you have optimized your world, limited entities, and reduced view distance, but TPS still suffers under load, it might be time to upgrade to a plan with higher vCPU allocation or a node with a faster base clock speed.
4. Software Selection
If you are running Vanilla Minecraft, consider switching to an optimized fork like Paper or Purpur. These provide immense under-the-hood performance improvements for chunk loading, entity handling, and overall server stability without changing the core vanilla gameplay mechanics.
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