Does upgrading my plan automatically fix the heap space error?

Yes, on AwakeNode, upgrading your plan automatically increases your allocated RAM, and the server will apply these new memory limits upon the next restart.

Can I edit my own startup flags to increase memory?

To add your own JVM flags, set a custom startup command in your server's **Startup** tab.

What is the difference between RAM and Heap Space?

RAM is the physical memory available to your server, while Heap Space is the specific portion of that memory reserved for the Java Virtual Machine to store objects and data while the server is running.

Will adding more RAM always fix the error?

Adding more RAM helps if your server is simply too large for its current allocation, but it will not fix the error if you have a memory leak caused by a broken plugin or mod.

Fixing java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space

What is this error?

The java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space occurs when your Minecraft server has exhausted the memory (RAM) allocated to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). When the server attempts to allocate more memory than it has been assigned, the process crashes to prevent system instability.

Common causes

High player count: Too many players for the current RAM allocation.
Resource-heavy mods/plugins: Complex mods or poorly optimised plugins consuming excessive memory.
Large render distances: High view distances significantly increase memory usage.
World generation: Rapidly exploring new chunks can spike memory usage.

How to fix it

On AwakeNode

Upgrade your plan: If your server is consistently hitting its limit, choose Upgrade on your server's page. On AwakeNode, your Xmx (maximum memory) settings are updated automatically to match your new plan, requiring no manual configuration.
Contact Support: If you believe your server should have enough RAM but is still crashing, open a ticket with our support team. To add your own JVM flags, set a custom startup command in your server's Startup tab.

On other hosts / manually

Edit startup flags: Locate your server's startup script or command line settings. You must manually modify the -Xmx parameter. For example, to set the limit to 4GB, ensure your command includes -Xmx4G.
Optimise your environment: Remove unnecessary plugins or mods that may be causing memory leaks. Reduce the view-distance and simulation-distance in your server.properties file to lower the memory footprint.
Check for memory leaks: If the error occurs over time rather than instantly, a specific plugin may be failing to release memory. Use a profiler tool to identify which process is consuming the most heap space.

java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space