How to optimise your Forge Minecraft server

Optimising a Forge server is essential for maintaining a smooth experience as your modpack grows. This guide covers the most effective methods to reduce lag and improve tick rates.

Use Performance Mods

Performance mods can significantly reduce the load on your server by optimising chunk loading and entity processing.

On AwakeNode

Use our Mod Installer in the panel to search for and install performance mods like FerriteCore, ModernFix, or Entity Culling with a single click.

On other hosts

Download the compatible versions of these mods from Modrinth or CurseForge. Use an SFTP client like FileZilla to upload the .jar files into your server's /mods directory, then restart your server.

Adjust Server Settings

Reducing the view distance and simulation distance can drastically lower CPU and RAM usage.

On AwakeNode

Navigate to the File Manager in your panel, locate server.properties, and edit the view-distance and simulation-distance values to a lower number (e.g., 6 or 8).

On other hosts

Access your server files via SFTP, open server.properties in a text editor, modify the distance settings, save the file, and restart your server.

Manage Mod Loads

Excessive mods, especially those that add complex machinery or high-density entities, will impact performance. Regularly audit your /mods folder to remove unused or redundant mods.

Memory and Startup Flags

If your server is crashing due to OutOfMemory errors or constant lag spikes, it may require more resources.

• Upgrade your plan: On AwakeNode, upgrading your plan automatically scales your RAM without requiring manual configuration.
• Startup Flags: Clients cannot edit JVM startup flags directly. If your server requires specific garbage collection tuning or custom flags, please open a ticket with Support and our team will configure them for you.
• Other hosts: You would typically edit the -Xmx and -Xms arguments within your server's startup script or command line interface.