Paper Config Tweaks to Improve Minecraft Server Performance

Paper already improves performance over vanilla, but a few settings can help busy servers further. Change one thing at a time so you can tell what worked.

Where the files are

Open the Files tab. Paper keeps its settings in the config folder, in files such as paper-global.yml and paper-world-defaults.yml on recent versions. Older versions use paper.yml in the main folder. Spigot settings are in spigot.yml and bukkit.yml. Always stop the server before editing, and keep a copy of the original file.

Start with server.properties

• view-distance controls how many chunks are sent to each player. Lowering it from the default is one of the most effective changes.
• simulation-distance controls how far from players mobs and redstone are processed. Lowering it reduces load without shrinking what players see.

Mobs and entities

• In spigot.yml you can reduce entity activation ranges so faraway mobs tick less.
• In bukkit.yml you can lower spawn limits for monsters, animals and ambient mobs.
• Paper has options for limiting item and experience orb merging and for despawn ranges. Check the Paper documentation for the exact key names in your version, as they change.

Other ideas

• Pre-generate your world with a plugin such as Chunky so exploration does not generate chunks live.
• Use a world border to cap the size.
• Check which plugins are slow. Paper includes the /timings or spark profiler tools depending on version, and the spark plugin works well.

How to test

1. Note your typical TPS with players online.
2. Change one setting and restart.
3. Compare under the same conditions.
4. Revert it if players complain about gameplay changes.

Warnings

Do not copy giant config packs from the internet without reading them. Some disable features players expect. Pair these tweaks with the JVM flags in our Aikar flags guide and the lag reduction guide for the best result.