What are the different types of lag on a game server?

There are three types: Network lag (high ping) causes delay between your actions and server response. Server lag (TPS drops) means the server itself is struggling and everyone experiences lag. Client lag (FPS drops) is when only your computer is struggling.

How do I fix high ping on my game server?

Choose a server region closest to your players, use a wired connection instead of WiFi, close bandwidth-heavy applications, and consider contacting support to arrange a region transfer if most players are far from the current server location.

Why is my game server lagging for all players?

Server-wide lag usually means the server is overloaded. Check RAM usage (upgrade if above 90%), reduce view distance and mob limits, remove heavy mods, schedule regular restarts, and consider upgrading your plan if optimizations don't help.

When should I upgrade my game server plan?

Consider upgrading when RAM usage is consistently above 85%, you have more players than your plan supports, you're running heavy modpacks, or have a large world size that causes performance issues.

High latency and lag - Help Center

Experiencing lag, rubber-banding, or high ping? Here's how to identify and fix performance issues.

Types of lag

Understanding what type of lag you're experiencing helps find the right fix:

- Network lag (high ping): Delay between your actions and server response. Players rubber-band or teleport.
- Server lag (TPS drops): The server itself is struggling. Everyone experiences lag simultaneously.
- Client lag (FPS drops): Your computer is struggling. Only you experience lag, not others.

Fixing network lag

Choose the right region

Distance to the server directly affects ping. If your server is in Europe but most players are in North America, consider migrating to a closer region. Contact support to arrange a region transfer.

Check your internet

- Use a wired connection instead of WiFi when possible
- Close bandwidth-heavy applications (streaming, downloads)
- Restart your router
- Run a speed test to check for issues

Fixing server lag

Check resource usage

Open your server panel and look at the resource graphs:

- RAM at 90%+: Server needs more memory—consider upgrading
- CPU spiking to 100%: Server is overloaded—reduce load or upgrade

Reduce server load

- View distance: Reduce render distance in server settings
- Mob limits: Reduce entity spawn limits
- Heavy mods: Remove or optimize resource-intensive mods
- World size: Pre-generate chunks or limit world border

Restart regularly

Many games accumulate memory over time. A daily restart can help:

- Clears memory leaks
- Resets entity counts
- Forces garbage collection

Upgrade your plan

If you've optimized everything and still have lag, you may simply need more resources. Signs you need to upgrade:

- RAM usage consistently above 85%
- More players than your plan supports
- Running heavy modpacks
- Large world size

Game-specific optimizations

Minecraft

- Use Paper/Purpur instead of vanilla for better performance
- Tune paper.yml and spigot.yml settings
- Use Spark or Timings to identify lag sources
- Install ClearLag or similar plugins

Rust

- Reduce map size
- Limit decay multiplier to reduce entity counts
- Regular wipes help performance

Valheim

- Keep base complexity reasonable
- Avoid building too many structures in one area
- Use ValheimPlus for performance settings

Is it just you?

If only you're experiencing lag while others play fine, the issue is likely your internet connection or computer, not the server. Try the client-side fixes first.

High latency and lag