How to adjust view distance for Java performance Print

Lowering your server’s view-distance and simulation-distance can greatly improve performance (TPS) by loading and ticking fewer chunks. This guide shows where to change these settings for Vanilla/Paper/Spigot and how to pick good values.

What These Settings Do

• view-distance — How many chunk rings are sent to players (what they can see). Affects bandwidth and memory.
• simulation-distance — How many chunk rings are actively ticked (mobs AI, redstone, farms). Affects CPU the most.

Tip: Reducing simulation-distance usually gives the biggest lag reduction on survival servers with farms.

Before You Start

• Back up your server (optional but recommended).
• Tell players you’re adjusting performance settings; it may change how far they can see or how farms behave at range.

Step 1: Stop Your Server

1. Log in to the HostByte Game Panel.
2. Open your Java server and click Stop until it shows Offline.

Step 2: Edit server.properties (All Java Servers)

1. Go to File Manager → open server.properties.
2. Find or add the lines and set your values, for example:

   view-distance=8
   simulation-distance=6
   

3. Click Save.

Notes:
• simulation-distance exists on modern versions. If missing on older versions, only view-distance is available.
• Lower numbers = fewer chunks = better performance, but players see/tick less.

Step 3 (Optional): Paper/Spigot Per-World Settings

Paper and Spigot let you fine-tune or override per world.

Paper

• Defaults file: paper-world-defaults.yml (global defaults)
• Per-world file: world/paper-world.yml (and for Nether/End)

Look for keys like view-distance and simulation-distance in those files to override the server.properties values per world.

Spigot (Legacy/Older)

• File: spigot.yml → world-settings → default or the specific world

Older Spigot versions exposed view-distance per-world here. On newer versions, prefer server.properties and your platform’s docs.

Step 4: Start & Test

1. Return to the dashboard and click Start.
2. Join the server and confirm chunks load as expected.
3. Monitor TPS with timings or a profiler plugin (e.g., spark).

Recommended Starting Values

• Small servers / survival SMP: view-distance=8, simulation-distance=6
• Mid-size / events: view-distance=10, simulation-distance=8
• Performance under load: try 6 / 4, then raise gradually

Increase slowly and observe TPS. Values below 4 simulation may affect some farm mechanics at range.

Common Issues & Fixes

“No change after restart”

• Ensure you edited the correct server.properties for this server.
• Paper/Spigot per-world files can override. Check paper-world*.yml or spigot.yml.

Players complain they can’t see as far

• Raise view-distance a little; keep simulation-distance conservative for TPS.

Farms stop when players move away

• Increase simulation-distance modestly or keep players closer to the farms.

Best Practices

• Change one value at a time and test during peak hours.
• Favor lowering simulation-distance first for CPU relief.
• Document your final settings for staff and future updates.

Getting Help

• Knowledge Base: See related Java guides (slots, difficulty, performance tuning).
• Support Ticket: Log in to your HostByte account to open a ticket.
• Discord: Join our community:
• Status Page: Check maintenance/outages: status.hostbyte.net.