Farms and the Active Area

Ever come back to your farm and found it didn't do anything while you were away? This is why.

The active area#

Around every player is an active area of 8 chunks (128 blocks) in every direction. Inside it, the world runs normally: mobs move and spawn, crops grow, furnaces smelt and redstone works.

Outside every player's active area, the world is paused. You can still see further - up to 10 chunks - but nothing happens out there.

NoteThe active area counts from any player. If a friend is standing next to your farm, it keeps running for them.

What this means for farms#

• Build your AFK spot within 8 chunks of the farm, or it won't run.
• Mob farms need you close by anyway: mobs only spawn near players.
• Crop farms only grow while someone is near them.

TipNot sure if you're close enough? Press F3 + G to show chunk borders and count the chunks between you and the farm.

Keeping the server smooth#

Big farms and huge piles of mobs or items cost the server a lot, and everyone feels the lag. A few things help:

• Keep villager trading halls compact - villagers are one of the heaviest things on any server.
• Collect your items, or let hoppers move them into chests, instead of leaving thousands lying on the ground.
• Switch farms off when you don't need them.