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.