Sufficient RAM is essential for a smoothly running game server. Too little RAM leads to lag, crashes and "Out of Memory" (OOM) errors. This guide teaches you how to check RAM usage and recognise problems.
Viewing RAM usage in the panel
- Log in to the game panel and open your server.
- On the Console tab, you will see a graph at the top showing current memory usage.
- The graph shows actual usage relative to your limit.
If usage regularly exceeds 80%, that is a sign your server needs more RAM.
Recognising OOM signals
An Out of Memory (OOM) error means your server is trying to use more memory than is available. Signs include:
- The server crashes suddenly without a clear error message in the logs.
- The crash log or console shows a message like
java.lang.OutOfMemoryError(Minecraft/Java) or similar messages. - The server becomes slow just before a crash.
- RAM usage in the graph constantly hits the limit.
Causes of high RAM usage
- Too many plugins or mods: each plugin or mod uses memory. Remove what you do not use.
- Large worlds: the more chunks loaded, the more RAM is needed. Reduce the
view-distanceinserver.properties. - Many players online: more simultaneous players means more memory usage.
- Memory leaks: some plugins or mods leak memory over time. Restart your server regularly.
When to upgrade?
Consider an upgrade if:
- Your server regularly sits above 85% RAM usage.
- You experience OOM crashes, even after optimisation.
- You want to support more mods, plugins or players.
Tips to reduce RAM usage
- Remove unused plugins and mods.
- Lower the
view-distanceto 6 to 8 chunks. - Use lighter alternatives for heavy plugins.
- Restart your server daily to reset accumulated memory usage.
- Also read our article on reading crash logs for more diagnostic tips.
Tip: at HostValues you can easily upgrade your game server to a plan with more RAM.