Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players building farms, redstone contraptions, or automated systems that need to run continuously.
Ready to jump in? Play minecraft games and start experimenting with these chunk loading techniques in your own worlds!
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Understanding Chunk Loading in Minecraft
Chunks in Minecraft naturally unload when you move away from them, but there are several methods to keep specific chunks permanently loaded. The most reliable approach depends on whether you’re playing vanilla Minecraft or using mods.
Vanilla Minecraft Methods
Spawn Chunks
The area around your world spawn point (roughly 19×19 chunks) remains loaded at all times. You can relocate your spawn point using a bed or respawn anchor, effectively moving your permanently loaded area. This method works great for keeping farms and redstone contraptions running.
Nether Portal Chunk Loading
Placing a nether portal creates a small loaded area around it. While not as extensive as spawn chunks, this technique helps keep specific locations active. The portal itself and a few surrounding chunks stay loaded as long as the portal remains linked.
Player-Based Loading
Having another player remain in the area keeps chunks loaded naturally. This works well for multiplayer servers where friends can take turns staying near important builds or farms.
Modded Solutions
Chunk Loaders
Popular mods like FTB Utilities, ChickenChunks, or Railcraft add dedicated chunk loading blocks. These devices keep specified chunks active even when no players are nearby. Most chunk loaders let you configure the exact area to keep loaded.
Command Block Methods
In creative mode or with operator permissions, you can use command blocks with repeating commands to force chunk activity. Place a command block with a simple command like /time query day on a clock to maintain chunk loading.
Technical Considerations
Keep in mind that excessive chunk loading can impact server performance. Most servers limit the number of chunks each player can keep loaded simultaneously. Always check server rules before implementing large-scale chunk loading systems.
For redstone contraptions and farms, positioning them within spawn chunks often provides the most reliable results without requiring additional modifications or permissions.
Whether you’re building massive farms or complex redstone systems, mastering chunk loading techniques will significantly improve your Minecraft experience and help you create more ambitious projects.
TL;DR
Keep chunks loaded using spawn chunks (19×19 area around world spawn), nether portals, or chunk loader mods like FTB Utilities for permanent activation.
