Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Keep Chunks Loaded: /forceload and /tickingarea
To keep a farm running with no player nearby, Java uses /forceload add
How do you use /forceload?
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/forceload add <from> [to] | Keeps the chunk at that block position (or a range) loaded |
/forceload remove <from> [to] | Stops forceloading it |
/forceload remove all | Stops all forceloading in the dimension |
/forceload query [pos] | Lists forceloaded chunks, or checks one |
Coordinates are block coordinates, not chunk numbers, and one command can cover at most 256 chunks. Level 2.
How do you use /tickingarea?
/tickingarea add <from> <to> [name] [preload]: every chunk the box touches./tickingarea add circle <center> <radius> [name]: a round area./tickingarea remove <name>or/tickingarea remove_all./tickingarea list: shows them. Preload areas load before the rest of the world.
Which farms work in loaded chunks?
Redstone machines, furnaces, crop farms and item sorters keep running. Mob farms do not, because mobs only spawn near players, so AFK near those instead. Before Java 1.21.9 the spawn chunks did this job for free; see spawn chunks. Farm ideas: Minecraft farms.
Does it cause lag?
Yes, every loaded chunk costs the server work, so keep areas small and remove ones you no longer need. Chunk loading explained: chunks and ticks.
Can you use these on a server?
Only with operator rights. Many servers turn this off or limit it, so ask staff. Admin commands: server admin commands.
Frequently asked questions
How many ticking areas can Bedrock have?
Up to 10 at a time.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.