Force the chunk you stand in
/forceload add ~ ~The chunk around you stays loaded after you leave.
/forceload command in Minecraft
The /forceload command marks chunks to stay loaded even when no player is close. Redstone circuits and command blocks inside them keep running, and data packs can count on those chunks being present. Use it sparingly: every forced chunk costs server resources.
Syntax
/forceload add <from> [<to>]/forceload query [<pos>]/forceload remove (all|<from>)| Argument | Expects | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| from | Column (x z) | Block X Z inside the first chunk, not chunk coordinates. ~ ~ marks the chunk you stand in. |
| tooptional | Column (x z) | Opposite corner X Z: every chunk in the rectangle between from and to is affected. |
| posoptional | Column (x z) | Block X Z to check. Without it, query lists every forced chunk of the dimension. |
All 7 forms
- /forceload add <from>
- /forceload add <from> <to>
- /forceload query
- /forceload query <pos>
- /forceload remove all
- /forceload remove <from>
- /forceload remove <from> <to>
Examples
Force a 16 by 16 chunk area
/forceload add 0 0 255 255Marks 256 chunks from block 0 0 to 255 255, the most one command allows.
List forced chunks
/forceload queryShows how many chunks are forced in this dimension and where.
Load a Nether chunk from the Overworld
/execute in minecraft:the_nether run forceload add 0 0Marks the Nether chunk at 0 0 without travelling there.
Release every chunk
/forceload remove allUnmarks all forced chunks of the current dimension.
Build your commandFill in the fields, then copy the command.
Command generatorHow the coordinates work
/forceload takes block coordinates and marks the chunk that contains them. /forceload add 0 0 255 255 covers 16 by 16 chunks, 256 in total, which is the most one command accepts. A larger area returns "Too many chunks in the specified area" with the maximum and the number you asked for.
Forced chunks belong to one dimension: the one where the command runs. Use /execute in minecraft:the_nether to mark a Nether chunk while you stand in the Overworld.
Good practice
- Check what is already loaded with
/forceload querybefore adding more. - A Command Block or a /function loop that must run all the time belongs in a forced chunk.
- Clean up with
/forceload remove allwhen a project ends. - The marks are saved with the world and come back after a restart.
When to avoid it
Each forced chunk keeps using server time for as long as it stays loaded. A few chunks for a sorting system or a data pack are fine; hundreds of them slow a server down. If you only need something to happen later, /schedule is often the lighter choice.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 2 November 2026
/forceload: FAQ
Do forceloaded chunks stay loaded after a restart?
Yes. The list is saved with the world, so the chunks load again when the server starts. Remove them with /forceload remove all.
Why does /forceload say there are too many chunks?
One command accepts 256 chunks at most. Split a large area into several commands of 16 by 16 chunks or less.
How do I use /forceload?
Type it in the chat with cheats on: /forceload add <from> [<to>].
Who can use /forceload?
Cheats on, or operator level 2.