Fixing the Ticking Entity Crash Error on Your Minecraft Server

May 30, 2025

A ticking entity crash occurs when a corrupted mob or block causes Minecraft to crash during a tick, a small cycle that keeps the game running. This often results in a java.lang.NullPointerException: ticking entity error. The issue is common in modded servers or large worlds, where unstable entities are more likely. A single bugged mob, item, or block can crash the server, making it difficult to log in or load the world, and potentially corrupting world files.

What is a ticking entity in Minecraft?

A ticking entity is any object that the game updates each tick (1/20th of a second), including mobs, items, and certain blocks. If one becomes unstable, it can disrupt the tick cycle and cause a crash.

What causes a ticking entity crash in Minecraft?

This crash is usually caused by a corrupted mob, block, or item that disrupts the game’s update cycle. It’s common on modded servers or large worlds with outdated mods.

Identify the problematic entity

To fix a ticking entity crash, identify the entity causing it. The crash report will show the entity and its location.

Access the crash report

If using Hostinger’s Minecraft hosting with Game Panel, access crash reports via File Manager. Open the folder with your server name and navigate to Minecraft > crash-reports.

Locate the entity details

Open the latest crash report and find the “— Entity being ticked —” section after the stack trace. Note the entity’s name, type, and world coordinates (X, Y, Z).

Remove the corrupted entity

Remove the corrupted entity using commands, the server console, or external tools.

Using Minecraft commands

Assign operator (OP) rights to your player. Use the command:

/kill @e[type=,x=,y=,z=]

Replace placeholders with the actual entity type and coordinates from the crash report.

Using Hostinger’s VPS console

If the server crashes before joining the world, use the /kill command in the server console. Open the Game Panel, select your server, and click the Console tab to enter the command.

Using world editing tools

If commands or console access don’t work, use tools like Amulet or NBT Explorer. Amulet provides a visual interface to delete corrupted entities, while NBT Explorer lets you edit NBT files directly.

Advanced troubleshooting (if necessary)

Check mods for conflicts

If crashes persist, check for mod conflicts. Look for compatibility issues, version incompatibility, or ticking block entity errors. Disable new mods temporarily or update outdated ones.

Use CoFH Core (for Forge servers)

CoFH Core offers practical commands for dealing with entities. Install it by adding the .jar file to your server’s mods folder. Use /cofh killall to remove specific entity types.

Mitigate future crashes with regular backups

Set up regular backups to protect your server from data loss. Hostinger offers weekly backups through hPanel. Upgrade to daily backups for frequent players.

Conclusion

Fixing a ticking entity crash involves finding the crash report, identifying the corrupted entity, and removing it using commands, console, or tools like Amulet and NBT Explorer. Check for mod conflicts and use CoFH Core for persistent issues. Regular backups ensure quick recovery from crashes. With these methods, you can resolve ticking entity crash errors and maintain server stability.

The author

Dovydas

Dovydas has experience in cloud engineering and IT operations, focusing on system maintenance and improvement. He’s interested in software development and automation, aiming for efficiency and reliability. Connect with him on LinkedIn.