# Exception Server Tick Loop

### How to Fix the 'Exception in Server Tick Loop' Error in Minecraft

The "Exception in Server Tick Loop" error in Minecraft is a common issue caused by corrupted `.json` configuration files. This guide will walk you through the steps to resolve the issue and get your server back up and running.

***

## **What Causes This Error?**

This error, typically displayed as:

```plaintext
java.lang.NullPointerException: Exception in server tick loop
```

indicates that one or more of your server’s `.json` files, such as `whitelist.json`, `banned-players.json`, or `banned-ips.json`, has become corrupted or improperly formatted.

***

## **Steps to Fix the Error**

Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. **Stop the Server**\
   Access your game control panel and stop the Minecraft server to prevent further corruption.
2. **Navigate to the File Manager**\
   Locate your server’s file manager through the control panel.
3. **Identify and Delete Problematic Files**\
   Find and delete the following files:
   * `whitelist.json`
   * `banned-players.json`
   * `banned-ips.json`
4. **Restart the Server**\
   Start the server again. Minecraft will automatically regenerate the deleted files in the correct format.

***

## **Alternative Solutions**

### **Restore from Backup**

If you have backups of the affected `.json` files, you can restore them. Ensure the backup files are not corrupted before use.

### **Validate and Correct File Format**

If you prefer not to delete the files, you can validate and fix their formatting using a JSON validator and formatter tool. Ensure:

* The file starts with `[` and ends with `]`.
* The JSON syntax adheres to standard rules.

***

## **Preventing Future Issues**

* Regularly back up your server files to avoid losing important data.
* Use a JSON validator before editing `.json` files manually to ensure they remain correctly formatted.

By following these steps, your server should be free of the "Exception in Server Tick Loop" error and running smoothly again.


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