ModsFinder

Detect AFK Players

by clo4

Detect AFK Players flags idle players on a server by checking their head rotation, then tags them as AFK after a set time.

FabricForgeNeoForgeQuiltServer required, client optionalMIT LicenseOpen source1.18 – 1.21.8

What it does

The mod watches each player's head rotation through a data pack check, which runs once per player on a short interval. A player who keeps the same rotation for 3 minutes is tagged as AFK. The default is 3600 ticks, and the delay can be changed with a command. Players can also set their own AFK status manually, unless an administrator turns that off.

Because the check reads head rotation rather than movement, mouse and keyboard jiggers, water streams and similar automations do not count as activity, and attacks or explosions do not trigger false detections. Server operators use two provided function tags to react to AFK state. The mod is aimed at server owners and datapack authors who want a simple, accurate detection method.

The server needs the mod to run the detection, while a client may leave it out and still join. Files are published for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt, with the latest build 1.2.2+mod for 1.21.8, dated 2025-07-26. Builds cover 1.18 – 1.21.8, and the code is released under the MIT License, so it is open source.

Key features

  1. Head rotation detection

    Activity is read from head rotation, so a player is not counted as active only because the mouse or keys are touched by a device.

  2. Configurable AFK delay

    The time before a player is tagged as AFK defaults to 3 minutes and can be changed with a server command.

  3. Manual AFK toggle

    Players can switch their own AFK status with a command, unless an administrator disables manual toggling.

  4. Function tags for servers

    Two function tags are provided so that other datapacks can run code when players become AFK or active again.

Compatibility

Latest build for each game version and loader.

1.21.x9 of 9 versions with builds
1.21.81.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.21.71.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.21.61.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.21.51.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.21.41.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.21.31.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.21.21.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.21.11.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.211.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.20.x7 of 7 versions with builds
1.20.61.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.20.51.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.20.41.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.20.31.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.20.21.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.20.11.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.201.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod1.2.2+mod
1.19.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.18.x3 of 3 versions with builds
ReleaseBetaAlphaNot available

Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.

Required by 4 mods

AFK Dim Names1.13 – 1.21.8AFK Sit1.20.3 – 1.21.8AFK Sleep1.17 – 1.21.8AFK Message1.16 – 1.21.8

Use cases

Who it’s for: Server operators and datapack authors. Because the mod has no required client part, it suits servers with many players who should not need to install anything.

How it compares

Full comparison

Staple's AFK Display is server-side and client-optional, licensed under the Apache License 2.0 and not open source, with files for 1.18 – 1.21.8. Afk Plus is also server-side with optional client, under the MIT License and not open source, covering 1.18 – 26.1.1. Idler is server-side only and open source under the MIT License, but it targets 1.20.1 – 1.21.1 only. Detect AFK Players also runs with the server required and the client optional.

ModLoadersGame versionsEnvironmentUpdated
Detect AFK PlayersFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.18 – 1.21.8Server required, client optional2025-07-26
Staple's AFK DisplayFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.18 – 1.21.8Server required, client optional2025-09-07
Afk PlusFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.18 – 26.1.1Server required, client optional2026-04-05
IdlerFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.20.1 – 1.21.1Server-side only2025-03-16

Questions

Does Detect AFK Players need to be on the client?

No. Server owners install it, and players can join with or without it.

Which loaders does Detect AFK Players support?

Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt are supported, and the latest file for each is 1.2.2+mod for 1.21.8.

Can the AFK delay be changed?

Yes. The default is 3 minutes, and a server command sets how long a player must stay still before being tagged as AFK.

In the catalog

Detect AFK Players is one of 3,514 Library mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,348 Library mods for Fabric. 17,695 mods support Minecraft 1.21.8.

Library mods3,514Fabric modsMods for 1.21.817,695

More from clo4

All projects
Pause Day Cycle1.13 – 1.21.8No Free Deaths: Better keepInventory1.18 – 1.21.8AFK Dim Names1.13 – 1.21.8AFK Sit1.20.3 – 1.21.8AFK Sleep1.17 – 1.21.8AFK Message1.16 – 1.21.8

Similar mods

Fabric API1.14 – 26.3Cloth Config API1.14 – 26.3YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL)1.19 – 26.3Architectury API1.16.5 – 26.3Just Enough Items (JEI)1.8 – 26.3Geckolib1.12.2 – 26.3

What the author says

Detects player inactivity based on head rotation - simple, accurate, and fast. Intended as a dependency for datapacks and server operators. This doesn't do much without add-ons (better performance), so you'll probably want to download one of those too.
clo4, on the Modrinth page

Official listing

Owner
clo4
Published
2023-07-11
Updated on Modrinth
2025-07-26
Facts verified
2026-10-15

Tags

LibraryManagementUtility
Open on ModrinthCompare