Fixing Sorting That Does Not Work (Client vs Server)

The Most Common Cause

The single most common reason sorting fails is that the mod is only installed on one side. This mod requires installation on both the client and the server. It makes no attempt to sort on the client — every sort request is delegated to the server. If the server does not have the mod, the request goes nowhere and nothing happens.

Checklist

1. Confirm the mod is present on the server, not just your client. On a singleplayer world, this is automatic. On a multiplayer server, ask the server owner or check the mod list.

2. Confirm the mod is present on your client. If the server has it but you do not, you cannot send the sort request.

3. Check your keybind for middle-click. Vanilla uses middle-click for "pick block." If you rebound pick block to another key, make sure the middle mouse button is still available for sorting.

4. Make sure you are hovering over the container's slots when you press the button. Pressing while the cursor is outside the slot grid may do nothing.

5. Try a different container. If a chest sorts but a specific machine does not, that block's slots may be marked as extract-only or item-restricted, and the mod is intentionally skipping them.

Why It Is Still Worth It

Because all sorting happens server-side, the mod is reliable and fast, and it avoids the desync problems that client-side sorters can cause. Once both sides have it, sorting works consistently across chests, player inventory, and hoppers.