How to Join a LAN Server in Minecraft
Playing Minecraft with friends on the same network is one of the most straightforward multiplayer experiences the game offers — no hosting fees, no port forwarding, no dedicated server software required. But if you've never done it before, the process has a few moving parts that aren't immediately obvious.
Here's exactly how LAN play works and what you need to get it running.
What Is a LAN Server in Minecraft?
LAN stands for Local Area Network — the private network shared by devices in the same location, typically connected to the same router or Wi-Fi access point.
When a Minecraft player opens their single-player world to LAN, their game temporarily acts as a host. Other players on the same network can discover and join that world without any external server setup. It's entirely local, which means no internet connection is required once everyone is on the same network.
This works on Minecraft: Java Edition and, with some differences, on Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.
How to Open a World to LAN (Host Side)
Before anyone can join, one player needs to open their world to the network.
In Java Edition:
- Load your single-player world
- Press Escape to open the pause menu
- Click Open to LAN
- Choose your preferred game mode and whether to allow cheats
- Click Start LAN World
A message will appear in the chat confirming the world is open, along with a port number (e.g., Local game hosted on port 54321). Note this number — joiners may need it.
In Bedrock Edition:
LAN functionality is built into multiplayer by default. As long as Visible to LAN Players is enabled in your world settings, nearby players on the same network will see your world in the Friends tab of the multiplayer menu.
How to Join the LAN Server (Joining Side)
Java Edition
- Launch Minecraft and go to Multiplayer
- The LAN world should appear automatically in the server list under LAN Games
- Click it and select Join Server
If the world doesn't appear automatically:
- Click Direct Connection
- Enter the host's local IP address followed by the port number, formatted as
192.168.x.x:PORT - Click Join Server
To find the host's local IP: on Windows, the host can open Command Prompt and type ipconfig — look for the IPv4 Address under the active network adapter. On macOS, it's under System Settings → Network → [Active Connection] → Details.
Bedrock Edition
- Open Minecraft and go to Play
- Select the Friends tab
- The host's world should appear under LAN Games
- Click to join
Bedrock handles discovery more automatically than Java, but both players must be on the same Wi-Fi or wired network.
Common Reasons LAN Isn't Working 🔧
Even when everything looks right, LAN connections can fail. The most frequent causes:
| Issue | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| World not showing up in list | Players on different networks or subnets |
| "Can't connect to server" error | Firewall blocking Minecraft's port |
| Joiners can see world but can't connect | Minecraft not allowed through Windows Firewall |
| Bedrock players can't see Java world | Cross-edition LAN isn't natively supported |
| Lag or disconnections | Wi-Fi interference or weak signal |
Firewall is the most common culprit on Windows. When Minecraft first launches, Windows may ask whether to allow it on private networks — if that was dismissed or denied, you'll need to manually allow it through Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app through firewall.
Java vs. Bedrock: Key Differences for LAN Play
These two editions handle LAN differently, and mixing them doesn't work without third-party tools.
Java Edition requires players to be on the same network and uses a randomly assigned port each session. The host can customize game mode and cheat settings per session. All players need the same version of Java Edition.
Bedrock Edition is more seamless — it uses automatic discovery and integrates with the Friends system. Bedrock also supports cross-platform play (PC, console, mobile) as long as players share the same network, though console-to-PC LAN has platform-specific limitations.
Mixing editions (Java + Bedrock on the same LAN) isn't natively possible. Tools like GeyserMC exist to bridge this gap, but they require additional setup beyond basic LAN play.
Version Matching Matters
One detail that catches people off guard: all players must run the same Minecraft version. A player on 1.21 can't join a LAN world hosted on 1.20.4. This applies to both editions.
If you've recently updated and a friend hasn't, you can use the Java Edition launcher to switch to an older version under Installations before launching.
What Affects the Experience
LAN play sounds simple, but the actual experience varies based on:
- Network type — wired connections (Ethernet) are more stable than Wi-Fi for hosting
- Host machine specs — the host runs both the game and the temporary server simultaneously, so a lower-end machine may struggle with multiple players
- Player count — LAN worlds aren't optimized for large groups; performance typically degrades beyond 4–5 players
- Mods and resource packs — all players generally need matching mods installed; resource packs don't automatically transfer over LAN
Whether basic LAN is enough for your group — or whether a dedicated local server (like running a Minecraft server JAR on a spare machine) makes more sense — depends entirely on how you and your friends play, how often you connect, and what your hardware can support.