How to Join a LAN Game in Minecraft
Playing Minecraft with friends on the same network is one of the most straightforward multiplayer experiences the game offers — no dedicated server required, no port forwarding headaches, no subscription fees. But "LAN game" covers a few different scenarios, and how smoothly it works depends on your setup, platform, and version of the game.
What Is a LAN Game in Minecraft?
A LAN (Local Area Network) game lets players on the same Wi-Fi or wired network join a world hosted directly from one player's game client. The host opens their single-player world to the network, and others discover and join it — all without setting up a dedicated server.
This is different from:
- Dedicated servers — always-on, usually hosted on a separate machine or remotely
- Realms — Mojang's subscription-based cloud hosting
- Direct IP connections — manually connecting to a server by address
LAN play is built into Minecraft and works entirely within your local network. It's temporary by nature: the world is only accessible while the host has it open.
How to Host a LAN Game (The Host's Side)
Before anyone can join, someone has to open the world to the network.
In Java Edition:
- Load your single-player world
- Press Escape to open the pause menu
- Select "Open to LAN"
- Choose your preferred game mode and whether to allow cheats
- Click "Start LAN World"
Minecraft will display a port number on the host's screen — something like Local game hosted on port 54321. Other players on the same network can now see this world in the multiplayer menu automatically.
In Bedrock Edition: LAN hosting works differently. Any world you have open is automatically discoverable on the local network without manually "opening" it. Players nearby on the same network will see it appear under the "Friends" tab or the "LAN Games" section of the multiplayer screen.
How to Join a LAN Game as a Player 🎮
Java Edition
- From the main menu, click "Multiplayer"
- Minecraft will scan the network and list any available LAN worlds under "LAN World" at the bottom of the server list
- Click the world you want to join, then click "Join Server"
If the world doesn't appear automatically, you can join manually using the host's local IP address and port:
- Click "Direct Connection"
- Enter the host's local IP followed by a colon and the port number (e.g.,
192.168.1.5:54321)
To find the host's local IP on Windows: open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. Look for the IPv4 Address under the active network adapter.
Bedrock Edition
- From the main menu, go to "Play"
- Select the "Friends" tab
- Any LAN games on your network will appear here automatically
- Click to join
Bedrock uses a different discovery method than Java. It relies on Xbox Live for friend visibility, which means both players may need to be signed in to a Microsoft account for full functionality — even on LAN.
Common Variables That Affect LAN Play
Not every LAN session goes smoothly. Several factors shape the experience:
| Variable | What It Affects |
|---|---|
| Java vs. Bedrock Edition | Different discovery methods, different compatibility rules |
| Network type | Wired (Ethernet) connections are more stable than Wi-Fi for hosting |
| Firewall settings | Windows Firewall or third-party security software can block LAN discovery |
| Minecraft version | All players must be on the same game version |
| Microsoft account sign-in | Required for Bedrock LAN in some configurations |
| Router settings | Some routers block local device communication (common in guest networks) |
Why LAN Games Sometimes Don't Show Up
This is the most common frustration. If a world isn't appearing in the multiplayer list, the cause is usually one of these:
- Different game versions — Java 1.20 can't see a Java 1.19 LAN world
- Firewall blocking — Java Edition in particular needs network access permissions. On Windows, you may be prompted to allow Minecraft through the firewall when you first open to LAN
- Guest or public Wi-Fi — Many networks in this mode isolate devices from each other for security reasons, which breaks LAN discovery entirely
- Java vs. Bedrock mismatch — These editions are not cross-compatible for LAN play. Java players can only join Java LAN worlds; Bedrock players can only join Bedrock
- VPN software running — A VPN on either machine can redirect traffic in ways that interfere with local network discovery
The Bedrock and Java Difference Worth Understanding 🖥️
This distinction matters more than most players expect. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are separate codebases with different networking implementations. Even if two players are sitting in the same room on the same network, a Java player cannot join a Bedrock LAN game, and vice versa.
Bedrock Edition is available on Windows, consoles, and mobile. Java Edition is Windows, Mac, and Linux only. If you and a friend are on different editions, LAN play isn't an option — you'd need a Realm or a third-party solution like a virtual LAN service.
When LAN Play Has Limits
LAN gaming works well for small, informal sessions, but it has real boundaries:
- The world closes when the host exits — progress isn't automatically saved to a server
- Performance depends on the host's machine — if the host has a slower computer, everyone experiences the lag
- Distance is fixed — players must be on the same physical network. You can't extend this to a friend across town without tools like Radmin VPN, Hamachi, or ZeroTier, which create virtual local networks over the internet
Whether that limitation matters — and what workaround makes sense — depends on your situation, who you're playing with, and how your home or office network is set up.