Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players experiencing LAN connection timeouts when trying to play with friends on the same network.
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Check Your Network Connection First
Start by ensuring both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or router. This sounds obvious, but it’s the most common culprit behind LAN connection timeouts. If you’re using different networks (like one device on 5GHz and another on 2.4GHz), switch them to the same band.
Disable Windows Firewall and Antivirus Temporarily
Windows Firewall often blocks Minecraft’s LAN connections without warning. Go to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection, then turn off the firewall for your current network profile. Don’t forget to add Minecraft as an exception in your antivirus software too – many security programs treat the game’s network activity as suspicious.
Restart Your Network Adapter
Network adapters can get stuck in weird states that cause timeouts. Open Device Manager, find your network adapter under “Network adapters,” right-click it, and select “Disable device.” Wait 10 seconds, then enable it again. This simple reset often clears up connection issues immediately.
Use Direct IP Connection
If the automatic LAN discovery isn’t working, try connecting directly using the host’s IP address. The host should open Command Prompt, type “ipconfig,” and share their IPv4 address. Other players can then use “Direct Connect” in Minecraft’s multiplayer menu and enter that IP address followed by the port (usually 25565).
Check Minecraft’s Network Settings
Make sure the host has “Open to LAN” properly configured. When opening to LAN, note the port number that appears in chat – other players might need this for direct connection. Also verify that the game mode and cheats settings match what everyone expects.
Router Configuration Issues
Some routers have AP isolation enabled, which prevents devices from communicating with each other even on the same network. Log into your router’s admin panel and look for “AP Isolation,” “Client Isolation,” or “Wireless Isolation” settings – make sure these are disabled.
Update Network Drivers
Outdated network drivers can cause intermittent connection problems. Visit your computer manufacturer’s website or use Device Manager to update your network adapter drivers. This is especially important if you’ve recently updated Windows or Minecraft.
If you’re still having trouble after trying these solutions, consider exploring other multiplayer gaming options that might work better with your network setup.
TL;DR
Fix Minecraft LAN timeouts by ensuring same network connection, disabling firewall temporarily, restarting network adapter, and trying direct IP connection if auto-discovery fails.
