Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players wanting to set up local multiplayer sessions with friends and family on the same Wi-Fi network.
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Setting Up the LAN World
Before anyone can join your Minecraft LAN server, someone needs to host it. The host opens their single-player world, presses Esc to open the game menu, and clicks “Open to LAN.” You’ll see options to set the game mode (Creative, Survival, etc.) and whether to allow cheats. Click “Start LAN World” and Minecraft will display a port number – write this down as others will need it.
Finding LAN Servers on the Same Network
Players wanting to join should go to the Multiplayer menu from Minecraft’s main screen. If everything works correctly, the LAN world should appear automatically in the server list under “LAN World.” Simply click on it and select “Join Server.” This is the easiest method when all devices are properly connected to the same Wi-Fi network or router.
Manual Connection Method
Sometimes the automatic detection doesn’t work. In this case, click “Direct Connection” in the Multiplayer menu. You’ll need the host’s local IP address and the port number from earlier. The format looks like this: 192.168.1.100:25565. To find the host’s IP address on Windows, they can open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. On Mac, it’s ifconfig in Terminal.
Common Network Requirements
All players must be connected to the same local network – this means the same Wi-Fi network or connected via Ethernet to the same router. LAN servers don’t work across different internet connections. Make sure Windows Firewall or antivirus software isn’t blocking Minecraft’s network access. Some routers have AP isolation enabled, which prevents devices from seeing each other even on the same network.
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
If the LAN world doesn’t appear automatically, try these steps:
- Restart Minecraft on both the host and joining devices
- Temporarily disable firewalls and antivirus software
- Check that all devices are on the same network subnet
- Try the manual connection method with the direct IP and port
- Ensure the host’s computer isn’t in sleep or power-saving mode
For Bedrock Edition players, the process is similar but you’ll find the LAN option under “Friends” tab instead. Once you’ve mastered local multiplayer, you might want to explore other creative building experiences that capture Minecraft’s sandbox spirit.
TL;DR
Open your world to LAN from the pause menu, then other players on the same network can join through Multiplayer > LAN World or by direct connection using your IP and port number.
