What a LAN connection is and why you'd use it
A LAN (Local Area Network) connection lets you play Minecraft with other people on the same Wi-Fi network or connected through ethernet cables, without going through the internet. When someone on your network starts a Minecraft world and opens it to LAN, you can join that world directly from your game menu — no server address, no account login beyond your own Minecraft account, no waiting for internet routing.
This is useful when you want to play with people in your home, at a friend's house, or anywhere with a shared network. The connection is faster and more stable than playing over the internet because data travels only within your local network. You also don't need to own a Minecraft Realm or rent a server.
LAN play works on Windows, Mac, and Linux versions of Minecraft Java Edition. Console versions (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) and Minecraft Bedrock on Windows 10 and 11 use different methods that we won't cover here.
Key Takeaways
- The person hosting the world must open it to LAN from the pause menu, then tell you the port number that appears on their screen.
- You and the host must be on the same Wi-Fi network or connected to the same ethernet network for LAN to work.
- Once the host opens the world to LAN, you can find it in your multiplayer server list without entering an address.
- If you don't see the world listed, check that both computers are on the same network and that the host's world is still open to LAN.
- LAN connections close when the host quits the world or shuts down their computer, so you'll be disconnected at that point.
How the host opens their world to LAN
The person running the Minecraft world (the host) must take the first step. While playing in a single-player world, they pause the game by pressing Escape on Windows or Mac, or the menu button on their controller.
In the pause menu, they look for a button labeled "Open to LAN" — it's usually near the bottom of the menu. Clicking it opens a small window that shows a port number (a number like 25565 or 54321). The host should read this number aloud or write it down, because other players will need it if the automatic discovery doesn't work.
The host can also choose a game mode for LAN players (Survival, Creative, or Adventure) and whether to turn on cheats. Once they click "Start LAN World", the world is open and waiting for connections. The host stays in their world — they don't need to do anything else.
Connecting from another computer on the same network
On your computer, open Minecraft Java Edition and click "Multiplayer" from the main menu. The game automatically scans your local network for any worlds that have been opened to LAN. If the host's computer is on the same network and their world is open, you should see it listed under "Servers" with the host's computer name and the world name.
Click on the world name and then click "Join Server". You'll load into the host's world and can play normally. If you don't see the world listed after waiting a few seconds, try clicking "Refresh" at the bottom of the server list.
If the world still doesn't appear, the host can tell you the port number they saw when they opened to LAN. Click "Direct Connection" instead, then type the host's computer IP address followed by a colon and the port number — for example, 192.168.1.5:25565. You can find your computer's IP address by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Mac/Linux), then looking for the number that starts with 192.168 or 10.0.
Checking your network connection before you start
Before the host opens their world to LAN, make sure both computers are connected to the same network. On Windows, click the network icon in the taskbar and check which Wi-Fi network you're connected to. On Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. Both computers must show the same network name.
If one person is on Wi-Fi and another is connected by ethernet cable, that's fine — they can still play together as long as the ethernet cable is plugged into the same router or network switch as the Wi-Fi. If one person is on a guest network or a different Wi-Fi band (like 5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz on a dual-band router), they may not see each other's worlds. Check your router settings or ask your network administrator if you're unsure.
If you're playing at a school, library, or workplace with a restricted network, LAN play may not work because the network blocks direct communication between devices. You'd need to use a different method like a Minecraft Realm or a public server instead.
What to do if you can't see the world in your server list
The most common reason a world doesn't appear is that both computers aren't on the same network. Double-check the network name on both machines. If they match, wait 10 to 15 seconds — sometimes the scan takes a moment to complete — then click "Refresh".
If refreshing doesn't help, try the direct connection method instead. Ask the host for the port number they saw, then click "Direct Connection" and type their IP address and port number. If you don't know the host's IP address, they can find it the same way you would: open a terminal or command prompt and type ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Mac/Linux), then look for the number starting with 192.168 or 10.0.
If direct connection also fails, the host's firewall may be blocking the connection. On Windows, they can check Windows Defender Firewall by searching for "firewall" in the Start menu, clicking "Allow an app through firewall", and making sure "Java(TM) Platform SE binary" is checked for both Private and Public networks. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall Options and add Minecraft to the allowed apps list.
How long a LAN connection stays open
A LAN world remains open as long as the host is in the world and their computer is running. If the host pauses the game, the world stays open and you can keep playing. If the host quits to the main menu or closes Minecraft entirely, you'll be disconnected when ready.
If the host's computer goes to sleep or loses power, the connection drops and you'll see a message saying you've been disconnected. You won't lose progress in your inventory or the world itself — the world is saved on the host's computer — but you'll need to wait for the host to come back online and open the world to LAN again before you can rejoin.
Playing with more than two people
Multiple people can join the same LAN world at once. Each person on the network can see the world in their server list (or connect via direct connection) and join independently. There's no hard limit, but the more people playing, the more the host's computer has to work, so performance may slow down if too many people are connected at once.
If you're hosting for a large group, make sure your computer meets Minecraft's system requirements and close other programs to free up memory. The host's computer does all the work of running the world, so a slower computer may cause lag for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Minecraft Realm to play LAN?
No. LAN is completely separate from Realms. A Realm is a subscription service that runs on Minecraft's servers. LAN uses only your local network and costs nothing. You only need a Realm if you want to play with people outside your local network.
Can I play LAN on Minecraft Bedrock or console versions?
LAN as described here works only on Minecraft Java Edition. Bedrock Edition on Windows 10 and 11 uses "local network multiplayer" which works similarly but is accessed differently. Console versions (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) use their own online multiplayer systems and don't support LAN.
What if the host's computer is much faster or slower than mine?
The host's computer speed matters most because it's running the world. If the host has a slow computer, everyone may experience lag. Your own computer speed affects how smoothly the game runs on your screen, but doesn't slow down the host's world. If you're experiencing lag, try lowering your graphics settings or closing other programs.
Can I play LAN over the internet if I'm not in the same building?
No. LAN only works on a local network. If you want to play with someone outside your network, you need a Minecraft Realm, a rented server, or a public server. Some people use VPN software to simulate a local network over the internet, but that's beyond the scope of a basic LAN connection.
Will my world be saved if the host disconnects?
Yes. The world is saved on the host's computer. When you disconnect, any changes you made (blocks you placed, items you collected) are saved to that world file. The next time the host opens the world to LAN, you can rejoin and see everything you left behind.