Find the server address and port number first

A LAN server is a Minecraft world that runs on someone's computer on your local network — usually your home WiFi or office network. To join one, you need two pieces of information: the host's computer name or IP address, and the port number the server is running on. The person hosting the server should give you both of these before you try to connect.

If you are on the same WiFi network but do not have the address yet, ask the host to open Minecraft, start or load their world, press Escape, and look at the bottom left of the pause menu. It will say "LAN World On" followed by a port number. That port number is what you need. The host's computer name or local IP address (usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0) can be found in their network settings or by typing ipconfig in Windows Command Prompt or ifconfig on Mac and Linux.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be on the same WiFi network as the server host, or connected through a VPN tool like Hamachi if you are playing remotely.
  • The host starts a LAN world in Minecraft by opening their world to LAN from the pause menu, which generates a port number you will need.
  • In the Minecraft multiplayer menu, you click "Direct Connection" and enter the host's address and port in the format address:port.
  • If you cannot see the server in the server list, the host may not have opened their world to LAN yet, or you are not on the same network.

Open Minecraft and go to the multiplayer menu

Launch Minecraft Java Edition on your computer. From the main menu, click the "Multiplayer" button. This opens the server selection screen where you can see available servers and add new ones.

If this is your first time joining a LAN server, you will see either a list of servers that Minecraft has already found on your network, or an empty list. Minecraft automatically scans for LAN worlds on your network every few seconds, so if the host has already opened their world to LAN, you may see it appear here within a minute or two.

Use Direct Connection if the server does not appear in the list

If you do not see the server listed after waiting a moment, click "Direct Connection" at the bottom of the multiplayer screen. This opens a text field where you can type the server address manually.

Enter the host's address and port number in this format: 192.168.1.100:25565 (replace the numbers with the actual address and port the host gave you). The colon separates the address from the port. Click "Join Server" and Minecraft will attempt to connect.

Troubleshoot if the connection fails

If you get an error message or the connection times out, the most common cause is that you are not on the same network as the host. Check that you are both connected to the same WiFi network. If one of you is on mobile data or a different WiFi network, the connection will not work.

Another common issue is that the host has not actually opened their world to LAN yet. Ask them to check the pause menu again — it should say "LAN World On" with a port number. If it does not say that, they need to click "Open to LAN" from the pause menu first. Also confirm that the port number and address you are using match exactly what the host sees.

If you are trying to play with someone outside your home network, you will need to use a VPN tool like Hamachi or Radmin instead of a direct LAN connection. These tools create a virtual local network so you can connect as if you were on the same WiFi, even though you are not.

Join through the server list if it appears automatically

If Minecraft finds the LAN server on your network, it will show up in your multiplayer server list with the host's name and a green "LAN" label. You can straightforward click on it and then click "Join Server" to connect without typing the address manually.

This is the easiest route if it works, but it depends on your network allowing Minecraft to broadcast and discover servers. Some networks, especially corporate or school networks, block this kind of discovery. If the server never appears in the list even though the host has opened their world to LAN, use the Direct Connection method instead.

Confirm you are in the world and can see the host

Once you join, you should load into the host's world. You will see the terrain, any structures the host has built, and other players who are also connected. You can move around, break blocks, and place blocks just like in a single-player world. Chat works the same way — press T to open chat and type messages that everyone on the server can see.

If you load in but cannot see the host or other players, they may be far away from your spawn point. Use the chat to ask where they are, or use coordinates to navigate toward them. If you cannot interact with blocks or see changes the host makes, the connection may be unstable — ask the host to check their internet connection and make sure no one is downloading large files on the network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same WiFi as the host?

Yes, for a standard LAN connection. Both computers must be connected to the same local network. If you want to play with someone on a different network, you need a VPN tool like Hamachi that creates a virtual local network.

What if I see the server in the list but cannot join?

The host may have closed their world to LAN, or the connection may have dropped. Ask them to check the pause menu and make sure "LAN World On" is still showing. If it is, try clicking the server again. If it still fails, have the host close and reopen the world to LAN.

Can I join a LAN server on Bedrock Edition?

Bedrock Edition (Windows 10/11, console, mobile) does not support traditional LAN servers the same way Java Edition does. Bedrock uses "Worlds" that you can invite friends to join, but the process is different and requires a Microsoft account for each player.

Why does the server disappear from my list after a while?

If the host pauses the game or closes Minecraft, the LAN world closes automatically and disappears from the server list. The host needs to have the world open and set to LAN for you to see and join it.

Can I join a LAN server if I am on a different computer than usual?

Yes, as long as that computer is on the same WiFi network and has Minecraft Java Edition installed. You will need the same address and port number the host is using. Your player data and inventory will be the same as long as you log in with the same Minecraft account.