What a LAN world is and how to find one
A LAN world is a Minecraft game that one player hosts from their own computer, and other players on the same local network can join without needing a server or internet connection. When someone opens their single-player world to LAN, their computer becomes the host, and anyone connected to the same WiFi or ethernet network can see that world listed in their multiplayer menu and join it directly.
The person hosting the world must have Minecraft Java Edition running and actively playing in that world — if they close the game or quit to the main menu, the world closes for everyone. This makes LAN worlds different from servers, which stay running whether or not the owner is playing. LAN worlds are useful for playing with people in your home, at a friend's house, or anywhere you share a network.
To find a LAN world to join, you need to be on the same network as the host and have Minecraft Java Edition installed. When you open the multiplayer menu, any active LAN worlds on your network will appear in the server list automatically — you do not need an invite code or password unless the host set one.
Key Takeaways
- The host must open their single-player world to LAN from the pause menu while actively playing in that world.
- You must be connected to the same WiFi or ethernet network as the host to see and join their LAN world.
- LAN worlds appear automatically in your multiplayer server list when the host opens their world — you do not need to enter an IP address.
- The host can set a port number and optional password when opening to LAN, and you will need the password if one was set.
- The world closes for all players when the host quits the game or returns to the main menu.
How the host opens their world to LAN
The person hosting the world must be actively playing in single-player mode. They pause the game by pressing Escape, then look for the button labeled "Open to LAN" in the pause menu. Clicking this button opens a small window with two options: a port number (which defaults to 25565) and a "Allow Cheats" toggle.
The port number is the channel through which other players will connect — the default almost always works, so the host can leave it as is. If the host wants to prevent other players from using commands like /give or /teleport, they should leave "Allow Cheats" off. If they want to allow those commands, they toggle it on. After confirming these settings, the host clicks "Start LAN World" and the world is now open.
The host's game will show a message saying "Local game hosted on port [number]" — this confirms the world is open. The host can continue playing normally, and other players on the network can now see and join the world. The world stays open only as long as the host is in that world; if they quit to the main menu or close the game, the world closes when ready for everyone.
How to find and join a LAN world on your computer
Open Minecraft Java Edition and click "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Your game will search your network for active LAN worlds and display them in the server list. Any LAN world that is currently open will appear with the host's username and the world name — for example, "Steve's World (Hosted by Steve)". Click on the world name to select it, then click "Join Server".
If the host set a password when opening the world to LAN, a password prompt will appear before you join. Enter the password exactly as the host provided it and click "Done". If no password was set, you will join the world when ready after clicking "Join Server".
If you do not see any LAN worlds in your server list, check that you are connected to the same network as the host. If you are on a different WiFi network, a wired network while the host is on WiFi, or behind a different router, the world will not appear. Move to the same network as the host and refresh the multiplayer menu — the world should appear within a few seconds.
Troubleshooting when a LAN world does not appear
The most common reason a LAN world does not show up is that you and the host are not on the same network. Check that both computers are connected to the same WiFi network name, or both plugged into ethernet ports on the same router. If one person is on a guest network or a separate network band (like 5GHz vs 2.4GHz), they will not see the world.
If you are on the same network and the world still does not appear, ask the host to check that they actually clicked "Start LAN World" and see the "Local game hosted on port [number]" message. If they only clicked "Open to LAN" but did not confirm, the world is not yet open. Have them close that menu and try again.
Firewalls can sometimes block LAN connections. If you are on a school or workplace network with strict firewall rules, LAN worlds may not work. Home networks and most public WiFi do not have this problem. If you suspect a firewall is the issue, try connecting both computers to a mobile hotspot instead — if the world appears there, the firewall was blocking it.
What happens when you join a LAN world
Once you join, you enter the host's world at the spawn point and can play normally. You can build, mine, craft, and interact with the world just as if you were playing single-player. Other players in the world see your character in real time, and you see theirs. Chat messages typed in the game appear to everyone in the world.
The host has the same abilities as any other player in the world — they are not an administrator or moderator unless they set "Allow Cheats" to on, which lets them use commands. If cheats are off, the host cannot use commands and has no special powers over other players.
If the host quits the game, returns to the main menu, or their computer loses connection, you and all other players are kicked out of the world when ready. Your progress in that world is saved on the host's computer, so when the world opens again, your changes are still there — but you cannot play in it while it is closed.
Playing LAN worlds across different rooms or buildings
LAN worlds work only on the same local network, which usually means the same WiFi or the same wired network in one building. If you want to play with someone in a different building or on a different internet connection, a LAN world will not work — you would need to use a server or a realm instead.
However, if you are at a friend's house or in a school building with one network, LAN worlds work perfectly. The distance between computers does not matter as long as they are on the same network. A computer in one room can host a world that someone in another room joins, even if they are far apart physically.
If you are trying to play with someone outside your network, ask the host about setting up a Minecraft Realm (a subscription service) or a dedicated server instead. Those options let people join from anywhere with an internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Minecraft Java Edition to join a LAN world?
Yes, LAN worlds work only with Minecraft Java Edition. If you have Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, consoles, or mobile), you cannot join a LAN world. The host must also be running Java Edition.
Can I join a LAN world if the host is playing on a different difficulty?
Yes, difficulty does not prevent you from joining. You will enter the world at whatever difficulty the host set. If you want to change it, ask the host to pause and adjust the difficulty in their world settings.
What if I lose connection while playing in a LAN world?
If your internet drops but you are still on the same local network, you may be able to rejoin when ready. If your WiFi disconnects entirely, you will be kicked out and will need to reconnect to the network and rejoin the world. Your progress is saved, so you will return to where you left off.
Can the host see what I am doing in a LAN world?
Yes, the host sees your character and actions in real time, just as you see theirs. They can see where you are, what you are building, and what you are doing. This is the same as any multiplayer game.
Do I need a password to join every LAN world?
No, passwords are optional. The host decides whether to set one when they open the world to LAN. If no password was set, you join without entering one. The host will tell you the password if they set one.