What a LAN connection means in Minecraft
A LAN (Local Area Network) connection lets you play Minecraft with other people on the same Wi-Fi network or connected to the same router — without going through the internet. When you create a LAN world in Minecraft Java Edition, other players on your home network can join directly by seeing your world listed in their multiplayer menu. This is the fastest way to play together if everyone is in the same building.
LAN play works differently depending on which version of Minecraft you own. Java Edition (the version you read from minecraft.net) supports LAN natively and is the easiest to set up. Bedrock Edition (the Windows 10/11 version from the Microsoft Store) also supports LAN but requires a few extra steps. Console versions like PlayStation or Xbox use their own online systems and do not support traditional LAN play.
Key Takeaways
- Java Edition lets you open a single-player world to LAN in one click, and other players see it automatically in their multiplayer menu.
- Everyone joining must be on the same Wi-Fi network or plugged into the same router for LAN to work.
- The person who opens the world to LAN must keep their game running the whole time others are playing.
- Bedrock Edition requires you to enable LAN in settings before you can host or join a LAN world.
- If players cannot see the world, restarting the router and making sure everyone is on the same network usually fixes it.
Setting up LAN in Java Edition
Start by launching Minecraft Java Edition and loading the world you want to share. Once you are in the world, press Escape to open the pause menu. Look for a button labeled "Open to LAN" — this is the only button you need to click. A small window will appear asking you to choose a game mode (Survival, Creative, or Adventure) and whether to turn on commands. Pick the mode you want and click "Start LAN World."
Your world is now open. Other players on your network will see it appear in their multiplayer menu within a few seconds. They do not need to type in an address or password — they straightforward click on your world name and join. You will see a message in the chat saying each player has joined. Keep your game window open the entire time they are playing; closing it will shut down the server when ready.
Joining a LAN world in Java Edition
When someone else opens a world to LAN, launch Minecraft Java Edition and click "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Click "Direct Connection" if you want to type in the host's IP address manually, or click "Refresh" to see a list of LAN worlds currently running on your network. Any open worlds will appear with the host's name and the world name. Click on the world you want to join and click "Join Server."
If you do not see the world listed after clicking Refresh, make sure you are on the same Wi-Fi network as the host. If you are still not seeing it after 10 seconds, ask the host to close and reopen the world to LAN. Sometimes the broadcast does not reach all devices on the first try, especially on larger networks.
Setting up LAN in Bedrock Edition
Bedrock Edition (the version from the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and 11) requires you to enable LAN play before you can host or join. Open Minecraft and go to Settings. Scroll down to "Multiplayer" and toggle on "Multiplayer Game" if it is not already on. Below that, find "LAN Visibility" and turn it on as well. These settings must be enabled on every device that will host or join a LAN world.
Once LAN Visibility is on, create or load a world. Pause the game and look for "Invite to Game" or a similar option in the pause menu. This will show a list of players on your network who can join. Send them an invitation, or they can find your world in their Friends list and request to join. The process is slower than Java Edition because Bedrock relies on your Microsoft account to manage invitations.
Troubleshooting when players cannot join
The most common reason players cannot see or join a LAN world is that they are not on the same network. Check that everyone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network name (SSID). If some people are on a 5 GHz band and others on 2.4 GHz, they may not see each other even though they are on the same router — try connecting everyone to the same band.
If everyone is on the same network and the world still does not appear, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Then have the host close and reopen the world to LAN. If you are using a school or workplace network, LAN play may be blocked by the network administrator — in that case, you will need to use a different network or play online instead.
For Bedrock Edition specifically, make sure both the host and joining players have "Multiplayer Game" and "LAN Visibility" turned on in Settings. If a player is using a Microsoft account that is restricted (such as a child account with parental controls), they may not be able to join LAN worlds — check the account settings in Windows.
What to do if LAN is too slow or keeps disconnecting
LAN play should be very fast because data travels only within your home network, not across the internet. If you experience lag or frequent disconnections, the problem is usually Wi-Fi interference or distance. Move closer to the router, or ask other players to do the same. If the host is far from the router, consider moving their computer or using an Ethernet cable to connect directly to the router.
Check whether other devices on your network are using a lot of bandwidth — streaming video, downloading files, or online gaming on other devices can slow down Minecraft. Ask people to pause those activities while you play. If the problem persists, restart the router and have the host close and reopen the world to LAN.
Playing on a LAN world across multiple rooms
LAN play works across your entire home network, so players can be in different rooms as long as they are all connected to the same router. Wi-Fi range is usually 100 to 150 feet in open space, but walls and interference reduce that. If a player is too far away or in a part of the building with weak signal, they may disconnect frequently. Moving closer to the router or using an Ethernet cable will solve this.
Some routers have a "guest network" feature that is separate from the main network. Make sure everyone is on the main network, not the guest network, or they will not see each other's worlds. Check your router settings if you are unsure which network you are on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play LAN Minecraft on my phone or tablet?
Bedrock Edition runs on phones and tablets and supports LAN play. Java Edition does not run on mobile devices. If you have Bedrock on your phone and a friend has it on their computer, you can join the same LAN world as long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and LAN Visibility is enabled in settings.
Do I need to port forward or change my router settings for LAN?
No. LAN play works entirely within your home network and does not use the internet, so you do not need to change any router settings or port forward. If you want to play with people outside your home network, you would need to use online multiplayer instead, which does require different setup.
What happens if the host closes Minecraft while others are playing?
The LAN world shuts down when ready and all players are disconnected. They will not lose their inventory or progress in the world itself, but they cannot rejoin until the host opens the world to LAN again. This is why the host should stay in the game the entire time others are playing.
Can I use LAN play on a school or work network?
It depends on the network's settings. Many schools and workplaces block LAN discovery for security reasons, which prevents Minecraft from finding other worlds on the network. You can ask the network administrator if LAN gaming is permitted, but they may say no. If it is blocked, you would need to use a different network or play online instead.
Why do I see my own world in the multiplayer list?
This sometimes happens in Java Edition and is harmless. You cannot join your own world from the multiplayer menu — if you click on it, nothing will happen. Just ignore it and join a different world, or have someone else host so you can join theirs.