What a LAN world is and how to find one

A LAN world (Local Area Network) is a Minecraft world that one player hosts from their own computer, and other players on the same WiFi network or wired connection can join without needing a server. When you open a world to LAN, Minecraft broadcasts it to everyone connected to your network, and they see it appear in their multiplayer menu within seconds. You do not need to buy a realm, rent a server, or create an account anywhere — just the host computer, the game, and the same network.

LAN worlds work best for playing with people in the same room, the same house, or on the same office or school network. If you want to play with someone across the internet — a friend in another city, for example — LAN will not work. For that, you need a realm, a server, or a third-party tool like Hamachi.

Key Takeaways

  • The host opens their world to LAN by pausing the game, clicking Open to LAN, and choosing a game mode; other players then see the world in their multiplayer menu.
  • All players must be on the same WiFi network or connected to the same wired network for LAN to work.
  • The host's computer must stay running and the world must stay open for other players to stay connected.
  • LAN worlds work on Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, but the steps are slightly different between the two versions.
  • If LAN does not appear in your multiplayer menu, check that your firewall is not blocking Minecraft and that all devices are on the same network.

How the host opens a world to LAN in Java Edition

The person whose computer is running the world (the host) starts a single-player world or loads an existing one. Once inside the world, they pause the game by pressing Escape. At the top of the pause menu, they click the button labeled "Open to LAN".

A small menu appears with two options: Game Mode and Allow Cheats. Game Mode lets the host choose whether other players can break blocks and place blocks (Survival or Creative) or whether they can only look around (Spectator). Most players choose Survival or Creative. Allow Cheats is off by default; turning it on lets other players use commands like /give and /teleport. Once the host picks their settings and clicks "Start LAN World", the world is live.

Other players on the same network now see this world listed in their multiplayer menu. They click on it and click "Join Server". They are now in the host's world.

How the host opens a world to LAN in Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile) works slightly differently. The host loads a world, then goes to the pause menu and looks for a button labeled "Invite to Game" or "Multiplayer Settings" — the exact label depends on which device you are using. Tapping or clicking this opens options for who can join.

On most Bedrock devices, you can toggle "Multiplayer Game" to on, which makes the world visible to other players on your network. Some devices also let you set whether the world is Survival or Creative from this menu. Once you turn multiplayer on, other players see the world in their friends list or in the available games list, depending on their device.

What players need to do to join

Once the host has opened the world to LAN, other players do not need to do much. They open Minecraft, go to the Multiplayer menu, and look for the world listed under "LAN Games" (Java Edition) or in their available servers (Bedrock Edition). The world usually appears within a few seconds. They click on it and click "Join Server" or "Join World".

If the world does not appear, the joining player should check three things: that their device is on the same WiFi network as the host, that they are using the same version of Minecraft (Java or Bedrock), and that they have waited at least 10 seconds for the network to broadcast the world. If it still does not show up, they can ask the host for the server address and type it in manually — Java Edition shows this address in the "Open to LAN" menu.

Why the host's computer must stay running

Unlike a realm or a rented server, a LAN world exists only on the host's computer. If the host closes Minecraft, shuts down their computer, or puts it to sleep, the world closes and all other players are kicked out. They cannot log back in until the host opens the world again.

This is why LAN works best for short play sessions with people in the same location. If you want a world that stays open all the time, or that people can join and leave at different times, you need a realm or a server instead.

Fixing common problems with LAN worlds

The most common reason a LAN world does not appear is that the joining player is on a different network. Some schools and offices have separate networks for different devices or purposes — a guest WiFi, a staff WiFi, and a device WiFi, for example. The host and all joining players must be on the exact same network.

A firewall can also block LAN worlds. Windows Defender Firewall and third-party firewalls sometimes prevent Minecraft from broadcasting or receiving LAN invitations. If a world does not appear after 30 seconds, the joining player should check their firewall settings and make sure Minecraft is allowed through. On Windows, this is usually under Settings > Privacy & Security > Firewall & Network Protection > Allow an app through firewall.

If the host's world is open but other players keep getting disconnected, the host's internet connection may be unstable, or their computer may not have enough RAM to run the world smoothly. Closing other programs on the host's computer can help. If disconnections keep happening, the host can also try restarting their router.

LAN worlds versus realms and servers

LAN is free and requires no setup, but it only works on the same network and only while the host is playing. A realm costs money (usually a few dollars per month) but stays open all the time and works over the internet, so friends anywhere can join. A server can be free or paid depending on the host, also works over the internet, and can stay open indefinitely.

For a single play session with people in the same house or office, LAN is the simplest choice. For regular play with the same group of friends, or for playing with people far away, a realm or server is better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join a LAN world if I am on mobile or console?

On Bedrock Edition (which runs on mobile, console, and Windows 10), yes — LAN worlds work the same way. On Java Edition, which runs on Windows and Mac, LAN is only for computers. If you are on a console like PlayStation or Nintendo Switch, you can only join Bedrock LAN worlds, not Java ones.

What if the host and I are on the same WiFi but the world still does not show up?

First, wait 15 seconds — sometimes the network takes time to broadcast. Then check that you are both on the same WiFi network (not one on WiFi and one on wired, and not on different guest networks). If you are sure you are on the same network, ask the host for the server address (shown in the Open to LAN menu on Java) and type it in manually under "Direct Connection".

Can I play LAN worlds over the internet with a friend in another city?

No — LAN only works on the same local network. To play with someone far away, you need a realm, a server, or a tool like Hamachi that creates a virtual local network. Hamachi is free but requires both players to read and set up the software.

What happens to my world if I close Minecraft while people are playing in it?

Everyone is kicked out when ready and cannot rejoin until you open the world to LAN again. Any changes they made to the world are saved, but they lose their connection. This is why LAN works best for short, planned play sessions.

Do I need to give other players a password to join my LAN world?

No — LAN worlds do not use passwords. Anyone on your network who sees the world listed can join it. If you want to restrict who joins, you need to keep the world closed and only tell specific people when you are opening it.