What a LAN server is and how to find one

A LAN server is a Minecraft world that runs on someone's computer on the same local network as yours — usually your home WiFi or a network at a LAN party, school, or gaming event. When someone opens their world to LAN, other players on that same network can see it in their server list and join without needing a password or internet account verification.

The person hosting the server doesn't need special software or a paid hosting service. They just open their single-player world, flip one setting, and their game becomes joinable. From your side, you'll see their world appear automatically in the "Multiplayer" menu under "Direct Connection" or in the server list, depending on your game version.

LAN servers work best when everyone is in the same physical location or on the same home network. If you're trying to play with someone across the internet, you'll need a different method — but if you're at a friend's house, a school computer lab, or a gaming event, LAN is usually the fastest way to play together.

Key Takeaways

  • The host must open their world to LAN through the pause menu, and their computer must stay running the whole time you play.
  • You'll see the server appear in your Multiplayer menu automatically if you're on the same network — no IP address or password needed.
  • Both players need to be on the same WiFi network or connected to the same router for LAN to work.
  • If the server doesn't show up, restart your game, make sure WiFi is on, and ask the host to check that LAN is actually enabled.

How the host opens their world to LAN

The person hosting needs to start the process. They should open Minecraft, load the world they want to share, and pause the game. In the pause menu, they'll see a button labeled "Open to LAN" — this is the only step required on their end.

When they click it, a window will pop up asking what game mode other players should join in (Survival, Creative, or Adventure) and whether to allow cheats. They can leave these at the default settings or change them. Once they click "Start LAN World", the world is now joinable by anyone on the network.

The host's computer must stay running and the game must stay open the entire time you're playing. If they close Minecraft or shut down their computer, the server stops and everyone gets kicked out. This is the main limitation of LAN — it only works while the host is actively playing.

Finding and joining the server from your computer

Once the host has opened their world to LAN, open your own copy of Minecraft and go to the main menu. Click "Multiplayer", then "Direct Connection" (in Java Edition) or look for the server in the "Servers" tab (in Bedrock Edition).

In Java Edition, the host's world should appear in a list automatically. Click on it and select "Join Server". If it doesn't appear right away, wait a few seconds — it can take a moment for the network to broadcast the server. If it still doesn't show up after 10 seconds, try clicking "Refresh" at the bottom of the screen.

In Bedrock Edition (Windows 10/11, console, or mobile), the server may appear in your Friends tab or in a "LAN Games" section. Tap or click on it to join. Some versions of Bedrock show LAN servers differently, so check your Multiplayer menu carefully.

Troubleshooting when the server won't appear

The most common reason a LAN server doesn't show up is that both players aren't actually on the same network. Check that you and the host are connected to the same WiFi network — not a guest network, not a different router, and not one person on WiFi while the other is on ethernet (though ethernet and WiFi on the same router usually work together).

If you're on the same network and the server still doesn't appear, ask the host to check that they actually clicked "Open to LAN" and that the button changed to show the server is active. Then restart your own game — close Minecraft completely and open it again. Sometimes the network discovery just needs a refresh.

If restarting doesn't work, try clicking "Direct Connection" and typing the host's IP address manually. Ask them to look at their LAN settings window — it shows their IP address right there. Type it into your Direct Connection field and click "Join". This bypasses the automatic discovery and often works when the server list doesn't.

Java Edition versus Bedrock Edition differences

Java Edition and Bedrock Edition handle LAN slightly differently. In Java, the host opens to LAN through the pause menu and players see it in a list. In Bedrock, LAN servers sometimes appear in the Friends tab or require you to manually add the host's IP address.

Java Edition is more reliable for LAN play because the server discovery is built in and usually works without extra steps. Bedrock's LAN support varies by platform — it works well on Windows 10/11 and Nintendo Switch, but can be inconsistent on mobile devices.

If you and the host are using different editions (one on Java, one on Bedrock), LAN won't work at all. You'll need to use a different method like Realms or a third-party server. Make sure you're both on the same edition before troubleshooting.

What to do if LAN isn't available at your location

Some networks block LAN discovery — this happens in schools, offices, and some apartment buildings where the network is locked down for security. If the server won't appear even after restarting and you're sure you're on the same network, the network itself may be preventing it.

Ask the network administrator if LAN gaming is allowed. If it's not, you have other options: the host can set up a Realm (a small paid server that runs in the cloud), use a third-party server hosting service, or you can both join a public server together. These methods work over the internet instead of LAN, so they don't depend on being in the same location.

For school or library networks, LAN is often disabled intentionally. In that case, asking permission won't help — you'll need to use a method that goes through the internet instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the host need to be in Creative mode for LAN to work?

No. The host can be in any game mode — Survival, Creative, or Adventure. When they open to LAN, they choose what mode other players join in, and it doesn't have to match the host's own mode. The host can be in Survival while other players join in Creative, for example.

Can I join a LAN server if I'm on a different floor or building?

Only if you're on the same WiFi network. If you're in a different building with a different router or network, LAN won't work. You'd need to use Realms, a paid server, or a public server instead. LAN is designed for people on the same local network, usually in the same room or building.

What if the host's computer goes to sleep while I'm playing?

The server will stop and you'll be kicked out. The host's computer must stay awake and running the whole time. If they need to step away, they should pause the game instead of letting the computer sleep, or close Minecraft and reopen it when they're ready to play again.

Do I need to know the host's password to join their LAN server?

No. LAN servers don't use passwords. Anyone on the same network can see and join the server. If the host wants to restrict who can play, they need to use a different method like a paid server with a whitelist, or just not tell other people about it.

Why does my friend's LAN server show up sometimes but not other times?

The most likely reason is that the host forgot to click "Open to LAN" that session, or they closed Minecraft. LAN only works while the host is actively running the game with that setting enabled. Ask them to check their pause menu and confirm the server is open.