The fastest way to join a LAN server

To join a LAN server in Minecraft, open the game, go to the Multiplayer menu, and click "Direct Connection" or "Add Server" depending on your version. Enter the server address (the host's IP address followed by a colon and port number, like 192.168.1.5:25565) and click Join. The server must be running on the same local network as your computer — LAN servers only work when all players are connected to the same WiFi or ethernet network.

The person hosting the server needs to start it first and share their local IP address with you. On Windows, the host can find this by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for "IPv4 Address" under their active network connection. On Mac, the host goes to System Preferences > Network and finds the IP listed there. The host also needs to tell you the port number they're using (25565 is the default).

Key Takeaways

  • LAN servers only work when all players are on the same WiFi or ethernet network — you cannot use them to play with someone across the internet.
  • The server host must start their server first and share their local IP address and port number with you before you can connect.
  • You enter the address as IP:port (for example, 192.168.1.5:25565) in the Direct Connection or Add Server menu.
  • If you cannot see the server in your server list, the host may need to restart it or check that the port is not blocked by their firewall.

Finding the host's IP address

The host's local IP address is what you type into your client to find the server. This is different from your internet-facing IP — it is the address your computer has on your home or office network only. On Windows, the host opens Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu), types ipconfig, and looks for the line that says "IPv4 Address" under the network adapter they are using. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.

On Mac, the host clicks the Apple menu, goes to System Preferences, selects Network, and finds the IP address listed on the left side of the window. On Linux, the host opens a terminal and types hostname -I to see their local IP. Once the host has this address, they share it with everyone who wants to join — for example, "192.168.1.100".

Understanding port numbers and why they matter

A port number is like a door on your computer that the server uses to listen for players. The default Minecraft server port is 25565, but the host can change this if they want to run multiple servers or if that port is already in use. When you join, you need to use the same port the host is running on. If the host says they are using port 25566, you enter the address as 192.168.1.100:25566.

If you try to join without a port number, Minecraft assumes you mean port 25565. This works fine if the host is using the default, but if they changed it, you will get a "connection refused" error. Always ask the host what port they are using, or ask them to stick with the default if they have not changed it yet.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If you cannot connect to the server, the most common reason is that the host's server is not running. Ask the host to check that they have started the server software and that it shows "Done" or "Server started" in the console window. The second most common issue is that you typed the IP address or port number wrong — ask the host to read it back to you character by character.

If the address and port are correct but you still cannot connect, the host's firewall may be blocking the port. On Windows, the host can check this by opening Windows Defender Firewall, clicking "Allow an app through firewall", and making sure Java (or whatever server software they are using) is listed and checked. On Mac, the host goes to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall Options and adds Java to the allowed list. If the host is unsure, they can temporarily turn off the firewall to test — if the connection works, they know the firewall was the problem and can add an exception instead of leaving it off.

Hosting your own LAN server

If you want to host a LAN server for others to join, you run the server software on your computer and leave it running while players are connected. For vanilla Minecraft (the standard game without mods), you download the server.jar file from minecraft.net, create a folder for it, and run it. The first time you run it, it creates a world and configuration files. After that, you start it whenever you want to play with others.

Your computer must stay on and connected to the network the whole time players are in the world. If you close the server window or shut down your computer, everyone gets disconnected. Some people use a separate computer or a Raspberry Pi as a dedicated server so they can play on a different machine without worrying about shutting down the host.

LAN servers versus online multiplayer

LAN servers only work on a local network — everyone must be connected to the same WiFi or ethernet. If you want to play with friends over the internet, you need a different setup: either a Minecraft Realm (a subscription service that Minecraft hosts for you), a server hosted by a third party, or port forwarding (which lets people connect to your home server from outside your network, though this requires more technical setup and carries security risks).

LAN servers are free and simple because you are not sending data across the internet — just across your home or office network. This also means LAN play is usually faster and more stable than internet play, with less lag. If everyone you want to play with is in the same building, a LAN server is the easiest choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join a LAN server if I am on a different WiFi network?

No. LAN servers only work on the same local network. If you are on a different WiFi network or connected through a different internet provider, you cannot reach a LAN server. You would need the host to set up port forwarding or use a Realm instead.

What if the host's IP address keeps changing?

Local IP addresses can change if the host's router assigns them dynamically. To keep the same address, the host can set a static IP in their router settings or on their computer's network configuration. Most routers have an option to "reserve" an IP address for a specific device, which prevents it from changing.

Do I need to create a server account or pay anything to join a LAN server?

No. LAN servers are free and do not require any account beyond your regular Minecraft login. You just need the host's IP address and port number.

Why does my server say "can't keep up" or show lag?

This usually means the host's computer is not powerful enough to run the server smoothly while handling all the players. Closing other programs on the host's computer, reducing the number of players, or lowering the server's render distance in the server.properties file can help.

Can I play on a LAN server with people on console versions of Minecraft?

No. LAN servers are only for Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Console versions (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) use different multiplayer systems and cannot join LAN servers.