What a LAN game is and how to find one

A LAN game (Local Area Network) in Minecraft is a multiplayer world that runs on someone's computer in the same physical location or connected to the same home network. When someone opens their single-player world to LAN, other players on that network can join without needing a Minecraft server or internet connection to Microsoft's servers — though you do need internet to launch the game itself.

The person hosting the LAN game will tell you the port number (a four or five-digit code) and their computer's name or IP address. You'll need this information to connect. Unlike joining a public server, there's no list to browse — you're joining a specific person's world because they invited you.

LAN games work best when all players are on the same WiFi network or connected to the same router with ethernet cables. If you're in a dorm, office, or apartment complex with a shared network, you might see other people's LAN games appear automatically, but you can only join if they've opened their world to LAN.

Key Takeaways

  • The host must open their single-player world to LAN through the pause menu, which generates a port number you'll need to join.
  • You join a LAN game by clicking "Direct Connection" in the multiplayer menu and entering the host's IP address and port number.
  • All players must be on the same network (WiFi or ethernet connected to the same router) for LAN to work.
  • LAN games stop running when the host closes their world or shuts down their computer, even if you're still playing.
  • If you can't see the LAN game listed automatically, ask the host for their IP address and port number and enter them manually.

How the host opens their world to LAN

The person hosting needs to open their existing single-player world and pause the game. In the pause menu, they'll see a button labeled "Open to LAN" (on Java Edition) or "Host Options" (on Bedrock Edition). Clicking this opens a small menu where they can choose the game mode other players will play in — Survival, Creative, or Adventure — and whether to allow cheats.

Once they click "Start LAN World" or confirm the settings, Minecraft generates a port number and displays it on screen. This is the number you need. The host should tell you both the port number and their computer's local IP address (the one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0, not their internet-facing IP). They can find their IP address by opening Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) and typing ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Mac), then looking for the IPv4 address on their network adapter.

The world stays open to LAN only while the host has the game running and the world open. If they close the game or switch to a different world, the LAN game ends and you'll be disconnected.

Joining through Direct Connection on Java Edition

Open Minecraft Java Edition and click "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Click "Direct Connection" at the bottom of the server list. A text box will appear asking for a server address.

Type the host's IP address, then a colon, then the port number. For example: 192.168.1.5:25565. If the host gave you a different port number, use that instead of 25565. Click "Join Server" and you'll connect to their world.

If you get an error saying the connection timed out or was refused, double-check the IP address and port number with the host. Make sure you're both on the same network. If you're on a different WiFi network or a mobile hotspot, you won't be able to join.

Joining through Direct Connection on Bedrock Edition

Open Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10/11, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile) and go to the "Play" tab. Look for "Friends" or "Servers" depending on your platform. On Windows, click "Add Server" and enter the host's IP address and port number in the fields provided.

On console versions like Nintendo Switch or Xbox, you may not see a direct connection option. Instead, ask the host to send you an invite through their friends list, or check if they've posted the world as a "Realm" (Minecraft's official server option) instead of a LAN game.

Bedrock Edition sometimes has trouble finding LAN games on the same network. If the game doesn't appear in your server list automatically, manually entering the IP address and port is usually faster than waiting for it to show up.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If you can't connect, the most common cause is being on a different network than the host. A phone on cellular data or a laptop on a guest WiFi network won't see a LAN game hosted on the main home network. Both you and the host must be on the same network.

If you're on the same network but still can't connect, ask the host to check their firewall settings. Windows Defender Firewall or third-party antivirus software sometimes blocks Minecraft's network access. The host may need to allow Minecraft through their firewall, or temporarily disable the firewall to test the connection.

Port forwarding is not necessary for LAN games — that's only for hosting a server accessible from outside your network. If the host is using a VPN, that can also block LAN connections. Ask them to disconnect from the VPN while hosting.

If you see the world listed but can't join, the world may have reached its player limit (usually 8 to 10 players depending on the host's computer). Ask the host to check how many players are already connected.

Differences between LAN games and other multiplayer options

A LAN game is different from joining a public server or a Realm. A public server is hosted on a company's computer and accessible to anyone with the server address — you don't need to be on the same network. A Realm is Minecraft's official subscription service where the host pays a monthly fee and players can join from anywhere in the world.

LAN games are free and don't require a subscription, but they only work on the same network and only while the host is playing. They're best for playing with people in your home, office, or classroom. If you want to play with friends across the internet or have the world run 24/7 without someone's computer on, a public server or Realm is a better choice.

What happens when the host closes the game

When the host closes Minecraft or switches to a different world, all players connected to the LAN game are immediately disconnected. You won't lose your inventory or progress in the world — that's saved on the host's computer — but you'll be kicked out and returned to the main menu.

If the host wants to keep the world running while they do something else, they can leave the game paused. As long as the world is open to LAN and Minecraft is still running, other players can stay connected. But if the host's computer crashes, loses power, or the network connection drops, everyone gets disconnected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join a LAN game if I'm on a different WiFi network?

No. LAN games only work on the same local network. If you're on a different WiFi network, a mobile hotspot, or a guest network, you won't be able to connect. You and the host must both be connected to the same router.

Do I need to be friends with the host on Minecraft to join their LAN game?

No. LAN games don't require a Minecraft friendship or account connection. You just need the host's IP address and port number. Anyone on the same network can join if they have this information.

What if the host doesn't know their IP address?

They can find it by opening Command Prompt (Windows) and typing ipconfig, or Terminal (Mac) and typing ifconfig. Look for the IPv4 address listed under their network adapter — it usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. They should not share their public IP address, only their local network IP.

Can I host a LAN game on a laptop and play at the same time?

Yes, but your laptop will use more processing power and may run slower. The host's computer handles running the world and managing all player connections, so a more powerful computer will have better performance. Older laptops may lag noticeably when hosting.

How many players can join a LAN game?

Most LAN games support 8 to 10 players, depending on the host's computer power and Minecraft version. There's no hard limit in the game itself, but performance degrades with more players. The host can check their world settings to see if they've set a player limit.