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. You will need the host's IP address — the person running the server can find this in their LAN world settings, or you can see it in the Multiplayer menu on your own computer if the server is broadcasting on your network. Type the IP address into the connection field, give the server a name if you want, and click Join.

The entire process takes less than a minute once you have the IP address. LAN servers work only on the same local network — you cannot join a LAN server over the internet from another house or city. If you are trying to play with someone outside your home network, you will need a different setup, like a Realms subscription or a third-party server host.

Key Takeaways

  • LAN servers only work on the same local network, so everyone must be connected to the same WiFi or ethernet network.
  • The host starts a world in Singleplayer, opens it to LAN in the pause menu, and shares their IP address with other players.
  • Other players join by going to Multiplayer, selecting Direct Connection or Add Server, and entering the host's IP address.
  • On Windows, you can find your IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig; on Mac or Linux, use ifconfig in Terminal.
  • LAN servers stay online only while the host's game is running — closing the game disconnects everyone.

Finding the host's IP address

The person hosting the LAN server needs to share their IP address with you. On Windows, they can find it by opening Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu), typing ipconfig, and looking for the line that says IPv4 Address. The address will look like 192.168.1.100 or similar. On Mac, they open Terminal (in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and look for inet under the active network connection.

The host can also check the LAN world settings inside Minecraft itself. When they open a world to LAN in the pause menu, Minecraft displays the IP address and port number on screen. This is the easiest method because the address is already formatted correctly for joining.

If the host does not see an IP address in their LAN settings, the world may not be broadcasting properly. They should close the world, return to the main menu, and try opening it to LAN again. Make sure everyone is on the same WiFi network — a guest network or separate network will not work.

Joining through Direct Connection

Direct Connection is the simplest method if you only need to join once. Open Minecraft, click Multiplayer, then click Direct Connection. A text field will appear asking for the server address. Type the host's IP address (for example, 192.168.1.100) and click Join Server. You will connect immediately if the address is correct and the host's world is open to LAN.

Direct Connection does not save the server, so you will need the IP address again next time. If you plan to join the same LAN server regularly, use Add Server instead — it saves the server to your list so you only need to click it to join.

Saving a LAN server to your list

To add a LAN server permanently to your Multiplayer menu, click Add Server instead of Direct Connection. A form will appear asking for a server name and server address. Type any name you want (like "Home Server" or "Alex's World") in the first field, then paste or type the host's IP address in the second field. Click Done, and the server will appear in your server list.

From then on, you can join by clicking the server name in your Multiplayer menu. The server will stay in your list even if you close Minecraft, so you do not have to ask for the IP address again. If the host changes their IP address (which can happen if they restart their router), you can edit the server by clicking the pencil icon next to it and updating the address.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If you cannot connect, the most common issue is that you are not on the same network as the host. Check that both computers are connected to the same WiFi network — not a guest network or a different network entirely. If one person is on WiFi and another is on ethernet, they can still connect as long as they are on the same router.

If you are on the same network but still cannot connect, ask the host to check that their world is actually open to LAN. They should pause their game, look for the option to "Open to LAN" or "Allow players to join", and make sure it is enabled. If it is already enabled, they should close the world and open it to LAN again.

Another common problem is typing the IP address incorrectly. IP addresses are four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.100. If you see an error message, ask the host to read their IP address aloud while you type it, or copy and paste it directly from their screen.

What happens when the host closes their game

A LAN server only exists while the host's game is running. If the host closes Minecraft or quits the world, everyone connected to that server will be disconnected immediately. Any unsaved progress will be lost, so players should save their work before the host stops playing.

This is different from a permanent server or Realms world, which stay online even when nobody is playing. If you want a world that stays online all the time, you will need to set up a dedicated server or use Minecraft Realms instead.

LAN servers on different Minecraft editions

LAN servers work in Java Edition (the version for Windows, Mac, and Linux) and Bedrock Edition (the version for Windows 10/11, consoles, and mobile). The steps are the same in both: open a world to LAN, share the IP address, and join through Multiplayer. However, Java Edition and Bedrock Edition cannot play together on the same LAN server — a Java Edition player cannot join a Bedrock LAN world, and vice versa.

If you are playing on different editions, you will need a different setup, like a third-party server or a cross-platform service. Check which edition everyone is using before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join a LAN server from outside my house?

No, LAN servers only work on the same local network. If you want to play with someone in a different location, you need Minecraft Realms, a third-party server host, or a tunneling service like Hamachi. These options let you play together over the internet instead of just on your home network.

Do I need to port forward to join a LAN server?

No, port forwarding is not necessary for LAN servers. Port forwarding is only needed if you want to let people join your server from outside your network. For LAN play on the same network, everything works automatically.

Why does the server disappear from my list?

If a saved server disappears, it usually means the host's IP address changed. Routers sometimes assign new IP addresses when they restart. Ask the host for their new IP address, edit the server in your list, and update the address field. If the address keeps changing, the host can set a static IP in their router settings to keep it the same.

Can multiple people join the same LAN server at once?

Yes, up to 10 players can join a single LAN server in Java Edition, and up to 8 in Bedrock Edition. Everyone needs to be on the same network and have the correct IP address to connect.

What if I see "Connection refused" or "Connection timed out"?

These errors usually mean the host's world is not open to LAN, or you typed the IP address wrong. Ask the host to pause their game and confirm that "Open to LAN" is enabled. If it is, have them close and reopen the world. Double-check the IP address by asking the host to read it aloud or show it to you on their screen.