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 friend's house. When the host opens their world to LAN, you see it listed in your multiplayer menu without needing a server address or password (though the host can set one). You join by clicking the server name in that list.
LAN servers only work when the host's computer is running Minecraft and the world is actively open to LAN. The moment they close the game or toggle LAN off, the server disappears from your list and you disconnect. This makes LAN ideal for playing together in the same room or on the same home network, but not for persistent worlds where you log in and out at different times.
You'll only see LAN servers that are on your current network. If you're on your phone's hotspot instead of your home WiFi, or on a different WiFi network entirely, you won't see servers from your home computer — even if it's running. Both players must be connected to the same network.
Key Takeaways
- The host opens their world to LAN through the Pause menu, then you see the server listed in your multiplayer menu without needing an address.
- Both players must be on the same WiFi network or local network for the server to appear in your list.
- The host can set a port number and password, but most LAN servers use the default settings with no password.
- LAN servers only exist while the host is actively playing; closing the game or toggling LAN off disconnects everyone.
- Java Edition and Bedrock Edition handle LAN differently — Java shows servers in the multiplayer menu, while Bedrock requires you to know the host's IP address.
How the host opens their world to LAN in Java Edition
The host starts by opening their single-player world in Minecraft Java Edition. Once they're inside the world, they press Escape to open the Pause menu, then click "Open to LAN" near the bottom of the screen.
A dialog box appears with two options: Game Mode (Survival, Creative, or Adventure) and Allow Cheats (On or Off). These settings control what players who join can do in the world. The host can leave these at their current settings or change them. Once they click "Start LAN World", the server is live.
The host's game window will show a message saying "Local game hosted on port [number]" — usually port 25565 by default. This port number matters if anyone needs to join manually, but most of the time other players on the same network just see the server pop up in their multiplayer list automatically.
How to find and join a LAN server in Java Edition
Open Minecraft Java Edition and click "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Your game automatically scans for LAN servers on your network. Within a few seconds, any active LAN servers should appear in the server list with the host's username and world name.
Click the server name to select it, then click "Join Server". You'll load into the world. If the host set a password, you'll be prompted to enter it before joining.
If you don't see the server after waiting 10 seconds, check that both computers are on the same WiFi network. If the host's computer is on a wired connection and yours is on WiFi, or if you're on different networks entirely, the server won't appear. Ask the host to confirm their network, then try refreshing the server list by clicking the refresh button (the circular arrow icon).
Joining a LAN server in Bedrock Edition
Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10/11, consoles, and mobile) doesn't show LAN servers in a list the way Java Edition does. Instead, you need the host's IP address on the local network.
The host opens their world, pauses the game, and goes to Settings > Multiplayer > Visible to LAN Friends. They toggle this on. Then they need to find their local IP address — on Windows, they open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for "IPv4 Address" (usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0). On other devices, this is in network settings.
You then open Bedrock, go to Play > Friends, and click "Add Server". Enter the host's IP address and the port number (25565 by default, unless the host changed it). Click Add, then join from your friends list. If the host set a password, enter it when prompted.
Troubleshooting when you can't see or join a LAN server
The most common reason a LAN server doesn't appear is that the two computers aren't on the same network. Check that both devices are connected to the same WiFi network name. If one person is using a guest network or a different WiFi band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz), they may not see each other even though both say "connected".
If the server was visible but then disappeared, the host may have closed the game, paused and toggled LAN off, or their computer went to sleep. Ask them to check that Minecraft is still running and the world is still open to LAN.
On Java Edition, try refreshing the server list by clicking the refresh button. Sometimes a server takes a few seconds to appear or reappear after a network change. If you're still not seeing it after refreshing twice, restart Minecraft on both computers and try again.
If you're on Bedrock and entering an IP address manually, double-check that you typed it correctly — even one wrong number will prevent the connection. Ask the host to confirm their IP address by running ipconfig again, since it can occasionally change if they restart their router.
What happens when the host closes the game
When the host closes Minecraft or toggles LAN off, the server stops existing immediately. You'll be disconnected and returned to the main menu. Any changes you made to the world are saved on the host's computer, but you can't stay in the world without them.
If you want to play together again, the host needs to reopen the same world and turn LAN back on. The world file itself doesn't go anywhere — it stays on their computer and can be opened again anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Minecraft Realms subscription to play on a LAN server?
No. LAN servers are completely free and built into the game. Realms is a separate paid service for persistent worlds that stay online even when you're not playing. LAN requires the host to be actively playing.
Can I play on a LAN server if I'm not in the same room?
Yes, as long as you're on the same network. If you're in a different room of the same house on the same WiFi, you can join. If you're at a friend's house and connect to their WiFi, you can join their LAN server. But if you're at a different location on a different network, you can't see or join LAN servers.
What if the host's computer is on WiFi and mine is wired, or vice versa?
It usually works fine as long as both are on the same network. However, some routers isolate wired and wireless devices. If you can't see the server, ask your router admin (usually the person who set up the WiFi) whether wired and wireless devices can communicate. If they can't, you may need to both use WiFi or both use wired.
Can I set a password on a LAN server?
In Java Edition, the host can set a password when they open the world to LAN. In Bedrock, there's no password option — anyone who knows the IP address and port can join. If you want to restrict access on Bedrock, you'll need to keep the IP address private.
Does a LAN server use my internet bandwidth?
No. LAN servers communicate only over your local network, not through the internet. Your internet speed doesn't affect how well a LAN server runs. The host's computer does all the work of running the world.