What a LAN world is and how to find one

A LAN world is a Minecraft game that one player hosts from their own computer, and other players on the same local network can join without needing a server or internet connection. When someone opens their single-player world to LAN, their computer becomes the host, and anyone connected to the same WiFi or ethernet network can see it in their multiplayer menu and join in.

LAN worlds appear in your multiplayer server list automatically — you do not need to type in an address or password unless the host set one. The host's computer must stay running and in the game the entire time you are playing, or the world closes and kicks everyone out. This makes LAN worlds useful for playing with people in the same house or office, but not for persistent worlds where people log in at different times.

Key Takeaways

  • LAN worlds only work when the host's computer is running the game and stays in the world — if they quit or close the game, everyone gets disconnected.
  • You must be on the same WiFi or local network as the host to see their LAN world in your multiplayer menu.
  • The host opens their single-player world to LAN through the pause menu, and you join by selecting it from the server list without needing a password unless one was set.
  • LAN worlds work on Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, but the steps to join are slightly different between the two versions.

How to join a LAN world on Java Edition

On Java Edition, LAN worlds show up in your multiplayer menu as long as you are on the same network. Start by opening Minecraft and clicking Multiplayer. You should see a list of available servers and worlds. If the host has already opened their world to LAN, you will see it listed with the world name and the host's username.

Click on the LAN world to select it, then click Join Server. You will load into the world immediately. If you do not see any LAN worlds in the list, make sure you are connected to the same WiFi network as the host, and ask the host to check that they have opened their world to LAN in their pause menu.

If the host set a port number when opening the world to LAN, you may need to enter it manually. This is rare, but if the world does not appear in your list, ask the host what port they used, then click Add Server and type the host's computer name or IP address followed by a colon and the port number (for example: DESKTOP-ABC123:25565).

How to join a LAN world on Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Windows 11, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox) handles LAN worlds differently. Open Minecraft and go to Play, then look for Friends tab or the Worlds section. LAN worlds appear under "Available to Join" if you are on the same network.

Tap or click on the world you want to join, then select Join. You will load in after a few seconds. If you do not see any worlds listed, the host may need to restart their game or check their network settings. Bedrock Edition sometimes takes longer to detect LAN worlds, so wait a few seconds and refresh the list if needed.

What to do if you cannot see the LAN world

The most common reason a LAN world does not appear is that you are not on the same network as the host. Check that both computers are connected to the same WiFi network, or that you are both plugged into the same ethernet switch. If you are on different networks — for example, if one person is on the home WiFi and another is on a mobile hotspot — the LAN world will not show up.

If you are on the same network but still do not see the world, ask the host to pause their game and check that they have opened the world to LAN. On Java Edition, this is done through the pause menu under "Open to LAN". On Bedrock, the host needs to make sure the world is set to allow multiplayer. If the host has just opened the world, wait 10 to 15 seconds and refresh your server list — it can take a moment for the world to broadcast to other players.

Firewalls can also block LAN worlds. If you have a firewall or antivirus software running, it may prevent Minecraft from communicating with other computers on the network. Try temporarily disabling the firewall to test, or add Minecraft to the firewall's allowed programs list.

The difference between LAN worlds and online servers

LAN worlds are different from online multiplayer servers in several ways. A LAN world only works when the host is actively playing and their computer is on — there is no persistent world running on a separate server. Online servers stay running all the time, so you can log in whenever you want, and other players can be in the world even when you are not.

LAN worlds are free and do not require any setup beyond opening a single-player world to LAN. Online servers usually cost money to rent, or require you to run server software on your own computer. LAN worlds are best for short play sessions with people in the same location, while online servers are better for groups that play at different times or want a world that persists when nobody is online.

How the host opens their world to LAN

If you are the one hosting, the process is straightforward. On Java Edition, load into your single-player world, press Escape to open the pause menu, and click "Open to LAN". A menu appears where you can set the game mode (Survival, Creative, or Adventure), whether to allow cheats, and optionally set a port number. Click "Start LAN World" and the world is now open. Other players on your network will see it in their multiplayer menu within a few seconds.

On Bedrock Edition, the host opens the world settings from the main menu, finds the world they want to share, and toggles "Multiplayer" on. The world is then visible to other players on the same network. The host can also set permissions for what other players are allowed to do — for example, whether they can break blocks or use commands.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If you join a LAN world but get disconnected or experience lag, the issue is usually with the network connection or the host's computer performance. Make sure the host's computer is not running other heavy programs that might slow down the game. If the host's computer is old or has low RAM, the world may run slowly for everyone.

If you are joining over WiFi, try moving closer to the router or switching to a wired ethernet connection if possible. WiFi can be unstable, especially if there are many devices on the network. If the host is also on WiFi, ask them to connect with ethernet if they can — this often improves stability for everyone.

If you get kicked out of the world, the host's game likely crashed or they closed it. Ask them to restart the game and open the world to LAN again. You can then rejoin from your multiplayer menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a password to join a LAN world?

No, LAN worlds do not use passwords by default. The host can set a port number when opening the world to LAN, but this is optional and rarely used. If the host set a port, you will need to know it to join manually, but you still do not need a password.

Can I join a LAN world if I am on a different floor or building?

It depends on your network setup. If you are on the same WiFi network, you can join from anywhere in range of the router. If you are on a different network entirely — for example, a guest WiFi or mobile hotspot — you cannot join a LAN world. LAN worlds only work on the same local network.

What happens if the host quits the game while I am playing?

You will be disconnected immediately. The world closes because the host's computer is no longer running it. You cannot save your progress or retrieve items you were holding. Always ask the host before they quit, or make sure they plan to stay in the game for as long as you want to play.

Can I join a LAN world on my phone or tablet?

On Bedrock Edition, yes — phones and tablets running Minecraft Bedrock can join LAN worlds the same way as computers. On Java Edition, no — Java Edition only runs on computers, not on mobile devices.

Is a LAN world the same as a realm?

No. A Realm is a subscription service that runs a persistent world on Microsoft's servers, so it stays online even when nobody is playing. A LAN world only runs when the host is actively playing and their computer is on. Realms cost money; LAN worlds are free.