How to Set Up a Minecraft LAN Server: A Simple Guide

Playing Minecraft with friends in the same room is a blast! Setting up a Local Area Network (LAN) server is the easiest way to enjoy multiplayer Minecraft together when you’re on the same network. This guide will walk you through setting up a Minecraft Lan Server for both Java and Bedrock Editions, and offer some troubleshooting tips to get you gaming smoothly.

Setting Up a LAN Server in Minecraft Java Edition

If you and your friends are using Minecraft: Java Edition on your PCs, setting up a LAN server is straightforward:

1. Launch Minecraft: Java Edition: Start your Minecraft Java Edition game and enter your world. This should be the world you want to play with your friends on.

2. Open to LAN: Once you are in your world, press the ESC key to open the in-game menu. Click on “Open to LAN”.

   Alt text: The “Open to LAN” button is highlighted in the Minecraft Java Edition pause menu, ready to be clicked to start a local server.

3. Configure LAN World (Optional): You’ll see options to choose the game mode (Survival, Creative, etc.) and whether to allow cheats. Configure these settings as desired, or leave them as they are for default settings.

4. Open LAN World: Click the “Start LAN World” button. A message will appear in the chat, displaying a 5-digit port number. Note this number down, as your friends might need it if automatic discovery doesn’t work.

5. Friends Join: On your friend’s computer, they should launch Minecraft: Java Edition and go to the “Multiplayer” menu. Your LAN world should automatically appear in the list of available servers. They just need to click on it and “Join Server”.

Setting Up a LAN Server in Minecraft Bedrock Edition

For players using Minecraft: Bedrock Edition across various devices like PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile, the process is slightly different but still simple:

1. Launch Minecraft: Bedrock Edition: Open Minecraft Bedrock Edition and load into the world you wish to play on with your friends.

2. Access Settings: Pause the game and go to “Settings”.

3. Multiplayer Settings: Navigate to the “Multiplayer” section in the settings menu.

4. Enable Multiplayer Options: Ensure that the “Multiplayer Game” and “Visible to LAN Players” options are toggled ON. You might also want to adjust other settings like “Broadcast to LAN” to fine-tune visibility.

   Alt text: The multiplayer settings screen in Minecraft Bedrock Edition, highlighting the “Multiplayer Game” and “Visible to LAN Players” options that need to be enabled for LAN play.

5. Friends Join: Your friends should launch Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and go to the “Play” menu. Then, navigate to the “Friends” tab. Your world should appear under “LAN Games”. They can join by selecting your world.

Troubleshooting Common LAN Server Issues

Sometimes, setting up a Minecraft LAN server might not go as smoothly as expected. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

1. Same Minecraft Edition: The most crucial step is to ensure everyone is using the same edition of Minecraft. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are not compatible for LAN play. Double-check that everyone is launching either Java Edition or Bedrock Edition, and that it’s the same edition across all devices.

2. Same Minecraft Version (Java Edition): For Java Edition, ensure everyone is using the same game version. While Bedrock Edition typically updates automatically to the latest version, Java Edition allows players to choose different versions. Mismatched versions can prevent LAN servers from showing up. Use the Minecraft Launcher to select the same version for all players.

3. Same Network: All players must be connected to the same local network (router). It doesn’t matter if some are using Ethernet cables and others are on Wi-Fi, as long as everyone is connected to the same router. This is fundamental for LAN functionality.

4. Direct Connect for Java Edition (Using IP Address and Port): If the Java Edition server isn’t automatically appearing, you can use the “Direct Connection” option.

   • Get IPv4 Address: On the computer hosting the Java Edition world, open Command Prompt (search “cmd” in the Windows search bar). Type ipconfig /all and press Enter.

     Alt text: A screenshot of Command Prompt displaying the output of the “ipconfig /all” command, used to find the IPv4 address of the host computer for Minecraft LAN direct connection.

   • Find IPv4 Address: Look for “Ethernet adapter Ethernet” (or “Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi” if you’re using Wi-Fi). Find the “IPv4 Address” listed under it. Note down this IP address (it looks like four sets of numbers separated by periods).

   • Use Direct Connect: In Minecraft Multiplayer menu, click “Direct Connection”. Enter the IPv4 address followed by a colon and the 5-digit port number you noted earlier (e.g., 192.168.1.100:54321). Click “Join Server”.

Conclusion

Setting up a Minecraft LAN server is usually a simple process that enhances your local multiplayer experience. By following these steps for either Java or Bedrock Edition and troubleshooting common issues, you should be well on your way to enjoying Minecraft together with friends and family in the same room. Happy gaming!