Minecraft How to Join a LAN Game: Why It Fails and How to Fix It

You're sitting on the couch. Your friend is two feet away. You both have Minecraft open, and you just want to build a quick dirt shack together without paying for a Realm or messing with a 24/7 dedicated server. It should be easy. But then, the "Scanning for games on your local network" text just spins. And spins. Knowing minecraft how to join a lan game is one of those things that sounds like it takes five seconds but often ends in a frustrated Google search because Windows Firewall decided to be a jerk today.

LAN stands for Local Area Network. It's basically the digital equivalent of being in the same room and shouting to be heard.

Most people think you just click "Open to LAN" and magic happens. Sometimes it does. Usually, though, there’s a specific dance you have to do with IP addresses and port numbers that the game doesn't really explain well. If you’re playing Java Edition, the process is wildly different from Bedrock (the version on consoles, mobile, and the "Minecraft for Windows" app). Let’s get into the weeds of why your computer might be invisible to your friends and how to actually get them into your world.

The Java Edition Routine: Open to LAN

Java Edition is the original, slightly more "fiddly" version of the game. To host, you load into your single-player world. Hit Escape. Click that big button that says Open to LAN. You’ll see some options for game mode and whether you want to allow cheats.

Once you click "Start LAN World," a five-digit number pops up in the chat. Write that down. That is your Port Number.

Now, your friend goes to the Multiplayer menu. Theoretically, your game should show up at the bottom under a "LAN Games" header. If it doesn't? That’s where the real work starts. The most common reason for a failed connection is that the host's computer is hiding. To fix this, your friend needs to use the "Direct Connection" button.

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Finding Your Local IP Address

To use Direct Connection, you need the host's internal IP address. This isn't your "What is my IP" Google result. This is your address inside your house.

1. On the host's Windows PC, hit the Windows Key and type cmd.
2. Open the Command Prompt.
3. Type ipconfig and hit Enter.
4. Look for the line that says IPv4 Address. It usually looks like 192.168.1.XX or 10.0.0.XX.

Give that number to your friend. They need to type it into the Direct Connection box, followed by a colon, and then that five-digit Port Number you wrote down earlier. It should look like this: 192.168.1.15:54321.

Why Bedrock Edition is (Usually) Easier

If you’re on a phone, iPad, Xbox, or using the "Minecraft for Windows" version, you’re on Bedrock. This version was built with cross-play in mind. Basically, as long as you are both signed into Microsoft accounts and are friends on Xbox Live, you should see each other in the "Friends" tab.

Make sure the host has "Visible to LAN Players" toggled on in the world settings. This is under the Multiplayer tab before you even launch the world.

The catch? Different versions. Java and Bedrock cannot play together naturally. If you are on a PC playing Java and your friend is on an iPad, you aren't going to see each other. Period. Unless you are using a third-party tool like GeyserMC, which is way beyond a simple LAN setup. Always double-check that you're both running the same version number (like 1.20.1) or the connection will just time out with a "Version Mismatch" error.

The Firewall Problem: The Great Invisible Wall

Windows Defender is a picky bouncer. Often, when you first launch Minecraft, a little window pops up asking if you want to allow the app to communicate on "Private" or "Public" networks. Most people click "Cancel" or just "Private."

If your network is set to "Public" in Windows settings, the firewall will block your friend from joining. To fix this:

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• Go to Control Panel.
• System and Security.
• Windows Defender Firewall.
• Click "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall."
• Find javaw.exe (there might be several).
• Ensure both "Private" and "Public" boxes are checked.

It’s annoying. It feels like a lot of clicking. But nine times out of ten, this is why minecraft how to join a lan game results in an "Unable to connect" screen.

Network Isolation and "AP Isolation"

Sometimes the settings aren't on your computer—they’re on your router. Some modern routers have a feature called "AP Isolation" or "Guest Network" mode. If you are on the Guest Wi-Fi and your friend is on the main Wi-Fi, the router will actively stop you from talking to each other. It’s a security feature to keep guests from snooping on your files, but it kills Minecraft LAN parties instantly.

Ensure everyone is on the same SSID (the Wi-Fi name). If one person is on "Home_WiFi" and the other is on "Home_WiFi_5G," it usually works, but occasionally routers treat these as separate islands. Stick to the same frequency if you can.

Mods and Content Mismatches

If you’re a Java player, you probably love mods. Maybe you’re running CurseForge or a specific Fabric build. Here is the golden rule: The guest must have the exact same mods and the exact same version of those mods as the host.

If the host has a mod that adds new blocks (like Oh The Biomes You'll Go) and the guest doesn't, the guest's game won't know how to render the world. It will crash or refuse to connect. Even if you just have a different version of a performance mod like Sodium, it can sometimes cause weird handshaking issues.

The easiest way to handle this is to share your mods folder with your friend via a USB stick or a Google Drive link. Copy-paste. Boom. Everyone is on the same page.

Mac vs. PC LAN Connections

Playing across different operating systems adds another layer of "Why isn't this working?" On a Mac, the process is similar, but finding the IP is different. You go to System Preferences > Network. Your IP is right there under the status.

One weird quirk: Sometimes Macs don't "announce" themselves to Windows machines on the network. If the Mac is hosting, the Windows player almost always has to use the Direct Connection method with the IP address. Don't wait for the server list to refresh; it probably won't.

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The "Checklist" for Success

Before you give up and go play something else, run through this mental list. Honestly, most "broken" LAN games are just one missed checkbox away from working.

• Are we on the same Wi-Fi?
• Are we both on Java, or both on Bedrock?
• Are our version numbers (e.g., 1.20.4) identical?
• Has the host clicked "Open to LAN"?
• Did the host provide their local IP and the 5-digit port?
• Is the Firewall allowing Java/Minecraft through?

Beyond the Living Room: Pseudo-LAN

What if you want to play "LAN" but your friend is across town? You can use tools like Hamachi or Tailscale. These programs create a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that tricks your computers into thinking they are plugged into the same router.

Tailscale is generally the "pro" choice these days because it doesn't have the weird 5-person limit that Hamachi's free tier has. You both install it, sign in, and you'll get a special IP address (usually starting with 100.x.x.x). Use that IP with the Minecraft port, and you’re playing LAN from miles away. It’s a great workaround if you don't want to deal with Port Forwarding on your router, which is a whole other headache involving logging into your router's admin panel at 192.168.1.1.

Actionable Next Steps

To get your game running right now, start by disabling your VPN if you have one active (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN), as these often mask your local IP and make LAN play impossible. Next, have the host type ipconfig in the Command Prompt to get that IPv4 address ready. If the game doesn't appear in the multiplayer list within 10 seconds, immediately try the Direct Connection method using the IP:Port format. If you still see "Connection Timed Out," go straight to your Windows Firewall settings and ensure every instance of "OpenJDK Platform binary" or "Minecraft" has full permissions for both private and public networks.