How to Join a LAN World in Minecraft [Java & Bedrock]

How to Join a LAN World in Minecraft Java Edition

Since Minecraft is a multiplayer game, you can play it easily with your friends on your home local network. And that can be done by making a LAN (Local Area Network) server in Minecraft! 

So here's how to make and join a LAN world in Minecraft Java edition:

1. Make sure you're connected to the same Internet network as your friends
2. Make sure you're playing the same Minecraft version
3. Open up Minecraft
4. Join or create a new survival world
5. Press "Esc" to go to the main menu and select "Open to LAN"
6. Set the settings for the players and click on "Start LAN World"
7. Your friends can join the server from the "Multiplayer" option of the main menu

Considering you don't want to go through this hassle, then consider checking out the Minecraft server hosting prices to host a server instead of playing LAN! If by any chance your Minecraft LAN server doesn't appear to your friends in the "Multiplayer" menu, then they'll need to join in with an IP address and a port number. 

Here's how you can find your IP address and port number to join a Minecraft LAN server: 

1. Type in "cmd" in the Windows Search bar, and open "Command Prompt"
2. Type "ipconfig" in the Command Prompt, and press Enter
3. Find the "IPv4 Address" and copy the number 
4. A port number will appear in the game chat of the person who made the Minecraft LAN server 
5. Copy and save the port number as well
6. Open Minecraft, go to the Multiplayer section, and select "Direct Connection"
7. Type in the server address like the following: IP Address:Port Number

For example, the server address on my side while making a LAN world looked like "192.168.1.178:59339". I personally couldn't join to play Minecraft in a LAN game since the server didn't appear, and this is how I joined in. However, if you're not playing on a LAN game, you're better off making a Minecraft server!

How to Join a LAN World in Minecraft Bedrock Edition

First off, know that you can't play Minecraft on the same network with Java edition if the LAN server is made in Bedrock edition, and vice versa. So if you and your friends are using Bedrock edition, here's how you can join a LAN world in Minecraft Bedrock edition: 

1. Make sure you're connected to the same network with your friends 
2. Make sure you've added your friends on Minecraft
3. Open up Minecraft and go ahead to create a new world
4. While making the world, click on "Multiplayer" on the left side
5. Turn on the "Multiplayer game" option on the top
6. Turn on the "Visible to LAN players" option
7. Set the player access and permissions as you wish, and create the world
8. Anyone can join from the "Friends" tab when selecting "Play" in the main menu

Although the game usually updates on itself, make sure you're on the same Minecraft Bedrock version as your friends. The server should appear in the "Friends" tab, from where anyone can easily join! 

But if it doesn't, there are some things you can try out for both Bedrock and Java editions before you explore other ways to play Minecraft with your friends!

Why Can't I Join a LAN Server in Minecraft?

When you go to the "Direct connect" option to add and join a LAN world in Minecraft, the server might not appear. And the main issue behind this is the Windows Defender Firewall. This has even caused me issues, so here's how to disable the Windows Firewall to play Minecraft on a LAN server:

1. Press the Windows Key+I to open Settings
2. Select the "Privacy and Security" section on the left side
3. Click on "Firewall & network protection"
4. Select the "Public network" option
   
5. Turn off "Microsoft Defender Firewall"

After you're done playing Minecraft on the LAN world, make sure you turn on the Windows Firewall back. If you don't, it might pose a security risk while you're playing other multiplayer games!

And that wraps it up for how to join a LAN world. Minecraft does give the option to players to play locally on their own server, albeit online servers are often better. I'd even recommend you play on the best Star Wars servers because of how many features they have!