Minecraft · troubleshooting
Minecraft LAN not working: check edition, network and firewall
A safe order for diagnosing Java Edition LAN multiplayer without random downloads or router changes.
Diagnostic order
- Confirm edition, version and local network.
- Open the world to LAN from the pause menu.
- Check private-network firewall permission only when prompted.
Confirm the edition and network first
Minecraft Java Edition LAN requires the host and joining players to be on the same local network and compatible game versions. The host opens the world to LAN from the pause menu, chooses the available settings and starts the LAN world; the other player then checks the multiplayer screen for the advertised world. Java and Bedrock use different multiplayer paths, so an edition mismatch is not a firewall fix.
Use an evidence-first checklist
Check the exact edition, version, Microsoft account sign-in, local network and whether the host actually started the LAN session. On Windows, confirm that the Java runtime and Minecraft are allowed through the private-network firewall when the operating system asks. Do not download alternate Java binaries or “LAN fix” tools from an unknown site. If the world appears but joining fails, capture the exact message before changing several settings at once.
Know when it is no longer a LAN issue
If players are on different networks, use the official server or Realm route instead of exposing random ports on a home router. Mojang’s multiplayer guide distinguishes Java LAN hosting from online servers and explains that versions must match. Keep the guide focused on the player’s actual topology: same house, same Wi-Fi, separate networks or an official hosted world.