Connecting to LAN worlds in Minecraft Bedrock Edition might seem straightforward, but slight variations exist depending on your device and Minecraft version. This guide will walk you through the process, covering common troubleshooting steps and addressing frequently asked questions.
Finding Your LAN World
Before you can connect, you need a world hosted on a LAN. This means someone in your local network needs to have a Minecraft world open to LAN players. They'll need to follow these steps:
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Open the Minecraft World: Start the Minecraft world you want to share.
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Open to LAN: On the pause menu (usually accessed by pressing Escape on PC, or the equivalent button on your device), look for an option like "Open to LAN." Select this option.
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Game Settings: A new window will appear, allowing you to customize the game settings for the LAN session. You can choose the game mode (Survival, Creative, etc.) and whether cheats are enabled. Once you've chosen your settings, click "Start LAN World."
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Finding the IP Address (Important!): The crucial step. The game will display a message indicating that the world is now open to LAN players and will provide an IP address (usually something like 192.168.x.x). Write this down! You'll need this address to connect from another device.
Connecting to the LAN World
Now that the world is open on your LAN, other players on the same network can join. Here’s how:
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Open Minecraft: Open Minecraft Bedrock Edition on the device you want to connect from.
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Multiplayer: Go to the "Multiplayer" section of the main menu.
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Add Server: You'll typically see options to add a server manually. Select this option.
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Enter Server Address: Enter the IP address you noted down earlier. Make sure you type it correctly; even a small mistake will prevent you from connecting. You might also need to add the port number if specified (though this is less common in LAN settings).
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Join the Game: Click "Join" or the equivalent button. Minecraft will attempt to connect to the server (the LAN world). If everything's correct, you should join the game successfully.
Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues
If you're having trouble connecting, try these steps:
H2: My Friends Can't Find My LAN World!
- Firewall: Ensure that your firewall isn't blocking Minecraft. You might need to add an exception for Minecraft in your firewall settings.
- Network Settings: Check that all devices are on the same Wi-Fi network or connected via Ethernet. If using different networks, LAN won't work.
- IP Address Accuracy: Double-check that you have typed the IP address correctly, including all numbers and periods.
- Router Settings: Sometimes, router settings can interfere with LAN connections. Restarting your router can often resolve this.
H2: I Get an Error Message While Connecting!
- Specific Error Codes: The error message might provide valuable clues. Look up the specific error code in Minecraft's support forums or online.
- Network Problems: If you're experiencing general network issues, try restarting your computer or mobile device and your router.
- Minecraft Version Compatibility: Make sure all players are using the same version of Minecraft Bedrock Edition.
H2: What if I'm Using a Different Network (e.g., Mobile Hotspot)?
LAN functionality is specifically designed for devices on the same local area network. Connecting to a LAN world through a mobile hotspot (or other non-local network) will not work because the IP address assigned by the hotspot isn't visible to the LAN. You'll need to use a different method (e.g., Realms or a dedicated server) for remote play.
H2: Is there a maximum number of players that can join a LAN world?
The maximum number of players will depend on your computer's hardware and Minecraft's settings. There isn't a set limit imposed by the game itself, but performance will degrade with more players.
This comprehensive guide should enable you to connect to LAN worlds seamlessly in Minecraft Bedrock. Remember to pay close attention to IP addresses and network settings for a smooth and successful gaming experience.
