Can’t See LAN Game in Minecraft? A Beginner’s Guide to Fixing the Problem

Introduction

Minecraft, the block-building sandbox game, has captivated players of all ages for over a decade. Its enduring appeal lies in its endless possibilities: crafting, exploring, building, and, of course, playing with friends. One of the simplest ways to enjoy Minecraft with friends is through a Local Area Network (LAN) game. This allows players on the same network to connect and play together without needing a dedicated server. However, many new players, when they are pretty new to minecraft, find themselves scratching their heads, asking “why can’t I see the LAN game?” It’s a common problem, and this article aims to be your friendly guide to solving it. Don’t worry, even if you’re pretty new to minecraft, we’ll walk through the solutions step-by-step.

Understanding LAN Games in Minecraft

So, what exactly *is* a LAN game in Minecraft? Think of it as a private Minecraft world that you and your friends can access because you’re all connected to the same network. This network is usually your home or school’s Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. It’s like having a shared virtual playground right in your living room!

To make a LAN game work, there are a couple of fundamental requirements. First, everyone needs to be connected to the same network. This seems obvious, but it’s worth double-checking! Second, you all need to be running compatible versions of Minecraft. We’ll get into what “compatible” means in more detail later. The biggest advantage of a LAN game is its simplicity and low latency (less lag!). It’s a great way to introduce friends to Minecraft or to have a casual gaming session without the complexities of setting up or joining a dedicated server.

Before we dive into the fixes for those of us who can’t see lan game, it’s important to differentiate LAN from online multiplayer. LAN games are local, meaning everyone is on the same network. Online multiplayer involves connecting to a server hosted elsewhere, often requiring an internet connection and potentially payment. This article is specifically focusing on the LAN connection issues when you are pretty new to minecraft, so if you’re trying to join a dedicated online server, some of these tips may not apply.

Common Reasons Why You Can’t See the LAN Game and Solutions

When you’re excited to jump into a LAN game, and it just doesn’t show up, it can be incredibly frustrating. Here are some of the most frequent culprits behind this issue:

Minecraft Version Mismatch

This is, without a doubt, the most common reason why players can’t see each other’s LAN games. Minecraft comes in two main flavors: Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. These two editions are fundamentally different and cannot play together on a LAN. Beyond the editions themselves, within each edition, different versions (e.g., Minecraft Java Edition version 1.20.4 vs. 1.20.1) are also often incompatible. It’s crucial that everyone playing on the LAN is using the EXACT SAME version of Minecraft (either Java or Bedrock) and the same update level.

• How to Check Your Version: In Java Edition, the version number is displayed in the bottom left corner of the main Minecraft menu. In Bedrock Edition, you can find the version number in the settings menu, usually under “About” or “Help.”
• How to Update:
  • Java Edition: The Minecraft Launcher will usually prompt you to update to the latest version automatically. If not, select the correct installation from the Installations tab, and make sure you’re set to “Latest Release.” You can also create a new installation using a specific version from the dropdown menu.
  • Bedrock Edition: Bedrock Edition typically updates automatically through the app store of your platform (Microsoft Store on Windows, Google Play Store on Android, etc.). Check your app store for pending updates for Minecraft.

Firewall Issues

Your computer’s firewall is like a security guard for your network connection. It’s designed to protect you from malicious software by blocking unauthorized access. Sometimes, the firewall can mistakenly block Minecraft from communicating with other computers on your LAN. If you can’t see lan game, this might be the reason.

• How to Check if the Windows Firewall is Blocking Minecraft:
  1. Search for “Windows Defender Firewall” in the Start Menu and open it.
  2. Click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.”
  3. Look for “Java(TM) Platform SE binary” (for Java Edition) or “Minecraft” (for Bedrock Edition) in the list.
  4. Make sure both “Private” and “Public” boxes are checked for Minecraft or the Java binary. If they aren’t, click “Change settings” (you’ll need administrator privileges) and check the boxes.
• Steps to Allow Minecraft Through the Firewall: If you don’t see Minecraft or the Java binary in the list, you’ll need to add it manually.
  1. Click “Allow another app…”
  2. Click “Browse…”
  3. Navigate to the Minecraft Java executable (usually located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft Launcher\runtime\java-runtime-*\bin\javaw.exe) or the Minecraft Bedrock executable (usually located in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_*).
  4. Select the executable and click “Open.”
  5. Click “Add.”
  6. Make sure both “Private” and “Public” boxes are checked for the newly added entry.

Network Connectivity Problems

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with Minecraft itself, but with your network connection. If you are pretty new to minecraft, understanding network connectivity is important.

• Solution:
  • Ensure All Computers Are on the Same Network: This seems obvious, but double-check that all computers trying to play the LAN game are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or the same wired network. If some computers are on the guest network or a different Wi-Fi band (e.g., 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz), they won’t be able to see the LAN game.
  • Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength: A weak Wi-Fi signal can cause connectivity issues. Make sure all computers have a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection.
  • Restart Routers and Computers: The classic “turn it off and on again” fix often works wonders. Restarting your router and all computers involved can resolve temporary network glitches.
  • Run Network Troubleshooter: Windows and macOS have built-in network troubleshooters that can automatically detect and fix common network problems. Search for “Network troubleshooter” in the Start Menu (Windows) or System Preferences (macOS).

Incorrect Minecraft Settings

Occasionally, a setting within Minecraft itself can prevent the LAN game from being broadcasted or discovered.

• Solution:
  • Ensure “Broadcast to LAN” is Enabled on the Host’s Game: The player hosting the LAN game needs to make sure they’ve opened their world to LAN. In the game, press the Esc key, click “Open to LAN,” choose the game mode and whether to allow cheats, and then click “Start LAN World.” If “Broadcast to LAN” doesn’t appear as an option, it means the world is already open to LAN, or that some other mod is interfering.
  • Check Minecraft’s In-Game Settings: Examine Minecraft’s settings for any unusual configurations that might be interfering with network discovery. This is less common, but it’s worth a quick look.

Outdated Drivers

Your computer’s network card needs drivers to communicate properly with the network. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause connectivity problems.

• Solution:
  • Check for Updates to Network Card Drivers:
    • Windows: Open Device Manager (search for it in the Start Menu), expand “Network adapters,” right-click on your network card, and select “Update driver.” Choose “Search automatically for drivers.”
    • macOS: macOS usually handles driver updates automatically. Check for system updates in System Preferences.

Multiple Network Adapters

If your computer has multiple network adapters (e.g., both Wi-Fi and Ethernet), it might be using the wrong one to communicate with the LAN. This is a more advanced issue. If you have an ethernet plugged in, even if you’re connected via wifi, this might be the culprit.

• Solution: Disable or prioritize the correct network adapter. This is generally recommended for more advanced users. In Windows, this can be done in the Network Connections settings (search for “View Network Connections” in the Start Menu). You can disable the unused adapter or change the metric (priority) of the adapters. Usually you want the current and primary network adapter to have the lowest number, indicating higher priority.

Advanced Troubleshooting (If the Basic Steps Don’t Work)

If you’ve tried all the basic troubleshooting steps and you still can’t see lan game when you are pretty new to minecraft, don’t despair! There are a couple of more advanced techniques you can try.

Check Host File

The host file is a system file that maps domain names to IP addresses. In rare cases, incorrect entries in the host file can interfere with Minecraft’s ability to discover LAN games. Warning: Editing the host file incorrectly can cause network problems. Proceed with caution and only if you’re comfortable with this level of troubleshooting. It’s recommended for advanced users, and if done incorrectly, it could cause problems.

• Solution: (Provide very basic instructions for checking the host file for potential conflicts.) On Windows, the host file is located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Open it with a text editor like Notepad (run as administrator). Look for any lines that mention Minecraft or related domains. If you find any, try commenting them out by adding a “#” symbol at the beginning of the line and saving the file.

Using Direct Connect

Even if the LAN game isn’t automatically showing up, you can try connecting directly using the host’s IP address and port number.

• How to Find the Host’s IP Address: On the computer hosting the LAN game, open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS) and type ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (macOS) and press Enter. Look for the IP address of the network adapter that’s connected to the LAN (usually “Ethernet adapter Ethernet” or “Wi-Fi”). Note the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.10).
• Solution: In Minecraft, click “Direct Connect” and enter the host’s IP address followed by the port number (which is usually 25565). For example, if the IP address is 192.168.1.10, enter 192.168.1.10:25565.

Java vs. Bedrock Edition Considerations

Let’s state this clearly one more time: Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are NOT COMPATIBLE for LAN games. You cannot play a LAN game between a Java Edition player and a Bedrock Edition player.

• Java Edition is primarily for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Bedrock Edition is available on Windows 10/11, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.

Prevention: Avoiding LAN Game Issues in the Future

The best way to deal with LAN game issues is to prevent them from happening in the first place!

• Keep Minecraft Updated: Always make sure you’re running the latest version of Minecraft.
• Ensure Consistent Versions: Before starting a LAN game, double-check that everyone is using the exact same version of Minecraft.
• Understand Basic Network Troubleshooting: Familiarize yourself with the basic network troubleshooting steps outlined in this article.

Conclusion

Dealing with LAN game issues in Minecraft can be frustrating, especially when you are pretty new to minecraft. However, with a little patience and the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to get your LAN game up and running in no time. The reason “can’t see LAN game I am pretty new to minecraft” comes up often is that it’s so common! Remember to start with the simplest solutions (checking Minecraft versions, ensuring network connectivity) and then move on to the more advanced techniques if necessary. If you’ve tried everything and you’re still stuck, don’t hesitate to seek help from online Minecraft communities or Mojang support.

We hope this guide has been helpful. Now go forth, build, explore, and enjoy Minecraft with your friends! Happy gaming!