One of the most popular questions among Minecraft owners on PC and mobile devices concerns the possibility of playing together without dedicated servers. Many users simply want to join forces with friends in the same home or office using an existing wireless connection. WiFiThis is a truly effective and efficient way to spend time together, without requiring complex hardware setup or hosting fees.
However, despite its apparent simplicity, the process often runs into technical obstacles. Computers may not be able to see each other, the game may not launch in LAN mode, or the connection may constantly drop. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all the nuances of... How to play Minecraft on the same Wi-Fi network, and we will eliminate typical configuration errors.
There are several methods for establishing such a connection, and the choice depends on your game version and operating system. We'll cover the classic option using the built-in LAN function, using Hamachi for network emulation, and creating a local server. Each of these methods has its advantages and requires careful consideration of security settings.
Network and hardware requirements for a stable game
Before moving on to software settings, you need to make sure that your infrastructure is ready to transfer game data. Local area network The network must be designed so that all devices are located in the same segment. This means that all computers and smartphones must be connected to the same router.
If you're using WiFi, signal stability is critical. Minecraft, especially with mods or large chunks, requires a constant exchange of data packets between the host and clients. A weak signal or frequent switching between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands can cause lag or even complete connection loss.
⚠️ Important: Make sure "AP Isolation" is disabled on your router. If this feature is enabled, devices connected via WiFi will not be able to see each other, even if they are on the same network.
Bandwidth is also important to consider. While Minecraft doesn't require gigabit speeds to transfer textures and coordinates, bandwidth congestion from other users (watching 4K videos, downloading files) can lead to increased ping. For best performance, it's recommended that the game host use a wired connection. Ethernet, if possible.
Setting up the game via the built-in LAN (Local Area Network) function
The easiest way is, How to play Minecraft on the same Wi-Fi network, involves using the game's built-in functionality. This method doesn't require installing any additional software and works out of the box in most cases, provided the network is configured correctly.
The first step is for the player who will be creating the world (the host) to launch the game and enter single-player mode. Once the world has loaded, open the pause menu and select "Open to LAN." In the window that appears, you can configure access rights for other players, such as allowing cheats or changing the game mode.
After confirming the action, a message with the port number will appear in the chat, which usually looks like this: 56789This number is critically important, as it indicates the specific "doorway" through which other players will enter your world. Write it down or memorize it.
- 🎮 Launch Minecraft and create a new world or load an existing one.
- 🔓 Press Esc and select the "Open to LAN" button.
- 📝 Record the port number displayed in the chat after opening access.
- 📡 Make sure all other players are connected to the same WiFi network.
Other players on the same network should launch the game and go to the "Multiplayer" section. If everything is configured correctly, the created world should appear in the list of available servers automatically. If the automatic search doesn't work, you'll have to manually enter the address.
☑️ Pre-launch LAN check
Troubleshooting Firewall and Antivirus Issues
A common reason why friends cannot see the world they created is the operating system's security settings. Windows Firewall Or a third-party antivirus may block incoming connections, considering them potentially dangerous. This is a standard security feature that needs to be configured correctly.
When you first start a local network, the system usually asks for access permission. It's important to select the "Private" network type, not "Public." In the "Public" profile, Windows limits the computer's visibility to other devices, making it impossible to create a LAN server.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast), its built-in firewall may ignore Windows settings. Check the firewall settings in your antivirus interface.
To manually check the rules, you need to open the firewall control panel. Find the "Allow application to interact" section and make sure that javaw.exe (or Minecraft.exe (In the Bedrock version, there are checkboxes next to your active network. If there's no entry, add it manually by specifying the path to the Java executable file.)
control firewall.cplEnter this command in the Run box (Win+R) to quickly access your firewall settings. Make sure inbound rules are enabled. Sometimes temporarily disabling the firewall for diagnostic purposes can help: if you can see the world after disabling it, then the problem lies with the filtering rules.
How to find the path to Java?
The path to the Java executable is typically located in C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-version\bin\javaw.exe or in the AppData folder for launchers. You can find the exact path by opening the Minecraft launcher's properties.
Using Hamachi to emulate a local network
In situations where a standard WiFi network does not allow devices to see each other (for example, due to router restrictions in a dorm or hotel), the program comes to the rescue HamachiIt creates a virtual local area network (VLAN) over an existing internet connection, bypassing many limitations.
This method is especially useful if you want to play with friends who are physically far away but technically fit the search criteria for "how to play Minecraft on the same WiFi network," as you'll technically be on the same virtual network. All participants must install the Hamachi client and register.
One player creates a new network, gives it a name and password, and then sends this information to their friends. Once connected, all computers will have IP addresses starting with 25.x.x.xThe host opens a Minecraft world as described in the LAN section and shares their Hamachi IP address (not their WiFi IP address) with other players.
| Parameter | Meaning / Action | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Program | LogMeIn Hamachi | Registration required |
| Network type | Mesh | Everyone sees everyone |
| IP address | Starts at 25... | Use to connect |
| Status | Green circle | Means successful connection |
To connect in-game, go to the "Network Game" -> "By Address" menu. In the input field, enter the host IP address obtained from Hamachi, followed by a colon and the game port. For example: 25.12.34.56:25565This method is often more stable than a direct WiFi connection in complex networks.
Cross-platform play (PC and Phones)
Modern versions of Minecraft allow players to connect across devices. If you want to know, How to play Minecraft on the same Wi-Fi networkIf you're using a PC and smartphone, you'll need Bedrock Edition. Java Edition on computers doesn't access Bedrock servers on phones without special plugins.
For Windows 10/11 and Xbox One Edition owners, the situation is simpler, as they use the same Bedrock codebase. Make sure all devices are running the same version of the game. Even a minor version difference (for example, 1.20.1 and 1.20.2) can cause compatibility issues.
On mobile devices (Android, iOS), you need to enable cross-platform play in your Microsoft account settings. Also, check that "Client Isolation" is not enabled in your phone's WiFi settings, as it is often enabled by default on public networks.
- 📱 Make sure you have the Bedrock Edition on your phone and PC.
- 🔐 Sign in to the same Microsoft account on all devices (optional, but recommended).
- 🌐 Enable the "Visibility for LAN" option in the world settings on the host.
- 📶 Check that both devices are on the same subnet (the first three IP numbers match).
If your phone doesn't see your PC, try adding the server manually. On your PC, find out your local IP address using the command line (command ipconfig). On your phone, in the servers menu, select "Add server" and enter this IP and port (default 19132 for Bedrock).
Creating a local server for advanced users
For those who want full control over the process and avoid dependence on the host's internet connection being open, installing a local server is the optimal solution. This will turn one computer into a fully-fledged dedicated node, accessible to everyone on the WiFi network.
You'll need to download the server version of the game from the official website. It doesn't have a graphical interface and runs through the console. After unzipping the files into a separate folder, you'll need to run the file. server.jar (for Java) or the corresponding executable file. On first launch, agree to the license agreement by changing the value eula=false on eula=true in the configuration file.
Starting the server requires allocating RAM. You can configure this in the startup script. For example, the command below will allocate 2 gigabytes of memory, which is sufficient for a small company with basic plugins.
java -Xmx2G -Xms1G -jar server.jar noguiOnce launched, you'll see a message in the server console indicating that the server has started. Players can now connect to it using the server computer's IP address. This method provides better performance, as computer resources aren't split between rendering the game and processing the world logic.
⚠️ Warning: When running your own server, you are responsible for its security. Do not open ports on your router for internet access unless you have configured a whitelist and updated your server to the latest version to prevent hacking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can't computers see each other even though they have the same WiFi?
Most likely, your network is marked as "Public" in Windows, or AP isolation is enabled on your router. Also, check that your antivirus isn't blocking the connection.
Is it possible to play via WiFi from different routers?
Directly – no. The devices must be on the same local network. However, using programs like Hamachi or Radmin VPN, you can create a virtual network connecting different routers over the internet.
Which port should I use to connect?
By default, Minecraft Java uses the port 25565, and Bedrock - 19132When opening a world via LAN, the port is selected randomly and displayed in the chat.
Does internet speed affect LAN gaming?
External internet speed doesn't affect gameplay within a local network. Only the speed of your WiFi router and the signal quality between devices matter.
Do you need a Microsoft account to play online?
In modern versions of Minecraft (after the 2021 update), signing in with a Microsoft account is required for all players, even when playing on a local network.