Welcome to our guide on how to host a Minecraft server on LAN. In this article, we will explore the steps involved in setting up and hosting a Minecraft server on your local area network. Whether you are looking to set up a private multiplayer game or want to host a LAN party, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to get started.
Part 1: Getting Started
Before we jump into the technical details of hosting a Minecraft server on LAN, let’s first discuss some of the basics.
What is a Minecraft server?
A Minecraft server is a game server that allows players to connect and play together, either over the internet or over a local area network (LAN).
Why host a Minecraft server on LAN?
Hosting a Minecraft server on LAN has several advantages over hosting a server over the internet:
- Lower latency – since all players are connected to the same network, the latency or lag between players is significantly reduced.
- Increased privacy – since the server is hosted on a LAN, only players who are physically connected to the network can join the game.
- No internet required – hosting a server on LAN means you do not need an internet connection to play multiplayer.
What do I need to host a Minecraft server on LAN?
To host a Minecraft server on LAN, you will need:
- A computer that meets the minimum system requirements for Minecraft server.
- A copy of the Minecraft server software.
- A local area network (LAN) to connect all players to.
What are the system requirements for Minecraft server?
The minimum system requirements for Minecraft server are:
- Windows 7 or later, or macOS 10.12 Sierra or later.
- At least 2GB of RAM.
- A broadband internet connection with a minimum upload speed of 512Kbps.
Part 2: Installing Minecraft Server Software
The first step in hosting a Minecraft server on LAN is to download and install the Minecraft server software.
Step 1: Download Minecraft Server Software
The Minecraft server software can be downloaded from the official Minecraft website at https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/server.
Choose the version of Minecraft server that you want to use and download the .jar file to your computer.
Step 2: Create a Minecraft Server Folder
Create a new folder on your computer where you want to store your Minecraft server files. Name the folder “Minecraft Server”.
Step 3: Move Minecraft Server Software to the Minecraft Server Folder
Move the Minecraft server .jar file that you downloaded in Step 1 to the “Minecraft Server” folder that you created in Step 2.
Step 4: Run Minecraft Server Software
To run the Minecraft server software, double-click on the .jar file you downloaded in Step 1. This will open the Minecraft server console.
Congratulations, you have now installed the Minecraft server software!
Part 3: Setting Up Minecraft Server for LAN
Now that we have installed the Minecraft server software, let’s set it up to run on LAN.
Step 1: Configure Minecraft Server Settings
Open the Minecraft server console by double-clicking on the .jar file you downloaded in Part 2, Step 4.
In the console, you will see a message that says “EULA not accepted”. To accept the Minecraft End User License Agreement (EULA), open the eula.txt file in the “Minecraft Server” folder that you created in Part 2, Step 2.
Change the “eula=false” line to “eula=true” and save the file.
Go back to the Minecraft server console and you will see a message that says “Done”.
Next, we need to configure some basic Minecraft server settings. Open the server.properties file in the “Minecraft Server” folder.
The server.properties file contains several settings that you can configure for your Minecraft server. Some of the important settings include:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| server-ip | The IP address that the Minecraft server will bind to. Set this to your LAN IP address. |
| server-port | The port that the Minecraft server will listen on. The default Minecraft port is 25565. |
| level-name | The name of the world that the Minecraft server will load. |
| gamemode | The default game mode for new players. Options include survival, creative, and adventure. |
| max-players | The maximum number of players that can join the Minecraft server. |
| difficulty | The difficulty level of the Minecraft world. Options include peaceful, easy, normal, and hard. |
Configure the server.properties file according to your preferences and save the file.
Step 2: Starting Minecraft Server on LAN
To start the Minecraft server on LAN, open the Minecraft server console and type “java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui” without the quotes.
This will start the Minecraft server on LAN at the IP address and port specified in the server.properties file. Other players on the LAN can now connect to the Minecraft server by entering your LAN IP address and port number in the Minecraft multiplayer menu.
Part 4: Troubleshooting Minecraft Server on LAN
Hosting a Minecraft server on LAN can sometimes be tricky, especially if you are new to the world of game servers. Here are some common issues that you might encounter and how to troubleshoot them.
Q: I can’t connect to the Minecraft server on LAN. What should I do?
A: If you are unable to connect to the Minecraft server on LAN, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Make sure that the Minecraft server is running and that the server.properties file is configured correctly.
- Make sure that your firewall is not blocking the Minecraft server port (which is 25565 by default).
- Make sure that all players are connected to the same LAN.
- Make sure that all players are running the same version of Minecraft.
Q: The Minecraft server on LAN is laggy. What should I do?
A: If the Minecraft server on LAN is laggy, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Reduce the view distance in the server.properties file.
- Reduce the number of players on the server. The more players on the server, the more resources it will require.
Conclusion
Hosting a Minecraft server on LAN is a great way to enjoy multiplayer gaming without the lag and privacy issues of hosting a server over the internet. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up and host your own Minecraft server on LAN and enjoy hours of fun with your friends and family.