How To Play Multiplayer in Minecraft

Playing alone in Minecraft, especially in survival mode, can be incredibly lonesome and boring at times. But luckily, there are game modes where you can choose whether to play single-player or multiplayer in Minecraft. This allows players to choose whether or not they want to play with other people in the game—may it be as allies in co-op or as enemies in PvP. This guide will help you play a multiplayer game in Minecraft and solve some problems regarding any difficulties in joining a multiplayer game.

First and foremost, you have to make sure that when you are playing Minecraft, and you are planning to join a multiplayer game, your version of Minecraft must be the same as that of the server you will be joining, whether it’s a LAN server game or a Minecraft server that is hosted online. You can see your current game version number when you open your main menu.

How To Change The Game Version For Minecraft

Follow these simple steps to change your current game version in Minecraft and set it to the latest version of the game.

1. Open the Minecraft launcher and click on New Profile that is located at the bottom-left corner of the launcher.
2. The click on the Use Version button and a drop down menu will open.
3. Simply choose and select which Minecraft version you want to currently use.
4. Type down your own profile name that you will be using in the game and click Save Profile.

Multiplayer in Minecraft Java Edition

How to Play on a Local Area Network (LAN) Multiplayer Game for Minecraft Java Edition

To play with others using this connection, you must open your home or local area network (LAN) to other players who are connected to the same network as well. Here is how to connect to a multiplayer game in Minecraft Java Edition:

1. First, you must choose a host computer to play LAN. The host computer should be fast enough to accomodate running a Minecraft server while being able to play Minecraft as well.
2. Open the Minecraft Launcher and start the game until it opens to the main menu of Minecraft.
3. Click on Single Player and choose the world to play in.
4. You can choose to either create a new world or open an existing one.
5. Enter the game until the world generates.
6. As soon as you enter, press the ESC button on your keyboard to pause the game and open the game menu.
7. Then click on the Open to LAN button.
8. Next, choose the game mode that you want the other players to play in such as survival mode, adventure mode, and creative mode.
9. Finally, click on Start LAN World. A message will appear for confirmation saying that a local game has been hosted. This will indicate that the other players can now connect and join the server if they are using the same network.
10. For other players who want to connect, simply click on Multiplayer in the game menu and the LAN server should appear.

How to Play on an Online Server Multiplayer Game for Minecraft Java Edition

This guide will show you how to connect to another player’s server online in Minecraft for Java Edition. If you want to set up your own Minecraft multiplayer server online, you can download the server file from Minecraft.net.

1. Start the game and wait until it opens to the main menu.
2. Click on the Multiplayer option on the main menu of the game.
3. Choose Add Server and type the IP address or web address of the server and click enter.

Multiplayer in Minecraft Bedrock Edition

How to Play on a Local Area Network (LAN) Multiplayer Game for Minecraft Bedrock Edition

To play a Minecraft multiplayer game with a local area network (LAN) connection for players using Minecraft on mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Windows, or Xbox, all of the players should also be players using the same network. Here is how to connect to a multiplayer game in Minecraft Bedrock Edition:

1. First, you have to choose a host device to run the server. That device should be capable of running a Minecraft server while running Minecraft as a game as well.
2. Start the game until the main menu is reached.
3. Press Play and select which world to play in.
4. In choosing a world, you can either choose to open an existing world or simply create a new one.
5. Next, click on the Multiplayer option and turn the Visible to LAN option on.
6. Then launch the world to start the Minecraft LAN server.
7. For other players who would like to connect to the same game, simply go to the main menu of Minecraft, press Play, find the Friends section, and navigate to the LAN server currently running.

How to Play on an Online Server Multiplayer Game for Minecraft Bedrock Edition

There are three official servers available for Bedrock versions of the game on these platforms: Mineplex, InPvP, and Lifeboat.

• To join an existing server online, click on the Servers tab and choose a server.
• To add an external server, click on the Servers tab then click on the Add Server option. Contact the server owner in order to input the necessary information on the servers page.

Troubleshooting Multiplayer Connection Issues

• Try closing and reopening your Minecraft application
• Restart your computer or device and double-check if the issue is fixed as this method can often clear any connection issues you have with the device you are using.
• Try logging out your Microsoft or Mojang account before closing the game. Then login and relaunch the game.
• If you are using a wireless connection, make sure that your connection to your router is stable. If not, try restarting your router to see if that fixes the issue.
• Your firewall, antivirus software, or current VPN might be blocking or slowing your connection. Double-check to see if any of these are causing the problem.
• You can also try configuring your router to use moderate or open Network Address Translation (NAT).
• If you are using a stationary device such as a laptop, use an Ethernet cable instead of using Wi-fi and see if this enhances the connection in the game.
• Revert your current world to a previous saved version and see if this helps.
• Try switching the world slot and opening a new world.
• Double-check to see if you are using a beta version of Minecraft. Simply leave it and restart the game if you are using it.
• When playing on an Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch device, make sure that your console’s online subscription service is active.
• Open task manager to see if any of your running programs is using the internet bandwidth and make sure to close them if they are.