How to Make a Multiplayer LAN Server in Minecraft
Creating a multiplayer LAN server in Minecraft can be a fun and rewarding experience, allowing you to play with friends in the same local network without the need for an internet connection. Whether you’re looking to host a small-scale LAN party or just want to play with a few friends in your own home, setting up a Minecraft LAN server is a straightforward process. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to make a multiplayer LAN server in Minecraft.
Step 1: Choose a Server Host
The first step in setting up a Minecraft LAN server is to choose a server host. You can either use your own computer as the server host or rent a dedicated server from a hosting provider. If you’re using your own computer, make sure it meets the following requirements:
– A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux
– Java installed on your computer
– Sufficient processing power and memory to handle multiple players
– A static IP address for your home network
Step 2: Download and Install Minecraft Server Software
Once you’ve chosen a server host, you’ll need to download and install the Minecraft server software. You can download the server software from the official Minecraft website. Follow these steps to install the server software:
1. Go to the Minecraft website and navigate to the “Minecraft Server” section.
2. Select the version of Minecraft you want to run on your server and download the server software.
3. Extract the downloaded file to a folder on your computer.
Step 3: Configure the Server Properties
After installing the server software, you’ll need to configure the server properties to suit your needs. Open the “server.properties” file located in the server folder you extracted earlier. You can use a text editor like Notepad to edit the file. Here are some common properties you might want to configure:
– server.port: Change the port number to a different one if the default port (25565) is already in use.
– max players: Set the maximum number of players that can connect to your server.
– difficulty: Choose the difficulty level for your server (Peaceful, Easy, Normal, Hard).
– gamemode: Set the game mode for your server (Survival, Creative, Adventure, Spectator).
Step 4: Start the Server
With the server properties configured, it’s time to start the server. Open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the server folder. Then, run the following command to start the server:
“`
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui
“`
Replace “1024M” with the amount of memory you want to allocate to the server. The “-nogui” flag prevents the server from opening a graphical user interface.
Step 5: Connect to the Server
Once the server is running, you and your friends can connect to it using the server’s IP address and port number. To find your server’s IP address, open the command prompt or terminal window and run the following command:
“`
ipconfig
“`
Look for the “IPv4 Address” under the network adapter you’re using to connect to the internet. This is your server’s IP address.
Now, open Minecraft on each of your computers and select “Multiplayer” from the main menu. Click “Add Server” and enter your server’s IP address and port number. Click “Done” to add the server, then click “Join Server” to start playing.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up a multiplayer LAN server in Minecraft. Now you and your friends can enjoy playing together without the need for an internet connection. Remember to save your server settings and IP address for future use, and have fun with your Minecraft LAN party!
