Dealing with that annoying Minecraft LAN server connection timed out error is more common than you’d think. Especially if you’re trying to play with friends over a local network, and suddenly, it just refuses to connect. The problem can stem from a few different issues—bad internet, firewalls blocking traffic, outdated game versions, or even some weird network settings. Thankfully, there are some trusty fixes that usually do the trick. This guide aims to help get that multiplayer session back up and running, so you’re not stuck staring at the “timed out” message forever.
How to Fix Minecraft LAN Server Connection Timed Out
Fix 1: Make Sure Your Internet is Solid
This one’s kind of obvious, but a slow or flaky connection will totally mangle your LAN attempts. Minecraft relies on stable network conditions, especially on local multiplayer. Run a quick speed test at Speedtest.net. If your ping is high or download/upload speeds are struggling, restarting your router or modem might help. Sometimes, just giving the hardware a quick reboot can fix weird network hiccups that cause disconnects. If that doesn’t work, call up your ISP—maybe there’s a bigger outage or a throttle issue happening.
Fix 2: Turn Off or Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall
Been there, done that—antivirus or Windows Firewall can sometimes block Minecraft’s traffic. It’s weird, but some security software flags Minecraft as malware, even when it’s not. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security, then click Virus & threat protection. Select Manage Settings and toggle off Real-time protection. Just remember, turn it back on afterwards—you don’t want to leave your system exposed long term.
For the firewall, head over to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall. Click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. Find Minecraft in the list and ensure both Private and Public boxes are checked. If Minecraft isn’t there, you might need to add it manually by clicking Allow another app and browsing to the game’s executable.
Fix 3: Confirm Minecraft is Allowed on Your Network
This is one of those small details that trip people up. On some setups, Windows might block Minecraft especially after a Windows update or if you’ve recently changed network profiles. Open Control Panel, go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Then click on your current network (like Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Change advanced sharing settings. Under Private, ensure Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing are turned on. That way, your system can find and connect to local servers without fuss.
Fix 4: Check If the Minecraft Server is Actually Up
This is kind of a wait-and-see. Sometimes, the problem isn’t on your end—servers can go down for maintenance or unexpected issues. Hit up Minecraft server status. Just punch in your server’s IP or domain name and see if it’s showing online. If the server’s offline, no fix in your setup will help until they bring it back up. Patience is key here.
Fix 5: Try Running an Older or Different Version of Minecraft
On one machine it worked with the latest update, on another, not so much. Sometimes, updates introduce bugs that break LAN features. Open your Minecraft Launcher, go to Installations, then create a new one or edit an existing setup. Pick an older version from the dropdown—like 1.19 instead of the latest 1.20. Save and launch that. Many servers support multiple versions, and this can sidestep compatibility issues.
Fix 6: Enable Network Discovery & File Sharing
This tiny setting can be weird to find if you’re new, but it’s worth checking. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings, then click Network and Sharing Center. Click on your connection, then hit Change advanced sharing settings. Under Private, turn on Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing. This helps your PC see other devices on your network and vice versa, making LAN play smoother.
Fix 7: Reset Network Settings (Sometimes Necessary)
This can fix weird routing issues, DNS problems, or IP conflicts. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Windows key + X > Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)).Then run these commands one after another:
ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew netsh int ip reset netsh winsock resetAfter that, reboot the system. It’s kind of like hitting “refresh” on your network setup—sometimes, Windows needs that to really clear out the old stuff.
Fix 8: Update Your Network Drivers
If your network card drivers are outdated or buggy, connections can be flaky. To fix that, go to Device Manager (right-click the Windows icon and pick it).Double-click Network Adapters, right-click on your network device, then choose Update Driver. Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look for updates and install if needed. This isn’t always the magical fix, but it’s worth trying.
Fix 9: Reinstall Minecraft (If Nothing Else Works)
Last resort, but sometimes a fresh install just clears out the mess. Head to Control Panel > Programs and Features, find Minecraft, right-click, and choose Uninstall. After that, download it again from the official Minecraft site or use the Microsoft Store if that’s easier. Doing this resets configs and clears corrupt files that might be causing the timeout issues.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, these fixes cover most scenarios where LAN connection issues crop up. Usually, it’s some small setting or network glitch causing the problem. Reaching out and trying these methods should get that multiplayer session going again. Just keep in mind, network setups can vary a lot, so what worked on one machine might need a tweak on another. Fingers crossed, this helps someone shave off a few hours of head-scratching. Good luck, and happy mining!
Summary
- Check your internet connection and reboot your router if needed.
- Ensure Minecraft isn’t blocked by firewall or antivirus.
- Verify the server isn’t down, or try an older game version.
- Enable network discovery and reset network settings if necessary.
- Update network drivers and reinstall Minecraft if nothing else helps.