If you enjoy playing Minecraft, then it makes sense that you are looking for ways to play the game offline. To be fair, you stand to gain a lot when you play Minecraft without an active internet connection.

For one, you avoid the installation of updates, which might be buggy or poor. Some updates do more harm than good, after all. By playing Minecraft offline, you might also experience reductions in lag times.

If the game gets configured for play without using your computer’s internet connection, then you will not have to authenticate credentials at the beginning of every Minecraft session.

Being able to play Minecraft offline, you can have fun with the game when a decent internet connection is unavailable or inaccessible. For example, when you are traveling on a train or plane, Minecraft will remain on the menu.

So here comes the question: can you play Minecraft offline?

Can Minecraft Be Played Offline?

Yes, Minecraft can be played offline. You just have to set up things or make changes to some configurations to force the game to operate without an internet connection.


Also Read: [FIXED] How to Fix the Minecraft Connection Timed Out Error


Ways to Play Minecraft Offline

There are several methods or procedures through which the Minecraft application gets configured for offline gaming. The ideal path in your case is somewhat dependent on the Minecraft version or build running on your PC. We will describe all the known methods and procedures users employ to play Minecraft offline on their computers. Here we go.

How to Play Minecraft offline on a Windows 10 PC

Here, you must carefully go through the procedures to find the one that applies to you (or the one that suits the conditions in your case).

1. Playing Minecraft Offline If You Have the Java Edition:

If your computer is running the standard Java Minecraft release, then the procedure to get Minecraft to play offline is probably the easiest or most straightforward of the lot.

Follow these instructions to configure Minecraft for the offline game mode:

  • First, you have to open Minecraft (by running the Minecraft Launcher, perhaps).
  • Once the Minecraft window comes up, you have to select SinglePlayer.
  • Here, you must choose a game or select Create New World.
  • Now, you must click on Create New World.
  • Fill the box for the name of the world with your preferred name and then select Game mode.
  • Here, you must click on Create New World.

That should be all. You are now good to play Minecraft without the application using your internet connection.

2. Getting Minecraft to Play Offline If You Have the Windows 10 Edition:

If your PC runs the Minecraft version designed for Windows 10, then the procedure we are about to describe is the perfect fix in your case.

In general, you have to use your computer’s internet connection to set the stage for Minecraft’s offline mode. For one, you must check and confirm that the device on which you intend to play Minecraft offline exists as a designed offline device. Microsoft allows users to change designated offline device options only three times per year, so you might want to look into that.

Step One: Fetch And Install Windows Updates

First, you must begin by fetching and installing all the Windows updates released for your computer (or checking and confirming that your PC is updated). Go through these steps:

  • Verify that your computer is currently connected to the internet.
  • Open the Settings app through the Windows logo button + letter I key combination.
  • Once the Settings window gets brought up, you have to click on Update and Security (on the main screen).
  • You will be directed to the Update and Security menu in Settings now.
  • Here, you must look at the right pane area of the window (under Windows Update) and then click on the Check for updates button.

Windows will now try to contact Microsoft servers and download centers to check if there is any update your computer is missing right now. If Windows finds something new, then it will download and install the update automatically.

  • Follow the on-screen instructions (where applicable).
  • Restart your computer.

If your computer has already downloaded updates – which implies the updates are pending or waiting for the installation event – then you have to click on the Install updates button. If the Install updates button is missing, then you are likely to see the option that offers to restart your PC. In that case, if you have nothing to do on your computer, then you must use that option to allow your machine to reboot.

If your computer has to install several updates, then you might see your PC restart multiple times. You must do whatever’s necessary to ensure your system installs all the updates available:

  • In the resulting session (from the last restart), open the Settings app.
  • Go to the Windows Update menu.
  • Click on the Check for updates button.

If you see the message stating that your PC has all the latest updates, then it means your work on getting your computer to install all the needed updates is done. You can now proceed to the next phase.


Also Read: How to Fix “Unable to Update the Minecraft Native Launcher


Step Two: Configure Your PC for Offline Gaming

Here, you must make changes to a setting in the Microsoft Store to configure your PC for offline gaming. Follow these instructions:

  • First, you have to get to the Windows Start screen (by hitting the Windows button on your keyboard or clicking on the Windows icon on your display).
  • Now, you must click on the Microsoft Store icon to open this application.
  • Once the Store window gets brought up, you have to click on your user account icon (around the top-right corner of the window).
  • From the list that pops up, you must choose Settings.

You will be directed to the Settings screen in the Microsoft Store now.

  • Check for Offline Permissions and then click on the toggle beside it (to turn on the parameter).

Step Three: Get the Game Ready

If you did everything correctly, then your device will end up with the required offline designation. Now, you must move on to the final task to prepare your game. Continue with these instructions:

  • Now, you have to open Minecraft (by double-clicking on the Minecraft Launcher on your desktop, perhaps).
  • Assuming the Minecraft window is now on your screen, you have to sign in to your Xbox Live account.
  • Do whatever you must to get inside the game.
  • Now, you can play the game (if you like).
  • Leave Minecraft.
  • Test things to confirm that you can now play Minecraft without an internet connection.

You can configure the same setup for other games – especially those you obtained from the Microsoft Store – to get them to play offline. You can check the Xbox site to see the list of games that have support for offline mode.


Also Read: How to Fix Minecraft Realms Could Not Invite the Provided Name Issue?


Step Four: Learn More About Offline Gaming

If you want to find out more about Minecraft’s support for offline gaming or if you have other questions or if you encounter any issue while configuring Minecraft to play without an internet connection, then you may find the answers you need this way:

  • First, you have to fire up the Microsoft Store application and then click on your profile icon (around the top-right corner of the program window).
  • From the list that pops up, you must select My Library.
  • On the screen or menu that follows, you must choose Games (to see a list) and then select Show all.
  • Now, you must choose Minecraft and then scroll down to the Additional Information section.
  • Check the options under Learn more. Click on the Support link.
  • On the screen that comes up, you must click on the FAQ link.

You will now be directed to the screen where all the details on the offline mode are presented.

3. Playing Minecraft Offline If You Are Running the Java Edition And Have Your Own Server

Here, we intend to describe an alternative procedure through which you get to configure Minecraft for offline gaming. The method here applies to users whose computers run the Minecraft Java edition and have their own Minecraft server or have access to someone else’s Minecraft server (say a friend’s server, for example).

We must warn you of the risks and complications that might come into play when you configure Minecraft for offline gaming this way. In the projected offline mode, people will be able to connect to your server using any username. The security risks are considerably greater, so we advise that you play Minecraft in offline mode this way only if you trust all the players that use your server.

Anyway, these instructions cover everything that you need to do here:

  • First, you have to open Minecraft by double-clicking on the Minecraft Launcher shortcut (which is probably on your desktop screen).
  • Once the application window comes up, you have to click on Play (the green button at the bottom of the window).

The main Minecraft window will come up now.

  • Now, you have to click on Multiplayer (which is usually the second button on the screen).
  • Here, you must click on the green mark close to your server.

The required mark is usually placed to the right of the server in the list of multiplayer games. Your Minecraft server is supposed to go offline now.

  • Now, you must open the folder for your server.

We are referring to the folder that you created when you set up your Minecraft server in the first instance.

  • Here, you should right-click on the server.properties file.
  • A drop-down for the chosen file should appear now. Windows will ask you how you want to open the file.
  • Select Notepad.
  • The file will be opened on the text editor application window now.
  • You must bring up the Find function using the Ctrl + letter F keyboard shortcut.
  • Fill the text box for Find what with the following code:

online-mode=true

  • You are likely to see the query about halfway down the list there.
  • Replace the true part of the code with false.

Basically, you must change the online-mode=true text to online-mode=false.

  • Now, you must save the changes you made to the server.properties file:
  • Click on File (an option situated around the top-left corner of the application window) to see the menu list available.
  • Select Save.

If you did everything correctly, then you have just disabled online mode on your server.

  • Now, you must go back to the previous screen to replace the checkmark close to the name of your Minecraft server.
  • Go to the Multiplayer menu (on the Minecraft title screen) and replace the mark beside the server there.
  • Now, you must double-click on the server in view.

Windows will now work to restart or relaunch the server.

  • Now, you must get back to your game and continue under the Multiplayer menu on the Minecraft title screen.

You are set for everything.

4. Getting Minecraft to Play Offline If You Have the Bedrock Edition

If your computer runs the Minecraft Bedrock edition – which is not that common on PCs these days – then you have to configure the game for offline gaming through a different procedure. Minecraft Bedrock Edition typically comes in a bundle, or it exists on these platforms: Windows 10 OS, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and others.

Anyway, these are the steps you must go through to play Minecraft offline on your computer:

  • First, you have to open Minecraft (as you normally do).

We recall the Minecraft Bedrock edition has an icon that looks like a glassy block.

  • Click on Play.

The list of games available is supposed to come up now.

  • At this point, you must select or create a new world (for the task ahead).
  • Otherwise (if you do not want to create a new world), you can choose an existing game this way: Double-click on the single-player game under the Worlds tab.
  • You can create a new world this way: Click on Create New at the top of the menu.
  • Fill the box for Name with your preferred name.
  • Now, you must choose a game mode and select your preferred difficulty level through the options from the down-down menus on the right.
  • Click on Create.

If your computer runs the Minecraft Bedrock edition and you need to download Minecraft Realms Game, then you must go through these steps:

  • First, you have to open Minecraft (through whatever means you are comfortable with).
  • Once the Minecraft window comes up, you must click on Play (to see the list of available games).
  • Now, you must click on the Pencil icon (close to the Minecraft Realms Game item).

The configuration menu for Minecraft Realms Game will come up now.

  • Here, you must click on Download World (under Activate Cheats).

Minecraft will now work to download the game.

  • Click on the back-arrow icon (around the top-left corner of the game application window).

You will be directed to the previous menu or screen.

  • Now, you must double-click on your copy of Minecraft Realms Game.

The package is supposed to be listed under the Worlds tab.

If you performed the tasks correctly, Minecraft will now act to load the game in single-player mode. You will now be able to play the game without an internet connection.

How to Play Minecraft Offline on Windows 11

Minecraft is compatible with Windows 11. So, if you have installed the latest Windows OS, you can still enjoy Minecraft gameplay –– both online and offline. To play Minecraft offline, you can try all of the solutions we’ve listed above. You can play both Minecraft Java and Minecraft Bedrock editions on Windows 11 if you prepare your Windows 11 device or devices for the offline mode. You can download the game from the Microsoft Store or update to the latest edition to make sure it’s fully compatible with Windows 11.

To prepare your device for offline mode with Minecraft Java, follow the instructions above under

“Playing Minecraft offline if you have the Java edition”. If you want to play Minecraft Bedrock in offline mode, go over the steps under “Getting Minecraft to play offline if you have the Bedrock edition”.

Most PC games with a campaign mode are available for offline play on Windows 11. However, when you play offline you won’t have access to multiplayer mode and some other features such as purchasing game items. Leaderboards will also be unavailable in offline play.

To get access to the features above, you will need to switch back to online mode.


Also Read: How to Fix the Minecraft OpenGL Error on Windows 11/10?


TIPS:

If you want Minecraft to stop using your internet connection, then you will do well to disable your network adapters. If you connect to the internet via WIFI, then you have to disable all the wireless network adapters. If you connect to the internet via a cable, then you have to disable the Ethernet adapter.

You will have to go to the Network screen or menu in Control Panel and then make changes to the adapter configuration there. Alternatively, you can open the Device Manager application, navigate through the menus to locate your network device, and then disable it.

For the best gaming performance and stability outcomes, we advise that you update the drivers for all the components that play a role in the operations. For example, for graphics processes, you need to update your GPU driver to keep things running at an optimal level.

You should get Auslogics Driver Updater. This program will manage or handle all the driver update tasks on your behalf. The driver update process for a single driver is sometimes complicated and tedious, so it is impractical for you to try to update the drivers for several devices on your own. You are better off letting an application that has been specially designed for such operations help you.

Conclusion

Playing Minecraft offline on Windows 10/11 is achievable through various methods depending on the Minecraft edition you have. Whether you’re using the Java edition, Windows 10 edition, or Bedrock edition, you can configure the game for offline play. Disabling your network adapters and keeping your system updated can enhance your gaming experience. Ensure you follow the appropriate steps for your Minecraft version to enjoy the game without an active internet connection, providing you with the freedom to play wherever and whenever you want.

FAQ

Minecraft’s popularity can be attributed to its open-world sandbox gameplay, which allows players to explore, create, and build virtually anything they can imagine. Its simplicity, endless possibilities, and vibrant online community of players and creators have contributed to its enduring appeal.

How to Play Minecraft Without Downloading It?

Minecraft typically requires downloading and installing the game to play it. However, you can explore a limited version of the game known as “Minecraft Classic” directly in your web browser, which doesn’t require a download. Keep in mind that this version offers only basic features and lacks the depth of the full game.

How to Play Minecraft Without an Account?

Playing Minecraft without an account is generally not possible. You need a valid Minecraft account to access the game and its online features. Minecraft accounts are essential for purchasing and downloading the game, as well as for multiplayer gameplay on official servers.