Connect Your Switch to Minecraft Local Server for Free in 2025

I recently got myself Minecraft for my Switch 2. The first thing I decided to do was to set up a Minecraft local server so i can play across consoles in the same world. This was easy on a PC which has an option to Add Server locally hosted on your LAN. But such an option is not available on Switch.

While searching the web for a solution I came across this Reddit post, which was such an amazing way to trick Minecraft to login to your local server. This is done using magic of DNS.

What Is DNS?

DNS is Domain Name System. In the world of the internet everything is driven by IP addresses, but these numbers are not something people can easily remember. This is why we have a Domain Name System, which links an IP address to an easy to remember name. Now if you can somehow trick a machine to resolve a domain name to the IP address of your choice, you can direct it anywhere you want.

How To Setup Minecraft Local Server?

Minecraft website Downloads section provides you with files needed to locally host Minecraft on you Local Network.

Link To Server Setup

It is a very straighforward process just Unzip the container file into an empty folder. Start the server by executing the bedrock_server.exe file.

Once you have your server running check the IP of your machine by going to cmd and hitting ipconfig. This will give you the IP address of your system, keepo it handy for next step.

Setting Up Your Own DNS Server

In order to setuip your own DNS server download the Technitium DNS App and set it up as below.

Setup Instructions for DNS Server Configuration

• Run the Setup
  • Complete the installation process.
  • Once done, open a web browser and go to: http://localhost:5380/.
• Initial Login
  • Set a new password when prompted and confirm it.
  • Default login username is: admin.

Configuration Steps

• Modify Settings
  • Click on the Settings tab.
  • Uncheck Allow Recursion.
  • Click Save.
• Configure DNS Zone
  • Navigate to the Zones tab.
  • In the example.com input box (on the left), type lbsg.net, then click Add.
• Add A Record
  • Scroll to the bottom where a blank Type A record is displayed.
  • Leave Name as @.
  • Enter the IP address of your Minecraft Bedrock server (in last step) in the Value field.
  • Click Add.
• Add CNAME Record
  • Use the next blank record row.
  • Change the type to CNAME.
  • Enter mco in the Name field.
  • Enter lbsg.net in the Value field.
  • Click Add.
• Your DNS server is now configured.

Firewall Configuration (Windows PC)

• Open Windows Defender Firewall.
• Go to Inbound Rules → Click New Rule.
• Choose Port, then click Next.
• Select UDP, then specify port 53.
• Click Next, leave Allow the Connection selected.
• Click Next, keep all profiles checked.
• Click Next, enter a name like DNS (UDP).
• Click Finish.

This should setup your DNS server such that it can nresolve domain names to whatever you want.

Changes On Switch

On switch end make below changes

Configure DNS on Nintendo Switch

• On your Nintendo Switch, go to:
  • System Settings → Internet → Internet Settings
• Select your Wi-Fi network.
• Choose Change Settings.
• Scroll down to Primary DNS:
  • Enter the IP address of your DNS server (the one you just set up).
• Scroll to Secondary DNS:
  • Enter a public DNS address, e.g., Google’s DNS: 8.8.8.8.
• Click Save.

Connect to Custom Minecraft Server

Launch Minecraft on the Switch.

• Navigate to the Servers tab.
• Click on Lifeboat Network.
  • This will now redirect to your local server.
• Since Google DNS is set as secondary:
  • Any DNS request not resolved locally will be handled normally by Google.

This should allow you to play on your local server hosted on your LAN saving you cost of subscribing to any of the Minefraft approved servers.

Thanks to this reddit post for solving this issue for me.

Do check out my other blogs to read game and movie reviews and other such tricks.

Were you able to set this up at your end, do let me know your experience with this and playing Minecraft in the comment section. Do subscribe to my YouTube channel below for more such tips and tricks.