ARK Admin Commands: enablecheats, Admin List, Kick, Ban and RCON
To run admin commands on an ARK: Survival Evolved server you either type enablecheats followed by your admin password in the game console, or add your Steam ID to a permanent admin list so you are recognised every time you join. After that you run commands with the cheat prefix, or from the Console tab in the panel.
This guide covers both methods, the commands used day to day, and the difference between commands you run in game and commands that work over RCON. It was checked on 2026-11-15 against three hosting guides that agree on the basics. A few details come from a single source and are marked. It applies to ARK: Survival Evolved, which is what our ARK hosting runs. See the ARK settings guide for the rest of your configuration.
- Set the Admin password on the Startup tab. In game, open the console (Tab on PC) after you have a character and type
enablecheats YOURPASSWORD. - For permanent admin with no password, put each 17-digit Steam ID on its own line in
AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txtinsideShooterGame/Saved. - On a multiplayer server, commands need the
cheatprefix.admincheatis also accepted, and commands are not case-sensitive. - Server-wide commands such as
SaveWorld,BroadcastandListPlayerswork from the panel Console tab. Commands that act on your own character do not. - Never share the admin password. It also protects RCON.
On this page
Method 1: the admin password
- Set the password
In the panel, open your ARK server, go to the Startup tab and set Admin password. Click Save startup and Restart. The panel writes
ServerAdminPasswordfor you at every start, so editing it in the ini does not stick. - Join and create a character
You need to be in the game with a character before the console accepts the command on a multiplayer server.
- Open the console
On PC press Tab. Pressing it twice expands the console. On consoles the key combinations differ and are not covered here.
- Log in as admin
Type the command with your own password.
enablecheats YourAdminPassword
You only need this on multiplayer servers. In single player the commands are available without it. Set a strong password, because it is also what the panel's Console tab uses for RCON.
Method 2: the permanent admin list
Create a plain text file named AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt in ShooterGame/Saved and put one SteamID64 on each line. Players on the list are recognised as admins every time they join, with no enablecheats and no password. Three host guides describe this file, and the folder is the same in each.
- Find the SteamID64
It is the 17-digit number for the account. Ask each admin for it and double-check it. A wrong number gives admin to the wrong person or to nobody.
- Upload the file
On the Files tab, go to
ShooterGame/Savedand upload or create the file. For help, see how to use SFTP. - Restart if needed
Restart the server so the list is read, then rejoin.
The cheat prefix
On a multiplayer server you put cheat before a command, for example cheat SaveWorld. Hosts describe admincheat as an interchangeable prefix. The commands themselves are not case-sensitive.
Everyday commands
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
cheat ListPlayers | Lists connected players with their IDs. |
cheat KickPlayer ID | Disconnects a player. Use the ID that ListPlayers shows. One guide says Steam ID and another says Ark ID, so copy whichever your server prints. |
cheat BanPlayer ID | Bans a player. Use the same ID as for kicks. |
cheat UnbanPlayer ID | Lifts a ban. |
cheat SaveWorld | Forces an immediate save. |
cheat Broadcast message | Shows a full-screen message to everyone. |
cheat ServerChat message | Sends a chat message to everyone. |
cheat DestroyWildDinos | Destroys every untamed creature. |
cheat SetTimeOfDay 12:00:00 | Sets the time of day. |
cheat DoExit | Listed by one host. It shuts the server down, so only use it when you mean to. |
RCON and the panel Console tab
On ChicagoServers the Console tab talks to the server over RCON for you, and RCON uses the admin password, so there is nothing to enable. Commands that affect the whole server work this way. One host's guide notes that commands acting on your own character or crosshair do not work over RCON. These include Fly, God, ForceTame, GiveItem and DestroyMyTarget. For those, use the in-game console as an admin.
- Good for RCON:
SaveWorld,Broadcast,ListPlayers,KickPlayer,BanPlayerandDestroyWildDinos. - In game only: anything that needs a character or a target under your crosshair.
- One host warns that
ForceTamecan crash the server if you are still mounted, so dismount first.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| enablecheats says the password is wrong | Check the Admin password on the Startup tab, save and restart. The value must match exactly. |
| The console will not open | On PC use Tab. Some keyboard layouts and platforms differ, and the key can be changed in game settings. |
| Commands are unknown | Add the cheat prefix on a multiplayer server, and confirm you ran enablecheats or are on the admin list. |
| Admin list does nothing | The file is in the wrong folder, a line has a typo, or the server was not restarted. It should sit in ShooterGame/Saved. |
| Console tab commands fail | The command needs a character. Run it in game instead. |
For mods that add commands, see the ARK mods guide, and for saves and restores see the ARK save and backup guide. Looking for a host? See ARK server hosting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I become admin on an ARK server?
Join with a character, open the console and type enablecheats followed by the admin password. Or add your SteamID64 to AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt for permanent admin.
Where is AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt?
In ShooterGame/Saved on the server. Put one 17-digit SteamID64 per line.
Do I need the cheat prefix in ARK?
On a multiplayer server, yes. Type cheat before the command. admincheat is also described as accepted.
Can I run ARK admin commands from the panel console?
Server-wide commands such as SaveWorld, Broadcast and ListPlayers work over RCON. Commands that act on your character, such as Fly or GiveItem, need the in-game console.
How do I kick or ban a player in ARK?
Run cheat ListPlayers to get the player's ID, then cheat KickPlayer ID or cheat BanPlayer ID. cheat UnbanPlayer ID lifts a ban.