Valheim: Player Moderation (Ban/Kick)
Vikings can be rowdy, but sometimes they are just destructive. Here is how to remove unwanted players from your realm using the Ban List and Console commands.
1. The File
Bans are stored in bannedlist.txt. This file persists across restarts. Adding a SteamID here blocks them permanently.
2. The Console
Admins can use the F5 console (or chat commands) to kick or ban active players instantly.
3. The ID
Valheim uses **Steam 64 IDs** (or Xbox IDs) for identification. Names are not unique; IDs are. Always ban by ID.
Banning via File (Hard Ban)
This is the most reliable method for keeping someone out.
- Open **File Manager** in your control panel.
- Navigate to
/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/(or the root `/save/` directory depending on host). - Find or create
bannedlist.txt. - Add the player's ID on a new line.
Example:76561198000000000 76561198123456789
- Save the file.
- Changes usually take effect on **Restart**, but recent versions might reload this dynamically.
In-Game Commands
You must be an admin (added to `adminlist.txt`) and have the console enabled (`-console` launch argument).
kick [name/ip/userID]- Disconnects the player immediately. They can rejoin if they have the password.ban [name/ip/userID]- Disconnects AND adds them to the bannedlist.txt.unban [ip/userID]- Removes them from the ban list.banned- Lists all currently banned IDs.
Finding a Player's ID
If a griefer is on your server:
- Press **F2** to open the Server Info panel.
- Look at the **Players** list.
- The number next to their name is their ID. Screenshot this before you kick them!
Keep the gates secure. Host your Valheim server with Supercraft and use our RCON tools to manage bans without editing text files manually.