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Grant Admin

Valheim Guide • Updated Jan 6, 2026

Grant Admin in Valheim

While Valheim doesn't have a traditional debug mode on dedicated servers, admin privileges allow you to execute essential server management commands. This comprehensive guide covers how to grant admin access, available commands, and best practices for server administration.

Understanding Valheim Admin System

Admin Capabilities

Valheim admins can perform these essential functions:

  • Player Management: Kick, ban, and unban players
  • Server Information: Check ping and server status
  • Configuration: Adjust server render distance
  • Moderation: Maintain server order and rules

Limitations

Valheim admin system has these restrictions:

  • No Spawn Commands: Cannot spawn items or creatures
  • No God Mode: No invincibility or debug features
  • No Teleportation: Cannot teleport players or self
  • No World Edit: Cannot modify terrain or structures

Granting Admin Access

Step 1: Find Steam ID

How to get Steam ID64:

  1. Visit steamid.io
  2. Enter the player's Steam profile name or URL
  3. Copy the SteamID64 (17-digit number)
  4. Verify the ID matches the correct player
Alternative: Players can find their own SteamID64 by going to Steam → Profile → Edit Profile → Custom URL.

Step 2: Access Server Files

File Manager Access:

  1. Log in to your server control panel
  2. Open the File Manager
  3. Navigate to the server configuration directory

Step 3: Edit Admin List

Adding Admins:

  1. Navigate to .config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/adminlist.txt
  2. Right-click adminlist.txt and select "Edit"
  3. Paste the SteamID64 of each admin on separate lines
  4. Save and close the file
Format: One SteamID64 per line. No commas or extra characters needed.

Step 4: Apply Changes

Server Restart Required:

  1. Return to server control panel
  2. Restart the Valheim server
  3. Admin privileges will be active after restart
  4. Test admin access with console commands

Complete Admin Commands Reference

Player Management Commands

Command Syntax Description
help help Shows all available admin commands
kick kick [name/ip/userID] Removes specified player from server
ban ban [name/ip/userID] Permanently bans player from server
unban unban [name/ip/userID] Removes ban from specified player
banned banned Displays list of all banned players

Server Management Commands

Command Syntax Description
ping ping Measures server latency and performance
lodbias lodbias [number] Sets server render distance (1-5)

Advanced Admin Features

Render Distance Control

Using lodbias command:

  • lodbias 1: Minimum render distance (best performance)
  • lodbias 2: Low render distance (good performance)
  • lodbias 3: Medium render distance (balanced)
  • lodbias 4: High render distance (good quality)
  • lodbias 5: Maximum render distance (best quality)
Recommendation: Use lodbias 2-3 for most servers to balance performance and visual quality.

Player Identification Methods

Multiple ways to identify players:

  • By Name: Use exact in-game player name (case-sensitive)
  • By IP: Use player's IP address for network bans
  • By SteamID: Use SteamID64 for permanent identification

Troubleshooting Admin Issues

Admin Not Working

Common solutions:

  • Server Restart: Ensure server was restarted after adding admins
  • SteamID Format: Verify using 17-digit SteamID64 format
  • File Permissions: Check adminlist.txt is saved correctly
  • Console Access: Use F5 key to open admin console in-game

Command Not Recognized

Troubleshooting steps:

  • Typo Check: Verify command spelling and syntax
  • Case Sensitivity: Commands are case-sensitive
  • Permission Level: Confirm you have admin privileges
  • Game Version: Ensure commands match your game version

Player Management Issues

Kick/Ban problems:

  • Name Conflicts: Use SteamID if multiple players have similar names
  • Network Issues: Try IP address if name-based commands fail
  • Ban Persistence: Bans are saved permanently in server files
  • Whitelist Conflict: Check if player is also on whitelist

Best Practices for Server Administration

Admin Management

Recommended practices:

  • Limited Admins: Only grant admin to trusted players
  • Regular Review: Periodically review admin list
  • Clear Guidelines: Establish rules for admin behavior
  • Backup Admins: Have multiple admins for coverage

Player Management

Fair moderation:

  • Warning System: Warn players before kicking/banning
  • Documentation: Keep records of admin actions
  • Appeal Process: Allow players to appeal bans
  • Consistent Enforcement: Apply rules equally to all players

Server Performance

Optimization tips:

  • Render Distance: Adjust lodbias based on server resources
  • Regular Monitoring: Use ping command to check server health
  • Player Limits: Set appropriate player count limits
  • Resource Planning: Monitor server CPU and memory usage

Security Considerations

Protecting Admin Access

Security measures:

  • Secure Steam Accounts: Use Steam Guard on admin accounts
  • Regular Password Changes: Update server passwords regularly
  • Access Logging: Monitor admin command usage
  • Two-Factor Authentication: Enable 2FA where possible

Preventing Admin Abuse

Mitigation strategies:

  • Clear Rules: Define acceptable admin behavior
  • Player Feedback: Allow players to report admin issues
  • Regular Audits: Review admin actions periodically
  • Removal Process: Have procedure for removing abusive admins

Alternative Administration Methods

Third-Party Tools

Enhanced admin solutions:

  • Valheim Plus: Mod with expanded admin features
  • BepInEx Mods: Various admin enhancement mods
  • Server Managers: External server management tools
  • Discord Bots: Remote admin through Discord integration

Configuration File Management

Direct file editing:

  • adminlist.txt: Manage admin permissions
  • bannedlist.txt: Control banned players
  • permittedlist.txt: Manage whitelist (if enabled)
  • server_settings.txt: Adjust server configuration

Frequently Asked Questions

How many admins can I have?

There's no hard limit, but keep admin numbers reasonable for security and management purposes.

Can admins spawn items?

No, Valheim's built-in admin system does not include item spawning capabilities. You need mods for that.

Do admins need to be online to manage the server?

Yes, most admin commands require an admin to be logged into the server to execute them.

Can I remove admin access?

Yes, simply edit the adminlist.txt file and remove the SteamID64, then restart the server.

What happens if I ban someone by mistake?

Use the unban command with the player's SteamID64 to remove the ban immediately.

Can admins see hidden players or coordinates?

No, the built-in admin system has limited visibility features compared to debug modes.

Is there a way to log admin commands?

Server logs record admin commands, but for detailed logging you may need third-party tools or mods.

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