How to Add Admins on Your ARK: Survival Evolved Server

Introduction

Admin permissions in ARK: Survival Evolved allow trusted players to manage server settings, execute admin commands, and moderate gameplay. This guide explains how to add admins to your ARK server easily.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Gather the Player’s Steam64 ID

1. Ask the player to provide their Steam64 ID. This is a unique identifier for their Steam account.
2. If they don’t know their Steam64 ID, they can use a tool like SteamID Finder to locate it by entering their Steam profile URL.

Step 2: Access Your Server Files

To add admins, you’ll need to edit the server configuration files:

1. Log in to your server’s control panel or connect via FTP.
2. Navigate to the directory where your ARK server files are stored. This is typically located in a folder like ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer or WindowsServer, depending on your server setup.

Step 3: Edit the Admin List

1. Locate the file named GameUserSettings.ini.
2. Open the file with a text editor.
3. Find the section labeled [ServerSettings]. If it’s not present, create it at the top of the file.
4. Add the player’s Steam64 ID under the [ServerSettings] section using the following format:

   AdminWhitelistIDs=Steam64ID

   Replace Steam64ID with the actual Steam64 ID of the player you want to make an admin.
5. If you’re adding multiple admins, list their IDs separated by commas:

   AdminWhitelistIDs=12345678901234567,76543210987654321

Step 4: Save and Restart the Server

After editing the configuration file:

1. Save the changes to GameUserSettings.ini.
2. Restart your server from the control panel to apply the changes.

Step 5: Use Admin Commands in the Game

1. Log in to the server as the admin player.
2. Open the console by pressing Tab on your keyboard.
3. Type the following command to enable admin privileges:

   EnableCheats AdminPassword

   Replace AdminPassword with the password set in your GameUserSettings.ini file under the ServerAdminPassword key.
4. Once enabled, you can use admin commands like cheat fly or cheat giveitemnum directly in the console.

Troubleshooting

If admin privileges are not working, check the following:

• Ensure the Steam64 ID is correctly added in the GameUserSettings.ini file.
• Verify the ServerAdminPassword in the same file matches what you’re entering in-game.
• Ensure the server has been restarted after making changes.

Important Notes

• Only add trusted players as admins to prevent misuse of admin powers.
• Keep a backup of your GameUserSettings.ini file before making changes.
• Always restart the server after updating configuration files for changes to take effect.

For more server management guides and support, visit our Knowledgebase.