Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

To become an administrator on an ARK: Survival Evolved server, set a value for ServerAdminPassword under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini, restart the server, then open the in-game console and run enablecheats your-password. Confirm access with showmyadminmanager or a harmless command such as cheat fly. Server owners who need password-free authentication can put their Steam64 ID in ShooterGame/Saved/AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt.

What ARK admin access does

ARK admin access unlocks the server’s cheat and management commands for the authenticated player. Depending on the command, an admin can inspect connected players, remove a player, change the environment, spawn items or creatures, move around the map, and use the Admin Manager interface.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Admin status is not granted merely because you own the server files or rent the server. The game checks either the password entered with enablecheats or a Steam64 ID listed in the server’s administrator allowlist. The setting must be applied to the server you actually join; changing a local file does not affect a separately hosted instance.

The procedure below applies to dedicated servers. Menu names and file editors differ between hosts, and command behavior can change after a game update, so re-check the shipped configuration and test access after patches.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Compressed Air Duster,130000RPM Super Power Cordless Air Duster,Rechargeable Brushless Blower,3 Gear Adjustable Blower with LED Light,Dust Remover for Computer/House/Outdoor/Car
  • Powerful Turbo Fan:CAGIWIRU Electric Air Duster have reached speed up to 130000RPM,Can efficient remove dust and debris.With LED light and Three Adjustable Speed to meet with different cleaning tasks.
  • With Attached USB C Fasting Charging cable.Charing 3 hours,Enjoy up to 240 minutes of use on the lowest setting, For third speed can use for 25mins.with four charging options to meet with your needs.
  • Wide Application:Upgraded attached 5 different nozzles,making it suitable for a variety of scenes, such as car,pet, pc, keyboards, and other electronic devices. It also serves for office and home clean duster.
  • Handy Design & Portable:Cordless air duster electric nozzle is Light weight and small size, design and comfortable to hold and space saving, convenient to carry around. You can put it in your room or inside the car without taking up space.
  • Warranty & Support: Our Electric air duster comes with 5 years warranty and 24/7 customer service. During this period, if you have any questions,pls kindly feel free to contact us.

What you need before changing anything

  • Access to the dedicated server’s configuration, either through its file system or a hosting control panel.
  • Permission to stop and restart the server.
  • A private administrator password that is not used anywhere else.
  • The ability to join the server with the same game account that will receive admin access.
  • For password-free login, the administrator’s Steam64 ID and access to the server’s ShooterGame/Saved directory.

Stop the server before editing files when possible. A running server may overwrite a file when it shuts down, which can discard an edit. Make a backup of GameUserSettings.ini before changing it.

Method 1: Set the admin password in GameUserSettings.ini

Find the correct configuration file

For a self-hosted dedicated server, open the server installation and locate GameUserSettings.ini. It is normally in the server’s ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer configuration folder. Linux installations use the corresponding LinuxServer configuration folder. A host’s file manager may present the same file through a web editor instead of exposing the physical path.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Do not edit a client-side configuration in your personal game installation. The password must be in the dedicated server’s copy of the file.

Put ServerAdminPassword under [ServerSettings]

  1. Stop the dedicated server, or use the host panel’s stop/configuration function.
  2. Open GameUserSettings.ini in a plain-text editor or the host’s configuration editor.
  3. Find the section header [ServerSettings]. If it is absent, add that exact header on its own line.
  4. On a new line directly within that section, add ServerAdminPassword=YourPrivatePassword. Replace YourPrivatePassword with the password you chose; do not type angle brackets.
  5. Check that the line is not below another section header such as [SessionSettings]. A password in the wrong section may be ignored.
  6. Save the file, close the editor, and start or restart the server.

The key spelling is ServerAdminPassword. Keep the equals sign and avoid quotation marks unless your host’s editor specifically adds them. A simple example is:

Rank #2
EVEO® Screen Cleaner Spray Kit (Streak-Free) TV Screen Cleaner for Smart TV, Lcd, LEd, Oled | Computer Screen Cleaner Spray and Wipe Microfiber Cloth - TV, Monitor, Laptop, iPad, Car - 6.7oz 1 Pack
  • Screen Cleaner is Your Screen’s New Bestfriend! - EVEO is proud to present a screen cleaner that’s perfectly suited for your TV. Meet your new screen cleaner, computer screen cleaner, laptop cleaner, iPad cleaner, Macbook,tv cleaner or any other electronic device. Our screen cleaner spray and wipe along with the included plush microfiber cloth, easily removes dust, fingerprints & other smudges on the screen’s surface. Clean effectively for a streak-free screen
  • Gentle on your Screens - Our screen cleaner spray and wipes is compatible to be used even for the most sensitive LCD, LED, CRT, and OLED screens in proper use. Be at ease knowing that this product is compatible with all the major brands: LG, SONY, Samsung, Sharp, iPad, iPhone, Android screens, Kindle, PC monitors - we’ve got you covered! Can be used as LCD screen cleaner, tv cleaner, smart tv screen cleaner, and more
  • Premium Super Soft Plush Microfiber Cloth - Included in this efficient screen cleaning kit. This screen cleaner spray and wipe has our signature plush microfiber cloth specially designed to comply with screens and monitors and leave them streak-free. Has been shown to effectively absorbs stubborn stains, zero streaks, and no fiber shedding. Always use this together with our screen cleaner for the best results
  • Easy-to-Use Screen Cleaner Kit + microfiber cleaning cloth - The EVEO Screen Cleaning Kit will easily be your new favorite tool when it comes to taking care of the things you love most, quick and easy solution for a streak-free screen. Simply screw on the sprayer gun on the screen cleaner bottle. Spray the cleaning liquid onto the microfiber cloth, then wipe the screen until desired cleanliness & shine is achieved.
  • Quality Screen Care Kit Worth Purchasing - Enjoy a convenient Screen Cleaner anytime, anywhere you need it. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind the quality of our products and that’s why, you shouldn’t be worrying at all. We manufacture the Best Screen Cleaner. and can be used for laptop cleaning kit, laptop screen cleaner, tv screen cleaner for smart tv. MacBook screen cleaner, monitor cleaner or screen cleaner spray for electronic devices with microfiber cleaning cloth
[ServerSettings]
ServerAdminPassword=Use-a-long-private-value

If the file already contains other server settings, leave them in place. Do not replace the entire file with a short snippet.

Set the same value in a hosting control panel

Most hosted-server dashboards expose an Admin Password, Server Admin Password, or equivalent field in the server settings or configuration editor. Enter the value there, save it, and use the panel’s restart control. The dashboard should write the underlying ServerAdminPassword entry for you.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Panel layouts vary: some require a full stop before saving, while others apply settings only during the next restart. If the panel offers both a general server password and an admin-password field, use the field identified as the admin or cheat password, not the password used to access the dashboard.

After restarting, reopen the setting and confirm that the value was retained. A panel can show a masked value even when the setting is present; do not assume a restart occurred unless the server status and start time change.

Rank #3
BladeHawks RGB Gaming Mouse Pad Extra Large Extended 31.5x12 Inch-Black
  • 【Large size】:Measuring 800 x 300 mm/ 31. 5×12 inches, which is wider and taller than others. Large mouse pad can perfectly fit your keyboard and mouse of any size, and there is also ample space for peripherals such as phones, tablets, etc.
  • 【LED backlight mouse pad】:Blade Hawks RGB mouse pad provides 7 static modes and 7 dynamic modes will give you the options you are looking for. Power-off memory function remembers the last lighting mode you selected. The super glow fiber Chroma will give you a colorful gaming setup that you want.
  • 【Anti-slip rubber base】:Made from Natural rubber, this gaming mousepad will firmly grip your desktop, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate precision in the games you are most passionate about. It also comes with a texture that enhances this ability even further.
  • 【Smooth and waterproof surface】: Micro-textured cloth surface, for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth movement. When liquid splashes on the gaming mouse pad, it forms water droplets and slides down. Will not delay your work or gameplay.
  • 【Plug and play】: This mouse and keyboard pad is powered by USB, plug and play, no driver required. One button control light modes. Press one time to change the lighting mode, press twice to change the brightness, press and hold about 3 seconds turn ON/OFF.

Authenticate in the game console

  1. Join the dedicated server with the account that should receive admin access.
  2. Open the console. On the PC version, press Tab. Console bindings can differ on other platforms or custom keyboard layouts.
  3. Enter enablecheats YourPrivatePassword, replacing the example with the exact value in ServerAdminPassword. Do not include brackets, quotation marks, or the words “your password.”
  4. Submit the command. If it is accepted, commands requiring administrator authentication will work for that session.

Commands are commonly shown in lowercase, but one older forum report claimed that only EnableCheats with a capital E worked on that build. Current guides generally treat the command as case-insensitive. If lowercase appears to fail, try the capitalized form once, then focus on checking the password, configuration section, server restart, and server version rather than repeatedly changing capitalization.

Verify that admin access is active

Open the Admin Manager

Run:

showmyadminmanager

The Admin Manager can display server information, connected players, banned players, and whitelisted players, and it provides a cheat-management interface. Seeing the manager is a practical confirmation that the server accepted your authentication.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use a harmless command

Run:

cheat fly

If flight activates, the session has admin privileges. Toggle it off by running the same command again. This test changes your movement state but does not alter player inventories or the map.

Some commands require a prefix. Use cheat or, where accepted by the build, admincheat before the command. For example:

Rank #4
Sale
Vaydeer Wrist Rest for Keyboard and Mouse, Computer Ergonomic Wrist Support Pad, Soft Memory Foam Arm Cushion for Desk, Palm Hand Office Laptop Typing
  • 【Softer and More Comfortable】Vaydeer wrist rest has unique diamond pattern, which is the combination of softness and aesthetics. The materials of wrist rest are improved into higher quality memory foam and covered with silky smooth lycra. The computer wrist rest makes you as comfortable and cushiony as like rest your wrists on clouds.
  • 【Ergonomic Wrist Saver】The wrist rests for keyboard and mouse comes with a 17.32×3.15×0.83 inch keyboard wrist pad and a 5.94×3.15×0.83 inch mouse wrist support. Based on ergonomic design, the unique concave shape is the perfect fit for your wrist joints. The wrist rest pad fits most computer keyboards and laptops, improve hand and wrist posture, release your wrist and arm stress.
  • 【Non-Slip Rubber Bottom】Featuring an anti-skid silicone base on the bottom, this wrist keyboard support stays firmly in place on your desk, preventing the padding from sliding around, ensuring stable and consistent wrist support during extended computer sessions.
  • 【Better Experience & Pain Relief】Our keyboard arm rest is beneficial to alleviate the soreness caused by direct contact and friction between your arm and a hard desk surface, reducing the risk of wrist fatigue or carpal tunnel. The soft texture of memory foam can evenly distribute the pressure around your wrists and provide good support with just enough give.
  • 【Helpful in Multiple Scenarios】Whether you're working, studying, writing, typing, gaming, this keyboard and mouse rest combo is an essential accessory to add comfort and support to your hands and wrists. It’s also a great gift for men, women, family, friend, coworker, gamer, teacher, etc.
cheat ListPlayers

If a command is rejected, first authenticate again and then check whether that command needs the prefix. A successful console submission is not always proof that the requested action ran.

Method 2: Authenticate administrators by Steam64 ID

The file-based allowlist lets listed administrators join with admin status without typing the password each session. It is useful for a small, stable admin team, but it requires accurate IDs and a server restart after edits.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Find the Steam64 ID

While connected, open the console and enter:

whoami

Record the Steam64 ID returned for the administrator account. Verify each digit carefully. A single incorrect digit creates an entry that does not match the joining account.

Create or edit AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt

  1. Stop the server.
  2. Open the server’s ShooterGame/Saved folder.
  3. Create AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt if it does not already exist, or open the existing file.
  4. Put one Steam64 ID on each line. Do not add names, commas, brackets, or explanatory text.
  5. Save the file and restart the server.
  6. Join with a listed account and test showmyadminmanager or cheat fly.

A conceptual file looks like this:

7656119xxxxxxxxxx
7656119yyyyyyyyyy

The example values above are placeholders; use the complete IDs returned for your own accounts. Keep the file on the server, not in the client’s local save directory.

Best Value
Sale
Under Desk Cable Management Tray No Drill, Metal Mesh Cable Management Under Desk with Clamp Mount, 2 Hole Cable Tray with Wire Management and Cord Organizer for Home Office Standing Desk
  • 【No Drill Mounted】Cable management tray can be assembled in as little as 3 minutes or less-simply. Side clips easily clampe the edge of desk, pass through the holes on the sides, and secure excess cables with baskets. Desk cable management supports inward or outward installation to meet your needs in different scenarios, and provides you with great convenience when collecting and organizing wires.
  • 【Rubber Pad Protects Desk】Wire organizer under desk built-in soft rubber pads on the clamp protect your desk from scratches, so you will not damage your furniture or office.
  • 【Sturdy and Beautiful】Cord management under desk is made of high-quality carbon steel and holds about 15 lbs. The wire basket has 2 holes on each side of the tray to enable your cables to pass freely. Cable baskets are suitable for desk thickness use from 0.4" to 2.4".
  • 【Space Saving & Keep Organized】Desk cable management tray holds all your power cords, outlet strips, USB hubs and computer transformers hidden from your feet, and the data cables will not enter the vacuum cleaner to keep your desk clean and tidy. Desk wire organizer is also suitable for use in the kitchen and outdoors.
  • 【Reduce Safety Risks】Cable tray under desk keeps all plugs away from your kids, no more worry about tripping. Using 2 holes wire tray saves extra space, helps you easily cabling and wire protection. The mesh design is not easy to accumulate dust, but avoids safety accidents caused by messy wires.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Password login versus Steam ID allowlisting

Approach What you change Advantages Trade-offs
Password per session ServerAdminPassword in GameUserSettings.ini, followed by enablecheats Fast to add or remove access; no ID list to maintain Anyone who learns the password can obtain full admin access; the password must be entered after joining
Steam64 ID allowlist AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt in ShooterGame/Saved, one ID per line Listed accounts authenticate automatically and do not need the password each session Requires exact IDs, file access, and a restart after changes; removing an administrator means editing the file

You can use both methods. Keep the password private as an emergency or setup credential, and use the allowlist for routine administrators. If an administrator leaves the team, remove that person’s ID and change the password if it may have been shared.

Useful administrator commands

Command Purpose Notes
showmyadminmanager Opens the Admin Manager Shows server, player, ban, and whitelist information and exposes cheat controls
cheat fly Enables or disables flight Useful as a low-impact authentication test
cheat ListPlayers Lists connected players and their IDs Use it to identify a player before a management action
cheat KickPlayer Removes a player from the server Supply the argument format required by your server build; confirm the target ID or name first

Many other ARK commands are cheat commands and therefore need cheat or admincheat. Keep a record of the exact command syntax used by your server version. A command copied from a different platform, mod, or older build may have different arguments.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Troubleshoot “enablecheats” not working

The password command is rejected

  • Confirm that you joined the intended dedicated server, not a single-player world or a different instance with a similar name.
  • Open the server’s current GameUserSettings.ini and verify that ServerAdminPassword is under [ServerSettings].
  • Check spelling, capitalization, spaces, and punctuation in the password. Retype it rather than relying on a copied value that may include an invisible space.
  • Stop and restart the server after saving. A live process may still be using its old configuration.
  • If a host panel manages the file, make the change in the panel and restart through that panel instead of editing a downloaded copy.
  • Try EnableCheats password if the lowercase form fails, then test with showmyadminmanager.

The setting disappears after a restart

Check whether the host regenerates configuration files from a template. Some panels have separate fields for command-line options and INI settings; use the documented server-settings editor and save before restarting. If the line remains but is placed below another section header, move it back under [ServerSettings].

It worked until a patch

Game updates can change or overwrite configuration behavior. Re-open the active configuration after every patch, confirm the password line and section, restart, and retest with the Admin Manager. Do not assume that a previously working authentication session proves the new server process is configured correctly.

The allowlist does not authenticate an administrator

  • Confirm the filename is exactly AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt, including the extension.
  • Confirm it is in ShooterGame/Saved on the server.
  • Use the complete Steam64 ID returned by whoami, with one ID per line.
  • Remove accidental spaces, commas, names, or quotation marks.
  • Restart after saving and join again. Editing the file while connected does not necessarily change the current session.

Dedicated, non-dedicated, and single-player sessions

Some community guidance says enablecheats is unnecessary in single-player or non-dedicated sessions. That advice concerns those session types, not a dedicated server administered through GameUserSettings.ini. For a dedicated server, use the password or Steam64-ID process described above.

Non-dedicated and single-player menus may expose cheat controls directly, and their configuration paths can differ. Do not copy a single-player solution into a hosted dedicated server and expect it to grant remote players administrator access.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Security practices for a shared server

  • Use a long, unique admin password and do not post it in public chat, server descriptions, screenshots, or support tickets.
  • Give the password only to people who need emergency or temporary access.
  • Prefer the Steam64 allowlist for regular administrators so the password is not repeatedly shared.
  • Back up the configuration before changing it, but protect backups because they contain the admin password.
  • Remove former administrators from AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt and change the password if access may have been exposed.
  • Keep an audit note of who has administrator access and when the password or allowlist was changed.

Admin access is effectively full control over the game server. A person who knows the password can use commands that affect every connected player and the persistent world, so treat the credential like a server-management secret rather than a normal player password.

A concise setup checklist

  1. Stop the dedicated server or open its host configuration editor.
  2. Set ServerAdminPassword=... beneath [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini.
  3. Save and restart the server.
  4. Join the correct server and open the PC console with Tab.
  5. Run enablecheats your-password.
  6. Run showmyadminmanager or cheat fly to verify access.
  7. Optionally add Steam64 IDs, one per line, to ShooterGame/Saved/AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt, restart, and test automatic authentication.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.