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The reliable way to make yourself a Factorio server administrator is to add your Factorio account username to a file named server-adminlist.json. Save that file in the same directory as factorio-current.log, then restart the server. If you already have server-console access, the quicker option is /promote YourUsername; Factorio writes the change to the same admin-list file.
What you need before changing the server
You need access to the machine or hosting panel that runs the Factorio server. Depending on the host, that may be a panel file manager, an FTP/SFTP account, or direct access to the server’s file system. You also need the username of the Factorio account that authenticates to the multiplayer service.
- Use the account username used to authenticate with Factorio multiplayer, not merely the name shown above your character in game.
- Be able to stop and start, or restart, the server. Restarting makes the server read the edited list.
- Use a plain-text editor that can save valid JSON. A panel’s built-in editor is usually sufficient.
- Make a backup of any existing
server-adminlist.jsonbefore replacing it.
Factorio account names are case-sensitive for practical purposes: enter the name exactly as it is used to log in, and spell it exactly when using a console command.
Method 1: Add yourself to server-adminlist.json
This is the standard method when you do not yet have console privileges. The Factorio Wiki’s Multiplayer guidance says to create server-adminlist.json in the same directory as factorio-current.log. The file contains a JSON array of account usernames.
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1. Find the correct server directory
Open the server’s file manager or connect through FTP/SFTP. Search for factorio-current.log. The folder containing that log is the folder where server-adminlist.json belongs.
Do not assume that the folder containing your save file, installation binaries, or server-settings.json is automatically the right location. The log is the practical landmark because the admin list is read from its directory. If your provider exposes several instances, verify that you are editing the directory for the running instance rather than a backup or a different server.
2. Stop the server before editing
Stopping the instance first is the safest panel workflow. It prevents a running process from reading the file while it is being written and avoids losing an edit when the panel regenerates files during a restart. If your host offers a dedicated “Stop” control, use it rather than merely closing the browser tab.
3. Create or edit the file
Create a file named exactly server-adminlist.json. The extension must be .json; do not let a desktop editor silently add .txt. Put each username inside one JSON array:
[ "user1", "user2" ]For one administrator, this is enough:
[ "YourFactorioUsername" ]For several administrators, separate strings with commas:
[ "YourFactorioUsername", "TrustedCoAdmin" ]Keep the quotation marks, square brackets, and commas. Usernames are strings, not bare words. A trailing comma before the closing bracket makes the file invalid JSON and can prevent the list from working.
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4. Preserve existing administrators
If an admin list already exists, add your username to the existing array instead of deleting the other entries. For example, change:
[ "ExistingAdmin" ]to:
[ "ExistingAdmin", "YourFactorioUsername" ]Download or copy the original file before editing so you can restore it if the server rejects the new version.
5. Save, start, and reconnect
Save the file in the same directory as factorio-current.log. Start or restart the server, then join with the account whose username you added. A restart is important: it causes the server to read the current file rather than relying on an older in-memory state.
Method 2: Promote yourself from the server console
If you can open the Factorio server console, use the built-in promotion command instead of editing JSON manually:
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After promotion, reconnect if necessary and verify the result with:
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/adminsTo remove an administrator, use the corresponding demotion command:
/demote YourFactorioUsername/admins lists the current administrators. Treat console access as privileged: anyone who can issue these commands can change server access, so protect panel credentials and console endpoints.
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How to verify that you are an admin
Check the administrator list
Run /admins from the server console or in a context where you can issue server commands. Confirm that the exact account username appears, not a different display name or a similarly spelled account.
Check the file itself
After a file-based setup, reopen server-adminlist.json and confirm that:
- the file name is exactly
server-adminlist.json; - it is beside
factorio-current.logfor the running instance; - the contents are one JSON array;
- your authenticated Factorio username is inside double quotes; and
- there are no trailing commas, comments, or extra text before or after the array.
If the file is correct but the player was already connected, leave and rejoin after the restart. An older forum report says some versions applied the list when a player was first created on joining; that report is not a confirmed rule for current Factorio versions, so reconnecting or using /promote is the practical recovery step.
Fixes for the most common failures
The file does nothing
Start with location and spelling. The most common mistake is placing the file in an installation directory, save directory, or panel home directory that is not the directory containing factorio-current.log. Move it beside the log, restart the correct server instance, and reconnect.
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The JSON is invalid
Remove trailing commas, smart quotes, comments, and any text outside the brackets. A valid one-user file is:
[ "YourFactorioUsername" ]When editing in a panel, avoid rich-text editors that replace straight quotation marks with typographic quotes. If you copied an existing list, check every comma and quote manually.
You used the in-game name instead of the account username
The name displayed in the game may not be the identifier used by the Factorio multiplayer service. Replace it with the username of the account that authenticates to Factorio. If you are unsure, use the account name shown by the service or account settings rather than the character’s current display name.
You edited the wrong server or container
Hosts often keep separate directories for multiple instances, staging servers, backups, or restored worlds. Compare the timestamp and contents of factorio-current.log with the server you actually join. Then make the change in that instance’s directory and restart that instance, not a similarly named one.
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Some panels generate configuration files when an instance starts. Stop the server, edit the file, save it, and start the instance through the panel’s normal control. If the file disappears or reverts, use the panel’s configuration editor or ask the host which directory is persistent. Do not keep editing a temporary container path that is discarded on restart.
You cannot use the console command
Make sure you are entering the command in the server console, not a client chat box that does not have permission to execute server commands. Include the leading slash and use the exact account username. If console access is unavailable, return to the file method; it does not require existing administrator status.
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A SteamID64 or player name was suggested
One hosting guide claims a SteamID64 or player name can be used, but other guidance specifies Factorio account usernames. Support for alternative identifiers is not established here. Use the authenticated Factorio account username as the default; only use another identifier if your particular Factorio version or host explicitly documents and confirms it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Hosted-panel procedure
The labels differ between providers, but the sequence is generally the same:
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- Open the server’s control panel and select the correct Factorio instance.
- Choose the file manager, or connect with the FTP/SFTP details supplied by the host.
- Locate
factorio-current.logand note its directory. - Stop the instance.
- Create or edit
server-adminlist.jsonin that directory. - Enter a valid JSON array containing the exact Factorio account username.
- Save the file without changing its name or extension.
- Start or restart the instance.
- Join with the account and verify with
/admins, if console access is available.
If your host provides a “startup variables” or “server settings” form, do not paste the admin array into server-settings.json. The admin list is a separate file. Keep it separate from server-banlist.json and server-whitelist.json as well; those files serve different access-control purposes.
File roles at a glance
| File or command | Purpose | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
server-adminlist.json |
Stores accounts with administrator access | JSON array of Factorio account usernames; place beside factorio-current.log |
server-settings.json |
Stores server configuration | Do not put the admin array here |
server-banlist.json |
Stores banned players | Separate from administrator management |
server-whitelist.json |
Stores the server allow-list | Separate from administrator management |
/promote <name> |
Grants administrator access from the console | Use the exact account username; hosting guides report that it writes the admin list |
/demote <name> |
Removes administrator access | Use the exact account username |
/admins |
Lists current administrators | Useful for verification |
Admin-list maintenance and security
Keep the list small
Every entry receives administrative authority. Add only accounts that need it, and remove former moderators with /demote or by deleting their entry from the JSON array followed by a restart.
Back up before changing access
Save a copy of the working list before making edits. A backup lets you restore access if a typo, malformed JSON file, or panel mistake prevents the server from recognizing the list.
Use the least disruptive method
For a one-time change while you are already operating the server, /promote avoids manual JSON editing. For initial setup, automation, or a server that cannot be joined yet, editing server-adminlist.json is the dependable path. In both cases, verify the account spelling and keep a record of who has access.
Quick recovery checklist
- Is the file named
server-adminlist.json, notserver-adminlist.json.txt? - Is it in the same directory as the active instance’s
factorio-current.log? - Does it contain a JSON array such as
[ "YourFactorioUsername" ]? - Did you use the Factorio account username rather than the display name?
- Did you remove trailing commas, comments, and smart quotation marks?
- Did you stop and restart the correct server after saving?
- Did you reconnect after the restart?
- Can you run
/adminsto confirm the entry? - If the file still fails, can you use
/promote YourFactorioUsernamefrom the server console?
Which method should you use?
| Situation | Best first choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You have no administrator or console access yet | Edit server-adminlist.json |
It is the documented bootstrap method and does not require an existing admin session |
| You already have server-console access | /promote <name> |
It is faster and hosting guides report that it updates the same list |
| The file method appears ineffective | Validate location and JSON, restart, then use /promote |
This separates file-format problems from account or session problems |
| You run several server instances | Find the log for the instance you join first | Each instance may have its own directory and admin list |
Bottom line
Create or edit server-adminlist.json beside the active server’s factorio-current.log, place your exact Factorio account username in a valid JSON array, save it, and restart the server. With console access, /promote YourFactorioUsername performs the same administrative change; use /admins to check the result.
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