If you run an ARK Survival Ascended (ASA) server, admin commands let you manage players, control dinos, and fix problems live. Here is the admin command reference for server owners.
Becoming an Admin
Join your server, open the console, and authenticate:
enablecheats <ServerAdminPassword>
The password is set in your server's GameUserSettings.ini under ServerAdminPassword. Once authenticated, you can run cheat commands.
Player Management
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
listplayers | List connected players and IDs |
kickplayer <SteamID> | Kick a player |
banplayer <SteamID> | Ban a player |
unbanplayer <SteamID> | Remove a ban |
setmessageoftheday <text> | Set the MOTD |
broadcast <message> | Send a server-wide message |
teleporttoplayer <id> | Teleport to a player |
Dino and Creature Control
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
destroywilddinos | Wipe all wild dinos (they respawn) |
forcetame | Tame the targeted dino instantly |
destroymytarget | Delete the creature you look at |
settargetdinocolor <region> <id> | Recolor a dino |
destroywilddinos is handy after changing spawn settings or to refresh the map.
World and Time
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
saveworld | Force a world save |
settimeofday 12:00 | Set time of day |
slomo 1 | Set game speed |
Always run saveworld before restarting or making major changes.
Giving Items and Stats
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
giveitem "<bp>" <qty> <quality> <bp?> | Give an item |
giveexptoplayer <id> <amount> 0 1 | Give XP |
infinitestats | Infinite stats for yourself |
Best Practices for Admins
- Keep cheats off for normal play so you do not accidentally trigger commands
- Use a strong ServerAdminPassword and never share it
- Log admin actions if you have multiple admins to avoid abuse
- Back up your save before running destructive commands like
destroywilddinos
Hosting Note
Running ASA reliably needs solid hardware, the game is RAM-hungry (8-16 GB+ depending on mods and players). A dedicated game server host with good single-thread performance keeps your map smooth.
FAQ
Where is the ARK admin password set?
In GameUserSettings.ini as ServerAdminPassword.
How do I wipe wild dinos?
Run destroywilddinos as admin. They will respawn.
How do I list player IDs?
Use listplayers in the admin console.
Related: ARK Survival Ascended console commands, ARK Survival Ascended server hosting, ARK kibble guide