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 (the ~ key on PC), and authenticate:
enablecheats <ServerAdminPassword>
The password is set in your server's GameUserSettings.ini under ServerAdminPassword. Once authenticated, you can run admin commands. On a multiplayer server each command needs cheat (or admincheat) in front of it, so listplayers becomes cheat listplayers (ARK Wiki). The tables below leave the prefix out.
Player Management
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
listplayers | List connected players and their IDs |
kickplayer <PlayerID> | Kick a player (ASA uses the EOS ID that listplayers shows) |
banplayer <PlayerID> | Ban a player |
unbanplayer <PlayerID> | 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
Running these on your own server
On a dedicated ASA server, set ServerAdminPassword in GameUserSettings.ini under [ServerSettings] and restart. If you do not want to type the password every session, put each admin's EOS ID (the 32 character ID that whoami shows) on its own line in ShooterGame/Saved/AllowedCheaterAccountIDs.txt; those players get admin rights automatically when they join (ARK Wiki server configuration). For remote admin work there is RCON on the RCONPort you set, logged in with the same admin password. Commands sent over RCON need no cheat prefix, but anything that targets your crosshair or your own character, such as forcetame or infinitestats, only works in game. Space-Node's ARK server hosting includes RCON and file access to both config files on every plan.
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