Skip to main content
Valheim keeps server administration deliberately simple: three plain-text lists control who is an admin, who is banned, and (optionally) who may join at all. Admins then run commands through the in-game console. This guide covers all of it.

​
The Three Access Lists

These files live in the server’s save directory, the same location that contains the worlds_local folder (or the folder set by -savedir; see server configuration). Edit them with the panel File Manager or SFTP. Format: one SteamID64 per line, nothing else. Lines starting with // are comments.
permittedlist.txt is all-or-nothing: as soon as it contains a single ID, everyone not on the list is locked out, including you, if you forget to add yourself. Leave it empty for a public (password-protected) server.
You do not need to restart the server after editing these lists, because they’re picked up automatically. However, a newly added admin must disconnect and rejoin before their console access works.

​
Finding a SteamID64

A SteamID64 is a 17-digit number starting with 7656.
  • Paste the player’s Steam profile URL into SteamID.io and copy the steamID64 value.
  • If the profile URL is the numeric form (steamcommunity.com/profiles/7656...), the ID is right in the URL.
  • IDs of players currently connecting also appear in the server log in the panel Console.

​
Enabling the In-Game Console

The console is disabled by default on the client. This is a client launch option, not a server setting.
1

Add the launch option in Steam

In your Steam library, right-click Valheim → Properties → General, and add to Launch Options:
2

Join the server and open the console

Connect to your server and press F5 to open the console.
3

Verify admin status

If your SteamID64 is in adminlist.txt, server commands like kick and save will work. If they’re rejected, double-check the list and rejoin.

​
Server Commands (F5 Console)

Banning by SteamID64 is the most reliable option, because names change but IDs don’t.
No console access at the moment? You can achieve the same result by editing the lists directly: add the offender’s SteamID64 to bannedlist.txt via the File Manager and they’re banned on their next connection attempt, no restart required.

​
About devcommands (Cheats)

Typing devcommands in the console unlocks cheat/debug commands (god, fly, spawn, tod, and more). These are singleplayer-style developer tools: they only affect the admin who enables them, they’re easy to fat-finger, and item spawning can quickly ruin a survival server’s economy and trust. Use them sparingly on a live server, if at all, and tell your players when you do.

​
Managing the Server Itself

Kicks, bans, and saves run in-game, but starting, stopping, and monitoring the server happens in the Game Panel. If you want co-admins to restart the server or edit the access lists without full account access, give them panel sub-users permissions. For scheduled restarts and automated saves, use the panel’s Schedules feature, and keep regular backups of your world.

Run your own Viking realm

Valheim server hosting from €7.49/month with full file access, panel console, and 24/7 support included.