How to Use Admin Commands on a Valheim Server

Context

Managing a Valheim server involves being able to moderate players and check the server status in real time. To do this, the game features a built-in command console. However, on a dedicated server, these commands require a quick launch setup on your game client (Steam) before they can be used.

This guide shows you how to enable the console and use essential admin commands on your Winheberg server.

Prerequisites

An active Valheim server on your Winheberg panel.
Your SteamID64 must be added to your server's adminlist.txt file (See our guide: How to Add an Administrator).

Step 1: Enable the Steam Console

By default, the Valheim command console is disabled. Every administrator must enable it on their own game client:

Open Steam and go to your Library.
Right-click on Valheim and select Properties.
In the General tab, scroll down to the Launch Options section.
Type exactly this into the text field: -console
Close the window. The change is saved automatically.

Step 2: Use Commands In-Game

Once the console is enabled and you are connected to your server:

Press the F5 key on your keyboard. A black console window will open.
Type the following command and press Enter: devcommands
A message will confirm that developer commands are enabled.

In the console (F5), commands are typed without the slash /. The slash is only required if you are typing a command directly into the standard in-game chat window.

Step 3: Essential Commands List

Here are the official administrator commands available on a Vanilla dedicated server:

help : Displays the list of available commands.
kick [PlayerName/SteamID/IP] : Kicks a player from the server.
ban [PlayerName/SteamID/IP] : Permanently bans a player.
unban [PlayerName/SteamID/IP] : Revokes a player's ban.
banned : Displays the list of currently banned players.
ping : Displays your connection latency (ping) to the server.
save : Forces the server to save the world immediately (recommended before a restart).
info : Displays current system information.
lodbias [1-5] : Sets the server's level of detail bias (draw distance).

Advanced "cheat" commands (like spawning items, god mode, or flying) are disabled by default on dedicated multiplayer servers for security reasons.

To unlock these advanced commands on your server, you can install the Server_devcommands mod. You can also view the full list of all existing commands on the official Valheim Fandom Wiki.

Troubleshooting

❌ The F5 key does nothing

Check Steam: Ensure you typed -console (with the dash) correctly in the Steam launch options and restart your game.

❌ The game says "You are not an administrator"

Missing rights: Your SteamID64 is not properly configured in the server's adminlist.txt file. Double-check the file, ensure there are no stray spaces, and restart your server.

Best Practices

Manual saving: Make it a habit to type save in the console before making major changes or stopping the server from your panel.
Use SteamIDs: When kicking or banning a player, it is always safer to use their SteamID64 rather than their in-game name to avoid targeting the wrong person.

Need Assistance?

If you encounter difficulties, our support team is ready to help. Submit a support ticket through Winheberg Support. 🎮