ARKServer AdminARK: Survival Evolved RCON Commands: Server Admin Reference
ARK server admin over RCON: enable it with ServerAdminPassword, why you drop the admincheat prefix over RCON, list/kick/ban by Steam64 ID, broadcast and chat, save and shutdown, destroy wild dinos and set time - plus the SteamID-vs-PlayerID and one server-crashing command to avoid.
ARK: Survival Evolved uses the Source RCON protocol. This reference covers the commands that actually work over RCON - and clears up the long-standing admincheat prefix confusion.
How ARK RCON works
Enable RCON in GameUserSettings.ini under [ServerSettings]:
RCONEnabled=True
RCONPort=27020
ServerAdminPassword=YourSecretPassword
ServerAdminPassword is the RCON password. Changes apply on restart. Connect any Source RCON client.
Over RCON, drop the admincheat/cheat prefix. Send the bare command - KickPlayer 7656..., not admincheat KickPlayer 7656.... The RCON connection is already authenticated, so the in-game prefix isn't needed (the engine accepts it but it's redundant). EnableCheats is an in-game-only command and has no meaning over RCON.
Listing players
| Command | What it returns |
|---|---|
ListPlayers | Connected players with their Steam64 IDs - the ID kick/ban use. |
GetPlayerIDForSteamID / GetSteamIDForPlayerID are documented as buggy - rely on ListPlayers for Steam64 IDs.
Moderation
| Command | Syntax | Notes |
|---|---|---|
KickPlayer | KickPlayer <Steam64ID> | Disconnect (no ban). |
BanPlayer | BanPlayer <Steam64ID> | Ban + kick; persists to the server ban file. |
UnbanPlayer | UnbanPlayer <Steam64ID> | Remove a ban. |
Messaging
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
Broadcast <message> | Large on-screen overlay to all players. |
ServerChat <message> | Message to all players in chat (less intrusive than Broadcast). |
ServerChatTo "<Steam64ID>" <message> | Private chat to one player by Steam ID. |
ServerChatToPlayer "<Name>" <message> | Private chat to one player by name. |
GetChat | Recent chat buffer (consumed on read - polling tools use it to mirror chat). |
Server control
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
SaveWorld | Force an immediate world save. |
DoExit | Shut down the server immediately - run SaveWorld first and warn players. |
DestroyWildDinos | Remove all wild creatures (they respawn; common after changing levels/mods). |
SetTimeOfDay <HH:MM:SS> | Set the in-game time. |
GetGameLog | Print recent log lines (needs the -servergamelog launch flag). |
Config vs RCON
These live in GameUserSettings.ini and apply at restart - they are NOT live RCON: ServerAdminPassword, MaxPlayers, ServerPVE, DifficultyOffset, XPMultiplier, TamingSpeedMultiplier, HarvestAmountMultiplier.
Gotchas
- Two ID systems: moderation uses the Steam64 ID (from
ListPlayers); a separate UE4 PlayerID is used by some in-game commands. Don't mix them. - Do not run
GetTribeIdPlayerListover RCON - it crashes the server. - Many ARK commands (
fly,god,giveitem,summon, teleport-to-self) need an in-game character and do nothing useful over RCON. - ASA (Survival Ascended):
Broadcastmay not work - useServerChatthere.
Quick reference
ListPlayers # connected players + Steam64 IDs
KickPlayer 76561197960287930
BanPlayer 76561197960287930
Broadcast Server restarting in 10 minutes
ServerChat Welcome! Type /rules in chat.
SaveWorld
DoExit # shutdown (save first!)
Running these in MantaScope
MantaScope's web RCON connects to your ARK server over Source RCON from the browser - list players with their Steam64 IDs, ban with one click and have it persist, schedule restarts and saves, and broadcast to everyone without keeping a desktop tool open.