Valheim admin permissions, allowlist and moderation

Find the correct player identifier

Have the player join, then obtain their Platform User ID from the in-game F2 panel or server logs. The documented format is [Platform]_[User ID] and it is case-sensitive. Copy the complete observed value instead of guessing a prefix from the console's marketing name.

Keep these identifiers in private administration records. They are used to control access, not to publish a player directory.

Edit the permission files

Back up existing files and stop the server cleanly before editing. They live in the effective save directory, which can be overridden by -savedir:

• adminlist.txt grants administrator privileges;
• bannedlist.txt blocks listed identifiers;
• permittedlist.txt restricts joining to approved identifiers.

Use one identifier per line. Be careful with the last file: once populated, players missing from it cannot join. Add every intended member, including administrators, before enabling that restriction.

Verify moderation with a test account

Restart and have the promoted player reconnect. On Steam, add -console to the client's launch options and press F5. Begin with help and available information commands. Moderation includes kick, ban, unban and banned; confirm syntax in the help output before targeting anyone.

Test privileges with a consenting member and a non-administrator account. Also verify that an approved ordinary player can still join. These rights do not make every single-player cheat command available on a vanilla dedicated server.

Remove access when it is no longer needed

Keep the administrator group small and remove former members from the appropriate lists. Hosting-panel credentials are separate from in-game privileges. Sharing the main hosting account generally grants much broader control than moderating a play session.

Frequently asked questions