TheGameHosting TeamTo become admin on a Project Zomboid server, join with the admin account you set a password for on the first start, or run setaccesslevel "YourName" "admin" in the server console. Admin commands work in the server console, or in the game chat with a slash in front, and only for players who have admin rights.
How to become admin on a Project Zomboid server
The first time you start a dedicated server, it asks you for an admin password. That creates the default admin account. You can also set it with the -adminpassword start option. See how to set up a Project Zomboid dedicated server.
There are two ways to get admin rights:
- Log in as
admin. Join the server with the usernameadminand the password you set. This account has full rights, and you can use it to promote your own player account. - Promote your own account from the console. Join with your normal account, so the server knows it, then run this in the server console. In our panel, that is the Console page:
setaccesslevel "YourUsername" "admin"Use the exact username you log in with. The PZwiki Admin commands page gives the syntax as /setaccesslevel "username" "accesslevel". In the server console you type the command without the leading slash, and in the game chat you type it with the slash.
Access levels
The English PZwiki page lists these access levels: user, priority, observer, gm, moderator and admin. Other language versions of the wiki also list overseer. Check which ones your build accepts by trying the command on a test account.
To take a level away, use none:
setaccesslevel "YourUsername" "none"Give admin to as few people as you can, and use moderator for helpers who handle players and do not need every command.
The admin commands you will use most
These come from the PZwiki Admin commands page, plus the commands for settings. They run in the server console, or in the game chat with a slash, for players with admin rights.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/setaccesslevel "user" "level" | Gives a player an access level, or removes one with none |
/adduser "user" "password" | Adds an account to a whitelisted server |
/kickuser "user" -r "reason" | Kicks a player and shows the reason |
/banuser "user" | Bans a player. Add -ip to ban their IP too |
/unbanuser "user" | Removes a ban |
/godmode "user" -value | Makes a player invincible. Without a name, it applies to you |
/teleport "player" | Teleports you to a player |
/teleport "player1" "player2" | Teleports one player to another |
/teleportto x,y,z | Teleports you to coordinates |
showoptions | Prints the server's live settings |
reloadoptions | Applies changes you made to servertest.ini while the server runs |
The PZwiki also describes a command that adds every connected player who has a password to the whitelist at once, /addalltowhitelist. Command syntax changed between older and newer builds, so if a command fails, check the wiki page for your build.
Admin commands and the whitelist
If your server is whitelisted, which means Open is off, players cannot create their own accounts. You add them with /adduser "username" "password". See how to make a Project Zomboid server private for the whole setup, including the password and the public list.
Settings admins change from the console
showoptions shows the live values of the server options. After you edit servertest.ini, reloadoptions applies the changes without a restart. Project Zomboid servertest.ini settings explained covers each option.
Set up a small admin team
When the group grows, you will want help. A simple setup that works:
- You:
admin. You keep theadminaccount for server settings and bans. - A few trusted players:
moderator. They can handle players without touching every setting. - Everyone else: a normal account with no access level.
To promote a friend to moderator, ask them to join once so the server knows the account, then run:
setaccesslevel "FriendName" "moderator"If they misuse it, take the level away with none. Do not hand out godmode or teleport commands to people who play on the same server, because it changes the game for everyone. Keep tools like these for support and for testing.
Admin commands on a hosted server
On a hosted server you do not need a special tool to run admin commands. The Console page in the panel sends your command straight to the server, so setaccesslevel, adduser, kickuser and the rest work from there. You can also run them in the game chat once you are admin. If you use sFTP or the File Manager for settings, remember that reloadoptions applies a changed servertest.ini while the server runs.
Keep your admin list safe
- Give admin to the fewest people possible, and use moderators for helpers.
- Use a strong admin password, and do not share it in chat or in screenshots.
- Remove access with
nonewhen a helper leaves. - Back up your save before you ban many players or change many settings at once.
If a command does not work
- You are not admin yet. The command only works for players with rights. Log in as
admin, or run the first promotion in the server console. - A wrong username. Use the exact name, with quotes, and check the capital letters.
- Different syntax in your build. Older guides use
key=valuepairs, such as/banuser username=reason. Check the PZwiki page for the build you run.
FAQ
How do I become admin on a Project Zomboid server?
Log in with the admin account and the password you set on the first start, or run setaccesslevel "YourUsername" "admin" in the server console. In our panel, use the Console page.
What are the access levels in Project Zomboid?
The English PZwiki page lists user, priority, observer, gm, moderator and admin. Other language versions also list overseer. Use none to remove a level.
Do admin commands start with a slash?
In the game chat, yes. In the server console you type them without the slash.
How do I add a player to the whitelist?
Turn Open off in servertest.ini, then run /adduser "username" "password" for each player. The wiki also lists /addalltowhitelist for connected players who have a password.
How do I kick or ban a player?
Use /kickuser "username" -r "reason" to kick, and /banuser "username" to ban. Add -ip to ban the IP as well. /unbanuser "username" removes a ban.
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