Factorio Server Admin Commands and How to Use Them

Factorio’s console is the fastest way to moderate a multiplayer game, change supported server settings, save a world, and manage permissions without stopping the server. Press the grave key (`, left of 1 and above Tab), type a slash command, and press Return. Administrators can promote or remove admins, kick or ban players, maintain a whitelist, edit live configuration, and save immediately. Headless servers expose the same operational controls through startup flags and, when configured, RCON. Treat Lua commands such as /c as a separate category: Factorio permanently disables achievements for that save as soon as a script command is used.

How do I open and use the Factorio console?

Open the in-game command line by pressing the grave key (`). It is normally to the left of 1 and above Tab. If your keyboard layout makes that key inconvenient, go to Settings → Controls → Toggle chat (and Lua console) and assign another key.

1. Join the multiplayer game or load the save in which you have permission to act.
2. Press the console key.
3. Enter a command beginning with /, then press Return.
4. Use Tab for completion of command names, options, and player names.

Text without a leading slash is sent as team chat, not interpreted as a command. By default, commands you execute are visible to every player, so avoid putting passwords or other secrets in command text.

Which Factorio commands can every player use?

The following commands are available to everyone, including non-admin players. They are useful for checking the server, communicating, or managing a whitelist when the server’s permission model allows it.

Command	What it does
/admins	Lists the current game administrators.
/bans	Lists banned players.
/banlist <add/remove/get/clear> <player>	Adds, removes, lists, or clears ban-list entries. It provides the equivalent of ban and unban list management.
/whitelist <add/remove/get/clear> [player]	Adds, removes, lists, or clears whitelist entries. An empty whitelist disables whitelist enforcement.
/mutes	Lists players who are muted.
/players [online/o/count/c] or /p ...	Lists all players, lists online players, or returns a player count, depending on the option.
/shout <message> or /s ...	Sends a message to all players and forces.
/whisper <player> <message> or /w ...	Sends a private message to one player.
/ignore <player> / /unignore <player>	Hides or restores another player’s chat locally. This changes only your view.

Use the abbreviated forms when typing during an active game, but use the full forms in server procedures and documentation so another administrator can understand them immediately.

How do I make someone an admin or remove admin access?

You must already be an administrator to grant or revoke administrator status. The change applies to the player name you specify; confirm spelling with Tab completion or the player list first.

Command	Permission	Result
/promote <player>	Admin only	Promotes the named player to administrator.
/demote <player>	Admin only	Removes administrator status.
/admins	Everyone	Displays the current administrator list so you can verify the result.
/permissions	Admin only	Opens the permission-group interface.
/permissions <action> ...	Admin only	Edits permission groups from the console.

Give admin access only to people who need it. Admin status permits destructive actions such as deleting stored blueprint libraries, changing multiplayer settings, and opening another player’s inventory.

What are the Factorio kick, ban, unban, mute, and purge commands?

Use moderation commands in this order: identify the exact player name, choose the least severe action that solves the problem, and include a clear reason when the syntax accepts one. Kick ends the current session; ban blocks future joins until you remove the ban.

Command	Use	Permission
/kick <player> <reason>	Removes a player from the current game. The reason is shown to the affected player.	Admin only
/ban <player> <reason>	Bans a player from joining.	Admin only
/unban <player>	Removes a player’s ban.	Admin only
/mute <player>	Prevents a player from chatting.	Admin only
/unmute <player>	Restores that player’s chat access.	Admin only
/purge <player>	Clears that player’s messages from the chat log.	Admin only

For list-based administration, /banlist and /whitelist expose add, remove, get, and clear operations. The command reference lists these list-management forms as available to everyone, so protect the server with permission groups if ordinary players must not alter those lists. The empty-whitelist state is significant: it turns whitelist functionality off rather than creating a whitelist that blocks everyone.

How do I open another player’s inventory or swap players?

These are administrative troubleshooting tools, not ordinary moderation actions. They require admin access and can expose or alter gameplay state, so use them only with a clear reason.

• /open <player> (or /o <player>) opens another player’s inventory.
• /swap-players <player> [player] swaps character positions. With two names, their positions are exchanged; follow the server’s command completion to select the intended targets.

If a player is offline, these commands are not a substitute for save-file editing. For offline blueprint data, use the dedicated deletion command described below and keep a backup before acting.

How do I change Factorio server settings without restarting?

Use /config while the server is running. The graphical configuration window is admin-only; the get and set forms let you inspect or change supported live multiplayer options.

1. Run /config to open the server configuration interface.
2. For a specific value, run /config get <option>.
3. Apply a supported change with /config set <option> <value>.
4. Verify the resulting value with another /config get command and tell players about changes that affect joining or pausing.

Option	What to check
afk-auto-kick	Automatic removal of idle players; the value is in minutes.
allow-commands	Whether console commands are allowed.
allow-debug-settings	Whether debug settings are permitted.
autosave-interval	Autosave frequency; the value is in minutes.
autosave-only-on-server	Restricts autosaves to server-side operation.
ignore-player-limit-for-returning-players	Controls whether returning players bypass the normal player limit.
max-players	Sets the normal multiplayer player limit.
max-upload-speed	Controls the server’s upload-speed limit.
only-admins-can-pause	Limits pausing to administrators.
password	Sets or changes the multiplayer password.
require-user-verification	Controls user-verification requirements.
visibility-lan	Controls LAN visibility.
visibility-public	Controls public listing visibility.

The command reference establishes these option names, but it does not promise that every setting accepts every value or that every change is harmless during a session. If a value is rejected, read the current value, check its expected type, and use the server-settings file on the next restart for options that are not live-editable.

How do I save the multiplayer game immediately?

Run /server-save as an administrator. This requests an immediate multiplayer save, which is useful before maintenance, a major configuration change, or an operation that could be difficult to undo.

An immediate save is not a replacement for a backup strategy. Keep dated copies of important save files outside the active save directory so a bad command, mod problem, or corrupted write does not leave the only copy unusable.

How do I manage blueprints and other high-impact admin data?

Two commands affect stored blueprint data and should be treated as destructive maintenance operations.

• /delete-blueprint-library <player> deletes the offline player’s blueprint-library storage.
• /delete-blueprint-library everybody confirm targets all offline players. The explicit confirm word is part of the safety syntax.
• /large-blueprint-size <get/set> <value> reads or changes the byte threshold used for large blueprints.

The default large-blueprint threshold documented for Factorio is 10,485,760 bytes (10 MiB), reported by the Factorio Wiki in 2026. Treat a threshold change as a compatibility decision: large blueprint strings consume more storage and can affect the experience of players sharing them.

Do Factorio console commands disable achievements?

Ordinary moderation and administration commands do not carry the documented achievement warning. Lua or script commands do. The forms /c <command>, /command <command>, and /sc <command> execute Lua when allowed, and Factorio states that achievements are permanently disabled for the save as soon as a script command is used.

Keep a separate test save for scripting. Do not paste a Lua command into a production achievement world merely to inspect a value. If a script has already run, restoring an earlier backup is the only practical way to return to a pre-script achievement state; removing the command from chat history does not reverse the save-level change.

How do I run a Factorio headless or dedicated server?

A dedicated server needs a save file. Create a new save with --create SAVE, or start an existing save with --start-server SAVE. To load the newest save automatically, use --start-server-load-latest together with --server-settings so the server has an explicit settings file.

Start an existing save

factorio --start-server SAVE

Create a save before starting

factorio --create SAVE
factorio --start-server SAVE

Load the latest save with settings

factorio --start-server-load-latest --server-settings FILE

Replace SAVE and FILE with paths accessible to the Factorio process. On a service-managed host, put these arguments in the service definition or launch script and confirm the process user can read the save and settings files.

Which headless-server flags control administration and remote access?

Use separate files for each list and explicitly configure remote access. Boolean options must use the parameter=true or parameter=false form; writing only the parameter name is not equivalent.

Flag	Purpose
--server-settings FILE	Loads multiplayer settings from a file.
--server-adminlist FILE	Loads the administrator list.
--server-banlist FILE	Loads the ban list.
--server-whitelist FILE	Loads the whitelist.
--use-server-whitelist=true|false	Turns whitelist enforcement on or off.
--console-log FILE	Writes console output to the specified log file.
--rcon-port N	Sets the RCON TCP port.
--rcon-bind ADDRESS:PORT	Chooses the address and port on which RCON listens.
--rcon-password PASSWORD	Sets the password required for RCON connections.

RCON is remote administrative access, so bind it only where necessary, restrict the firewall to trusted addresses, use a strong unique password, and avoid exposing the port directly to the public internet. A server log can contain player names and command activity; protect it like other operational records.

What network and version requirements must administrators check?

Factorio multiplayer uses UDP and defaults to port 34197. Forward that port to the machine running the server when players connect from outside the local network, and allow the same traffic through the host firewall and any upstream router.

• Every game instance must run the same Factorio version.
• Every connected instance must have matching mods and compatible mod versions.
• Verify the server’s public or LAN visibility setting before troubleshooting a client that cannot see it.
• Check the process log and firewall before changing gameplay settings; a blocked port cannot be fixed with a console moderation command.

The documented hard player limit is 65,535, reported by the Factorio Wiki in 2026. That is an engine limit, not a practical recommendation: CPU time, memory, upload capacity, simulation complexity, and mod load will normally constrain a server much earlier.

What should I choose between self-hosting and managed Factorio server hosting?

Self-hosting gives you direct control of the operating system, files, firewall, backups, and launch flags. Managed hosting trades some low-level control for an administration panel, provider-maintained networking, and support; evaluate the actual service rather than assuming every host offers the same tools.

Decision area	Self-hosted server	Managed service
Console and RCON	Full control of console access, bind address, and credentials.	Confirm whether in-game console, RCON, or both are exposed and how credentials are stored.
Backups and restore	You design schedules, retention, off-site copies, and recovery tests.	Check backup frequency, retention, downloadable copies, and restore procedure.
Mods and versions	You control uploads, pin versions, and resolve incompatibilities.	Check whether the panel supports the current Factorio release and safe mod rollback.
Firewall and ports	You configure UDP 34197, RCON, NAT, and operating-system rules.	Confirm which ports are available and whether custom firewall rules are allowed.
CPU and RAM	You select hardware and can profile simulation performance.	Check allocated resources, upgrade policy, and whether resources are shared.
Autosaves	You set intervals and retention in your own settings and scripts.	Confirm how autosaves interact with provider snapshots and scheduled restarts.
Support	You troubleshoot the game, OS, and network yourself.	Check response times, supported versions, and whether mod issues are included.

Before migrating, export the save, admin list, ban list, whitelist, and settings file. Test the copied save on the new server with the same game and mod versions before changing DNS or sharing the new address.

Why does a command fail, and how do I recover?

“Unknown command” or no response

• Confirm the leading slash and spelling. Plain text is chat.
• Press Tab to complete the command and player name.
• Check whether allow-commands is enabled.
• Verify that the command exists in the Factorio version running on the server; do not copy syntax from a different release without checking it.

“You are not an admin”

Use /admins to see who has administrator status. An existing admin must run /promote <player>, or the headless server must load the intended administrator list with --server-adminlist FILE.

A player cannot join after a settings change

Check password, visibility-lan, visibility-public, require-user-verification, max-players, and whitelist enforcement. If the server is reachable but the client reports a mismatch, compare the Factorio version and complete mod set on both sides.

The server is reachable but remote players time out

Confirm UDP port 34197 is forwarded to the correct machine and permitted by both the host firewall and router. RCON uses its separately configured TCP port; opening RCON does not open the game port.

A save no longer earns achievements

Check whether anyone ran /c, /command, /sc, or another script form. Factorio’s documented behavior is permanent for that save after a script command executes, so restore a clean backup if achievement eligibility matters.

Which administrative habits prevent avoidable damage?

• Save with /server-save before bans that may trigger disputes, configuration changes, or maintenance.
• Keep dated backups outside the active save directory and periodically test restoring one.
• Use permission groups to separate routine moderation from destructive maintenance.
• Record why an admin changed a ban, whitelist entry, or live setting.
• Keep production achievement saves separate from experimentation with Lua.
• Restrict RCON by address and firewall, and rotate its password when an administrator leaves.
• After every Factorio update, test startup flags, mods, save loading, and the commands your moderators use most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Factorio commands from outside the game?

Yes, a headless server can expose RCON with a configured port, bind address, and password. RCON is separate from the in-game console, so secure its listener and firewall independently of the game’s UDP port.

Why does an empty whitelist let everyone join?

An empty whitelist disables whitelist functionality in Factorio’s command behavior. To restrict access, add at least the intended players and enable whitelist enforcement rather than merely creating an empty file.

Will changing autosave settings delete existing saves?

Changing autosave-interval changes the timing of future autosaves; it does not itself remove existing save files. Retention and deletion depend on your server’s save-management process, so keep external backups.

What should I copy when moving a Factorio server to another machine?

Copy the save, server settings, admin list, ban list, whitelist, and any required mod files or version information. Start the copy with matching game and mod versions, then verify connectivity and permissions before inviting players.