---
title: How to Become an Admin on your Sons of the Forest Server
description: "How to become an Admin on your Sons of the Forest server. "
source: "https://nodecraft.com/support/games/sons-of-the-forest/how-to-become-an-admin-on-your-sons-of-the-forest-server"
image: "https://dynamic-assets.nodecraft.com/signedurl/w7vokBAexMnVlnMZ1Q/image.jpg?modifications=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&s=27d42af00ef9bf6ed9cae4caba15526f8ae6cf50bad8cd4a48f7f06da9cc0190"
published: "2025-11-26T23:59:29.751Z"
updated: "2025-11-26T23:59:29.715Z"
---

# How to Become an Admin on your Sons of the Forest Server

How to become an Admin on your Sons of the Forest server. 

In Sons of the Forest, administrators are given special permissions that let them fine-tune and oversee the server’s gameplay experience. As an admin, you can control various settings, including enemy activity, item distribution, and environmental conditions. Admin access is assigned to Steam accounts defined in the server’s configuration files.

## Adding Admins via Server Files

Follow these steps to add yourself or another player as an administrator:

1. **Log in** to your **Nodecraft account** and locate your **dashboard**.
2. Select your **Sons of the Forest** server panel.

**Note: Always stop your server before making configuration changes to ensure that all updates are saved correctly.**

3. Navigate to the **Server Files** tab.  
4. **Locate** and **Edit** the file named `ownedwhitelist.txt` found inside the `/saves` folder.  
![where you locate sotf admins](https://cms-a.nodecraft.com/f/133932/1849x512/b58c220c2c/directory_file_admins.png/m/1000x0/smart)  
5. On a new line, **enter the player’s SteamID64**. Each admin should be listed on a separate line.

**Note: If you’re unsure how to find a user’s SteamID64, you can use a Steam ID lookup tool such as ****[https://steamid.io](https://steamid.io)****.**

6. Click **Save** once you’ve added all the desired Steam IDs.  
![how to add admins](https://cms-a.nodecraft.com/f/133932/1524x234/9324500501/admin_id.png/m/1000x0/smart)  
7. **Restart your server** to apply the changes.

## Troubleshooting

If your admin permissions are not working, try the following steps:

- **Verify the SteamID64:**

  Make sure you used the correct **SteamID64** (a 17-digit number). Shorter or custom IDs will not work.
- **Check File Location:**

  Confirm that the **ownedwhitelist.txt** file is inside the correct **/saves** directory for your server’s active world.
- **Ensure Proper Formatting:**

  Each SteamID should be placed on its own line, with no commas, spaces, or extra characters.
- **Restart the Server:**

  Changes will not take effect until the server has been **restarted** after saving the file.
- **Confirm You’re Logged Into the Correct Steam Account:**

  Admin privileges only apply to the Steam account listed in the configuration. Double-check you’re using the same account in-game.
- **Server Cache Delay:**

  Occasionally, admin status might take a few minutes to register after joining the server. Try reconnecting if it doesn’t apply immediately.

## Conclusion

Becoming an admin in **Sons of the Forest** gives you full control over your world, allowing you to manage gameplay, enforce rules, and enhance the overall experience for players. Once your SteamID64 is correctly added to the `ownedwhitelist.txt` file and the server is restarted, you’ll have access to all admin commands and controls.

If you still encounter issues after following the troubleshooting steps, double-check your file paths and IDs, or reach out to your hosting provider’s support team for further assistance.