# How to Ban Players on Your Arma Reforger Server (/docs/arma-reforger/ban-players)



import { Tab, Tabs } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/tabs';
import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

There are three ways to ban players from your Arma Reforger server: editing `config.json`, using RCON, or banning in-game via Game Master mode.

<Tabs items={['Via config.json', 'Via RCON', 'Via Game Master']}>
  <Tab value="Via config.json">
    Best for permanent bans you want to track in version control.

    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Stop the server [#stop-the-server]

        Go to **Console** in the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and stop your server.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Open config.json [#open-configjson]

        Click **Files** in the sidebar and open `config.json`.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Add the ban list [#add-the-ban-list]

        Add the `playerBanList` array inside the `game` block:

        ```json
        "game": {
          "playerBanList": [
            {
              "identityId": "player-identity-id",
              "name": "PlayerName",
              "reason": "Griefing in main base"
            }
          ]
        }
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Save and start [#save-and-start]

        Click **Save Content** and start the server. The banned player can no longer connect.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab value="Via RCON">
    Best for real-time bans without restarting the server. Requires [RCON setup](/docs/arma-reforger/rcon).

    Connect with an RCON client and run:

    ```
    #ban <playerID>
    #kick <playerID>
    ```

    > Exact RCON command syntax can vary by server version. Check `#help` in your RCON session for the available commands.
  </Tab>

  <Tab value="Via Game Master">
    Best when you're already in-game as an admin.

    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Authenticate as admin [#authenticate-as-admin]

        Press chat key and type:

        ```
        #login YourAdminPassword
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Open Game Master menu [#open-game-master-menu]

        From the pause menu, select **Game Master**.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Ban from the player list [#ban-from-the-player-list]

        Find the player in the list and use the kick or ban option.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    See [Game Master Mode](/docs/arma-reforger/game-master) for more.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Unbanning Players [#unbanning-players]

To unban, edit `config.json`, remove the player's entry from `playerBanList`, save, and restart the server.

Best Practices [#best-practices]

* **Document ban reasons** — keep the `reason` field filled in for future reference
* **Warn first** — for minor offenses, kick before banning
* **Keep records** — save banned identity IDs externally so you can recognize ban evaders
* **Review periodically** — consider unbanning after a cooldown period for minor offenses

> **Note:** Bohemia identity IDs are tied to accounts. Players with multiple accounts can potentially evade bans, so monitor for suspicious behavior from new players.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [RCON](/docs/arma-reforger/rcon)
* [Adding a Whitelist](/docs/arma-reforger/adding-whitelist)
* [Game Master Mode](/docs/arma-reforger/game-master)
* [Admin Setup](/docs/arma-reforger/admin-setup)