How to Add Admins on Your Insurgency: Sandstorm Server
Learn how to set up admin access on your Insurgency: Sandstorm server using RCON and the Admins.txt file.
Insurgency: Sandstorm supports two methods for server administration: RCON (Remote Console) for remote command execution, and the Admins.txt file for granting in-game admin privileges to specific players. Most server operators use both.
Method 1: RCON (Remote Console)
RCON lets you execute server commands remotely using an RCON client, without needing to be connected to the server in-game.
Setting Up RCON
Open the XGamingServer panel
Log in to the XGamingServer panel and select your Insurgency: Sandstorm server. Stop the server.
Configure RCON settings
Click Startup in the sidebar. Find and configure the following RCON settings:
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| RCON Port | The port RCON listens on | 27015 |
| RCON Password | Password required to authenticate | (none) |
Set a strong, unique RCON password. This password gives full server control — treat it like an admin password.
Save and restart
Click Save and start your server.
Connecting via RCON
Once RCON is configured, connect using any Source RCON-compatible client. Popular options include:
- HLSW — Classic server management tool
- mcrcon — Command-line RCON client
- Webrcon — Web-based RCON interface
Connect to your server's IP address on the RCON port (default 27015) and authenticate with your RCON password.
Method 2: Admins.txt File
The Admins.txt file grants in-game admin privileges to specific players identified by their Steam64 ID.
Find the player's Steam64 ID
Visit steamid.io and search for the player's Steam profile URL or username. Copy their SteamID64 (a 17-digit number like 76561198012345678).
Open the Admins.txt file
Log in to the XGamingServer panel and select your server. Click Files in the sidebar and navigate to:
Insurgency/Config/Server/Open Admins.txt. If it doesn't exist, create a new file called Admins.txt in this directory.
Save and restart
Save the file and restart your server. The listed players will have admin access the next time they connect.
RCON Commands Reference
Once connected via RCON, you can use the following commands:
Server Management
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
listplayers | List all connected players |
kick <PlayerName> | Kick a player by name |
ban <PlayerName> | Ban a player |
permban <PlayerName> | Permanently ban a player |
unban <SteamID> | Unban a player by Steam ID |
say <message> | Send a server-wide chat message |
restartround | Restart the current round |
restartmap | Restart the current map |
nextmap | Skip to the next map in the rotation |
Map Changes
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
travel <MapScenario> | Change to a specific map and scenario |
maps | List available maps |
scenarios | List available scenarios for the current map |
Game Settings
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
gamemodeproperty <Property> <Value> | Change a game mode setting at runtime |
travelscenario <Scenario> | Change the scenario without reloading the map |
Admin Privileges In-Game
Players listed in Admins.txt can access the admin menu in-game:
- Press Escape to open the menu
- Look for Admin options to kick/ban players, change maps, and modify game settings
- Open the console (
~) and use commands directly
Security Best Practices
- Use a strong RCON password — Anyone with the RCON password has full server control. Use a long, random password.
- Don't share RCON credentials widely — Only give RCON access to people who need remote server management.
- Use Admins.txt for in-game admins — It's more granular than sharing the RCON password, since it only grants in-game admin access.
- Change the RCON port — Using a non-default port adds a small layer of security against automated scans.
💡 Tip: You can use RCON tools like BattleMetrics for a web-based admin interface that lets you manage your server from a browser, set up chat logging, and configure automated actions.
📝 Note: Changes to
Admins.txtrequire a server restart to take effect. RCON settings changes also require a restart.
If you get stuck at any time, you can join our Discord.
How is this guide?
Insurgency: Sandstorm Server Guides
Comprehensive guides to set up, configure, and manage your Insurgency: Sandstorm dedicated server on XGamingServer.
How to Change the Map on Your Insurgency: Sandstorm Server
Learn how to change maps and scenarios on your Insurgency: Sandstorm server using the travel command and map cycle configuration.