# How to Set a Password on Your Insurgency: Sandstorm Server (/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/set-a-password)



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

Setting a password on your Insurgency: Sandstorm server restricts access to players who know the password. This is useful for private matches, clan practice servers, or when you want to control who can play. Password-protected servers still appear in the server browser but display a lock icon.

Setting a Server Password [#setting-a-server-password]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer panel [#1-open-the-xgamingserver-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and select your Insurgency: Sandstorm server. Stop the server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Set the password via Startup [#2-set-the-password-via-startup]

    Click **Startup** in the sidebar. Find the **Password** field (this maps to the `-password=` startup parameter) and enter your desired password.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and restart [#3-save-and-restart]

    Click **Save** and start your server. Players will now be prompted to enter the password when they try to join.
  </div>
</div>

Alternative: Set via Command Line [#alternative-set-via-command-line]

If you use custom command-line parameters, set the password with:

```
-password=YourPassword
```

Removing the Password [#removing-the-password]

To make your server open to everyone again:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open Startup settings [#1-open-startup-settings]

    Click **Startup** in the sidebar.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Clear the password field [#2-clear-the-password-field]

    Delete the contents of the **Password** field so it is completely empty.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and restart [#3-save-and-restart-1]

    Click **Save** and start your server. The lock icon will no longer appear in the browser.
  </div>
</div>

Connecting to a Password-Protected Server [#connecting-to-a-password-protected-server]

When players connect to your password-protected server, they are prompted to enter the password. The process differs slightly by connection method:

| Method              | How the Password is Entered                                                                     |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Server Browser**  | A dialog box prompts for the password after clicking Join                                       |
| **Console Command** | Append `?Password=yourpassword` to the open command: `open 1.2.3.4:27102?Password=yourpassword` |
| **Steam Favorites** | Steam prompts for the password when connecting                                                  |

Password vs. RCON Password [#password-vs-rcon-password]

Insurgency: Sandstorm has two different passwords:

| Password Type       | Purpose                                          | How to Set                     |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| **Server Password** | Controls who can **join** the game               | `-password=` startup parameter |
| **RCON Password**   | Controls who can use **admin commands** remotely | RCON settings in Startup tab   |

Use different values for each. The server password is shared with all players you want to allow in, while the RCON password should only be shared with trusted [administrators](/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/adding-admins).

> 💡 **Tip:** For competitive or clan matches, set a password before the match starts and share it only with the participating teams. Remove the password afterward if you want the server open for public play.

> 📝 **Note:** Passwords are case-sensitive. Share the exact password with your players, including any uppercase or lowercase letters.

If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).