To become an administrator on a Conan Exiles server, the server owner must first set an AdminPassword. Join the server with the account that needs privileges, then select Esc > Settings > Server Settings > Make Me Admin and enter that password. On PC, you can use the command interface instead: open it with Insert or ~, then run MakeMeAdmin YOUR_PASSWORD. Once admin mode is active, open the Admin Panel with Ctrl+Shift+C or Shift+Insert.
Godlike.Host offers hosted Conan Exiles servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
The procedure is different from entering the ordinary server join password. Admin access cannot be legitimately obtained without the configured administrator credential or the server owner’s help. The exact controls and file locations can vary between PC, console, Legacy, Enhanced, self-hosted, and rented-server installations, so treat the Windows path below as the documented example rather than a universal rule.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What you need before starting
Admin access is controlled by a server-side credential. You cannot promote your character by changing a local game setting, and the normal password used to join a private server is not automatically an administrator password.
- Server owner or operator: Someone with access to the server files or hosting control panel must set
AdminPassword. - The correct account: Join the server with the player account that should receive administrator rights.
- The credential: Enter the exact administrator password, including capitalization and symbols.
- A supported input method: PC users can use the documented keyboard shortcuts. Console players may need a compatible USB keyboard for command entry.
- A maintenance window: Configuration edits normally require a server restart, so warn players before stopping a live world.
- A recovery copy: Back up the active configuration before editing it, particularly on a server with established progression.
Funcom’s development team summarized the reason owners can do this in its August 21, 2017 server guide: “When you run your own server you can choose any settings you want for it.” That control belongs to the server owner or operator; it does not grant rights on an official or third-party server.
#1 Best Overall
- The Adventures of Conan is an asymmetrical dice game of exploration, sorcery and glorious combat set in the Hyborian age.
- Let your blade be sharp and your heart unyielding, for in the fray, only the bold claim victory!
- Each role brings new challenges and routes to victory
- All of the characters, adventures, and art are drawn from the Dark Horse Comics line of Conan titles, including Conan, Conan the Cimmerian, Conan the Slayer and more.
Understand the three different passwords and access layers
Confusion usually comes from treating every password as the same credential. A private server may have an ordinary join password configured for players who are allowed to enter. The administrator password is a separate value under [ServerSettings]. RCON, when enabled, is a separate remote-administration service with its own server-side configuration and security requirements.
A join password proves that a player may enter the server. AdminPassword authorizes administrative tools after that player is connected. Neither password gives permission on a server whose owner has not configured it. If you are a guest, ask the owner or hosting operator to set the administrator value and send it through a trusted private channel. There is no legitimate client-side bypass.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Set the administrator password on a Windows dedicated server
The following is Funcom’s documented Windows dedicated-server example. A rented host may expose the same settings through a web panel, and other operating systems or game editions can use different paths.
1. Install the dedicated-server package
In Steam, open Library > Tools, locate Conan Exiles Dedicated Server, and install it. Start the server once if your host requires initial files to be generated, then stop it before editing configuration files. Editing while the server is running can be overwritten when the process shuts down.
Keep a note of the actual installation directory. Steam libraries can be installed on another drive, and a provider may place the files in a managed data directory that is not visible on your home computer. The important point is to edit the active server instance, not a spare copy left over from an earlier installation.
2. Configure the server name and join password
Funcom’s dedicated-server instructions place the server name and ordinary player join password in Engine.ini. These settings determine how players find and enter the server. They are separate from the administrator credential configured in ServerSettings.ini.
Recommended Free Tools
Do not paste the join password into the AdminPassword field merely because it is convenient. Use a distinct administrator value so that a player who only needs to join cannot automatically receive server controls. If you later change the join password, that does not change the administrator credential unless you edit AdminPassword as well.
3. Add AdminPassword to ServerSettings.ini
Open this path in the dedicated-server installation:
ConanSandbox/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ServerSettings.iniIn the [ServerSettings] section, add or edit the line below, replacing the example value with a password you will share only through a trusted channel:
[ServerSettings]
AdminPassword=YOUR_DESIRED_ADMIN_PASSWORD_HERESave the file and restart the server. If the file has more than one [ServerSettings] section or duplicate AdminPassword entries, keep one clear entry in the correct section so the server does not read an unintended value. Avoid adding quotation marks unless your host’s editor specifically requires them; the documented syntax is the key, an equals sign, and the value.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #2
- The treacherous waters of the Black Coast are filled with reavers and corsairs, as well as the infamous she-devil of the sea, Bêlit - the Queen of the Black Coast.
- New Adventures make these hazardous Encounters even more beneficial for Conan's foes.
- Delve deeper into the mighty Kingdoms with the Nemedian Chronicles expansion
- These expansions are contained in one box. The front cover features Queen of the Black Coast art and the back features Nemedian Chronicles art.
4. Check the server is reading the file
Stop the server before making changes, save the file as plain text with the .ini extension, and start the server again. If a password that worked previously stops working after an edit, check for accidental spaces before or after the value, a misspelled section header, or a file saved under a second configuration directory.
After startup, join from a separate player account or client and test the credential before announcing it to other operators. This confirms that you changed the live instance and that the restart actually loaded the file. Keep the original backup until the test succeeds.
Make yourself admin from the in-game menu
This is the most discoverable method and works when the server has accepted the configured password.
- Join the target server with the account that should receive admin rights.
- Press
Escto open the pause menu. - Select Settings.
- Open Server Settings.
- Choose Make Me Admin.
- Enter the server’s
AdminPasswordand confirm.
A successful login places the current player in admin mode. It does not automatically grant rights to every player on the server; each account must authenticate separately with the credential. If several people help run a community, decide who actually needs the password rather than posting it in a public Discord channel or in-game chat.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe menu route is useful when you do not remember keyboard shortcuts, when a laptop keyboard lacks a convenient tilde key, or when you want to confirm that you are on the intended server. It also gives console players a path when the platform exposes the menu even though it does not expose the PC command interface.
Use the PC command interface
Keyboard users can authenticate without navigating the settings screens.
- While connected to the server, press
Insertor~to open the command interface. - Enter the command with the exact password:
MakeMeAdmin YOUR_PASSWORD- Submit the command and wait for the server to process it.
- Open the Admin Panel with
Ctrl+Shift+CorShift+Insert.
The command shown in the Admin Panel reference is MakeMeAdmin [AdminPassword]; square brackets indicate the password value, not characters that should normally be typed. If your keyboard layout makes ~ unavailable, use Insert or the menu route instead.
Type the command while connected to the server that contains the configured value. Running it in a different session, a local test world, or a server with an old configuration will not authenticate you on the intended world. Treat the password as sensitive terminal input: do not stream it, capture it in a screenshot, or leave it in a public command history.
Open and use the Admin Panel
The documented PC shortcuts are:
| Action | PC control |
|---|---|
| Open the command interface | Insert or ~ |
| Open the Admin Panel | Ctrl+Shift+C or Shift+Insert |
The panel provides administrative tools such as spawning, player management, and server-setting changes. The exact buttons and command behavior can change between game builds, so use the labels shown by your current installation rather than relying on an old screenshot or command list.
Admin tools affect the whole server. Test unfamiliar settings on a private session first, and avoid changing progression, PvP, crafting, avatar, or gathering rules while other players are online unless they understand the consequences. A harmless-looking setting change can alter the experience for every connected player or persist after a restart.
If a shortcut opens a different overlay, another program may be intercepting the key combination. Close overlays and keyboard utilities temporarily, then check the game’s current controls screen. The documented combinations are starting points, not a guarantee that every keyboard, language layout, or build will use identical bindings.
Administer a self-hosted server safely
Self-hosting provides file-level control, but it also makes you responsible for the machine, backups, restarts, firewall, and player communication. Before changing settings, record the current values and the time of the change. A simple dated copy of ServerSettings.ini lets you undo a failed experiment without guessing what the previous configuration contained.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Plan restarts around the server’s active hours. Announce a short maintenance window, stop the process cleanly, edit the file, and start it again. If the server fails to come back, restore the backup first; then investigate one change at a time. Avoid editing several unrelated settings while diagnosing an authentication problem.
Become admin on a rented server
With a hosting provider, you normally do not edit the underlying files directly. Look for a configuration editor, file manager, or server-settings section in the provider’s control panel. The setting still belongs in the equivalent of [ServerSettings] as AdminPassword=.... Stop or restart the server after saving if the panel requires a restart to apply configuration changes.
Provider interfaces vary in naming, location, and restart behavior. If you cannot find ServerSettings.ini, ask the host where its Conan Exiles server settings are stored rather than creating a second file in an arbitrary directory. The host can also confirm whether its panel sanitizes special characters or replaces values during an update.
Rental hosting trades direct operating-system access for a provider dashboard, backups, support, and a recurring fee. Self-hosting may avoid a hosting subscription but requires your own hardware, network availability, maintenance, and bandwidth. The practical cost depends on your equipment, player count, uptime expectations, and the provider’s current plan terms, so verify those terms and geography before purchasing. Funcom’s dedicated-server page links to rental options for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox, but availability and pricing can change.
Remote administration with RCON
RCON is separate from the in-game Make Me Admin flow. It lets an operator administer the server remotely instead of joining with the game client, but it must be enabled and secured on the server first.
Documented port and configuration location
Funcom’s current dedicated-server documentation describes RCON on TCP port 25575. The setting is placed in Game.ini under the [RconPlugin] section with an RconPort entry:
[RconPlugin]
RconPort=25575The same documentation lists the default game and query ports as 7777/UDP and 27015/UDP. Those ports serve different purposes: the game port carries gameplay traffic, the query port supports server discovery information, and TCP 25575 is the documented RCON port. Do not substitute the UDP game port when configuring an RCON client.
When RCON is the better route
- Use the in-game menu when you are already playing and want the least setup.
- Use the PC command interface when you are at the keyboard and need a fast local login.
- Use RCON when an operator needs to monitor or administer a server from another machine without entering the game world.
RCON exposes a remote control surface. Restrict access at the firewall and follow the authentication and client instructions supplied for your current server build or host. Do not expose the port publicly without understanding who can reach it and how credentials are protected. If you do not need remote administration, leaving RCON disabled reduces the number of services that must be secured.
A provider may already manage the RCON service or require a particular client format. Ask which address, port, and credential the host supports rather than assuming that a generic RCON application will work. Test from an approved network, confirm that commands affect the intended server, and disable the service again if the maintenance task is complete.
Console and platform considerations
The cited key bindings are explicitly documented for PC. PlayStation and Xbox builds can present different menus, controls, or command-entry behavior, and the available features can differ between Legacy and Enhanced versions.
- Check the in-game controls screen if
Insert,~,Ctrl+Shift+C, orShift+Insertdoes nothing. - A USB keyboard may be required for console command entry, but compatibility depends on the specific PlayStation or Xbox setup. A USB keyboard for PS5 is an optional accessory, not a requirement for every player.
- If the console build does not expose the same command interface, use the server’s host panel or ask the owner to perform the administrative action.
- Do not assume that a Windows file path applies to a console-hosted or provider-managed server.
- Check whether the server is Legacy or Enhanced before troubleshooting a missing option; an instruction written for one build may not match the other.
Troubleshooting failed admin login
The Make Me Admin option is missing
- Confirm that you are in Settings > Server Settings, not the general game-settings page.
- Verify that you joined the intended server and are not playing in a local or different session.
- On a hosted server, ask the operator whether the host has disabled or relocated server configuration controls.
- Check for a pending client or server update and restart the game after the server has restarted.
The password is rejected
- Ask the owner to confirm the exact value in
ServerSettings.ini, including uppercase letters and symbols. - Check that
AdminPasswordappears under[ServerSettings], not inEngine.ini. - Restart the server after saving the file; many configuration changes are read only during startup.
- Make sure you are not entering the ordinary join password. Funcom documents those credentials in separate configuration contexts.
- Look for duplicate entries, trailing spaces, a typo in the section header, or an editor that converted the file to an unexpected format.
- Confirm that the host did not replace the file from a template during an update or migration.
The command interface does not open
- Try both documented PC keys,
Insertand~. - Check the current control bindings and keyboard layout.
- On console, connect a compatible USB keyboard if the build supports command entry, or use the in-game menu and host controls instead.
- Close overlays or utilities that may capture the shortcut before the game receives it.
The Admin Panel does not appear
- Authenticate first with the menu or
MakeMeAdmincommand. - Try both panel shortcuts:
Ctrl+Shift+CandShift+Insert. - Check whether another application or keyboard utility is intercepting the shortcut.
- Restart the client after a successful login if the panel does not refresh immediately.
- Verify that you are still connected to the same server; changing sessions can remove the current admin state.
Changes disappear after an update or restart
Back up the server configuration before updates, then verify the active configuration directory afterward. A provider may restore a template, migrate files, or expose a different path after changing the game edition. Re-enter the setting only in the host’s documented editor or the active Windows dedicated-server path.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
RCON cannot connect
- Confirm that RCON is enabled in the active
Game.iniand that the section is spelled[RconPlugin]. - Use TCP port
25575unless the host has assigned another documented port. - Check the firewall, router, provider access list, and the address you entered in the RCON client.
- Do not test against the query port
27015or game port7777; they serve different functions. - Ask the provider whether it proxies RCON or requires its own web console instead.
Choose the right administration method
| Situation | Best starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You are playing on a PC and have the password | In-game Make Me Admin | It is the clearest documented route and requires no file editing. |
| You are already at a PC keyboard | MakeMeAdmin command |
It is faster than navigating several menu levels. |
| You operate the server from another location | RCON | It is designed for remote administration after separate server configuration. |
| You rent server space | Host control panel | The provider usually replaces direct file access with a web editor and restart controls. |
| You play on a console | In-game menu or owner assistance | PC shortcuts may not be available, and command entry may require a compatible keyboard. |
| You need occasional changes only | In-game menu | It avoids exposing an additional remote service. |
| You run a busy community | RCON with restricted access | Operators can work remotely, provided the service and credentials are secured. |
Security practices for server administrators
- Use a unique administrator password rather than reusing the server join password or another personal password.
- Share the credential only with trusted operators and change it when an operator no longer needs access.
- Do not post
AdminPasswordin public chat, screenshots, support tickets, or configuration repositories. - Limit RCON exposure to the networks and operators that require it, and review firewall rules after enabling TCP
25575. - Keep a backup of
ServerSettings.iniand record deliberate changes so you can recover from a bad setting. - Use administrative spawning and player-management tools carefully; an accidental change can affect every player and the server’s progression.
- Give operators only the access they need, and remove access promptly when staff roles change.
- Never test an unfamiliar command on a live world while players are depending on it; use a private session first.
Practical checklist
- Set
AdminPasswordunder[ServerSettings]. - Save the configuration and restart the server.
- Join with the account that should receive rights.
- Use Esc > Settings > Server Settings > Make Me Admin, or run
MakeMeAdmin YOUR_PASSWORDon PC. - Open the Admin Panel with
Ctrl+Shift+CorShift+Insert. - If remote administration is required, configure RCON in
Game.iniunder[RconPlugin]and secure TCP port25575. - Test the result, document the change, and retain a backup of the prior configuration.
Frequently asked questions
Can I become admin on an official server?
Not through the normal player menus. Admin access requires the server operator’s configured credential. On an official or third-party server, contact the owner or administrator; do not attempt to bypass the requirement.
Where exactly do I put AdminPassword?
For Funcom’s Windows dedicated-server example, put AdminPassword=YOUR_DESIRED_ADMIN_PASSWORD_HERE in ConanSandbox/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ServerSettings.ini, under [ServerSettings]. A rental provider may expose the same setting in a web editor instead.
What key opens the Conan Exiles admin panel?
On PC, the documented shortcuts are Ctrl+Shift+C and Shift+Insert. Controls can vary by keyboard, platform, and build, so check the in-game controls if neither works.
What is the command for Make Me Admin?
Open the PC command interface with Insert or ~, then enter MakeMeAdmin YOUR_PASSWORD. Replace the placeholder with the configured value; do not type the square brackets shown in reference notation.
Is the server join password the same as AdminPassword?
No. Funcom documents the ordinary join password and administrator credential in separate configuration contexts. Use a distinct administrator password.
Can I use RCON to administer Conan Exiles remotely?
Yes, when the server supports and enables it. Funcom’s dedicated-server documentation places RCON under [RconPlugin] in Game.ini and documents TCP port 25575. Secure the port and follow your host’s client and authentication instructions.
Do console players need a keyboard?
Not always. The PC shortcuts are not guaranteed on PlayStation or Xbox. A compatible USB keyboard may help with command entry on a supported console build, while the in-game menu or host panel may be the better alternative.
Best Value
Why does my password work for joining but not for admin login?
You are probably entering the ordinary join password, or the server has not loaded the edited administrator value. Verify AdminPassword under [ServerSettings], restart the server, and try again.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsDoes making one player admin make everyone admin?
No. The authentication applies to the account that submits the password. Other players must authenticate separately, and you should share the credential only with trusted operators.
Will changing admin settings alter the world?
Administrative tools can spawn items, manage players, and change server settings. Those changes can affect every player and may persist, so test unfamiliar options privately and announce disruptive changes before applying them.
Why did my admin setting disappear after an update?
Updates and provider migrations can restore templates or change the active configuration directory. Keep a backup, check the provider’s current editor or the active Windows path, and reapply the single setting there before restarting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become admin on a Conan Exiles server?
Have the owner set AdminPassword under [ServerSettings], join with the intended account, then use Esc > Settings > Server Settings > Make Me Admin. On PC, you can instead run MakeMeAdmin YOUR_PASSWORD.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Where do I put AdminPassword?
In the Windows dedicated-server example, use ConanSandbox/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ServerSettings.ini under [ServerSettings]. Hosted servers may provide an equivalent web editor.
What key opens the admin panel?
The documented PC shortcuts are Ctrl+Shift+C and Shift+Insert. Controls may differ on console or between builds.
Can I use RCON remotely?
Yes, if enabled and secured. Funcom documents [RconPlugin] in Game.ini and TCP port 25575 for RCON.
Can I get admin without the owner’s password?
No legitimate bypass is documented. Ask the server owner or operator to configure and share the credential securely.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Bottom Line
Set a separate AdminPassword in the server’s active [ServerSettings] configuration, restart, and authenticate with Make Me Admin or the PC MakeMeAdmin command. Use the documented PC panel shortcuts, expect platform and host differences, and secure RCON TCP 25575 if you need remote control. The server owner—not an ordinary player—controls who receives these privileges.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
