To whitelist a player on a Factorio server, open the in-game console or dedicated-server console and run /whitelist add PLAYERNAME. Replace PLAYERNAME with the Factorio account name exactly as the player presents it. Check the result with /whitelist get.
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On a headless dedicated server, the list is enforced only when Factorio starts with --use-server-whitelist. Use --server-whitelist PATH when you want to choose the JSON file explicitly. The commands manage entries while the server is running; the launch options determine whether the dedicated server applies the allow-list.
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What Factorio’s whitelist does
A whitelist is an allow-list for multiplayer access. When whitelist functionality is active, only the player names in the list can join the server. It is separate from the banlist: a whitelist states who is allowed, while a banlist blocks named players.
Factorio’s console reference defines four operations: add one player, remove one player, display the current entries, or clear the list. An important behavior is that an empty whitelist disables whitelist functionality, allowing anyone to join. Therefore, creating an empty file or clearing every entry does not create a locked-down server.
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Whitelist enforcement is an access-control setting, not a replacement for server authentication, backups, or moderation. Keep an independent record of approved accounts, and remember that a player can be removed from the allow-list without deleting the save or changing other multiplayer settings.
Commands at a glance
| Command | Effect | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
/whitelist add PLAYERNAME |
Adds one Factorio account name. | Grant access to a new player. |
/whitelist remove PLAYERNAME |
Removes one account name. | Revoke that player’s access without changing other entries. |
/whitelist get |
Prints the entries currently known to the server. | Confirm that additions and removals took effect. |
/whitelist clear |
Removes every entry. | Reset the list; remember that an empty list is permissive. |
The command syntax is /whitelist <add/remove/get/clear> [player]. The player argument is required for add and remove, but not for get or clear.
Run commands one at a time and read the server response. If a command appears to do nothing, first confirm that you are connected to the intended Factorio process, then use /whitelist get rather than assuming the entry was saved.
Before you change the list
- Identify the server type. A normal multiplayer game uses the in-game console. A headless server uses its dedicated-server console, or a control panel’s console that forwards commands to Factorio.
- Get the account name, not a nickname from your chat application. Ask the player to provide the name their Factorio account presents to the server, including its spelling and capitalization.
- Keep administrative access available. You need permission to issue console commands. If you operate through a hosting panel, confirm that the panel exposes a live Factorio console or an equivalent command channel.
- Have a save ready for a dedicated server. Factorio’s multiplayer documentation requires a save file when a dedicated server is started.
- Write down the launch configuration. Record the save path, settings path, whitelist switch, and any explicit whitelist-file path. This prevents a later restart from silently dropping an argument.
- Decide who owns changes. On a shared server, agree whether one administrator approves additions or whether several operators can issue whitelist commands. A private access record avoids uncertainty when someone leaves the group.
Add a player from the running server
- Open the appropriate console. Use the in-game console while connected to the game, or the console attached to the headless server process.
- Add the account. Enter
/whitelist add PlayerName, replacingPlayerNamewith the exact account name. - Repeat for each person. Run one add command per account. Do not combine multiple names into one command.
- Read back the list. Run
/whitelist getand check that every intended account appears. - Have players reconnect if necessary. A player who was refused before being added should try joining again after the command has completed.
The command changes the server’s live state. You do not need to edit JSON manually for a normal addition, and you should not substitute a display name that the server does not recognize.
If several people are joining at once, add and verify each account separately. This makes a typo easy to isolate and gives you a clear record of which account was approved. A player who is already connected is not a reason to skip verification; the important check is whether the account can connect after a fresh attempt.
Enable whitelisting on a dedicated server
For a headless server, include --use-server-whitelist in the Factorio launch command. Without that switch, adding entries at runtime does not make the dedicated server enforce the list at startup.
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Changing a launch option normally requires restarting the dedicated process so the new startup configuration is read. Plan the restart, preserve the current save, and then run both a listed-player and an unlisted-player test. A JSON file existing on disk is not proof that the running process loaded it.
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Documented startup pattern
A dedicated server is normally started with a save archive and, commonly, a server-settings file. This example combines those documented arguments with the whitelist options:
./bin/x64/factorio
--start-server ./saves/my-save.zip
--server-settings ./data/server-settings.json
--use-server-whitelist
--server-whitelist ./config/server-whitelist.jsonChange the executable, save path, settings path, and whitelist path to match your installation. The save archive is not optional for the documented --start-server pattern: create or place the save before launching the dedicated process.
What each argument controls
| Argument | Role |
|---|---|
--start-server SAVE.zip |
Starts the dedicated server from the specified save archive. |
--server-settings SERVER_SETTINGS.json |
Loads the server’s gameplay and multiplayer settings. |
--use-server-whitelist |
Tells the dedicated server to enforce the whitelist. |
--server-whitelist PATH |
Selects the whitelist file used by the server. |
Do not confuse server-settings.json with server-whitelist.json. They are separate configuration concerns. The settings file controls server settings; the whitelist file contains the account entries.
Keep the arguments together in the service definition or startup script used in production. Testing a command in a shell and then launching through a panel or service can produce different working directories and different defaults. The command that matters is the one that starts the live game server.
Where the whitelist file is stored
The --server-whitelist option identifies the file Factorio should use. If you omit it, Factorio chooses its normal write-directory location according to the server installation and launch environment. A hosting panel may display several JSON files, so a file named server-settings.json is not evidence that you have found the whitelist.
Operational guidance from the Factorio community indicates that starting with --use-server-whitelist and then running /whitelist add can create a new server-whitelist.json when one does not already exist. Treat that behavior as version-sensitive: after the first addition, inspect the server’s actual write directory and confirm which file changed. If you need deterministic backups or deployment, set an explicit path with --server-whitelist.
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When moving a server, copy the whitelist file only after confirming the destination process reads the same path. If the new host uses a different working directory, an unqualified relative path can point to a different file. An explicit path in the launch command makes migrations and audits easier.
Back up before bulk changes
Stop the server or use its normal maintenance procedure before copying the whitelist file. Preserve a dated copy before removing several accounts or replacing the file. A backup is useful only if you know which path the running process actually reads, so verify the path in the launch command or service configuration.
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After restoring a file, start the server with the same whitelist options, run /whitelist get, and compare the output with the backup. Do not infer success from the file timestamp alone; the console output confirms what the active process knows.
Verify that enforcement works
- Run
/whitelist getfrom the same server instance that players use. A list displayed in a panel for another instance does not prove that this process loaded it. - Confirm every intended account appears with the expected spelling.
- Ask a listed player to connect and confirm normal access.
- Ask an account that is deliberately absent from the list to attempt a connection. This is an operational check that the launch configuration is enforcing the list.
- Record the result and the exact launch command so a later restart does not silently omit the whitelist switch.
Run the negative test only with an account whose owner understands that the connection should be refused. It verifies enforcement without requiring you to alter the production list.
Repeat these checks after changing hosts, updating Factorio, changing a service file, or restoring configuration. The positive test confirms that an approved account still works; the negative test confirms that the allow-list is actually being applied rather than merely stored.
Troubleshooting players who still cannot join
The player name was entered incorrectly
Run /whitelist get, compare the displayed entry with the name the player presents to Factorio, and remove and re-add the entry if necessary. Do not rely on a nickname, an email address, or a name from a launcher profile unless that is the account name used by the server.
The dedicated server was started without enforcement
Inspect the service file, startup script, or control-panel launch options for --use-server-whitelist. Restart the dedicated process after adding the switch, then repeat the listed-player and non-listed-player checks. Runtime commands and startup flags serve different purposes: the command edits entries, while the flag enables enforcement for the dedicated process.
The server is reading a different file
Look for --server-whitelist in the actual launch command. If it points to a different path than the one you edited, use the configured file or change the argument and restart. Relative paths are resolved from the process’s working environment, which may differ between a shell, a system service, and a hosting panel; an absolute path removes that ambiguity.
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A command entered into a management panel may be sent to a staging instance, a proxy, or a shell rather than the Factorio process. Confirm the server identifier and check the response from /whitelist get in the console attached to the live game server.
Everyone can still join
Check that the process was launched with --use-server-whitelist, that the intended file is selected, and that the server was restarted after a launch-configuration change. Then perform the non-listed-account test rather than assuming that the presence of a JSON file means enforcement is active.
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The server will not start after a configuration change
Restore the last known-good launch command, confirm that the save archive exists at the path passed to --start-server, and check that every referenced file path is readable by the account running Factorio. Add whitelist options one at a time so a path typo can be isolated from a missing save or settings file.
The list appears empty
First determine whether the command is connected to the correct instance. If /whitelist get returns no entries, the server may be using a different file, or the list may genuinely have been cleared. Because an empty list disables whitelist functionality, do not treat an empty response as evidence that everyone is blocked.
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Remove access or reset the list
Remove one account
Run /whitelist remove PlayerName, then use /whitelist get to verify that the account is gone. This is the least disruptive way to revoke access because other entries remain unchanged.
Clear every entry
Run /whitelist clear only when you intend to remove all allow-list entries. Because Factorio treats an empty whitelist as disabled functionality, clearing the list changes the server’s access behavior. If the goal is a new restricted group, add the replacement accounts and verify the list before inviting players.
For a planned reset, keep a backup first and prepare the replacement account names. Otherwise, a temporary empty list can leave the server open to anyone until the new entries are added and enforcement is checked.
Routine administration checklist
- Keep a private record of who should have access and why.
- Use
/whitelist getafter each planned change. - Back up the actual whitelist file before bulk edits or migrations.
- Keep the whitelist path in the same deployment documentation as the save and server-settings paths.
- After Factorio updates, repeat one positive and one negative connection test.
- When moving hosts, copy the whitelist file only after confirming the new process uses the same path or an explicitly configured replacement.
- Remove former players with
/whitelist removerather than leaving obsolete accounts indefinitely. - Review who can access the console or hosting panel, since anyone able to issue whitelist commands can change the approved group.
- Document intentional temporary access and remove it when the event or project ends.
Self-hosted server or managed hosting?
The whitelist commands are the same, but the administration experience depends on who controls the Factorio process. Before choosing an arrangement, check these concrete capabilities rather than assuming a hosting panel exposes every server option.
| Decision point | Self-hosted | Managed hosting questions |
|---|---|---|
| Launch flags | You can edit the service or startup script directly. | Can the panel add --use-server-whitelist and --server-whitelist? |
| File access | You choose and back up the whitelist path. | Can you view, download, and restore server-whitelist.json? |
| Console access | You can attach to the Factorio console or service logs. | Does the provider offer a live Factorio console or RCON-equivalent control? |
| Backups | You schedule and test your own copies. | How often are saves and configuration files backed up, and can you restore a single file? |
| Updates and mods | You control Factorio, scenario, and mod versions. | Which versions and mod-management workflows are supported? |
| Latency and capacity | You select the machine and network location. | Where is the server located, and what CPU, memory, and player limits apply? |
| Cost | You pay the infrastructure and administration cost directly. | Review the current recurring price and the features included in the plan. |
If a provider cannot expose the whitelist switch or the file path, ask support how it implements allow-listing before moving an established server. A graphical “whitelist” toggle may manage a provider-side feature rather than Factorio’s own file and commands.
When comparing monthly plans, include more than the advertised server fee: consider backups, restore options, console access, geographic location, supported Factorio versions, mod support, and any limits on players or CPU. Prices and affiliate terms vary by provider, so verify the current offer and the exact whitelist controls before committing.
Minimal repeatable procedure
For most administrators, the complete workflow is:
- Start the dedicated server with
--use-server-whitelist; add--server-whitelist PATHwhen an explicit file location is required. - From the live Factorio console, run
/whitelist add PLAYERNAMEfor each approved account. - Run
/whitelist getand compare the output with your access record. - Test one listed account and one unlisted account.
- Back up the confirmed whitelist file and keep its path beside the server’s startup configuration.
This procedure separates the two failure domains: console commands maintain the entries, while the dedicated-server launch options determine whether those entries control joining.
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The following answers cover the issues that most often cause confusion when setting up a Factorio allow-list.
- What is the Factorio whitelist command? Use
/whitelist add PLAYERNAMEto add an account. Use/whitelist getto display the current entries. - How do I enable a whitelist on a dedicated server? Start Factorio with
--use-server-whitelist. Add--server-whitelist PATHif you need to select a specific file. - Why can everyone still join after I cleared the list? An empty whitelist disables whitelist functionality, so clearing every entry allows anyone to join.
- Do I edit server-settings.json? No. The server-settings file and whitelist file are separate. Use the console commands for normal changes and configure the whitelist path with
--server-whitelist. - Where is server-whitelist.json? The location depends on the launch environment unless you specify a path. Inspect the actual write directory or set an explicit path in the startup command.
- Does adding a player require a server restart? The
/whitelist addcommand manages the running server’s entries. A restart is needed when you change launch options such as--use-server-whitelistor the selected file path. - Can I add several players in one command? Use one
/whitelist add PLAYERNAMEcommand per account, then verify the complete list with/whitelist get. - What if a listed friend still cannot join? Check the exact account name, confirm the entry with
/whitelist get, verify the live process was started with--use-server-whitelist, and make sure it is reading the intended file. - Is a whitelist the same as a banlist? No. A whitelist allows only listed accounts when active; a banlist blocks named accounts. They address different access decisions.
- What does a dedicated server need before it starts? The documented
--start-serverpattern requires a save archive. A server-settings file is commonly supplied as well, and whitelist options are added separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I whitelist someone on my Factorio server?
Open the in-game or dedicated-server console and run /whitelist add PLAYERNAME with the player’s exact Factorio account name. Confirm it with /whitelist get.
How do I enable a whitelist on a Factorio dedicated server?
Launch Factorio with --use-server-whitelist. Use --server-whitelist PATH to choose the JSON file explicitly.
Why can my friend not join after I enabled the whitelist?
Check the exact account name, verify it appears in /whitelist get, confirm the server was started with --use-server-whitelist, and ensure the process is reading the intended file.
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Factorio treats an empty whitelist as disabled functionality. Add at least the approved accounts before testing restricted access.
How do I remove one player?
Run /whitelist remove PLAYERNAME, then run /whitelist get to confirm the account was removed.
How do I remove everyone?
Run /whitelist clear. This removes every entry and makes the whitelist permissive because an empty list disables whitelist functionality.
Where is server-whitelist.json stored?
If no explicit path is supplied, Factorio uses its normal write-directory location for that installation and launch environment. Set --server-whitelist PATH when you need a deterministic location.
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Do I need to edit server-settings.json?
No. server-settings.json and server-whitelist.json serve separate purposes. Manage entries with the /whitelist commands.
The Bottom Line
Use /whitelist add PLAYERNAME for each approved Factorio account and verify with /whitelist get. For a dedicated server, launch with --use-server-whitelist, specify --server-whitelist PATH when needed, and test both a listed and an unlisted account. Remember that an empty whitelist allows everyone.
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