> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Make Yourself Admin on an Enshrouded Server (Roles)

> Become admin on an Enshrouded dedicated server: player groups in enshrouded_server.json give each password its own permissions, like kick, ban and building.

On an Enshrouded dedicated server you become admin by joining with the password of a player group that has admin permissions. Each group in `userGroups` in `enshrouded_server.json` has its own password and permissions. Your server starts with one group, "Default", edited in **Game settings**. To add an Admin group, add a second group to the file with **Can kick and ban** set to `true` and a different password.

| Fact | Value |
| - | - |
| Where roles live | `userGroups` in `enshrouded_server.json` |
| Edited in the panel | The first group ("Default") in **Game settings** > **Player group "Default"** |
| More groups | Add them in the file (**Files** or the raw file link) |
| How a player gets a role | By the password they type when joining |

## What each permission does

| Panel label | Key in the file | What it allows | "Default" group |
| - | - | - | - |
| **Can kick and ban** | `canKickBan` | Kick and ban other players | off |
| **Can open chests and inventories** | `canAccessInventories` | Open other players' and the world's chests and inventories | on |
| **Can change the world** | `canEditWorld` | Dig, build and change the terrain | on |
| **Can change bases** | `canEditBase` | Edit buildings inside a base | on |
| **Can extend bases** | `canExtendBase` | Make a base bigger | on |
| **Reserved slots** | `reservedSlots` | How many player slots only this group can use | 0 |

Everyone can fight, loot and do quests in the open world whatever their group. The permissions above limit bases, chests, terrain and moderation.

## How to change what the Default group can do

**1. Open Game settings**

Open your server and click **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**.

**2. Change the permissions**

Go to **Player group "Default"** and switch the toggles, for example turn off **Can open chests and inventories** for a public server.

**3. Save and restart**

Click **Review and save**, **Save changes**, then **Restart now**.

## How to add an Admin group

**Game settings** shows only the first group ("Other groups are in the file."). Add more groups in `enshrouded_server.json`.

**1. Back up and stop the server**

Make a [backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md), then [stop the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md).

**2. Open the file**

In **Game settings**, click "enshrouded\_server.json: open the raw file", or open `enshrouded_server.json` in **Files**.

**3. Add the group**

Inside `"userGroups": [ ... ]`, put a comma after the "Default" group and add a new group with its own password:

```json theme={null}
{
  "name": "Admin",
  "password": "aStrongAdminPassword",
  "canKickBan": true,
  "canAccessInventories": true,
  "canEditWorld": true,
  "canEditBase": true,
  "canExtendBase": true,
  "reservedSlots": 1
}
```

**4. Save and start**

Save the file and start the server. Join with the Admin password to get admin rights.

> [!TIP]
>
> Each group needs a different password. Players who type the Admin password become admins, so only share it with people you trust.

## Which roles does Keen Games suggest?

Keen Games describes these groups for dedicated servers:

| Role | Permissions |
| - | - |
| Admin | Base editing, chests and inventories, kick and ban |
| Friend | Base editing, chests and inventories |
| Guest | No base editing, no chests or inventories |
| Visitor | Like Guest, and can't change the world outside bases |

To make a Guest or Visitor group, add a group with the matching keys set to `false`. A Visitor group has `"canEditWorld": false`.

## How do reserved slots work?

**Reserved slots** keeps slots free for one group. If an Admin group has 1 reserved slot, the server can look full to other players while an admin can still join. Reserved slots come out of your **Player slots**.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do admins kick or ban players?

Players in a group with **Can kick and ban** can remove other players in game. A kick lets the player come back later. A ban puts the player on a lasting ban list, and they stay blocked until an admin removes them from it. Your server's file keeps this list as `bannedAccounts`.

### Can I promote a player in game?

Enshrouded 1.0 lets hosts set roles in the social menu, but Keen Games says dedicated servers keep their password-based groups. On your server, roles come from the passwords.

### What happens if I break the JSON?

The server may not start or may ignore your groups. Restore `enshrouded_server.json.bak` or your backup. See [the settings file explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/enshrouded-server-settings-explained.md).

## Related guides

> **[Enshrouded server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/enshrouded-server-hosting-guide.md)**
>
> Every Enshrouded page in one place.

> **[Who can join](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/whitelisting-players-and-passwords.md)**
>
> Passwords instead of a whitelist.

> **[Set a server password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/setting-up-an-enshrouded-dedicated-server-password.md)**
>
> The Default group's password.

> **[Settings file explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/enshrouded-server-settings-explained.md)**
>
> Every key in enshrouded\_server.json.

> **[File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md)**
>
> Edit files in the panel.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 30 October 2026 (Enshrouded 1.0 dedicated server). Roles checked against Keen Games' [Server Roles Configuration](https://enshrouded.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/19191581489309-Server-Roles-Configuration), the [Wake of the Water update notes](https://enshrouded.com/news/enshrouded-wake-of-the-water-update) and the [Enshrouded 1.0 changelog](https://enshrouded.com/en-US/news/release-trailer-changelog-everything-you-need-to-wait-for-tomorrow). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** October 2026


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