> ## 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 Ban Someone on a Minecraft Server > How to ban someone on a Minecraft server: open Players > Banned, enter the username, a reason and a duration from 1 hour to permanent, then confirm. To ban someone on a FREAKHOSTING Minecraft server, open your server in the Game Panel, click **Players**, open the **Banned** tab and click the **+** tile. Enter their username, an optional **Reason** and a **Duration** (**Permanent**, **1 hour**, **1 day**, **7 days**, **30 days** or a date you pick), then click **Look up player** and confirm. You can also type `ban ` in the console. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 1 minute | All Minecraft: Java Edition servers | Players | ## How to ban a player in the Game Panel **1. Open the Banned tab** Open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), click **Players** and open the **Banned** tab. Click the **+** tile. You can also click **Ban** on an operator's card on the **Opped** tab. **2. Enter the details** | Field | What to enter | | - | - | | **Minecraft username** | The player's Java Edition name. | | **Reason** | Optional. Shown to the player. Up to 200 characters, one line, no `@`. | | **Duration** | **Permanent**, **1 hour**, **1 day**, **7 days**, **30 days** or **Pick a date...** | **3. Look up and confirm** Click **Look up player**, check that the skin and name are the right account, and confirm the ban. A banned player can't join, whatever else is set. Bans are stored in `banned-players.json`. If the server is stopped, the ban is saved straight to that file and applies when it starts. ## How to ban a player with a command Type these in the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md) without a `/`. In game, an operator with level 3 or higher types them with a `/`. | Command | What it does | Example | | - | - | - | | `ban [reason]` | Bans a player permanently. | `ban Steve Griefing at spawn` | | `ban-ip [reason]` | Bans an IP address. Using a name bans that player's current IP. | `ban-ip Steve` | | `pardon ` | Lifts a player ban. | `pardon Steve` | | `pardon-ip ` | Lifts an IP ban. | `pardon-ip 203.0.113.10` | | `banlist players` | Lists banned players. | `banlist players` | | `banlist ips` | Lists banned IP addresses. | `banlist ips` | | `kick [reason]` | Disconnects a player without banning. | `kick Steve Take a break` | The `ban` command has no duration. For a temporary ban, use the **Duration** field on the **Banned** tab. ## What is the Banned IPs tab? **Banned IPs** lists IP addresses banned with `ban-ip`. They are stored in `banned-ips.json`. An IP ban blocks every account that connects from that address, so use it carefully: players who share a home network or a public IP can be blocked too. ## How to unban a player Type `pardon ` in the console. For an IP ban, type `pardon-ip `. A ban with a duration ends on its own when the time is up. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can a banned player join with another name? Yes, with another account. An IP ban stops that, but the player may change their IP. For a private server, a [whitelist](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-set-up-a-minecraft-whitelist.md) is more reliable. ### Does banning someone remove their items or builds? No. A ban only stops them from joining. Their player data and builds stay in the world. ### Can I see why someone was banned? Yes. Type `banlist players` in the console to see each ban with its reason. `banned-players.json` in **Files** also shows when each ban was made and when it expires. ### Is a ban the same on all my servers? No. Each server has its own ban list. Use a plugin with a shared database if you run a network. ## Related guides > **[Minecraft server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/minecraft-server-hosting-guide.md)** > > Every Minecraft guide in one place. > **[Set up a whitelist](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-set-up-a-minecraft-whitelist.md)** > > Let only your friends in. > **[Give and remove op](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-give-and-remove-op-on-your-minecraft-server.md)** > > Give moderators level 3. > **[Server commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/minecraft-server-commands-list.md)** > > Every console command you need. > **[Server activity](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-view-the-activity-log.md)** > > See who changed what in the panel. > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 29 October 2026 (Minecraft 26.1, Paper and Fabric). Steps may differ slightly if the game or its plugins change. *** > [!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 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.