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How to Make Yourself Admin on a Squad Server

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How to Make Yourself Admin on a Squad Server

This guide walks you through granting yourself admin rights on a Squad server you own or manage. You’ll learn where the config files live, how to edit them safely, and what to do if the changes don’t take effect. You’ll need file access to the server’s installation folder and a text editor like Notepad++.

What You’ll Need

  • Access to the server’s root directory (where Squad is installed).
  • A text editor that saves UTF-8 without BOM (Notepad++, VS Code, or Sublime Text work well).
  • The Steam ID of the account you want to make admin (find it at steamidfinder.com).
  • If the server is hosted remotely, FTP or a control panel file manager.

Step-by-Step

  1. Stop the server – Making changes while the server is running can cause them to be overwritten when it shuts down. Use your hosting panel or kill the process.
  2. Locate the config folder – Go to …/SquadServer/ServerConfig/ (or wherever your server files are). You’ll see files like Server.cfg, Admins.cfg, MapRotation.cfg, and ServerAdmin.cfg.
  3. Open Admins.cfg – This is the file that defines who has admin privileges. It’s a plain text file, one entry per line.
  4. Add your Steam ID – The format is simple: "YourSteamID" followed by a space and a permission level. For full admin, use: "76561198012345678" Admin. Replace the number with your own Steam ID. Save the file.
  5. Understand permission levels – Squad uses three levels: Admin (full access), Moderator (kick/ban but no config changes), and Spectator (only spectate). If you want to be able to change the map or config in-game, use Admin.
  6. Check ServerAdmin.cfg (optional) – This file contains the in-game admin commands and their key bindings. It’s not required for basic admin rights, but if you want custom commands, you can edit it here. Default is fine for now.
  7. Start the server – Launch the server again. The game will read Admins.cfg on startup.
  8. Join and test – In-game, open the console with ` (tilde) and type AdminLogin. You should see a confirmation message. If not, check the server log for errors.

Common Mistakes

  • Wrong Steam ID – Using your display name instead of your Steam ID. The file only accepts the 17-digit Steam ID.
  • Editing while server is running – The server may overwrite your changes on shutdown. Always stop it first.
  • Incorrect permission level – Typing admin in lowercase may not work; use Admin exactly as shown.
  • Missing quotes – The Steam ID must be inside double quotes. 76561198012345678 Admin won’t work; it must be "76561198012345678" Admin.
  • Editing the wrong file – Some hosts use a different config path. Double-check you’re in the ServerConfig folder, not the game’s client config.

Tips

  • Back up Admins.cfg before editing, so you can restore it if something breaks.
  • Use Notepad++ or VS Code to avoid hidden character issues. Windows Notepad can sometimes add a BOM that causes parsing errors.
  • Add multiple admins by adding more lines, one per Steam ID.
  • If you’re hosting on a service like Nitrado or GTXGaming, use their web panel’s “Admin” section instead of editing files manually – it’s less error-prone.
  • Test with a secondary account first if you’re unsure, so you don’t lock yourself out.

Troubleshooting

Admin doesn’t work after following steps – First, confirm the server actually restarted. Check the server log (usually …/SquadGame/Saved/Logs/) for lines like “Loaded 1 admins” or an error about the config. If nothing, your file might be in the wrong location. Search the entire server folder for Admins.cfg – there may be more than one.

Game says “Invalid Admin” – This usually means the Steam ID is wrong or the permission level is misspelled. Copy your Steam ID from steamidfinder.com again, and make sure the line is exactly "YourID" Admin with a space between the quote and the word.

Changes revert after restart – The server might be set to download a fresh config from a remote source (like a Git repo or a host’s template). Check your hosting panel for a “default config” or “overwrite on restart” option and disable it.

Admin works but commands don’t – You might be missing the Admin permission level. If you set Moderator, you can’t use map-change commands. Edit the file again and change to Admin.

Can’t find the config folder – On Linux servers, the path is typically /home/steam/squad-server/SquadServer/ServerConfig/. On Windows, it’s C:\squad-server\SquadServer\ServerConfig\. If you’re using a control panel, look for a “File Manager” or “Config Files” tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to be the server owner to make myself admin?
A: Yes, you need file access to the server’s installation directory. If you’re just a player, you can’t do this.

Q: Can I make myself admin without stopping the server?
A: Technically you can edit the file while running, but the server won’t reload it until restart. Stopping first is safer.

Q: What’s the difference between Admin and Moderator?
A: Admin can change maps, configs, and manage all players. Moderator can kick/ban but cannot change server settings.

Q: Can I use my username instead of Steam ID?
A: No, the game only recognizes Steam IDs. Use a Steam ID finder to get yours.

Q: My server is hosted on a paid service, can I still edit the file?
A: Yes, most hosts provide FTP access or a file manager in their control panel. Look for “File Manager” or “FTP Details”.

Q: Will this work on a community server I don’t own?
A: No, you need administrative access to the server files. On a community server, only the owner or someone they grant access to can do this.

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