DDNet Server Rcon and Admin Commands (DDraceNetwork 2026)

To use admin commands on a DDNet server, set sv_rcon_password in the server's autoexec_server.cfg, restart, then press F2 in game and type that password. You are now in the remote console (rcon), where commands like change_map, kick, ban, say and add_vote run on the server. For helpers who should not have full power, set sv_rcon_mod_password or create named accounts with auth_add.

Setting up rcon access

Rcon is off until the server has a password. Add one to autoexec_server.cfg:

sv_rcon_password "long-random-admin-secret"
sv_rcon_mod_password "different-moderator-secret"
sv_rcon_helper_password "third-helper-secret"

Restart the server so it reads the file. Three levels exist:

Use a long password. Rcon goes over the internet, and DDNet servers that are listed publicly do see login attempts. The server bans IPs after repeated failed logins, which helps, but a weak password is still a weak password.

If you are still setting the server up, how to host a DDNet server covers the config file and ports first.

Logging in

1. Join the server.
2. Press F2 to open the remote console. (F1 is the local console, which only affects your client.)
3. Type the password and press Enter.
4. The console confirms you are authenticated. Commands you type now run on the server.

Type logout to drop back to a normal player.

Named accounts with auth_add

Shared passwords get passed around. On a server with several staff, give each person their own login instead:

auth_add alice admin "alices-own-password"
auth_add bob mod "bobs-own-password"
auth_remove bob
auth_list

Levels are admin, mod and helper. Put the auth_add lines in autoexec_server.cfg so the accounts exist after every restart. Removing one person's access is then a single auth_remove instead of changing the password for everyone.

Everyday commands

Most of these take a client ID, not a name. Run status first, find the number next to the player, and use that. Names in DDNet are often full of symbols and near duplicates, so IDs avoid kicking the wrong person.

status
kick 7 "blocking in team 0"
ban 7 60 "came back to block"

Votes

Players vote through the Call vote menu in the escape menu. As admin you decide what is in it:

add_vote "Map: Tutorial" "change_map Tutorial"
add_vote "Map: Kobra 4" "change_map \"Kobra 4\""
add_vote "Restart map" "reload"
remove_vote "Restart map"
clear_votes

The first quoted part is the label players see, the second is the command that runs if the vote passes. Put your vote list in autoexec_server.cfg (or a separate file you exec from it) so it survives restarts.

During a vote you can settle it from rcon:

vote yes
vote no

That forces the result immediately, which is handy when a troll calls a map change in the middle of a long run.

Muting and spectating

DDNet has its own tools for chat problems. muteid <id> <seconds> <reason> mutes a player by client ID for a set time, mutes lists active mutes, and unmute <index> lifts one. Muting is usually a better first step than a kick: the player can keep playing and the chat is quiet again.

If your server version names these slightly differently, type part of a command in the F2 console and DDNet will suggest matching commands, which is also the quickest way to explore the rest.

Changing settings live

Any server setting can be changed from rcon, the same way as in the config file:

sv_max_clients 32
password "newpassword"
sv_register 1

Live changes are lost on restart. If you want to keep one, copy the line into autoexec_server.cfg.

Rcon on a hosted DDNet server

On a GamezServers DDraceNetwork server the server name, password, start map and public listing are settings in the control panel, so you only touch the config file for rcon passwords, auth_add accounts and your vote list. Open data/autoexec_server.cfg in the file manager, add the lines above and restart from the panel. If you ever lock yourself out by changing the rcon password mid session, fix the line in the file manager and restart, and the live console shows the server coming back up.

Opening RCON to remote tools? Read what RCON is and how to set it up safely first, since the same password rules apply to every game.

FAQ

How do I open the rcon console in DDNet?

Press F2 while connected to the server, then type the rcon password.

What is the difference between F1 and F2 in DDNet?

F1 opens the local console for your own client settings. F2 opens the remote console, which sends commands to the server once you log in.

How do I give someone moderator on my DDNet server?

Either share sv_rcon_mod_password with them, or add a personal account with auth_add <name> mod <password> in the server config.

Why can't I log in to rcon?

The server has no sv_rcon_password set, it was added without a restart, or your IP was banned after several wrong attempts. Fix the config, restart, and try again.

How do I change the map on a DDNet server?

Log in with F2 and type change_map "Map Name", using the exact, case sensitive file name without .map.