How to Ban Players on a Space Engineers Server

Banning a player on your Space Engineers server is the most direct way to remove a disruptive user and prevent them from returning. This guide covers the two main methods—using the in-game admin menu and editing the server’s configuration files—so you can handle bans quickly whether you’re in the middle of a session or managing the server offline. Before you start, you’ll need admin privileges on the server (either as the host or through the admin tools) and, ideally, the player’s Steam ID or name.

What You’ll Need

• Admin access to the Space Engineers server (owner or assigned admin).
• The player’s in-game name or Steam ID (optional but helpful).
• Access to the server’s file system if you plan to edit config files directly.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Banning via the In-Game Admin Menu

1. Launch Space Engineers and join your server as an admin. If you’re the server host, you’ll automatically have admin rights; otherwise, ensure you’ve been granted admin via the server’s configuration.
2. Press Alt + F10 to open the Admin Screen. This is the main admin interface in Space Engineers.
3. In the Admin Screen, click on the Players tab. You’ll see a list of all connected players, along with their Steam IDs and connection status.
4. Find the player you want to ban. You can sort by name or Steam ID to locate them quickly.
5. Select the player’s row, then click the Ban button (usually located at the bottom of the player list). A confirmation dialog will appear.
6. In the dialog, you can optionally enter a reason for the ban. This is recorded and can be viewed later.
7. Confirm the ban. The player will be immediately disconnected from the server and will see a message indicating they’ve been banned.

Method 2: Banning via the Server’s Configuration Files

1. Stop the server to avoid file conflicts. If you’re using a dedicated server, shut it down cleanly via your hosting panel or by stopping the process.
2. Navigate to your server’s installation folder. This is typically the directory where the Space Engineers Dedicated Server is installed (e.g., Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineersDedicatedServer).
3. Open the Save folder, then the folder corresponding to your world (usually named after the world’s save name).
4. Look for a file named Sandbox_config.sbc. This is the main configuration file for your server.
5. Open this file with a text editor (like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code). It’s an XML file, so it should be readable.
6. Search for the <BannedPlayers> section. If it doesn’t exist, you’ll need to create it. The structure is as follows:

   <BannedPlayers>
     <BannedPlayer>
       <SteamId>12345678901234567</SteamId>
       <Name>PlayerName</Name>
       <Reason>Reason for ban</Reason>
     </BannedPlayer>
   </BannedPlayers>

   Replace the SteamId with the player’s 17-digit Steam ID, and fill in the name and reason as desired.

7. Save the file and restart the server. The banned player will be unable to join.

Common Mistakes

• Banning the wrong player: Double-check the Steam ID before confirming. There can be multiple players with similar names.
• Forgetting to save the config file: If you edit the XML manually, ensure you save the file before restarting the server. Otherwise, changes are lost.
• Not having admin rights: If you’re not an admin, the Ban button won’t appear. Verify your admin status in the server’s config or via the hosting panel.
• Using the wrong Steam ID: The Steam ID is a 17-digit number. Using the player’s profile URL or custom URL won’t work.

Tips

• Always provide a reason for the ban. It helps if the player appeals and helps other admins understand the context.
• Use the in-game method for quick bans during a session. Use the file method for pre-emptive bans or when you’re not in the game.
• Keep a backup of your Sandbox_config.sbc before making manual edits. This allows you to revert if something goes wrong.
• If you want to unban a player later, simply remove their entry from the <BannedPlayers> list or use the admin menu’s unban option.
• Consider using a plugin or mod for more advanced ban management, but these are not required for basic banning.

Troubleshooting

• Ban doesn’t take effect: If a player can still join after being banned, the ban may not have been saved. For in-game bans, ensure you clicked confirm. For file edits, verify the file was saved and the server restarted.
• Player shows as banned but can still join: This can happen if the player has a different Steam account. Bans are tied to Steam IDs, so they can bypass by using another account.
• Can’t find the BannedPlayers section in the config: The section may not exist until you add a ban. You can create it manually as shown above.
• Admin menu doesn’t open: Make sure you’re actually an admin. If you’re the host, check that the server is running with admin privileges. If you’re not, ask the server owner to grant you admin.
• File is read-only: If you can’t save the config file, check the file permissions. Right-click the file, go to Properties, and ensure it’s not read-only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a banned player rejoin with a different Steam account?

Yes, bans are tied to the Steam ID. If the player creates a new Steam account and buys the game again, they can join. Some server plugins offer IP bans to mitigate this, but it’s not built-in.

How do I unban a player?

In the admin menu, go to the Players tab, find the banned player in the list (they may appear with a ban icon), select them, and click Unban. Alternatively, remove their entry from the <BannedPlayers> section in the config file and restart the server.

What is a Steam ID and where can I find it?

A Steam ID is a unique 17-digit number assigned to each Steam account. You can find it by using a Steam ID finder website, or by looking at the player’s profile URL (the long number at the end). In-game, you can see it in the admin menu’s player list.

Do I need to ban the player’s IP address?

Space Engineers doesn’t support IP bans natively. If you need to prevent a player from rejoining with a new account, you’ll need to use a third-party plugin or firewall rules, which are more advanced.

Can I ban a player who is not online?

Yes, you can add them to the banned list via the config file, or if you have their Steam ID, you can use the admin menu’s ‘Ban by ID’ feature (if available). Otherwise, you’ll need to edit the config file.

Will banning a player delete their bases or ships?

No, banning only prevents them from joining. Their structures remain in the world. If you want to remove their creations, you’ll need to do that separately, either by deleting their grids or using admin tools.

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