Enable Vote Kicking on a DST Server

Vote kicking lets players on your Don’t Starve Together server decide together whether to remove a disruptive player, without needing admin console access. This guide shows you how to turn on the built-in vote kick system, set it up in your server files, and adjust the voting rules to suit your group. You’ll need basic access to your server’s files—either through a hosting panel, FTP, or a local dedicated server folder.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your DST server’s settings.ini file (or the ability to edit server settings through your hosting control panel).
• A text editor like Notepad, Visual Studio Code, or the panel’s built-in file editor.
• Permission to restart your server for changes to take effect.

Step-by-Step

1. Locate your server’s configuration file. For a dedicated server, this is typically named settings.ini and lives in the DoNotStarveTogether folder inside your cluster directory (e.g., MyDediServer/Master/settings.ini). For hosted servers, use the file manager in your control panel to find it.
2. Open settings.ini in a text editor. If the file doesn’t exist, create one in the same folder.
3. Find or add the [NETWORK] section. If it’s not there, add the line [NETWORK] at the top of the file.
4. Enable vote kicking. Under [NETWORK], add or change the line to:
   vote_kick_enabled = true
   If the line already exists, make sure it says true (lowercase).
5. Set the minimum number of players required to start a vote (optional). Add the line:
   vote_kick_min_players = 2
   This means at least 2 players must be online before a vote can be initiated. You can adjust the number to your preference (e.g., 3 or 4).
6. Set the voting duration (optional). Add:
   vote_kick_duration = 60
   This sets the time in seconds that a vote stays open. 60 seconds is a common default.
7. Set the percentage of votes needed to pass (optional). Add:
   vote_kick_threshold = 0.66
   This means 66% of players must vote yes to kick. You can use 0.5 for a simple majority or 0.75 for a supermajority.
8. Save the file. Ensure the changes are saved.
9. Restart your server. The new settings will only take effect after a full restart. If you have a dedicated server, stop it and start it again. For hosted servers, use the restart button in your panel.
10. Verify the setting is active. Once the server is back up, check your server console or logs for any errors. You can also ask a player to test by pressing the default key (usually Tab and then clicking the player name) to see if a “Vote to Kick” option appears.

Common Mistakes

• Editing the wrong file. Some server setups have multiple settings.ini files (one for the shard, one for the cluster). Make sure you edit the one inside the Master folder (or the folder that contains your world data).
• Using uppercase or spaces. The configuration values are case-sensitive. Write true, not True or TRUE, and don’t add spaces around the equals sign.
• Forgetting to restart. Changes to settings.ini are only read when the server starts. A simple world reset or reload won’t apply them.
• Setting a threshold above 1.0. The threshold is a percentage, so it must be between 0 and 1. A value like 1.5 will cause errors or the vote to never pass.
• Not having enough players. If you set vote_kick_min_players too high, votes won’t start unless that many players are online. For a small server, keep it at 2 or 3.

Tips

• Test with friends. Before relying on vote kick in a public server, test it with a couple of friends to make sure the settings feel right.
• Combine with admin actions. Vote kick is a democratic tool, but as an admin, you can still use console commands (like c_kick()) for immediate removals if needed.
• Adjust the threshold carefully. A threshold of 0.66 (two-thirds) prevents a single pair of players from ganging up on a third, but it can make it harder to remove a genuinely toxic player if the server is split.
• Use a short duration. A 60-second vote gives people time to see the notification but doesn’t drag on. Longer votes can be annoying if the server is busy.
• Check your hosting panel. Many hosting providers (like Akliz, Citadel Servers, or GTXGaming) have a graphical interface for vote kick settings. If you use one, change it there instead of editing the file manually.

Troubleshooting

• Vote kick option doesn’t appear in-game. First, make sure you’ve restarted the server after saving the file. If it still doesn’t appear, check that you edited the correct settings.ini—the one in the shard folder (Master or Caves), not the cluster root. Also verify the line is exactly vote_kick_enabled = true with no typos.
• Server won’t start after editing. This usually means a syntax error in the file. Open the file and check for missing brackets, extra spaces, or a stray character. If you’re unsure, revert to the previous version and start over.
• Votes never pass. Check your vote_kick_threshold value. If it’s set to 0.75, you need 75% of all players (not just those who voted) to say yes. Also, remember that the player being voted on cannot vote.
• Players can’t start a vote. Ensure the number of players online meets your vote_kick_min_players setting. If you have 3 players and the minimum is 4, no one can initiate a vote.
• Vote kicks the wrong player. This can happen if the vote UI is confusing. Make sure players are clicking the correct name. You can also set vote_kick_duration longer so people have time to read.
• Changes not applying. Some hosting panels cache server files. Try using the panel’s “Restart” button instead of a manual stop/start, or contact your host’s support if the issue persists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vote kicking enabled by default?

No, it is disabled by default. You must set vote_kick_enabled = true in your settings.ini.

Can players vote to kick the server admin?

Yes, technically they can initiate a vote against the admin, but the admin can always override it with console commands or by simply banning the players. It’s generally not a problem in practice.

What happens if a vote fails?

If the required percentage isn’t reached within the voting duration, the vote fails and the player stays. A cooldown period may apply, but it’s not configurable in the base game.

Can I set a cooldown between votes?

No, the base game does not have a built-in cooldown setting for vote kicks. You can only control the minimum players, duration, and threshold.

Does vote kicking work on dedicated servers only?

It works on any server that has the settings.ini file, including dedicated servers and hosted servers. It does not work on player-hosted “Listen Server” games (where the host is playing) because the host has direct control anyway.

Can I use vote kicking together with mods?

Yes, but some mods may override or conflict with the vote kick system. If you have mods that add their own kick features, test them together to avoid unexpected behavior.

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