How to Change the Admins on Your Garry's Mod Server

If you run a Garry's Mod server, you will probably want to give trusted players admin access so they can help moderate the game, manage settings, and keep things running well. On a Garry's Mod server, admin access is typically handled through your server configuration and a server admin tool such as ULX or a similar admin mod. This guide walks you through how to set up and manage admins from the RiverHosting panel.

Before you start

• You need an active Garry's Mod server on your RiverHosting account.
• Log in to the RiverHosting panel at panel.riverhosting.com and open your server.
• You need the Steam ID of the player you want to make an admin. A Steam ID looks like STEAM_0:1:12345678 or a 64-bit ID like 76561198012345678. You can look up a player's Steam ID using a site like steamidfinder.com if you do not already have it.
• Your server should be stopped before making changes to configuration files, then restarted once you are done.

1. Open the Server Config page

The easiest place to start is the Server Config page in the left-hand menu of your server. This page gives you quick access to common server settings without needing to dig through files manually.

1. Log in to panel.riverhosting.com.
2. Click on your Garry's Mod server from the server list.
3. In the left-hand menu, click Server Config.
4. Review the available options. Some admin-related settings, such as the server owner Steam ID, may be available here depending on your server setup.
5. If you see a field for a server owner or admin Steam ID, enter the Steam ID of the player you want to give top-level admin access to.
6. Save your changes and restart your server for them to take effect.

2. Add admins through the File Manager

If your server uses an admin mod such as ULX, admin access is usually stored in a file inside your server's data folder. You can find and edit this file using the built-in File Manager in the RiverHosting panel.

1. Stop your server from the main server page before making file changes.
2. In the left-hand menu, click Files to open the File Manager.
3. Navigate to the folder where your admin mod stores its data. For ULX, this is typically found at a path similar to garrysmod/data/ULib/users.txt or garrysmod/data/ULib/groups.txt.
4. Click the file to open it in the panel's built-in editor.
5. Add the Steam ID of the player you want to make an admin, following the format already used in the file. Each admin entry is usually on its own line with a Steam ID and a group name such as admin or superadmin.
6. Save the file once you have made your changes.
7. Start your server again. The new admin should have their permissions the next time they join.

:::example[Example admin entry] An entry in a ULX users file might look something like this:

STEAM_0:1:12345678 = superadmin

Always follow the format already used in your file rather than inventing a new structure. :::

3. Verify admin access in-game

Once your server has restarted, it is a good idea to confirm that the admin permissions are working correctly before letting players back in.

1. Join your Garry's Mod server using the IP address and port shown on the Network page in the RiverHosting panel.
2. Ask the player you added as admin to join and try using an admin command, such as opening the ULX menu or running a basic command in chat.
3. If the commands work as expected, the admin setup is complete.
4. If the player does not have access, double-check the Steam ID in the file and make sure the server was fully restarted after saving your changes.

Troubleshooting

• The admin still has no permissions after restarting: Check that the Steam ID was entered correctly with no extra spaces. Also confirm that the server was fully stopped and started again, not just reloaded.
• I cannot find the ULX data folder: Make sure your admin mod is actually installed. If you have not installed ULX or a similar mod yet, you will need to add it first. You can upload mod files using the File Manager or install them through the Content Mounts section in the left-hand menu.
• Changes were lost after a restart: This can happen if you edited the file while the server was still running. The server may overwrite the file when it shuts down. Always stop the server before editing admin files.
• I am not sure which admin mod my server is using: Open the File Manager and browse to the garrysmod/addons folder. Look for folder names that include the word ULX, ULib, evolve, or similar. That will tell you which admin mod is installed.

Need help?

If you are stuck or something does not look right, the RiverHosting support team is happy to help you sort it out.