How to Kick and Ban Players from Your Minecraft Server

Understanding Kick vs Ban

Kick

Temporarily removes a player from the server. They can rejoin immediately. Use for minor rule violations or to get someone's attention.

Ban

Permanently prevents a player from joining the server. Use for serious rule violations, griefing, or repeated offenses.

Important: You need OP (operator) permissions to kick or ban players. Make sure you have the necessary permissions before attempting these commands.

How to Kick Players

Basic Kick Command

Use the following command to kick a player (replace "PlayerName" with the actual username):

/kick PlayerName

Kick with Reason

You can provide a reason for the kick:

/kick PlayerName Please follow the server rules

Using the Game Panel Console

You can also use these commands through the Game Panel console for easier management.

How to Ban Players

Basic Ban Command

Use the following command to ban a player:

/ban PlayerName

Ban with Reason

Always provide a clear reason for the ban:

/ban PlayerName Griefing and harassment

IP Ban (Advanced)

To ban by IP address (prevents the player from joining with any account from that IP):

/ban-ip IP_ADDRESS

Warning: IP bans can affect multiple players if they share the same IP (like family members).

Managing Bans

View Banned Players

To see all currently banned players:

/banlist

Unban a Player

To remove a ban and allow a player to rejoin:

/pardon PlayerName

Remove IP Ban

To remove an IP ban:

/pardon-ip IP_ADDRESS

Using Ban Management Files

Accessing Ban Files

You can also manage bans through the server files in your Game Panel File Manager.

Ban Files Location

Ban information is stored in these files in your server directory:

banned-players.json - Player bans
banned-ips.json - IP bans

Best Practices for Moderation

1. Document Everything

Keep records of warnings, kicks, and bans with reasons. This helps maintain consistency and provides evidence if needed.

2. Use Warning System

Implement a warning system before permanent bans. Give players chances to improve their behavior.

3. Clear Server Rules

Make sure your server rules are clearly posted and easily accessible to all players.

4. Use Moderation Plugins

Consider using plugins like AdvancedBan, LiteBans, or similar for more advanced moderation features and logging.

Troubleshooting

Player Still Can Join After Ban

Check if you used the correct username (case-sensitive) and that the ban was applied successfully. Check the console for any error messages.

Can't Find Player Name

Use the /list command to see all currently online players, or check the server logs for recent player names.