This guide covers admin setup, RCON access, player management, track rotation management, Steam Workshop mod support, custom events, and troubleshooting for your Wreckfest dedicated server on Legion Hosting. For initial server setup, configuration, and connection instructions, see Wreckfest Server Setup Guide.
Admin Setup
Wreckfest uses a password-based admin system. The server owner sets an admin password (owner_password) in the server_config.cfg file. This password grants full admin access through RCON and in-game admin commands.
Setting the Admin Password
- Stop your server in GPanel.
- Navigate to the Files tab and open
server_config.cfg. - Find or add the
owner_passwordline and set your desired password:
owner_password=YourSecureAdminPassword
- Save the file and restart the server.
Logging In as Admin In-Game
Once connected to the server as a player, you can authenticate as admin using the in-game console or chat:
- Open the in-game chat or console.
- Type the admin login command with your password:
/admin YourSecureAdminPassword - You will receive confirmation that you are now an admin for this session.
RCON (Remote Console)
Wreckfest supports RCON for remote server administration. RCON allows you to execute server commands from outside the game using an RCON client.
RCON Configuration
RCON settings are configured in server_config.cfg:
owner_password=YourSecureAdminPassword
query_port=27016
Connecting via RCON
- Use an RCON client tool (such as mcrcon, rcon-cli, or a GUI RCON client).
- Connect to your server's IP address on the query port (default:
27016). - Authenticate using the
owner_password. - You can now execute admin commands remotely.
Admin Commands
The following commands are available to authenticated admins through RCON, the GPanel console, or in-game chat:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/kick <player> |
Kicks a player from the server. They can rejoin unless banned. |
/ban <player> |
Bans a player from the server. Persists across restarts. |
/unban <player> |
Removes a player's ban. |
/balanceteams |
Rebalances teams in team-based game modes. |
/restart |
Restarts the current event. |
/next |
Skips to the next event in the track rotation. |
/say <message> |
Sends a server-wide admin announcement. |
Player Management
Kicking and Banning
Use the /kick and /ban commands to manage disruptive players. Bans are stored in the server's ban list and persist across restarts.
Managing the Ban List
The ban list is stored in a file in the server directory. You can view and edit it through GPanel's Files tab:
- Each banned player is listed by their Steam ID.
- To unban a player, use the
/unbancommand or remove their entry from the ban list file and restart the server.
Team Management
In team-based game modes (team derby), you can manage team balance:
- Use
/balanceteamsto automatically redistribute players between teams. - Set
num_teams=2inserver_config.cfgfor events that require teams. - Team assignments can be shuffled between events to keep things fair.
Track Rotation Management
The track rotation is defined in server_config.cfg as a series of event blocks. For details on the event format, see the Wreckfest Server Setup Guide.
Adding New Tracks
- Stop your server.
- Open
server_config.cfgin the Files tab. - Add a new event block with the desired track, mode, and settings.
- Save and restart the server.
Removing or Reordering Tracks
Simply edit the event blocks in server_config.cfg. Remove unwanted event blocks or rearrange them to change the rotation order. The server processes events top to bottom and loops back to the first event after completing the last one.
Common Track IDs
Popular track IDs: sandpit2_track_a (circuit), tricity_speedway_a (oval), hellride_track_a (circuit), muddigger_arena_a (derby arena), bonebreaker_valley_a (circuit), crash_canyon_a (derby arena). Wreckfest includes many more tracks and variants — check the game's data files or community resources for a full list. DLC tracks are also available if installed.
Mod Support (Steam Workshop)
Wreckfest supports Steam Workshop mods on dedicated servers, including custom tracks, cars, and other content.
Installing Workshop Mods
- Find the mod you want on the Wreckfest Steam Workshop.
- Note the Workshop item ID from the mod's URL (the number in the URL).
- Stop your server in GPanel.
- Add the Workshop item ID to the server's mod configuration. This is typically done through a startup variable or a mod list file.
- Restart the server. SteamCMD will download the mod files automatically.
Workshop Tracks
Custom Workshop tracks can be added to your track rotation once installed. Use the Workshop track's internal ID as the el_add value in your event block. Check the mod's Workshop page for the correct track ID.
Workshop Cars
Custom vehicles from the Workshop are available to all players on the server once installed. Players must also subscribe to the same Workshop items on their client for the models to display correctly.
Custom Events
You can create unique event configurations beyond the standard race and derby setups:
Themed Events
- School bus derby: Set
el_car_restrictionto a bus vehicle ID for a bus-only demolition derby. - Lawnmower racing: Restrict to lawnmower vehicles for chaotic small-vehicle races.
- Rainy endurance: Set
el_weather=2(rain) with high lap counts for a challenging wet-weather endurance race. - Time attack: Use short time limits and open car classes for quick, intense rounds.
Bot Fill Events
Use the el_bots setting to add AI drivers when player counts are low. Bots provide opponents for racing and targets for demolition derbies, keeping the action going even with few human players.
Troubleshooting
Server Not Appearing in Browser
- Confirm the server is fully started and online in GPanel.
- Wait 1–2 minutes after startup for the server to register with Steam's master server list.
- Verify the server name is set and not blank in
server_config.cfg. - Check the console for port binding errors or Steam authentication failures.
Players Cannot Connect
- Verify the server is running and the console shows no errors.
- If password-protected, ensure players are entering the correct password.
- Check that the game version matches — server and client must be on the same version.
- Have players try direct connect with the IP and port. See How to Find Your Server IP and Port.
Mods Causing Issues
- If the server crashes or behaves unexpectedly after adding mods, remove the most recently added mod and restart.
- Test mods one at a time to identify the problematic mod.
- Ensure all players have the same Workshop mods subscribed on their clients.
- Some mods may be outdated and incompatible with the current Wreckfest version.
Track Rotation Not Working
- Double-check track IDs in your event blocks. An incorrect track ID will cause the event to fail.
- Ensure each event block has all required fields (
el_add,el_gamemode,el_laps). - Check the console for errors when the server tries to load a specific event.
Performance Issues
- Reduce the number of AI bots (
el_bots) if CPU usage is high. - Demolition derby events with 24 players plus bots are the most resource-intensive. Consider lowering player count for derby events.
- Check GPanel resource graphs. If you are consistently hitting resource limits, consider upgrading your plan. Open a support ticket to discuss options.
Related Articles
- Wreckfest Server Setup Guide — Initial setup, configuration, track rotation, and connection instructions
- How to Find Your Server IP and Port
- How to Upload Files via SFTP
- Server Startup Guide — General guide for starting any game server on Legion Hosting
Need More Help?
If you are experiencing issues not covered in this guide, our support team is available to assist. Open a ticket at legionhosting.net/submitticket.php with your server details, a description of the problem, and any relevant error messages from the GPanel console.