RCON for Game Servers: What It Is and How to Use It
RCON gives you command-line access to your game server's console from anywhere, without SSH, without logging into the machine. Here is how to set it up and when to use it.
What RCON is (and is not)
RCON (Remote Console) lets you send commands to a game server's console over a TCP connection. A client connects, authenticates with your RCON password, sends a command as text, and receives the console output back. That is it.
RCON is not SSH. You cannot list files, view system logs, install software, or do anything outside the game's own command set. It is a direct line to the game console's built-in commands only.
Most modern hosting panels (including ours) provide a browser-based console that wraps RCON internally. For day-to-day management, you probably do not need raw RCON at all. It becomes useful when you need to script commands, connect from external tools, or automate server management tasks.
Game-specific setup
Garry's Mod
Add to server.cfg. An empty password disables RCON entirely.
rcon_password "your-secure-password-here"The RCON port is the same as the game port (default: 27015). Common commands: status (list players with SteamIDs), say [message], changelevel [mapname], kick #[userid] [reason].
Rust
Rust uses WebSocket-based RCON. Set in startup parameters (not server.cfg):
+rcon.password "your-secure-password"
+rcon.port 28016Use a client that supports WebSocket RCON. RustAdmin is the most widely used. Classic TCP RCON clients will not work for Rust.
Minecraft
Enable in server.properties, then restart - RCON only activates after a restart:
enable-rcon=true
rcon.password=your-secure-password
rcon.port=25575Connect with mcrcon for command-line use: mcrcon -H [ip] -P 25575 -p [password] "say hello". Commands are standard Minecraft console commands without the / prefix.
What you cannot do with RCON
- Restart the server process. RCON runs inside the process. If you send
quit, the server stops and there is nothing to bring it back up. Use the panel's restart button instead. - Upload or browse files. RCON has no filesystem access whatsoever. Use SFTP or the panel file manager for file operations.
- Change startup parameters: parameters like
+rcon.passwordor+gamemodeare set before the server starts and cannot be changed while it is running.
RCON security
- RCON access is equivalent to full admin access to the game server. Use a randomly generated password of at least 20 characters.
- Avoid exposing the RCON port publicly. On Zeros Host, the panel console handles RCON internally. You do not need the port open to the internet for normal management.
- The Source RCON protocol is not encrypted. Commands travel in plaintext after authentication. Do not send RCON commands over untrusted networks without a VPN.
- Never share your RCON password with players, even trusted admins. Use an admin mod like ULX or SAM instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is RCON and do I need it to manage a game server?
RCON (Remote Console) is a protocol that lets you send commands to a game server's console over a network connection. You do not strictly need it if your hosting panel has a built-in console, which Zeros Host does. RCON becomes useful when you need to manage the server from a custom script, an external tool, or when panel access is not available.
How do I enable RCON on a Garry's Mod server?
Add rcon_password "yourpassword" to your server.cfg file. The RCON password must be non-empty. A blank value disables RCON. The RCON port is the same as your game port (default 27015), using TCP. Restart the server after changing the config.
How do I enable RCON on a Minecraft server?
In server.properties, set enable-rcon=true, rcon.password=yourpassword, and optionally rcon.port=25575 (the default). Restart the server. RCON only activates after a restart. Connect with any RCON client that supports the standard protocol, such as mcrcon for command-line use.
Is RCON secure?
The original Source RCON protocol transmits commands in plaintext after authentication, so it is not suitable for use over untrusted networks without a VPN. Use a strong, randomly generated password, and avoid exposing the RCON port to the public internet if possible. On managed hosting, the panel console handles RCON internally so you do not need to open the port at all for normal use.
Can I restart my server using RCON?
Not reliably. You can send a quit command to stop the server process, but RCON runs inside that process. Once the server stops, the RCON connection closes and there is nothing to bring the server back up. Restarting requires the hosting panel, a startup script, or a process manager. Use the panel's restart button for this.
RCON is built into the Zeros Host panel
The panel console gives you live command access to your server without setting up an external client or opening RCON to the internet. Start a 24-hour free trial with no card required.
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