How to make yourself an operator (admin) on your Minecraft server Print

This article explains how to make yourself an operator (admin) on your PlayNHost Minecraft server so you can use in-game commands like /gamemode, /tp and /ban.

1. Join your server at least once

Your Minecraft username must appear in the server files before you can be given OP.

1. Start your server from https://panel.playnhost.com if it is not already running.
2. Open Minecraft on your PC.
3. Add your server using the IP / Hostname and Port shown in the Client Area or Game Panel.
4. Join the server once and fully load into the world.

After this, your username will be known to the server and ready to be made an operator.

2. Open the server console in the Game Panel

5. Go to https://panel.playnhost.com and log in.
6. Select your Minecraft server from the list.
7. On the server page, open the Console tab.
8. Make sure the server status is Online. If not, click Start and wait until it is running.

3. Give yourself operator (OP) via console

In the console, you can run any server command as if you were the owner.

9. In the console input box, type the following command, replacing YourName with your exact Minecraft username:

op YourName

• Press Enter to run the command.
• You should see a message in the console confirming that you are now an operator.

In-game, you will also usually see a chat message such as “Made YourName a server operator”.

4. Test your new admin permissions

10. Join your server if you are not already online.
11. Try a simple command, for example:

/gamemode creative

If the command works without saying “You do not have permission”, your OP status is active.

5. How to de-op (remove admin) from a player

Only give OP to people you fully trust. Operators can run any command on the server, including deleting worlds or banning players.

To remove operator status from someone:

deop PlayerName

• Run this command from the Console or as another operator in-game.
• The player will lose access to admin commands immediately.

6. Alternative method: editing ops.json (advanced)

Normally the console method is enough. If you ever need to edit operators manually, you can use the ops.json file.

12. Stop your server from the Game Panel.
13. Open File Manager for your Minecraft server.
14. Find the file named ops.json in the main server folder.
15. Download the file or open it in the online editor.

You will see a JSON list of operator entries. Example:

[
  {
    "uuid": "player-uuid-here",
    "name": "YourName",
    "level": 4,
    "bypassesPlayerLimit": true
  }
]

• Only edit this file if you understand JSON formatting – incorrect edits can break the file and remove all operators.
• After editing, save the file and start the server again.

If you are not comfortable editing ops.json, always use the op and deop commands instead.

7. Need help?

If the op command does not work or your username is not recognised, please open a ticket from Support → Submit a Ticket in the Client Area at https://playnhost.com/billing and include your server IP and Minecraft username.