How to Add Operators (Ops) to Your Minecraft Server

Adding operators (ops) to your Minecraft server gives trusted players administrative permissions to manage the server, use commands, and moderate gameplay. This guide will show you how to add operators using both Loafhosts' advanced Player Manager and traditional methods.

What Are Operators?

Operators (ops) are players with elevated permissions on your server. They can:

• Use administrative commands
• Bypass server restrictions
• Manage other players (kick, ban, etc.)
• Modify game rules and server settings
• Access creative mode (if enabled)

Method 1: Using Loafhosts Player Manager (Recommended)

Loafhosts provides an advanced Player Manager that makes managing operators incredibly easy with a visual interface.

Step 1: Access the Player Manager

1. Log into your Loafhosts panel
2. Select your Minecraft server
3. Click Players in the left sidebar

Step 2: View All Players

The Player Manager shows:

• Online - Currently connected players (green indicator)
• Total - All players who have joined your server
• Player statistics and activity breakdown

You can filter players by:

• Online status
• Whitelisted players
• Opped players
• Banned players

Step 3: Select a Player

1. Use the search bar to find a specific player
2. Or scroll through the player list
3. Click on the player's name to view their details

Step 4: Make the Player an Operator

1. In the Player Details view, locate Player Actions
2. Click the purple Make Op button
3. The player now has operator permissions
4. No server restart required - changes apply immediately!

Method 2: Using In-Game Commands

If you're already in-game with operator permissions:

Add an Operator

/op <playername>

Example:

/op IXuka_VuramI

Remove Operator Status

/deop <playername>

Example:

/deop IXuka_VuramI

Method 3: Using Server Console

You can also manage operators through the server console:

Step 1: Access Terminal

1. Go to Terminal in your Loafhosts panel
2. Wait for the server console to load

Step 2: Add Operator

Type in the command input at the bottom:

op <playername>

Step 3: Verify

Check the console output to confirm:

Made IXuka_VuramI a server operator

Understanding Operator Permission Levels

Minecraft operators have 4 permission levels (1-4):

By default, operators are set to level 4 (full permissions).

Additional Player Management Features

Loafhosts Player Manager offers extensive player management tools:

Player Actions Available:

• Ban - Permanently ban a player from the server
• Whitelist - Add player to the whitelist
• Make Op - Grant operator permissions
• Ban IP - Ban player's IP address
• Clear Inventory - Remove all items from player's inventory
• Wipe Data - Reset all player data

Advanced Actions:

• Change Gamemode - Switch between Survival, Creative, Adventure, Spectator
• Whisper - Send private message to player
• Teleport - Teleport to player's location

Player Statistics Displayed:

• UUID - Player's unique identifier (click to copy)
• HP - Current health (displayed with hearts)
• Hunger - Food level
• Level - Experience level
• Gamemode - Current game mode
• World - Current world location
• Play Time - Total time played
• Deaths - Number of deaths
• Total Kills - Kill count

Player Achievement Boards:

Track player progress across multiple categories:

• Mined blocks
• Picked up items
• Used items
• Dropped items
• Activities

Managing Multiple Operators

View All Operators

In the Player Manager, use the filter buttons:

1. Click the Op filter button
2. View all players with operator status
3. Manage or remove op status as needed

Best Practices

• Only give op to trusted players
• Use permission plugins (like LuckPerms) for more granular control
• Regularly audit who has op permissions
• Remove op from inactive players

Using Permission Plugins (Advanced)

For more control over permissions, consider using a permission plugin:

Recommended: LuckPerms

LuckPerms provides fine-grained permission control:

1. Install LuckPerms from the Plugin Manager
2. Use /lp user <player> permission set <permission> for specific permissions
3. Create custom permission groups
4. Avoid using /op and manage all permissions through LuckPerms

Benefits:

• Granular permission control
• Create custom roles (Admin, Moderator, VIP, etc.)
• Set permissions per-world
• Better security than traditional ops

Removing Operator Status

Using Player Manager:

1. Go to Players in your Loafhosts panel
2. Select the player
3. Click Make Op again to toggle off operator status

Using Console:

deop <playername>

Troubleshooting

Player Can't Use Op Commands:

• Verify the player has been opped successfully
• Check server logs for permission errors
• Ensure the player reconnects after being opped
• Check if a permission plugin is overriding default op permissions

Can't Op Yourself:

• Use the server console to op your username
• Or edit the ops.json file in the File Manager
• Restart the server after manual edits

Op Commands Not Working:

• Verify enable-command-block is set correctly in server.properties
• Check if a permission plugin is blocking commands
• Review server logs for errors

Security Best Practices

• Limit Operators: Only op players you fully trust
• Use Whitelisting: Enable whitelist for additional security
• Regular Audits: Periodically review who has op status
• Permission Plugins: Use LuckPerms for better control
• Backup Regularly: Protect against accidental or malicious changes

Need Help?

If you need assistance managing operators:

• Live Chat: Available on Loafhosts.com
• Discord: Join us at discord.gg/loafhosts
• Support Center: Visit our Support Center for additional guides

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Updated on: 10/11/2025