Hosting an Unturned server gives you control over your world, players, and admin tools. One important setting for beginners is cheats. Cheats allow admins to use commands for spawning items, teleporting, healing, changing time, and testing server features.
In Unturned, cheats are not enabled from an in-game menu. They are controlled through a server file called Commands.dat. For a self-hosted Unturned server, this can feel confusing because you need to find the correct server folder, edit the file manually, and restart the server. With dedicated Unturned server hosting from Pine Hosting, you still edit server files, but the process is easier because everything is managed through a control panel and File Manager.
What Cheats Do On An Unturned Server
Cheats allow admins to use special commands that are normally restricted during regular gameplay. They are useful for private servers, test servers, creative servers, events, and moderation.
For example, cheats can help you spawn items, teleport to players, change the time of day, give experience, or test server settings. On public survival servers, cheats should usually stay disabled because they can affect fairness, progression, and the server economy.
How Cheats Work In Unturned
Unturned servers use configuration files to load server settings. The main file used for startup commands is Commands.dat.
To enable cheats, you add this line:
Cheats Enabled
To disable cheats, you remove that line.
After changing Commands.dat, you need to restart your Unturned server so the setting loads correctly.
How To Enable Cheats On A Self-Hosted Unturned Server
Self-hosting gives you full control, but it also means you need to handle the files yourself. This is the part that can be confusing for beginners, especially if you are using SteamCMD, local folders, or startup scripts.
Step 1: Stop Your Server
Before editing any files, stop your Unturned server completely. If it is running in a console window, close it properly. If you are using a batch file or startup script, stop the process first.
Editing files while the server is running can stop your changes from saving correctly.
Step 2: Find Your Server Folder
Next, find your Unturned server files. The location depends on how you installed the server, but the path may look similar to this:
Unturned/Servers/YourServerName/Server
The YourServerName part should match the server profile you created.
Step 3: Find Or Create Commands.dat
Inside the server folder, look for:
Commands.dat
If the file exists, open it. If it does not exist, create a new file named exactly:
Commands.dat
Make sure it is not saved as:
Commands.dat.txt
This mistake is common on Windows because file extensions may be hidden.
Step 4: Open Commands.dat
Open Commands.dat with a plain text editor such as Notepad, Notepad++, or Visual Studio Code.
Do not use Microsoft Word because it can add formatting that does not belong in server configuration files.
Step 5: Add Cheats Enabled
Add this line on its own line:
Cheats Enabled
Your file may look like this:
Name My Unturned Server
Map PEI
Port 27015
MaxPlayers 12
Cheats Enabled
Save the file when finished.
Step 6: Restart Your Server
Start your Unturned server again. Once it has restarted, cheats should be enabled.
How To Make Yourself Admin
Enabling cheats does not automatically let every player use cheat commands. You also need admin permissions.
Find this file in your server files:
Admins.dat
Open it and add your Steam64 ID on a new line.
Example:
76561198000000000
Save the file and restart the server. After joining again, your account should have admin access.
Useful Unturned Cheat Commands
Once cheats are enabled and you are an admin, you can use commands in-game.
Give Yourself An Item
Use:
/give ITEM_ID
Example:
/give 363
Teleport To A Player
Use:
/teleport PLAYERNAME
Change Time To Day
Use:
/day
Change Time To Night
Use:
/night
Heal Yourself
Use:
/heal
Give Experience
Use:
/experience AMOUNT
Example:
/experience 100
These commands are useful for testing, events, and basic server management.
How To Disable Cheats On A Self-Hosted Unturned Server
Disabling cheats uses the same file.
Step 1: Stop Your Server
Stop your Unturned server before editing the files.
Step 2: Open Commands.dat
Go back to your server folder and open:
Commands.dat
If you are self-hosting, it may be in a path like:
Unturned/Servers/YourServerName/Server/Commands.dat
Step 3: Remove Cheats Enabled
Find this line:
Cheats Enabled
Delete it from the file.
Step 4: Save And Restart
Save Commands.dat, then restart your server. Cheats should now be disabled.
When Should Cheats Be Enabled Or Disabled?
Cheats are useful while setting up a new Unturned server, testing mods, checking item IDs, building event areas, or managing a private server with friends.
For public survival servers, cheats are usually better disabled. This helps keep gameplay fair and prevents admin commands from affecting progression. A good approach is to enable cheats only while testing or setting up the server, then disable them before opening the server to regular players.
Troubleshooting Cheats On An Unturned Server
If cheats are not working, check that Commands.dat includes this exact line:
Cheats Enabled
Also make sure the file was saved and the server was restarted.
If commands say you are not admin, check Admins.dat and confirm your Steam64 ID is listed correctly.
If the server still has cheats enabled after removing the line, make sure you edited the correct Commands.dat file. Some setups may have multiple server profiles.
How To Enable Or Disable Cheats With Dedicated Unturned Server Hosting
With dedicated Unturned server hosting, managing cheats is much more straightforward because your server files are organized inside a control panel. You still edit the same Commands.dat file, but you do not need to handle local server folders, SteamCMD setup, startup scripts, or manual server processes yourself.
Step 1: Stop Your Server From The Panel
Log in to your Pine Hosting server panel and stop your Unturned server.
Step 2: Open File Manager
Open the File Manager from the panel. This lets you browse your Unturned server files from your browser.
Step 3: Find Commands.dat
Look for:
Commands.dat
It may be inside a path similar to:
Servers/YourServerName/Server/Commands.dat
Step 4: Enable Cheats
Open Commands.dat and add:
Cheats Enabled
Save the file, then restart the server from the panel.
Step 5(Optional If Needed): Disable Cheats
To disable cheats, open Commands.dat, remove:
Cheats Enabled
Save the file and restart the server.
Host Your Unturned Server With Pine Hosting
At Pine Hosting, we make Unturned server hosting easier for beginners while still giving you access to the files that matter. You can edit configuration files like Commands.dat, restart your server from the panel, and manage your setup without handling everything from your own computer.
If you want a simpler way to run and configure your Unturned server, Pine Hosting offers dedicated Unturned server hosting built for players, communities, and new server owners who want reliable performance without the extra setup hassle.
