Unban a player
/pardon SteveSteve is removed from the ban list and can join again.
/pardon command in Minecraft
/pardon removes a player from the ban list so they can join again. It is the counterpart of /ban and only exists on dedicated servers, where it is run from the console or by an operator with level 3 or more.
Syntax
/pardon <targets>// Only on a dedicated server: the command does not exist in single player or in a world opened to LAN.
| Argument | Expects | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| targets | Player name | Exact name or UUID of the banned account, as shown by /banlist players. |
Examples
Check the exact name first
/banlist playersShows banned accounts so you can copy the right spelling.
Build your commandFill in the fields, then copy the command.
Command generatorLifting a ban
Type the name exactly as it appears in /banlist. The server confirms with Unbanned Steve; if the account was not banned, you get Nothing changed. The player isn't banned.
/pardon only lifts account bans. If you also blocked the address with /ban-ip, run /pardon-ip as well, otherwise the player still cannot connect from that network. If the server uses a /whitelist, make sure the player is on it too. The change applies at once, no restart needed.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 2 November 2026
/pardon: FAQ
Why can the player still not join after /pardon?
The IP address may still be banned, or the server uses a whitelist. Check /banlist ips and /whitelist list.
Does the player need to be online for /pardon?
No, a banned player cannot be online anyway. Type the exact account name shown in the ban list.
How do I use /pardon?
On a server, as an operator or from the server console: /pardon <targets>. It does not exist in single player.
Who can use /pardon?
Server operator, level 3. Only on a dedicated server: the command does not exist in single player or in a world opened to LAN.
Related commands
/banServer/banlistServer/pardon-ipServer/kickServer/whitelistServer/stopServer/save-allServer/save-offServer