Wikipedia:FAQ/Administrators: Difference between revisions

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{{Wikipedia:FAQ/framework
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   |shorttitle = Administrators
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{{For|information on the administration of Wikipedia|Wikipedia:Administration}}
{{For|information on the administration of Wikipedia|Wikipedia:Administration}}


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==<span id="POLICY"></span>How do policies get decided?==
==<span id="POLICY"></span>How do policies get decided?==
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:[[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines]] describes how Wikipedia arrives at its policies and guidelines through a process of discussion and consensus. Discussion takes place in the various policy pages which form part of the "Wikipedia:" namespace. Sometimes policy is discussed off-wiki, but decisions always take place on-wiki.
:[[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines]] describes how Wikipedia arrives at its policies and guidelines through a process of discussion and consensus. Discussion takes place in the various policy pages which form part of the "Wikipedia:" namespace. Sometimes policy is discussed off-wiki, but decisions always take place on-wiki.


==<span id="ADMIN"></span>What is an administrator? What is a sysop?==
==<span id="ADMIN"></span>What is an administrator? A sysop?==
{{Shortcut|WP:ADFAQ#ADMIN}}
{{Shortcut|WP:ADFAQ#ADMIN}}
:Two words for the same thing. An administrator is simply a [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedian]] who can access some of the few restricted Wikipedia software functions: deleting articles and uploaded files, protecting and unprotecting pages, and blocking and unblocking users or IP addresses. The software internally uses the string "sysop" to flag their accounts, perhaps one reason that term is used. "Sysop" is simply a shortened term for '''sys'''tem '''op'''erator. They tend to be friendly folks who are willing to help you, if you post on their talk page. See the [[Wikipedia:List of administrators|current list of administrators]].
:Two words for the same thing. An administrator is simply a volunteer [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedian]] who can access some of the few restricted Wikipedia software functions: deleting articles and files, protecting and unprotecting pages, and blocking and unblocking users. The software internally uses the string "sysop" to flag their accounts, a shortened term for '''sys'''tem '''op'''erator. See the [[Wikipedia:List of administrators|current list of administrators]].


==<span id="BECOME"></span>How can I become an administrator?==
==<span id="BECOME"></span>How can I become an administrator?==
{{Shortcut|WP:ADFAQ#BECOME}}
{{Shortcut|WP:ADFAQ#BECOME}}
:In short, you spend years developing a good edit history that shows you understand Wikipedia policies, have good judgement, a good temperament, and have a need for the administrator toolset. A nomination is then made at [[WP:RFA]] where the community decides if the user merits the tools. Administrators have no special status and are like any other editor, they simply have tools that would be irresponsible for the entire community to have. You can do probably 95% of tasks on Wikipedia without being an administrator.
:You must have years of a good edit history that shows you understand Wikipedia policies, have good judgement, a good temperament, and have a need for the administrator toolset. A nomination is then made at [[Wikipedia:Requests for adminship]] where the community decides if the user deserves the tools. Honestly, you can do 95% of tasks on Wikipedia without being an administrator.


==<span id="CONDUCT"></span>Who monitors the conduct of an administrator?==
==<span id="CONDUCT"></span>Who monitors the conduct of an administrator?==
{{Shortcut|WP:ADFAQ#CONDUCT}}
{{Shortcut|WP:ADFAQ#CONDUCT}}
:Administrators monitor each other; nearly all admin actions are completely reversible by any other admin (including [[Special:Log/delete|page deletions]], [[Wikipedia:Protection policy|lockings]], and [[Special:Ipblocklist|IP bannings]]). The [[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]] also has the power to discipline administrators, and has done so in several cases. In a truly rare case the [[Wikimedia Foundation|Wikimedia]] [http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Board_of_Trustees Board of Trustees] could step in. You can report problems with admins misusing their privileges at [[Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents]].
:Administrators monitor each other; nearly all admin actions are reversible by any other admin (including [[Special:Log/delete|page deletions]], [[Wikipedia:Protection policy|page protections]], and blocks). The [[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]] also has the power to sanction administrators, and does so fairly regularly. You can report problems with admins misusing their privileges at [[Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard]].


==<span id="IP"></span>How can I unban an IP?==
==<span id="IP"></span>How can my IP address be unblocked?==
{{Shortcut|WP:ADFAQ#IP}}
{{Shortcut|WP:ADFAQ#IP}}
:Only administrators can unblock IP addresses. Developers can unblock multiple IPs at once. To request that an IP address be unblocked, see [[Wikipedia:Appealing a block]] and follow the instructions there.
:Only administrators can unblock IP addresses. To request that an IP address be unblocked, see [[Wikipedia:Appealing a block]] and follow the instructions there.


==How can I request for an admin to block a user or IP?==
==How can I request for an admin to block a user or IP?==
:You can request for an administrator to [[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|block]] a user or IP that is blatantly vandalising at [[Wikipedia:Administrator intervention against vandalism|WP:AIV]] (see requirements on that page). More complex cases can be presented at [[Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents|WP:AN/I]].
:You can request for an administrator to [[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|block]] a user or IP that is blatantly vandalising at [[Wikipedia:Administrator intervention against vandalism]] (see requirements on that page).
 
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{{Wikipedia:FAQ/footer}}
{{Wikipedia:FAQ/footer}}

Latest revision as of 08:30, 11 October 2025

Wikipedia:FAQ/framework

This page answers some questions related to Administrators on Wikipedia.


How do policies get decided?

Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines describes how Wikipedia arrives at its policies and guidelines through a process of discussion and consensus. Discussion takes place in the various policy pages which form part of the "Wikipedia:" namespace. Sometimes policy is discussed off-wiki, but decisions always take place on-wiki.

What is an administrator? A sysop?

Two words for the same thing. An administrator is simply a volunteer Wikipedian who can access some of the few restricted Wikipedia software functions: deleting articles and files, protecting and unprotecting pages, and blocking and unblocking users. The software internally uses the string "sysop" to flag their accounts, a shortened term for system operator. See the current list of administrators.

How can I become an administrator?

You must have years of a good edit history that shows you understand Wikipedia policies, have good judgement, a good temperament, and have a need for the administrator toolset. A nomination is then made at Wikipedia:Requests for adminship where the community decides if the user deserves the tools. Honestly, you can do 95% of tasks on Wikipedia without being an administrator.

Who monitors the conduct of an administrator?

Administrators monitor each other; nearly all admin actions are reversible by any other admin (including page deletions, page protections, and blocks). The Arbitration Committee also has the power to sanction administrators, and does so fairly regularly. You can report problems with admins misusing their privileges at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard.

How can my IP address be unblocked?

Only administrators can unblock IP addresses. To request that an IP address be unblocked, see Wikipedia:Appealing a block and follow the instructions there.

How can I request for an admin to block a user or IP?

You can request for an administrator to block a user or IP that is blatantly vandalising at Wikipedia:Administrator intervention against vandalism (see requirements on that page).

Wikipedia:FAQ/footer