Left 4 Dead 2 Dedicated Server: srcds, server.cfg & Mutation Guide
Data Verified: May 2026Complete Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated server guide. Configure server.cfg, mapcycle, sv_search_key for matchmaking, mutations, Sourcemod plugins, and size hardware for stable 8-32 slot servers.
Commands & configuration database
| Command | Default Value | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
hostname | L4D2 Server | Public server name. | |
sv_password | (empty) | Password required to join. | |
rcon_password | (empty) | RCON authentication password. | |
sv_search_key | (empty) | Key used by lobby matchmaking to find this server. | |
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only | 1 | If 1, only lobby-matched players may join. | |
mp_gamemode | coop | Game mode: coop, versus, survival, scavenge, realism. | |
z_difficulty | Normal | Difficulty: Easy, Normal, Hard, Impossible. | |
sv_steamgroup | (empty) | Steam group ID(s) for member-only / priority access. | |
sv_steamgroup_exclusive | 0 | Restricts joins to listed Steam group members. | |
sv_pure | 1 | Pure-server enforcement. |
Showing 10 of 10 configuration parameters.
| Command | Default Value | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
changelevel <map> | N/A | Switches to the named map. | |
map <map> <mode> | N/A | Loads a map in the given mode (e.g. `map c1m1_hotel versus`). | |
kick <player> | N/A | Disconnects the named player. | |
banid <minutes> <steamid> | N/A | Bans a SteamID (0 = permanent). | |
status | N/A | Lists connected players, SteamIDs, ping. | |
director_force_versus_start | N/A | Forces an immediate versus round start. |
Showing 6 of 6 admin console commands.
Recommended hosting providers
Vetted hosts with one-click Left 4 Dead 2 installs. Links are affiliate placeholders and marked rel="sponsored".
Hardware specifications
Sizing guidance for self-hosting a Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated server.
| Tier | Specification | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Coop (4-8 slots) | 1 GB RAM / 1-core 3.5 GHz+ CPU | Vanilla campaign coop. |
| Versus (8 slots) | 2 GB RAM / 1-core 4.0 GHz+ CPU / SSD | Competitive versus with SourceMod. |
| Modded (16+ slots) | 4 GB RAM / 1-core 4.5 GHz+ Dedicated Node | Left4DHooks 10v10 chaos servers with custom campaigns. |
Default file locations
Default installation paths for Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated servers installed via SteamCMD.
Windows
C:\srcds\left4dead2\cfg\Linux
/home/steam/l4d2/left4dead2/cfg/Pro-Tip: Always stop the server completely before editing configuration files, or the server will overwrite your changes upon restart.
Default ports for port forwarding
Open these on your router and firewall before exposing the server to the internet.
| Service | Protocol | Port |
|---|---|---|
| Game Port | UDP | 27015 |
| Query Port | UDP | 27015 |
| RCON / Telnet | TCP | 27015 |
Frequently asked questions
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Host your own Left 4 Dead 2 server
All hosting guides →Step-by-step install and deploy walkthroughs (panels, ports, RAM sizing). Pair these with the command reference above.