# How to Change the Map on Your Left 4 Dead Server (/docs/left-4-dead/change-map)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Left 4 Dead features four main campaigns, each with multiple chapters. You can change the active map, set a starting campaign, and configure a map cycle for your server.

Changing the Map via Config [#changing-the-map-via-config]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer panel [#1-open-the-xgamingserver-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and stop your Left 4 Dead server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Set the starting map [#2-set-the-starting-map]

    In the `Startup` tab, set the starting map using the `+map` parameter:

    ```
    +map l4d_hospital01_apartment
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Start your server [#3-start-your-server]

    Start the server. It will load on the specified map.
  </div>
</div>

Changing the Map via RCON [#changing-the-map-via-rcon]

If you have [RCON access](/docs/left-4-dead/rcon), you can change maps without restarting:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the console [#1-open-the-console]

    Press **\~** to open the developer console.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Run the changelevel command [#2-run-the-changelevel-command]

    ```
    rcon changelevel l4d_hospital01_apartment
    ```

    The server will immediately load the specified map. All connected players will be transferred to the new map.

    > 📝 **Note:** Use `changelevel` rather than `map` to change maps. The `map` command restarts the server process, while `changelevel` transitions smoothly and keeps connected players.
  </div>
</div>

Campaign and Map List [#campaign-and-map-list]

Left 4 Dead features four campaigns, each with five chapters:

No Mercy [#no-mercy]

| Map Name                   | Chapter        |
| -------------------------- | -------------- |
| `l4d_hospital01_apartment` | The Apartments |
| `l4d_hospital02_subway`    | The Subway     |
| `l4d_hospital03_sewers`    | The Sewer      |
| `l4d_hospital04_interior`  | The Hospital   |
| `l4d_hospital05_rooftop`   | Rooftop Finale |

Death Toll [#death-toll]

| Map Name                     | Chapter          |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------- |
| `l4d_smalltown01_caves`      | The Turnpike     |
| `l4d_smalltown02_drainage`   | The Drains       |
| `l4d_smalltown03_ranchhouse` | The Church       |
| `l4d_smalltown04_mainstreet` | The Town         |
| `l4d_smalltown05_houseboat`  | Boathouse Finale |

Dead Air [#dead-air]

| Map Name                   | Chapter               |
| -------------------------- | --------------------- |
| `l4d_airport01_greenhouse` | The Greenhouse        |
| `l4d_airport02_offices`    | The Crane             |
| `l4d_airport03_garage`     | The Construction Site |
| `l4d_airport04_terminal`   | The Terminal          |
| `l4d_airport05_runway`     | Runway Finale         |

Blood Harvest [#blood-harvest]

| Map Name                 | Chapter           |
| ------------------------ | ----------------- |
| `l4d_farm01_hilltop`     | The Woods         |
| `l4d_farm02_traintunnel` | The Tunnel        |
| `l4d_farm03_bridge`      | The Bridge        |
| `l4d_farm04_barn`        | The Train Station |
| `l4d_farm05_cornfield`   | Farmhouse Finale  |

> 💡 **Tip:** For the best player experience, start each campaign from its first chapter (ending in `01`). Starting from a later chapter is possible but players will miss the story progression and won't have accumulated items from earlier chapters.

Setting Up a Map Cycle [#setting-up-a-map-cycle]

You can create a map rotation that the server follows after each campaign. Create or edit `mapcycle.txt` in the `left4dead/cfg/` directory:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer panel [#1-open-the-xgamingserver-panel-1]

    Go to `Files` and navigate to `left4dead/cfg/`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Create or edit mapcycle.txt [#2-create-or-edit-mapcycletxt]

    Add one map per line. Typically you'd list the first chapter of each campaign:

    ```
    l4d_hospital01_apartment
    l4d_smalltown01_caves
    l4d_airport01_greenhouse
    l4d_farm01_hilltop
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Enable the map cycle [#3-enable-the-map-cycle]

    In `server.cfg`, add:

    ```
    mapcyclefile "mapcycle.txt"
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and restart [#4-save-and-restart]

    Save all files and restart the server.

    The server will advance to the next map in the cycle after each campaign is completed.
  </div>
</div>

Versus Mode Maps [#versus-mode-maps]

In Versus mode, both teams play through the same campaign chapters. The map names are the same as Campaign mode — the game mode determines the rules, not the map. Set your game mode in the `Startup` tab or `server.cfg`:

```
+map l4d_hospital01_apartment +sv_gametypes versus
```

Survival Mode Maps [#survival-mode-maps]

Survival mode uses the same map names but focuses on defending a single location. Not all campaign chapters have Survival mode support. The most popular Survival maps are the finale chapters (ending in `05`).

> 📝 **Note:** Custom maps can be added to your server, but all connecting players must have the same map files installed. Custom maps are typically distributed via community websites.

If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).