How to Configure Your Left 4 Dead Server

Learn how to configure your Left 4 Dead dedicated server using server.cfg and startup parameters.

Left 4 Dead server configuration is managed through the server.cfg file and optional startup parameters. The server runs on the Source engine, so it uses standard Source dedicated server commands and ConVars.

Configuration File

The main configuration file is server.cfg, located in the left4dead/cfg/ directory. This file is executed every time the server starts or a new map loads.

Open the XGamingServer panel

Navigate to Files

In the sidebar, click Files.

Open server.cfg

Navigate to left4dead > cfg and open server.cfg. If the file doesn't exist, create it.

Add your settings

Add or modify your desired settings (see the reference tables below).

Save and restart

Click Save and start your server.

Essential Server Settings

These are the most commonly configured settings for server.cfg:

Command	Description	Example
`hostname`	Server name shown in the browser	`hostname "My L4D Server"`
`sv_password`	Password required to join	`sv_password "secret123"`
`rcon_password`	Password for remote console access	`rcon_password "admin123"`
`maxplayers`	Maximum player count	`maxplayers 8`
`sv_lan`	LAN-only mode (0 = internet, 1 = LAN)	`sv_lan 0`
`sv_region`	Server region for browser filtering	`sv_region 0`
`sv_contact`	Admin contact email	`sv_contact "admin@example.com"`

Region Codes

The sv_region value determines where your server appears in regional filters:

Value	Region
`0`	US East
`1`	US West
`2`	South America
`3`	Europe
`4`	Asia
`5`	Australia
`6`	Middle East
`7`	Africa
`255`	World (all regions)

Gameplay Settings

Command	Description	Default
`sv_cheats`	Enable cheat commands (0 = off, 1 = on)	`0`
`mp_friendlyfire`	Enable friendly fire (0 = off, 1 = on)	`0`
`mp_autoteambalance`	Auto-balance teams in Versus mode	`1`
`sv_alltalk`	All players hear each other regardless of team	`0`
`sv_pausable`	Allow the game to be paused	`0`
`sv_voiceenable`	Enable voice chat	`1`
`mp_disable_autokick`	Disable automatic idle kicks	`0`

Network and Performance Settings

Command	Description	Recommended
`sv_maxrate`	Maximum bandwidth per client (bytes/sec)	`0` (unlimited)
`sv_minrate`	Minimum bandwidth per client (bytes/sec)	`3500`
`sv_maxupdaterate`	Maximum update packets per second to clients	`30`
`sv_minupdaterate`	Minimum update packets per second to clients	`10`
`sv_maxcmdrate`	Maximum command packets per second from clients	`30`
`sv_mincmdrate`	Minimum command packets per second from clients	`10`
`fps_max`	Server tick rate cap	`300`
`net_maxfilesize`	Maximum file download size (MB)	`64`

💡 Tip: For the best experience, set sv_maxupdaterate and sv_maxcmdrate to 30 for standard servers. Higher values consume more bandwidth but provide smoother gameplay for clients with good connections.

Example server.cfg

Here's a complete example configuration file:

// Server Identity
hostname "My Left 4 Dead Server"
sv_password ""
rcon_password "YourSecureRCON"
sv_region 0
sv_lan 0

// Player Settings
maxplayers 8
mp_friendlyfire 0
sv_alltalk 0
sv_voiceenable 1

// Network Settings
sv_maxrate 0
sv_minrate 3500
sv_maxupdaterate 30
sv_minupdaterate 10
sv_maxcmdrate 30
sv_mincmdrate 10

// Server Behavior
mp_disable_autokick 1
sv_pausable 0
sv_cheats 0
sv_consistency 1

// Logging
log on
sv_logbans 1
sv_logecho 1
sv_logfile 1

Startup Parameters

Startup parameters are configured in the Startup tab on the XGamingServer panel. Common parameters:

Parameter	Description	Example
`+map`	Starting map	`+map l4d_hospital01_apartment`
`+maxplayers`	Maximum player count	`+maxplayers 8`
`+sv_lan`	LAN mode	`+sv_lan 0`
`-port`	Server port	`-port 27015`
`-tickrate`	Server tick rate	`-tickrate 30`
`-ip`	Bind to a specific IP	`-ip 0.0.0.0`
`+exec`	Execute a config file on start	`+exec server.cfg`

📝 Note: Parameters with + set ConVars on startup. Parameters with - set engine options. The +exec server.cfg parameter ensures your config file runs on server start — without it, your settings in server.cfg might not load.

Additional Config Files

You can create additional config files in the left4dead/cfg/ directory for different purposes:

File	Purpose
`server.cfg`	Main configuration, runs on every map change
`autoexec.cfg`	Runs once on server start before server.cfg
`motd.txt`	Message of the Day shown to joining players
`mapcycle.txt`	Map rotation list (one map per line)
`banned_user.cfg`	Banned Steam IDs
`banned_ip.cfg`	Banned IP addresses

💡 Tip: Use motd.txt to welcome players to your server. You can include HTML formatting for a polished look. The MOTD appears as a popup when players join.

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How to Configure Your Left 4 Dead Server

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