> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Change CS 1.6 Server Settings with Game Settings

> Change Counter-Strike 1.6 server settings on FREAKHOSTING with Game settings: round time, money, friendly fire, passwords and presets, then Review and save.

To change Counter-Strike 1.6 server settings on FREAKHOSTING, open **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS** in the Game Panel, change a field such as **Round time** or **Starting money**, click **Review and save**, check the `server.cfg` changes and click **Save changes**. Restart the server to apply them. The panel keeps the old file as `server.cfg.bak`.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 5 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING Counter-Strike 1.6 server | **Game settings** |

## What the Game settings page does

**Game settings** shows "The settings of your Counter-Strike 1.6 server: the start map and the usual rules in server.cfg." Each field writes one line in `cstrike/server.cfg`, except **Start map**, which has a **STARTUP** badge because it sets the **Map** variable on the **Startup** page.

![Counter-Strike 1.6 Game settings page showing Checks, Search settings, Presets and the Server section](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/PUDZTTTrBjlnr5Ut/images/games/counter-strike-16/cs16-game-settings.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=PUDZTTTrBjlnr5Ut\&q=85\&s=9d1d34f87c7cda9fb15b70b800c8383b)

Game settings with the Checks box, toolbar and the Start-up and Server sections

## How to change a setting and save it

**1. Open Game settings**

Open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and click **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**.

**2. Find the setting**

Type in **Search settings**, or open a section. Click **Changed** to see only what differs from the defaults, and **All** to see everything again.

**3. Change the value**

Edit the field. The section shows how many changes are unsaved, and the bar at the bottom shows the count. Click **Discard** to undo them all.

**4. Review and save**

Click **Review and save**. The **Review your changes** dialog shows the exact `server.cfg` lines that change. Click **Save changes**.

**5. Restart**

If the server is running, the dialog says "The server is running, so the changes apply after a restart." [Restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md).

![Review your changes dialog showing mp\_roundtime changing from 2 to 3 in server.cfg](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/PUDZTTTrBjlnr5Ut/images/games/counter-strike-16/cs16-review-changes.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=PUDZTTTrBjlnr5Ut\&q=85\&s=9388e47084aaf4597d749db0f21a552e)

Review your changes shows the server.cfg diff before you save

The dialog also notes "The old server.cfg is kept as server.cfg.bak." and "Passwords and other secrets are hidden in this view."

## Every Game settings field

| Section | Field | What it does | Default | server.cfg line |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Start-up | **Start map** | The map the server starts on | `de_dust2` | Startup variable **Map** |
| Start-up | **Map cycle file** (advanced) | The text file that lists the maps the server rotates through | – | – |
| Server | **Server name** | Name in the server browser | `Hosted by FREAKHOSTING.COM` | `hostname` |
| Server | **Server password** | Players need it to join; empty means public | not set | `sv_password` |
| Server | **RCON password** | Password for remote console commands | not set | `rcon_password` |
| Security and downloads | **LAN only** | No internet listing and no Steam authentication | off | `sv_lan 0` |
| Security and downloads | **Cheats** | Lets players use cheat commands | off | `sv_cheats 0` |
| Chat and voice | **Voice chat** | Players can talk to each other | on | – |
| Chat and voice | **Everybody hears everybody** | Players hear all players, whatever their team | off | `sv_alltalk 0` |
| Logging | **Write a log file** | Saves what happens to a log file | off | – |
| Logging | **Log bans** | Writes bans to the log | off | – |
| Rounds and rules | **Server log** | Turns the server log on or off | Off | `log off` |
| Rounds and rules | **Show log in the console** | Shows log lines in the console too | off | – |
| Rounds and rules | **Round time** | Minutes per round (1 to 9) | 2 | `mp_roundtime 2` |
| Rounds and rules | **Freeze time** | Seconds frozen at round start | 3 | `mp_freezetime 3` |
| Rounds and rules | **Time limit per map** | Minutes per map; 0 is no limit | 30 | `mp_timelimit 30` |
| Rounds and rules | **Rounds per map** | Most rounds before the map changes; 0 is no limit | 0 | – |
| Rounds and rules | **Win limit** | Round wins that end the map; 0 is no limit | 0 | – |
| Rounds and rules | **Friendly fire** | Players can hurt team mates | off | `mp_friendlyfire 0` |
| Rounds and rules | **Automatic team balance** | Moves players to keep teams even | on | `mp_autoteambalance 1` |
| Rounds and rules | **Team size difference** | Most extra players one team may have; 0 turns the check off | 0 | `mp_limitteams 0` |
| Rounds and rules | **Punish team killers** | A team killer is punished next round | off | – |
| Rounds and rules | **Flashlights** | Players can use a flashlight | off | – |
| Rounds and rules | **Footstep sounds** | Footsteps can be heard | on | – |
| Rounds and rules | **Bomb timer** | Seconds until a planted bomb explodes | 35 | `mp_c4timer 35` |
| Rounds and rules | **Top movement speed** | Fastest a player can move | 320 | `sv_maxspeed 320` |
| Rounds and rules | **Players can pause** | Clients can pause the server | off | – |
| Rounds and rules | **Auto-aim** | Auto-aim assistance | off | – |
| Rounds and rules | **Gravity** (advanced) | How strongly players are pulled down; 800 is normal | – | – |
| Money and buying | **Starting money** | Money players start with | \$800 | `mp_startmoney 800` |
| Money and buying | **Buy time** | Minutes players can buy after the round starts | 0.35 | `mp_buytime 0.35` |

A dash in the last column means the panel doesn't show the line name; open the raw file to see it. **Show advanced settings (2)** reveals **Map cycle file** and **Gravity**.

## How to use presets

Click **Presets**. "A preset fills in several settings at once. Nothing is saved until you review and save."

| Preset | What it sets |
| - | - |
| **Competitive** | Friendly fire on, no flashlight, fixed rounds |
| **Fun server** | Lots of money, long buy time, no friendly fire |

Check the filled-in values, then **Review and save**.

## What Checks and the Default button mean

**Checks** lists things in `server.cfg` worth a look. For example, "server.cfg: a setting appears twice" with **Details** such as "mp\_friendlyfire is set 2 times; the last one is used." The field shows a **SET TWICE** badge. To fix it, click **server.cfg: open the raw file** and delete one of the two lines.

A **Default** button appears under a field whose value differs from the panel's default. Click it to put that default back, then **Review and save**.

## Frequently asked questions

### Where does Game settings save my changes?

In `cstrike/server.cfg`. **Start map** is the exception: it sets the **Map** variable on the **Startup** page.

### Can I edit server.cfg by hand as well?

Yes. Click **server.cfg: open the raw file**, or open `cstrike/server.cfg` in **Files**. See [server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/cs-16-server-cfg-explained.md).

### How do I undo a save?

The previous version is kept as `cstrike/server.cfg.bak`. Copy its contents back into `server.cfg` in **Files** and restart, or restore a [backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md).

### Why is my buy time so short?

**Buy time** is `0.35` minutes (21 seconds) on a new server. ReGameDLL's own default is 1.5 minutes. Raise it in **Money and buying** if players need longer.

## Related guides

> **[CS 1.6 server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/counter-strike-16-server-hosting-guide.md)**
>
> Every Counter-Strike 1.6 page in one place.

> **[server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/cs-16-server-cfg-explained.md)**
>
> Every default line and what it does.

> **[Server and RCON password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/how-to-set-a-password-on-your-cs-16-server.md)**
>
> Private server and remote console.

> **[Change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/how-to-change-your-cs-16-server-map.md)**
>
> Start map and map cycle.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 30 October 2026 (Counter-Strike 1.6 on ReHLDS 3.14 with AMX Mod X 1.10). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** October 2026


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