> ## 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 Your CS:S Server Settings in Game Settings > How to change Counter-Strike: Source server settings on FREAKHOSTING: name, password, map, rounds, friendly fire and downloads in Game settings. To change Counter-Strike: Source server settings on FREAKHOSTING, open your server in the Game Panel and click **Game settings**. It edits the start map and the usual rules in `server.cfg`: name, passwords, region, friendly fire, round time, team balance, voice and downloads. You review every changed line before saving, and the old file is kept as `server.cfg.bak`. Restart the server to apply. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 5 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING CS:S server | **Game settings** | ## How to change a setting **1. Stop the server** [Stop the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md) so the new `server.cfg` is read on the next start. **2. Open Game settings** Click **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**. Use **Search settings** to find a field, or switch from **All** to **Changed** to see only what differs from the defaults. **3. Change the fields** Edit the fields you need. A **Default** button next to a field puts the module's default value back. **4. Review and save** Save to open the review window. It shows each changed line of `server.cfg`, for example `- mp_roundtime 5` and `+ mp_roundtime 3`. Passwords and other secrets are hidden in this view. Click **Save changes**, or **Cancel** to go back. **5. Start the server** Start the server. To check a value, type its name in the console, for example `mp_roundtime`. ![Counter-Strike: Source Game settings page in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel with Checks and Presets](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD/images/games/counter-strike-source/css-game-settings.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD\&q=85\&s=424e40865e30054e652edf4060c72fad) Game settings with Checks, Presets and the Start-up and Server sections ## What the tags mean | Tag | Meaning | | - | - | | **STARTUP** | Stored in **Startup**, not in `server.cfg` (**Start map** and **Steam game server token**) | | **CAREFUL** | A risky setting. A warning shows when it is on | | **SET TWICE** | The setting appears more than once in `server.cfg`; the last line is used | ## Every setting in Game settings ### Start-up | Field | What it does | Default | | - | - | - | | **Start map** | The map the server starts on | `de_dust2` | | **Steam game server token** | Your GSLT, so the server is listed and trusted. See [GSLT](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/setting-a-steam-game-server-token-gslt-for-css.md) | Not set | ### Server | Field | What it does | Default | | - | - | - | | **Server name** | The name in the server browser (`hostname`) | `Hosted by FREAKHOSTING.COM` | | **Server password** | Players need it to join. Empty means public | Not set | | **RCON password** | Password for remote console commands (`rcon`). Use a long one: anyone with it controls the server | Not set | | **Region** | The region the server is listed under: Worldwide, US East, US West, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East or Africa | Worldwide | | **Map cycle file** | The text file with the maps the server rotates through. See [change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/how-to-change-the-map-on-your-css-server.md) | `mapcycle.txt` | ### Security and downloads | Field | What it does | Default | | - | - | - | | **LAN only** (CAREFUL) | No internet listing and no Steam authentication. Players on the internet can't join. Leave it off | Off | | **Cheats** (CAREFUL) | Lets every player use cheat commands (`sv_cheats`) | Off | | **Players may upload files** | Players may upload custom files such as sprays | Off | | **Players may download files** | Players may download missing files from the server | On | | **Fast download address** | The web address players download missing files from. Already set for your server; see [FastDL](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/using-fastdl-on-your-css-server.md) | Your server's FastDL address | ### Chat and voice | Field | What it does | Default | | - | - | - | | **Voice chat** | Players can talk to each other | On | | **Everybody hears everybody** | Players hear all other players, whatever their team (`sv_alltalk`) | Off | ### Logging | Field | What it does | Default | | - | - | - | | **Write a log file** | Saves what happens on the server to `/cstrike/logs/` | On | | **Log bans** | Writes bans to the log | On | ### Rounds and rules ![Rounds and rules section in CS:S Game settings with Round time, Freeze time, Friendly fire and Automatic team balance](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD/images/games/counter-strike-source/css-rounds-and-rules.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD\&q=85\&s=cf7b8a534fe2efddce88822a15b2767b) The Rounds and rules section of Game settings | Field | What it does | Default | | - | - | - | | **Round time** | Minutes each round lasts (`mp_roundtime`) | 5 | | **Freeze time** | Seconds players are frozen at round start, the buy time (`mp_freezetime`) | 6 | | **Time limit per map** | Minutes before the next map. 0 means no limit | 0 | | **Rounds per map** | Most rounds before the map changes. 0 means no limit | 0 | | **Friendly fire** | Players can hurt team mates | Off | | **Automatic team balance** | Moves players to keep teams even | On | | **Team size difference** | Most players one team may have over the other. 0 turns the check off | 2 | | **Punish team killers** | A team killer is punished in the next round | Off | | **Allow spectators** | Players can watch without playing | On | | **Delay between rounds** | Seconds before the next round starts after a win | 5 | | **Change map when empty** (advanced) | Seconds an empty server stays on a map before moving on. 0 turns it off | 0 | Click **Show advanced settings** to see the advanced field. ## Presets A preset fills in several fields at once. Nothing is saved until you review and save. | Preset | What it sets | | - | - | | **Competitive** | Friendly fire on, longer rounds, no spectators | | **Casual** | No friendly fire, team balance on | ## Checks The **Checks** box lists notes about your config. **No Steam game server token** means the server may be hard to find in the server list; click **Go to the setting** to add one. Notes that `sv_downloadurl`, `sv_allowdownload` or `sv_allowupload` appear more than once are expected: the panel writes the FastDL lines at every start, and the last line counts. Leave them. ## Settings not in Game settings For anything else, click **server.cfg: open the raw file** and edit `/cstrike/cfg/server.cfg` directly. See [server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-server-cfg-explained.md) and [console commands and cvars](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-server-console-commands-and-cvars.md). ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need to restart after saving? Yes. `server.cfg` is read when the server starts, so restart to apply your changes. ### How do I undo a change? Click **Default** next to the field and save again, or restore `server.cfg.bak` with the [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md). ### Can I change Max Players here? No. **Max Players** comes from your plan and is read-only in **Startup**. ### Why doesn't the RCON password show in server.cfg? A new `server.cfg` has no `rcon_password` line. Set **RCON password** and save to add it. ## Related guides > [card] [CS:S server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/counter-strike-source-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every CS:S page in one place. > [card] [server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-server-cfg-explained.md) > > Every line in the file. > [card] [Server password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/setting-a-password-on-your-css-server.md) > > Make the server private. > [card] [War server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/cs-source-setting-up-a-css-war-server.md) > > Settings for matches. > [card] [Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md) > > Map, token and Max Players. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 31 October 2026 (Counter-Strike: Source dedicated server). 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 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.