server.cfg on a FREAKHOSTING server is at /cstrike/cfg/server.cfg. The server runs it at every start (Executing dedicated server config file server.cfg). Game settings edits its most common lines for you and keeps a server.cfg.bak. For anything else, add one cvar per line, save and restart. The panel manages the FastDL lines itself.
How to edit server.cfg
1
Use Game settings when you can
Name, passwords, region, map cycle, cheats, downloads, voice, logging and round rules are fields in Game settings. See Game settings.
2
Open the raw file for the rest
Click server.cfg: open the raw file in Game settings, or open
/cstrike/cfg/server.cfg in Files.3
Add one cvar per line
Write the cvar name, a space and the value. Lines starting with
// are comments:4
Save and restart
Save and restart the server. If a cvar is in the file twice, the last line wins.
What the default lines do
The default file also contains a few lines for other Source games, such as
mp_teamplay, coop, deathmatch, mp_allowNPCs and mp_flashlight. They come from other Source games such as Half-Life 2: Deathmatch. You can leave them or put // in front of them.
There is no rcon_password line until you set RCON password in Game settings.
Lines the panel manages
At every start the panel writes your FastDL address tosv_downloadurl and sets sv_allowdownload 1 and sv_allowupload 0. So these lines can appear more than once, and Checks in Game settings may say so. That is expected. Don’t change sv_downloadurl: the panel rewrites it at the next start. To use your own web host, open a ticket.
The start map and the Steam token are not in server.cfg. They are in Startup (Start map and Steam game server token in Game settings).
Other config files
Frequently asked questions
Where is server.cfg on a CS:S server?
At/cstrike/cfg/server.cfg. Open it with Files or from Game settings.
My change in server.cfg doesn’t work. Why?
The same cvar may appear again further down the file; the last line wins. Also restart the server, because the file is read at start. Type the cvar name in the console to see the value in use.How do I restore the old server.cfg?
Game settings keeps the previous file asserver.cfg.bak. In Files, rename the current file, then rename server.cfg.bak to server.cfg, and restart. Or restore a backup.
Can I put commands like bot_add in server.cfg?
Use cvars such asbot_quota 10 instead of one-off commands. See bots.
Related guides
CS:S server guide
Every CS:S page in one place.
Game settings
Edit the common lines safely.
Console commands
Cvars and how to check them.
Tickrate and rates
Network settings.
File Manager
Edit files.
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.
Need Extra Help?
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Last Updated: October 2026