> ## 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.

# CS:S server.cfg Explained: Where It Is and What Each Line Does

> Counter-Strike: Source server.cfg is in /cstrike/cfg/. See what each default line does, which lines the panel manages and how to add your own cvars.

The Counter-Strike: Source `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.

| Fact | Value |
| - | - |
| Path | `/cstrike/cfg/server.cfg` |
| Runs | At every server start |
| Easiest editor | **Game settings** (shows a review before saving) |
| Raw file | **Game settings** > **server.cfg: open the raw file**, or **Files** |
| Backup made by Game settings | `server.cfg.bak` in the same folder |

## 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/configuring-css-game-settings.md).

**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:

```
// My settings
mp_startmoney 800
sv_airaccelerate 150
```

**4. Save and restart**

Save and [restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md). If a cvar is in the file twice, the last line wins.

## What the default lines do

| Line | What it does | Change it in |
| - | - | - |
| `hostname "Hosted by FREAKHOSTING.COM"` | Server name in the browser | **Server name** |
| `//sv_password` | Join password, off while commented out | **Server password** |
| `sv_region 255` | Listing region; 255 is worldwide | **Region** |
| `sv_lan 0` | `1` would allow only players on the same network | **LAN only** |
| `sv_cheats 0` | `1` lets everyone use cheat commands | **Cheats** |
| `mp_friendlyfire 0` | Team damage off | **Friendly fire** |
| `mp_roundtime 5` | Round length in minutes | **Round time** |
| `sv_alltalk 0` | Players only hear their own team | **Everybody hears everybody** |
| `sv_voiceenable 1` | Voice chat on | **Voice chat** |
| `sv_logfile 1`, `log on` | Writes logs to `/cstrike/logs/` | **Write a log file** |
| `sv_logbans 1` | Writes bans to the log | **Log bans** |
| `sv_maxrate`, `sv_minrate`, `sv_maxupdaterate`, `sv_minupdaterate` | Network limits | Raw file; see [tickrate and rates](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-tickrate-and-rates-settings.md) |
| `sv_downloadurl`, `sv_allowdownload 1`, `sv_allowupload 0` | FastDL and downloads | Written by the panel; see [FastDL](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/using-fastdl-on-your-css-server.md) |

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 to `sv_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](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php).

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

| File | What it is for |
| - | - |
| `/cstrike/cfg/mapcycle.txt` | Map rotation (create it yourself). See [change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/how-to-change-the-map-on-your-css-server.md) |
| `/cstrike/cfg/motd.txt` | Welcome window (create it yourself). See [HTML MOTD](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/configuring-motdtxt-html.md) |
| `/cstrike/cfg/<name>.cfg` | Your own configs, run with `exec <name>`, for example a live config for matches |
| `/cstrike/cfg/sourcemod/` | SourceMod and plugin settings, after you install SourceMod |

## 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 as `server.cfg.bak`. In **Files**, rename the current file, then rename `server.cfg.bak` to `server.cfg`, and restart. Or restore a [backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md).

### Can I put commands like bot\_add in server.cfg?

Use cvars such as `bot_quota 10` instead of one-off commands. See [bots](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/adding-bots-to-your-css-server.md).

## 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] [Game settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/configuring-css-game-settings.md)
>
> Edit the common lines safely.

> [card] [Console commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-server-console-commands-and-cvars.md)
>
> Cvars and how to check them.

> [card] [Tickrate and rates](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-tickrate-and-rates-settings.md)
>
> Network settings.

> [card] [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md)
>
> Edit files.

***

> [!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


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