> ## 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 the Map on a Counter-Strike: Source Server

> Change the map on a Counter-Strike: Source server: set Start map in Game settings, use changelevel, edit mapcycle.txt and upload custom .bsp maps.

To change the map on a FREAKHOSTING Counter-Strike: Source server, set **Start map** in **Game settings** (used at every start), or type `changelevel cs_office` in the console to switch now. For a rotation, create `/cstrike/cfg/mapcycle.txt` with one map name per line. Custom maps go in `/cstrike/maps/` as `.bsp` files, and players download them through FastDL.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 5 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING CS:S server | **Game settings**, **Console**, **Files** |

## How to set the start map

**1. Open Game settings**

Click **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**.

**2. Set Start map**

Under **Start-up**, enter the map name without `.bsp`, for example `de_inferno`. The default is `de_dust2`. This is the same value as the **Map** variable in **Startup**.

**3. 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).

## How to change the map right now

In the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md), type:

```
changelevel cs_office
```

All players move to the new map. To see which maps are on the server, type `maps *`. A map change from the console doesn't change **Start map**, so the server goes back to the start map after a restart.

## How to set up a map rotation (mapcycle.txt)

When a map ends (by **Time limit per map** or **Rounds per map**), the server loads the next map from the map cycle file. A new server has no `cfg/mapcycle.txt`, so the console shows `Using map cycle file 'cfg/mapcycle_default.txt'` and uses the game's default list.

**1. Create the file**

Open **Files**, go to `/cstrike/cfg/` and create `mapcycle.txt`. See [the File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md).

**2. Add one map per line**

Use names without `.bsp`:

```
de_dust2
de_inferno
cs_office
de_nuke
```

**3. Check the file name in Game settings**

**Map cycle file** under **Server** must match the file name. The default is `mapcycle.txt`.

**4. Set when the map changes**

Under **Rounds and rules**, set **Time limit per map** (minutes) or **Rounds per map**. With both at 0 the map never changes by itself.

**5. Restart**

Restart the server. The console now shows the new map cycle file.

## How to add custom maps

**1. Get the .bsp file**

Download the map, for example from GameBanana. Unpack it on your PC. You need the `.bsp` file; some maps also ship `materials`, `models` or `sound` folders.

**2. Upload the map**

Upload the `.bsp` to `/cstrike/maps/` with **Files** or [SFTP](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp.md). Upload any extra folders into `/cstrike/` so they merge with the existing ones.

**3. Change to the map**

Type `changelevel` and the file name without `.bsp`. Names are case-sensitive on our Linux servers: `surf_Ski` and `surf_ski` are different maps.

Players who don't have the map download it from your server's FastDL address automatically. See [FastDL](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/using-fastdl-on-your-css-server.md). If a player gets "Missing map", see [missing map errors](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/fixing-missing-map-errors-in-css.md).

## Map prefixes

| Prefix | Mode |
| - | - |
| `de_` | Bomb defusal (for example `de_dust2`) |
| `cs_` | Hostage rescue (for example `cs_office`) |
| `surf_` | Community surf maps; see [surf server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/setting-up-a-surf-server.md) |

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does the server go back to de\_dust2 after a restart?

The server always starts on **Start map**. Change **Start map** in **Game settings** to keep a different map after restarts.

### Why does changelevel say the map isn't found?

The `.bsp` isn't in `/cstrike/maps/`, or the name or capital letters don't match. Type `maps *` to see the exact names on the server.

### Can I vote for maps?

Not with the base game alone. Install SourceMod, which includes map vote plugins. See [install SourceMod](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/installing-sourcemod-for-css.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] [Missing map errors](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/fixing-missing-map-errors-in-css.md)
>
> Fix map download problems.

> [card] [FastDL](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/using-fastdl-on-your-css-server.md)
>
> Fast map downloads.

> [card] [Surf server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/setting-up-a-surf-server.md)
>
> Surf maps and settings.

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