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To set a password on a FREAKHOSTING Counter-Strike: Source server, open Game settings, click Set next to Server password under Server, enter the password, save and restart. Players then type password "yourpassword" in the game console before connect, or enter it when the game asks. Leave the field empty for a public server.

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How to set the server password

1

Open Game settings

Click Game settings under GAME SETTINGS.
2

Set Server password

Under Server, click Set next to Server password and type the password. Use letters and numbers; avoid quotes and spaces.
3

Save

Save and confirm with Save changes. The review window hides passwords, so you won’t see the value in the line list.
4

Restart

Restart the server. The password is written to server.cfg as sv_password.
To change the password without a restart, type it in the console. It applies to the next players who join, but is lost at the next start unless you also save it in Game settings:

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How players join a passworded server

Open the game console (~) and type:
From the server browser, the game asks for the password when you join.

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How to remove the password

Clear Server password in Game settings, save and restart. The server is public again.

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Server password and RCON password are different

Never use the same value for both. Anyone with the RCON password controls the server.

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Frequently asked questions

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Why does my password not work?

Check that you restarted after saving, that you typed it with the same capital letters, and that you didn’t add spaces. In the console, type sv_password to see whether one is set.

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Can I give some players a reserved slot instead of a password?

Not in the base game. SourceMod admins with the a flag get reserved slot access. See add admins.

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Does a password hide my server from the list?

No. A passworded server still shows in the server browser, with a lock icon.

CS:S server guide

Every CS:S page in one place.

Game settings

Every field explained.

War server

Private match servers.

Console commands

sv_password, rcon and more.
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.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: October 2026