> ## 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 Set Up a CS:GO Dedicated Server (Getting Started)

> How to set up a CS:GO dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING: add your GSLT on Startup, name it in server.cfg, pick a map and mode, start it and join with connect.

To set up a CS:GO dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING, open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), click **Startup** and paste a Steam game server token (GSLT) into **Steam Account Token**. Then set your server name in `csgo/cfg/server.cfg` under **Files**, choose a **Map**, and start the server. Players join from the CS:GO console with `connect` and the address shown in the panel.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel pages |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 10 to 15 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING CS:GO server | **Startup**, **Files**, **Console** |

## Before you start

* Log in to the [Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md).
* Have a Steam account that meets Valve's token rules (a registered phone number, not limited, not banned). See [add a GSLT](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/how-to-add-a-gslt-to-your-csgo-server.md).
* Know that this is CS:GO, not Counter-Strike 2. Your server runs the final CS:GO build, version 1.38.8.1. For CS2, see our [CS2 server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/cs2-server-hosting-guide.md).

## How to set up your CS:GO server

**1. Add your Steam game server token first**

Open **Startup** and paste your GSLT into **Steam Account Token**. The field saves when you click away from it. The default value `0` is not a real token: with it, the server can't log in to Steam and the panel stays on **Starting**. Follow [add a GSLT](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/how-to-add-a-gslt-to-your-csgo-server.md) to create one.

**2. Name your server**

Open **Files**, go to `csgo/cfg/` and open `server.cfg`. Change the `hostname` line, for example `hostname "My CS:GO Server"`, and save. The panel does not overwrite this file, so your changes stay.

**3. Choose a map and game mode**

On **Startup**, set **Map** (for example `de_mirage`). **Game Type** `0` with **Game Mode** `1` is Classic Competitive, the default. For other modes, see [game modes](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/csgo-game-modes-game-type-and-game-mode.md).

**4. Start the server**

[Start the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md) and watch the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md). The first start loads a long list of settings, which is normal. Type `status` in the console to see the server name, map and players.

**5. Join the server**

In CS:GO, turn on the developer console in the game settings, press the console key and type `connect` followed by your address and port, for example `connect 203.0.113.10:27015`. Use the IP and port shown at the top of your server in the panel.

![CS:GO Startup page with Map, Steam Account Token, Tickrate, Game Type, Game Mode, Disable VAC, Max Players and Disable HLTV](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_/images/games/csgo/csgo-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_\&q=85\&s=4259fcda1440e944e511d972d794d0d0)

The Startup page of a CS:GO server in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel

## What each Startup setting does

| Setting | Default | What it does |
| - | - | - |
| **Map** | `de_dust2` | The map the server loads when it starts. Letters, numbers, `-` and `_` only. |
| **Steam Account Token** | `0` | Your GSLT. Needed to log in to Steam and appear in the server list. |
| **Tickrate** | `128` | Updates per second. **Read Only**. |
| **Game Type** | `0` | With **Game Mode**, picks the mode. |
| **Game Mode** | `1` | With **Game Type**, picks the mode. |
| **Disable VAC** | Off | When on, the server starts without Valve Anti-Cheat. |
| **Max Players** | Your plan | Player slots in your plan. **Read Only**. |
| **Disable HLTV** | Off | When on, turns off HLTV (the spectator relay). |

## Make your first backup

Once your settings work, make a [panel backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md). It keeps a copy of `server.cfg` and any maps you upload.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need a GSLT for a CS:GO server?

Yes. Without a valid token the server can't log in to Steam, isn't listed, and stays on **Starting** in the panel. See [stuck on Starting](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/csgo-server-stuck-on-starting.md).

### How do players get CS:GO in 2026?

CS:GO is a separate free app on Steam (app 4465480). Its store page is unlisted, so players open it from the [direct Steam link](https://store.steampowered.com/app/4465480/CounterStrikeGlobal_Offensive/). See [CS:GO legacy vs CS2](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/csgo-legacy-server-vs-cs2.md).

### Why does stopping my CS:GO server take a while?

A normal **Stop** takes about 30 to 40 seconds while the server shuts down. Wait for it to show as offline before you start it again.

### How do I add RCON or a password?

Neither is set by default. Add `rcon_password` or `sv_password` to `server.cfg`. See [set up RCON](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/how-to-set-up-rcon-on-your-csgo-server.md) and [set a password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/how-to-set-a-password-on-your-csgo-server.md).

## Related guides

> [card] [CS:GO server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/csgo-server-hosting-guide.md)
>
> Every CS:GO page in one place.

> [card] [Add a GSLT](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/how-to-add-a-gslt-to-your-csgo-server.md)
>
> Create and paste your Steam token.

> [card] [server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/csgo-server-cfg-explained.md)
>
> What each default line does.

> [card] [Change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/csgo/how-to-change-the-map-on-your-csgo-server.md)
>
> Start map and changelevel.

> [card] [Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md)
>
> How Startup works.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive legacy, version 1.38.8.1). 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:** November 2026


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.