> ## 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.

# Garry's Mod Server Settings Explained (server.cfg)

> Garry's Mod server settings explained: every field on the Game settings page, the presets, sandbox spawn limits and how changes are written to server.cfg.

The **Game settings** page in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel controls what your Garry's Mod server starts with (map, gamemode, Workshop collection, player slots, tick rate) and what is in `/garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg` (name, password, sandbox rules and spawn limits). You change a field, review the exact lines that change, and save. The old file is kept as `server.cfg.bak`, and changes apply when the server starts.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 5 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING Garry's Mod server | **Game settings** |

## How to change a setting

**1. Open Game settings**

Open your server and click **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**.

**2. Find the setting**

Type in **Search settings**, or switch from **All** to **Changed** to see only what differs. Click **Show advanced settings** to show the 8 advanced fields.

**3. Change it and save**

Edit the field and save. A review dialog shows each line of `server.cfg` that changes and says "The old server.cfg is kept as server.cfg.bak." Click **Save changes**.

**4. Restart the server**

[Restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md) so the new values load.

To edit the file by hand, click **server.cfg: open the raw file**. Add your own lines under `// Add custom lines under here`.

## What do the presets do?

**Presets** fill in several settings at once. Nothing is saved until you review and save.

| Preset | What it does |
| - | - |
| **Tight limits** | Low spawn limits to keep a busy server fast |
| **Build server** | Everyone is safe: god mode on, no player damage |
| **Fight server** | Players hurt each other, god mode off, weapons on |

## Start-up settings

These are the server's startup settings. They apply when it starts.

| Field | What it does | Default |
| - | - | - |
| **Start map** | The map the server starts on | `gm_flatgrass` |
| **Gamemode** | The gamemode the server runs | Sandbox |
| **Workshop collection** | ID of a Steam Workshop collection the server downloads and sends to players; empty for none | Empty |
| **Player slots** | How many players can be online at once (up to 128) | 32 |
| **Tick rate** | How many times a second the server updates (up to 100); higher is smoother and uses more CPU | 22 |
| **Lua auto-refresh** | Reloads changed Lua files while the server runs; handy while developing, not for a live server | Off |
| **Steam game server token** | Lets the server be listed and keep a stable identity | Not set |

The same values are on the **Startup** page as **Map**, **Gamemode**, **Workshop ID**, **Max Players**, **Tickrate**, **Lua Refresh** and **Steam Account Token**. See [startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md).

![Garry's Mod Game settings Start-up section with Start map, Gamemode, Workshop collection, Player slots and Tick rate](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD/images/games/garrys-mod/gmod-game-settings-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD\&q=85\&s=73fc5f875fe72e06e91734ed1573b46a)

Start-up settings for a Garry's Mod server

## Server, security and chat settings

| Section | Field | What it does | Default |
| - | - | - | - |
| Server | **Server name** | Name in the server browser (`hostname`) | New Gmod Server |
| Server | **Server password** | Players need it to join; empty means public | Not set |
| Server | **RCON password** | Password for remote console (rcon) commands; use a long one | Not set |
| Server | **Region** | Region the server is listed under | Worldwide |
| Server | **Map cycle file** | Text file listing the maps to rotate through | `mapcycle.txt` |
| Security and downloads | **LAN only** | No internet listing; leave off for a hosted server | Off |
| Security and downloads | **Cheats** | Lets every player use cheat commands | Off |
| Security and downloads | **Players may upload files** | Clients may upload custom files (sprays) | Off |
| Security and downloads | **Players may download files** | Clients may download missing files from the server | On |
| Security and downloads | **Fast download address** | Web address players download missing files from; set up by FREAKHOSTING | Our address |
| Chat and voice | **Voice chat** | Players can talk | On |
| Chat and voice | **Everybody hears everybody** | Voice is heard by all players | Off |
| Logging | **Write a log file** | Writes server logs | On |
| Logging | **Log bans** | Logs bans | Off |

Keep **Fast download address** as it is. If you change it, the **Default** button puts our address back. See [FastDL for GMod](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/how-to-create-a-fastdl-collection-for-gmod.md).

## Sandbox rules

These apply to Sandbox and gamemodes built on it, such as DarkRP. Other gamemodes may ignore them.

| Field | What it does | Our default |
| - | - | - |
| **God mode** | All players are invincible | Off |
| **Noclip** | Players can fly through walls | Off |
| **Players can hurt each other** | Player versus player damage | On |
| **Spawn with weapons** | Every player gets the Half-Life 2 weapons at each spawn | On |
| **Make Persistent** | Allows saving props across restarts with the Make Persistent option | Off |
| **Bone manipulation of NPCs** | Players can pose NPC bones | On |
| **Bone manipulation of players** | Players can pose other players' bones | Off |
| **Bone manipulation of other things** | Players can pose other entities' bones | Off |

## Limits per player

Each limit is the most one player can spawn of that kind. Low numbers keep the server fast. Our values are lower than the game's own defaults for most items; the **Default** button sets a field back to our value.

| Limit | Our value | Game default |
| - | - | - |
| Props | 100 | 200 |
| Ragdolls | 5 | 10 |
| NPCs | 10 | 10 |
| Vehicles | 20 | 4 |
| Entities (scripted entities) | 20 | 100 |
| Effects (effect props) | 10 | 200 |
| Balloons | 10 | 100 |
| Buttons | 10 | 50 |
| Cameras | 10 | 10 |
| Dynamite | 10 | 10 |
| Emitters | 5 | 20 |
| Hoverballs | 10 | 50 |
| Lamps | 10 | 3 |
| Lights | 5 | 5 |
| Thrusters | 10 | 50 |
| Wheels | 10 | 50 |

![Garry's Mod Game settings Limits per player section with props, ragdolls, NPCs and vehicles limits](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD/images/games/garrys-mod/gmod-sandbox-limits.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD\&q=85\&s=0883c1380034403115485ebb7a06072b)

Sandbox limits per player on the Game settings page

## Frequently asked questions

### Where is server.cfg on my GMod server?

`/garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg`. Open it from **Game settings** with **server.cfg: open the raw file**, or in the [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md).

### How do I check that a setting is active?

Type its console name in the panel console, for example `sbox_maxprops`. The server prints the current value and the game default, such as `"sbox_maxprops" = "150" ( def. "200" )`.

### Can I undo a change?

Yes. Each save keeps the previous file as `server.cfg.bak`. Rename or copy it back in the File Manager, or use **Default** on a single field.

### What are the 8 advanced settings?

Click **Show advanced settings** to show them. They are hidden by default because most servers don't need to change them.

## Related guides

> [card] [Garry's Mod server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/garrys-mod-server-hosting-guide.md)
>
> Every Garry's Mod page in one place.

> [card] [Getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/getting-started-with-your-garrys-mod-server.md)
>
> Set up and join your server.

> [card] [Physics and server.cfg](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/optimizing-servercfg-for-high-player-counts.md)
>
> gmod\_physiterations and other lines.

> [card] [Server lag](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/fixing-garrys-mod-server-lag.md)
>
> Keep the server fast.

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

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 31 October 2026 (Garry's Mod dedicated server, Sandbox). 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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