> ## 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 Killing Floor 2 Dedicated Server > Set up your Killing Floor 2 dedicated server: set the name, admin password and difficulty on Startup, start it twice, join by address and make a backup. To set up your Killing Floor 2 dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING, open **Startup** in the Game Panel, set **Server Name**, **Admin Password** and **Server Difficulty**, then start the server, stop it and start it again. The second start writes your name and admin password into the game's config files. Players then join with the address from **Overview**. | Fact | Value | | - | - | | Difficulty | Beginner | | Time | 10 minutes | | Panel pages | **Startup**, **Console**, **Overview**, **Backups** | | Install size | About 32 GB (already installed) | ## Before you start * [Sign in to the Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md) and open your Killing Floor 2 server. * Have Killing Floor 2 installed on your PC, so you can test the server. ## How to set the basics on Startup KF2 has no game settings page in the panel. The main settings are **Startup** variables. A field saves when you click out of it. ![Killing Floor 2 Startup page with the Startup Command and the variables Map Name, Query Port, Admin Password, Server Name, Server Difficulty, Web Admin Port and Auto Update](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/4aP1F1KWZ9A3tmJI/images/games/killing-floor-2/kf2-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=4aP1F1KWZ9A3tmJI\&q=85\&s=6f3418bfb4b1db3334617bbaadfd3160) The Startup page of a Killing Floor 2 server | Variable | What it does | Default | | - | - | - | | **Server Name** | The name players see in the server browser. | Your choice | | **Admin Password** | The password for admin rights in game. | A random password | | **Server Difficulty** | 0 = Normal, 1 = Hard, 2 = Suicidal, 3 = Hell on Earth. | 0 | | **Map Name** | The map the server loads when it starts. | `kf-bioticslab` | | **Auto Update** | Updates the server each time it starts. | On | | **Query Port**, **Web Admin Port** | Read only. Set by us. | | > [!WARNING] > > The **Startup Command** card shows your admin password. Don't share screenshots of the **Startup** page. ## How to start your KF2 server for the first time **1. Start the server** Click **Start**. Open **Console** to follow the start-up. On the first start the game creates its config files in `KFGame/Config/`. **2. Wait until it is ready** The server is ready when the console shows `DevOnline: Steam Servers Connected`, followed by a `Server data:` line with the map and slots. This takes a few seconds. **3. Stop the server** Click **Stop**. The first start still uses the game's default name, because the config files didn't exist yet. **4. Start it again** Click **Start**. From now on, your **Server Name** and **Admin Password** are written into the config files at every start. ## How to join your Killing Floor 2 server **1. Copy the address** On **Overview**, click copy next to **ADDRESS**. It looks like `203.0.113.10:7777`. **2. Find it in game** Search for your **Server Name** in the in-game server browser. **3. Or join by address** Open the game console and type `open` followed by the address, for example `open 203.0.113.10:7777`. If you can't find the server, see [server not showing in the browser](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/kf2-server-not-showing-in-browser.md). ## What to do next 1. **Make yourself admin.** In the game console type `AdminLogin` and your **Admin Password**. See [admin commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/kf2-admin-commands-and-admin-login.md). 2. **Set a password** if the server is only for friends. See [server password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/setting-a-server-password.md). 3. **Write a welcome message.** See [server name and MOTD](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/configuring-server-name-and-motd.md). 4. **Make your first backup** under **Backups**. See [backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md). ## Frequently asked questions ### Why does my server still show "Killing Floor 2 Server"? The server has only started once. Stop it and start it again, and your **Server Name** is applied. ### How many players can join? Up to 6 in the normal co-op modes and 12 in Versus. See [max players](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/setting-max-players-to-100.md). ### Do I need to update the server myself? No. With **Auto Update** on, the server checks for a game update every time it starts. Restart the server after Tripwire releases an update. ### Where are the config files? In `KFGame/Config/` in **Files**. See [config files explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/kf2-server-config-files-explained.md). ## Related guides > [card] [KF2 server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/killing-floor-2-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every Killing Floor 2 page in one place. > [card] [Server name and MOTD](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/configuring-server-name-and-motd.md) > > Name, welcome message and banner. > [card] [Difficulty and game modes](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/configuring-gamemodes-and-difficulty-in-kf2.md) > > Normal to Hell on Earth. > [card] [Admin commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/kf2-admin-commands-and-admin-login.md) > > Log in as admin in game. > [card] [Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md) > > How the Startup page works. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (Killing Floor 2 dedicated server, version 9189). 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.