impulse 201 command. Custom sprays are sent between players’ games: yours needs cl_allowupload 1, and others need cl_allowdownload 1 and cl_playerspraydisable 0. There is no setting on your FREAKHOSTING server that blocks sprays.
How to use sprays in L4D2
1
Choose a spray
In Left 4 Dead 2, open Options > Multiplayer and pick your spray.
2
Aim at a surface
In game, look at a wall or the floor close to you.
3
Press T
Press T to spray. If nothing happens, the key may be bound to something else; see below.
How to bind the spray key
Turn on the developer console (Options > Keyboard/Mouse > Allow Developer Console), press~ and type:
t with any key you like. Type bind t on its own to see what the key does now. On a controller, you can bind a button to impulse 201 in your controller config file in left4dead2/cfg.
How do custom sprays work on an L4D2 server?
A custom spray is a small image file. Spray files are passed between the players’ games, and these player (client) settings control it:
Each player sets these in their own developer console, not on the server. To check one, type its name and press Enter; to change it, type for example:
sv_allowupload and sv_allowdownload don’t exist in the Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated server: typed in the server Console they print Unknown command, so there is nothing to switch on there.
How to limit spray spam
Adddecalfrequency with the number of seconds a player must wait between sprays to server.cfg (in Game settings > server.cfg: open the raw file), then restart. The default is 10 seconds. Example:
Why are sprays not working in L4D2?
Frequently asked questions
What is the spray button in L4D2?
T. It runsimpulse 201, which “creates a player spray on the brush under the crosshair”.
How do I use custom sprays in L4D2?
Set your custom image under Options > Multiplayer. Other players see it when yourcl_allowupload and their cl_allowdownload are 1 (the defaults).
Do I need to enable sprays on my FREAKHOSTING server?
No. The server has no setting that blocks sprays, andsv_allowupload and sv_allowdownload print Unknown command on it. If sprays don’t show, check the player settings above.
Can I change the spray key?
Yes. Typebind <key> impulse 201 in the developer console, for example bind g impulse 201.
Related guides
Left 4 Dead 2 server guide
Every Left 4 Dead 2 page in one place.
L4D2 server commands
Common console commands and cvars.
Getting started
First setup and connect.
Custom campaigns
Add-on campaigns on your server.
Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team on 30 October 2026 (Left 4 Dead 2 on our Game Panel). Command details checked against the Valve Developer Community pages for impulse, spraycan and the Left 4 Dead 2 console variables on 30 October 2026.
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Last Updated: October 2026