> ## 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 Change Your Game Server's Settings Without Editing Files > Use the Game settings page in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel to change your server name, password, map and game rules with simple fields, presets and a safe review step. The **Game settings** page is a friendly editor for your game's configuration file. Instead of searching through a text file, you change settings with simple fields, switches and drop-downs. The panel shows you exactly what will change before anything is saved. > **Difficulty** > > Beginner > **Time** > > 5 minutes > [!NOTE] > > The settings you see depend on your game. The examples on this page come from a Counter-Strike 1.6 server, where the panel edits **server.cfg**. Other games show their own groups and settings. *** ## Open Game settings **1. Open your server** Sign in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and click **Manage server** next to your server. **2. Click Game settings** In the sidebar, under **GAME SETTINGS**, click **Game settings**. ![Game settings page with a Checks box, a search field, All and Changed filters, a Presets button, and the Start-up and Server groups with Start map, Server name, Server password and RCON password](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/q82wyXmBFQWqJ0i4/images/game-panel/game-settings.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=q82wyXmBFQWqJ0i4\&q=85\&s=bf39a9d43d56eff13385f886b70803d1) The Game settings page At the top you see the name of your game and whether the server is **RUNNING**. *** ## Check for problems The **Checks** box lists problems the panel found in your configuration file, for example **a setting appears twice**. Click **Details** to see more. For example, it may tell you that a setting is set 2 times and that the last one is used. Fixing the setting here removes the duplicate confusion. *** ## Find a setting | Tool | What it does | | - | - | | **Search settings** | Type part of a setting's name to find it quickly. | | **All** | Shows every setting. | | **Changed** | Shows only the settings you have changed but not saved yet. The number in brackets tells you how many. | | **Show advanced settings** | Shows extra settings that most people never need. | Settings are sorted into groups, such as **Start-up**, **Server**, **Security and downloads**, **Chat and voice**, **Logging**, **Rounds and rules** and **Money and buying**. Click a group's name to open or close it. *** ## Change a setting **1. Change the value** Type a new value, flip a switch or pick an option from a drop-down. The setting gets a **CHANGED** label, and its group shows how many unsaved changes it has. **2. Undo one setting if needed** Click **Default** under a setting to put it back to the game's default value. **3. Set a password** Passwords, such as **Server password** and **RCON password**, show **not set** or a hidden value. Click **Set**, type the new value and click **Done**. > [!TIP] > > Leave **Server password** empty if you want anyone to be able to join. Set it if you want a private server for friends only. > [!NOTE] > > **Start map** has a **STARTUP** label. It is the same setting as the map on the [Startup page](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md), so changing it in one place changes it in both. *** ## Use a preset A preset fills in several settings at once. Nothing is saved until you review and save. **1. Click Presets** Click **Presets** next to the filters. **2. Pick a preset** Click the preset you want. On Counter-Strike 1.6, for example: * **Competitive**: friendly fire on, no flashlight, fixed rounds. * **Fun server**: lots of money, long buy time, no friendly fire. **3. Check and save** Look at the changed settings, then [review and save](#review-and-save). *** ## Review and save While you have unsaved changes, a bar at the bottom shows how many there are. * Click **Discard** to throw away all unsaved changes. * Click **Review and save** to see what will change. ![Review your changes window showing a before and after line for hostname in server.cfg, with notes that changes apply after a restart and the old file is kept as server.cfg.bak](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/q82wyXmBFQWqJ0i4/images/game-panel/game-settings-review.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=q82wyXmBFQWqJ0i4\&q=85\&s=dc6278ee327ef75fea85742e991f8d0b) The Review your changes window The window shows exactly which lines change in your file. Everything else in your files stays as it is. * Your old file is kept as a backup copy, for example **server.cfg.bak**. * Passwords and other secrets are hidden in this view. Click **Save changes**. You see the message **Saved 1 change.** (or however many you made). *** ## Restart to apply your changes If your server is running, it still uses the old settings. A yellow banner appears at the top of the page. ![Yellow banner saying Restart the server to apply your changes, with a Restart now button](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/q82wyXmBFQWqJ0i4/images/game-panel/game-settings-restart-banner.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=q82wyXmBFQWqJ0i4\&q=85\&s=962ab25cbdd1baec5c3d247d6e4d1861) The restart banner **1. Click Restart now** Click **Restart now** in the banner. **2. Confirm** The panel warns that everyone who is playing is disconnected while the server restarts. Click **Restart**. Your changes apply when the server is back online. > [!TIP] > > Restart at a quiet time, or warn your players first with a message in the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md). *** ## Edit the raw file Need a setting that isn't on the page? At the bottom, click **open the raw file** next to the file name. It opens the file in the [file manager's editor](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md). > [!WARNING] > > When you edit the raw file yourself, a typing mistake can stop your server from starting. The Game settings page is the safer choice for everyday changes. *** ## Troubleshooting > **I saved my changes but nothing changed in the game** > > The server reads its settings when it starts. Restart it with **Restart now** in the yellow banner, or with the **Restart** button at the top of the page. > **I made a mistake and want the old settings back** > > Click **Default** under a setting to reset it. If you already saved, your previous file was kept as a **.bak** copy, and the [file manager's history](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md) also keeps earlier versions. > **The server is stuck on Stopping after a restart** > > Wait a minute. If it is still stuck, click **Kill** and then **Start**. See [starting and stopping your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md). > **I don't see a setting I need** > > Tick **Show advanced settings**, or use the search box. If it still isn't there, use **open the raw file** to add it by hand. *** ## Related articles > **[Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md)** > > Change the start map, version and other start-up options. > **[Restart your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md)** > > Start, stop, restart and kill your server. *** > [!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 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.