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Counter-Strike: Source server problems

Common Counter-Strike: Source server problems. See Counter-Strike: Source settings.

Connection failed after 4 retries

Section titled “Connection failed after 4 retries”

Why it happens: The client cannot reach the server. Usual causes are a wrong address or port, the server offline, or a version mismatch.

How to fix it:

  1. Check the status is Online and see the Console for errors.
  2. Use the address and port from Network. See Network and ports.
  3. Check for a version mismatch, see below.
  4. See Can’t connect to any game server.

Your server needs to be updated / version mismatch

Section titled “Your server needs to be updated / version mismatch”

Why it happens: Valve released an update and the server has not updated yet.

How to fix it: Press Restart so the server updates on start. If it never updates, open a ticket.

Server will not install or fails to log in to Steam

Section titled “Server will not install or fails to log in to Steam”

Why it happens: The Steam Username, Steam Password and Steam Guard Code variables are used by the installer. Steam Guard can block a login.

How to fix it:

  1. Check the values on Startup are correct.
  2. Approve the Steam Guard request on your phone or type the current code into Steam Guard Code.
  3. Reinstall if the install failed: Settings > Danger Zone > Reinstall Server (back up first, see Backups).
  4. Consider not using your main Steam account. If unsure, open a ticket.

Map downloads are very slow

Section titled “Map downloads are very slow”

Why it happens: By default, custom maps download from the game server, which is slow.

How to fix it:

  1. Set up FastDL: host the map files on a web server and set sv_downloadurl in the server config.
  2. Edit the config with Files, following the Valve FastDL guide.
  3. If you do not have a web host, keep custom maps small or open a ticket.

Players are missing a custom map, “Map not found” or a purple and black error

Section titled “Players are missing a custom map, “Map not found” or a purple and black error”

Why it happens: The map is not on the server, or the client cannot download it.

How to fix it:

  1. Upload the .bsp file into the cstrike/maps folder using Files.
  2. Add the map name to your map cycle file if you rotate maps.
  3. Use FastDL for large files.
  4. Use the right map name in Map (SRCDS_MAP), without .bsp.

Server keeps loading the wrong map

Section titled “Server keeps loading the wrong map”

Why it happens: Map (SRCDS_MAP) is the map at start, and the map cycle changes it later.

How to fix it: Change Map on Startup, save, restart. Edit mapcycle.txt in Files for rotation.

Server does not appear in the server list

Section titled “Server does not appear in the server list”

Why it happens: It can take a few minutes, or the Steam token may be missing or wrong.

How to fix it:

  1. Create a token at Steam game server accounts for CS:S.
  2. Paste it in Steam Game Login Token (STEAM_TOKEN).
  3. Restart and wait a few minutes.
  4. Test direct connect with the address and port.

RCON says wrong password or cannot connect

Section titled “RCON says wrong password or cannot connect”

Why it happens: The RCON password is set in the server config, not on Startup, and may be blank.

How to fix it:

  1. Open cstrike/cfg/server.cfg in Files.
  2. Set rcon_password "yourpassword", save and restart.
  3. Connect using the same address and port players use.

SourceMod or MetaMod is not working

Section titled “SourceMod or MetaMod is not working”

Why it happens: They are third-party tools and must be installed in the right folders and match the game version. Metamod:Source goes in first and SourceMod on top of it, both inside the game’s cstrike folder.

How to fix it:

  1. Follow each project’s official install guide (Metamod:Source and SourceMod on the AlliedModders wiki).
  2. Restart, then check the Console for load errors.
  3. Remove new plugins one at a time if the server fails.
  4. We cannot promise any plugin works. Open a ticket if you are stuck.

Server config changes are ignored

Section titled “Server config changes are ignored”

Why it happens: Changes in server.cfg load on map change or restart, and command line values can override them.

How to fix it: Save the file, then restart. Use Files for cstrike/cfg/server.cfg.

Players cannot join with “Bad password”

Section titled “Players cannot join with “Bad password””

Why it happens: The server has a password set in config.

How to fix it: Check sv_password in server.cfg, or clear it to remove the password.

VAC errors or “VAC secure” messages

Section titled “VAC errors or “VAC secure” messages”

Why it happens: Some modified files or plugins conflict with VAC, and VAC servers need a valid token.

How to fix it: Remove modified files, and check your token.

Server lags or crashes

Section titled “Server lags or crashes”

Why it happens: Too many plugins, big maps or high player counts.

How to fix it: See Out of memory and Server keeps restarting.

Still stuck?

Section titled “Still stuck?”

Open a ticket or ask on Discord. See Contact support.