How to Add a Map Cycle
A map cycle in Counter-Strike 2 allows your server to automatically switch maps after each match without manual input. This ensures varied gameplay and maintains engagement for players. While you can manually change maps using commands like changelevel or nextlevel, adding a mapcycle.txt file is a more efficient and automated solution.
How to Change the Game Mode
Counter-Strike 2 servers offer different game mode configurations depending on how you want your server to play. While these settings are usually applied at startup, they can also be changed later from your server panel.
CounterStrikeSharp vs SwiftlyS2 – why you should use only one
CounterStrikeSharp and SwiftlyS2 are the two most popular plugin platforms for Counter-Strike 2 servers. Both let you run plugins written in C#. Many server owners install both, because they found one plugin for CounterStrikeSharp and another one for SwiftlyS2. It can work, but we do not recommend it.
How to fix the "inotify instances" error by disabling CounterStrikeSharp hot reload
If you have many CounterStrikeSharp plugins on your Counter-Strike 2 server, some of them may fail to load with this error:
How to find out which plugin crashed your Counter-Strike 2 server
When a Counter-Strike 2 server crashes and restarts by itself, the cause is almost always a plugin, not the game. In this guide we show you where to look so you can find the plugin that crashed it.
How to fix JSON config errors in Counter-Strike 2 plugins
Most CounterStrikeSharp and SwiftlyS2 plugins on Counter-Strike 2 servers store their settings in JSON files. JSON is very strict — one extra or missing comma is enough for the plugin to ignore the whole file.
How to fix lag and "SteamNetworkingSockets lock held" warnings
If players on your Counter-Strike 2 server complain about lag and your console is full of messages like the one below, your server does not get enough CPU time.
How to change the server name on a Counter-Strike 2 server
A server name in Counter-Strike 2 is a customizable title that identifies your server to players. It helps your community recognize it quickly and often includes useful details such as region, rules, or gameplay style. Customizing your server name makes it stand out and lets players know what kind of experience to expect - competitive, casual, or themed.
How to create custom map group of your Counter-Strike 2
This custom map group is designed for fun and unique gameplay experiences, often diverging from traditional game modes. These maps can include obstacle courses, skill challenges, puzzle maps, and other creative scenarios, offering players a diverse and engaging way to enjoy Counter-Strike 2.
How to disable VAC AntiCheat on your Counter-Strike 2 server
In this tutorial will show you how to disable VAC protection on your Counter-Strike 2 server.
How to set a password
Securing your Counter-Strike 2 server can be done in several ways, and adding a password is one of the simplest methods. This option allows you to share your server with a select group - such as friends or community members - while keeping outsiders out. Although it doesn’t offer the same strict access control as a whitelist, password protection is far easier to manage and minimizes the administrative workload for server owners.
How to install and configure MultiAddonManager
MultiAddonManager is a Metamod plugin that lets your Counter-Strike 2 server load several Steam Workshop addons at the same time — custom sounds, models, MVP anthems, menus and more — and makes the players download them automatically.
Keeping Metamod, CounterStrikeSharp and SwiftlyS2 up to date
Our Counter-Strike 2 servers can install and update the most popular plugin frameworks for you. In this guide we explain how the automatic installation works and how to force an update.
How to kick players from a match on a Counter-Strike 2 server
In Counter-Strike 2 server the "kick" command allows a server administrator to temporarily remove a player from the game. This is usually done to address minor rule violations or disruptive behavior, or to open up a slot for another player. Using this command helps enforce server rules and ensures a better gaming experience for everyone.
Why mm_extra_addons must be set in only one config file
A common mistake on Counter-Strike 2 servers with MultiAddonManager is to set mmextraaddons in more than one config file. Every file overwrites the value of the previous one, so the server ends up with a different list of addons at different moments.
How to use per-map configs on your Counter-Strike 2 server
On a Counter-Strike 2 server you can run different settings for different maps — for example a longer round time on big maps, or other settings on aim and AWP maps. The game does this by itself, without any plugin.
How to set a Workshop map or collection as the start map
Your Counter-Strike 2 server can start directly on a map from the Steam Workshop, or load a whole Workshop collection. In this guide we show you how to set it up in the panel.
How to setup bots on a Counter-Strike 2 server
Counter-Strike 2 is still in its early release stages, having recently transitioned from closed beta to public access. Some features from CS:GO are still being implemented, but adding bots is already supported and simple to configure. Bots can help maintain balanced gameplay when player activity drops and are also useful for training or testing maps.
How to upload a CounterStrikeSharp plugin to your Counter-Strike 2 server
In this guide, we will show you how to upload a CounterStrikeSharp plugin to your Counter-Strike 2 server using the File Manager.
How to upload Metamod plugins to your Counter-Strike 2 server
Some Counter-Strike 2 plugins are not CounterStrikeSharp or SwiftlyS2 plugins, but native Metamod plugins — for example MultiAddonManager, CS2Fixes, ServerListPlayersFix, CleanerCS2 and many anticheats. In this guide we show you how to install, check and disable them.
Voice chat stops working after map change
Players on your Counter-Strike 2 server lose voice chat after a map change. They can see that others are speaking, but they hear nothing, and only a full restart of the game brings the voice back. Reconnecting to the server does not help.
What to do after a Counter-Strike 2 update breaks your plugins
Valve updates Counter-Strike 2 often. Your server downloads the update automatically when it starts, but your plugins do not update themselves. After a bigger update it is common that the server crashes on start, crashes when a player joins, or that some plugins stop working.