CS2

CS2 Server Config Guide: Game Modes, server.cfg and RCON

5 min read · Updated October 2026 · By Tabi Cloud

Most of your CS2 server settings live in a few places: the startup command, server.cfg, and commands you run live from the console. Knowing which is which saves you from settings that mysteriously reset.

Where server.cfg is

The file is game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg. Open it in the Files tab. It runs when the map loads, so changes apply after a map change or restart. A line is one command, and lines starting with // are comments.

Useful settings

hostname "Your Server Name"
rcon_password "a long unique password"
sv_password "password" if you want a private server
sv_cheats 0 to keep cheats off

Choose a strong RCON password and never share it.

Game modes

CS2 modes are selected with two values, game_type and game_mode. Commonly used pairs are:

Casual: game_type 0, game_mode 0
Competitive: game_type 0, game_mode 1
Wingman: game_type 0, game_mode 2
Deathmatch: game_type 1, game_mode 2

Set them before changing the map, or in the startup command if your panel allows. If the mode does not change, change the map after setting the values.

Using RCON

RCON lets you run commands from a game client or a tool. In the game console, type rcon_address followed by the IP and port, then rcon_password followed by the password, and then run commands with rcon before them. The Console tab in your panel does the same job without any setup.

Common problems

Settings reset after restart: they were typed live and not saved to server.cfg.
Config does not run: check the file name and location.
Wrong mode: set the pair of values and then change the map.
RCON refused: check the password and port, and that the password has no stray spaces.

Tips

Keep modes in separate config files and load them with exec filename.
Comment your changes so you remember them later.
Keep a copy of the working config before edits.

Tick rates in CS2 are handled differently than older games, so you do not tune tickrate like before.