Left 4 Dead is a cooperative survival horror FPS where four players fight through hordes of infected. This guide covers setting up your dedicated Left 4 Dead server on Legion Hosting, configuring startup variables, and connecting players.
Before You Begin: Make sure you have access to your GPanel account. If you need help locating your server details, see How to Find Your Server IP and Port.
First Start in GPanel
- Log in to GPanel and select your Left 4 Dead server.
- Navigate to the Console tab. The server will download game files via SteamCMD (App ID 222840) automatically.
- Wait for the download to complete. This is a Source engine game and may take some time.
- Once installed, the server will start. Look for
Connection to Steam servers successful.in the console. - If the server does not start automatically, click Start.
First Boot Time: The initial SteamCMD download for Left 4 Dead can take 10-20 minutes. Do not interrupt the installation.
Startup Variables
Navigate to the Startup tab in GPanel to view and modify these:
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
SRCDS_MAP |
The default map loaded when the server starts | l4d_hospital01_apartment |
AUTO_UPDATE |
Automatically update the server on startup (1 = on, 0 = off) | 1 |
Available Maps
Left 4 Dead campaign maps follow the naming convention l4d_[campaign][chapter]_[name]. Common starting maps:
| Campaign | Starting Map |
|---|---|
| No Mercy | l4d_hospital01_apartment |
| Death Toll | l4d_smalltown01_caves |
| Dead Air | l4d_airport01_greenhouse |
| Blood Harvest | l4d_farm01_hilltop |
Server Configuration
Left 4 Dead uses Source engine configuration files. The primary config file is left4dead/cfg/server.cfg. Create or edit it using the File Manager or SFTP.
Example server.cfg
hostname "My Left 4 Dead Server"
sv_password ""
sv_maxplayers 4
mp_disable_autokick 1
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0
sv_steamgroup_exclusive 0| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
hostname |
Server name displayed in the server browser |
sv_password |
Password required to join (leave empty for public) |
sv_maxplayers |
Maximum players (typically 4 for coop, 8 for versus) |
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only |
Set to 0 to allow direct connections without a lobby |
mp_disable_autokick |
Set to 1 to prevent idle players from being auto-kicked |
Restart Required: After editing
server.cfg, restart the server from GPanel for changes to take effect.
How to Connect
Via Server Browser
- Launch Left 4 Dead from Steam.
- Open the developer console (press
~). If it is not enabled, go to Options > Keyboard/Mouse > Allow Developer Console. - Type
openserverbrowserto open the server browser. - Search for your server by name or add it to favorites using the IP.
Via Console
- Open the developer console (
~). - Type
connect IP:PORT(e.g.,connect 192.168.1.100:27015).
Finding Your IP: Your server IP and port are displayed on the main page of your server in GPanel. Ports are randomly assigned unless you have a private IP. For detailed instructions, see How to Find Your Server IP and Port.
Game Modes
Left 4 Dead supports several game modes. Change the mode by adding launch parameters or using console commands:
- Coop: Default mode. 4 players vs AI infected.
- Versus: 4 survivors vs 4 player-controlled infected. Use
sv_gametypes versusin server.cfg. - Survival: Defend a position against endless waves. Use
sv_gametypes survival.
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Need Help? If you encounter any issues not covered in this guide, open a support ticket and our team will assist you.
