Left 4 Dead 2 server hosting for co-op and Versus
Give your group a stable server for Campaign runs and 4v4 Versus nights. Host custom campaigns as VPK addons, keep the server for your Steam group and add SourceMod plugins for admin tools and competitive configs.
- Dedicated server from SteamCMD (app 222860)
- Campaign, Realism, Versus, Survival and Scavenge
- Custom campaigns as VPK addons
- SourceMod, Steam group lock and RCON
- PlayersCo-op modes are built for four Survivors; Versus and Scavenge put four Survivors against four Infected. Community plugins can raise the limits.
- 4 in co-op · 8 in Versus
- PortGame traffic uses UDP; the remote console (RCON) uses TCP on the same port.
- 27015 UDP · TCP (RCON)
- Game modes
- Campaign · Realism · Versus · Survival · Scavenge
- Custom content
- VPK addons in left4dead2/addons
- Server build
- Updated by Valve in June 2026
- Admin tools
- RCON · SourceMod
Game modes
- Campaign
- Realism
- Versus
- Survival
- Scavenge
- SourceMod
- Custom campaigns
Game facts from Valve’s Steam update notes and SteamCMD data, the AlliedModders wiki and community server guides, checked in October 2026.
- DDoS protection
- 20 game server locations
Left 4 Dead 2 plans are being prepared
Tell us your game modes, custom campaigns and plugins, and our team will reply with the options. Or open a ticket and we will let you know when the plans are online.
How big should a Left 4 Dead 2 server be?
Player counts are small, but the server runs the AI Director and every common and special infected. Single-core speed matters most.
Find your size
| Feature |
Co-op
Up to 4 players
|
Recommended Versus
Up to 8 players
|
Extended
More slots through plugins
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the AI Director, the infected and every addon. | 1–2 GB | 2–3 GB | 4 GB |
| CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. | 1–2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Disk spaceRoom for the game files, custom campaign VPKs and logs. | 20 GB | 25 GB | 40 GB |
| CampaignsCustom campaigns are VPK files; large collections need extra disk space, and every player needs the same campaign. | Official campaigns | Official or a few custom | Many VPK addons |
| Typical use | Campaign runs with friends | Versus and Scavenge nights | Plugin-extended community server |
-
Co-op
Up to 4 players
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the AI Director, the infected and every addon.
- 1–2 GB
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 1–2
- Disk spaceRoom for the game files, custom campaign VPKs and logs.
- 20 GB
- CampaignsCustom campaigns are VPK files; large collections need extra disk space, and every player needs the same campaign.
- Official campaigns
- Typical use
- Campaign runs with friends
-
Recommended
Versus
Up to 8 players
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the AI Director, the infected and every addon.
- 2–3 GB
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 2
- Disk spaceRoom for the game files, custom campaign VPKs and logs.
- 25 GB
- CampaignsCustom campaigns are VPK files; large collections need extra disk space, and every player needs the same campaign.
- Official or a few custom
- Typical use
- Versus and Scavenge nights
-
Extended
More slots through plugins
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the AI Director, the infected and every addon.
- 4 GB
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 2–3
- Disk spaceRoom for the game files, custom campaign VPKs and logs.
- 40 GB
- CampaignsCustom campaigns are VPK files; large collections need extra disk space, and every player needs the same campaign.
- Many VPK addons
- Typical use
- Plugin-extended community server
Valve publishes no server hardware figures; these starting points follow common practice for Source engine servers. Custom campaigns need extra disk space, and many plugins load the CPU.
Modes, custom campaigns and plugins
Run Valve’s modes as they ship, add the campaigns your group loves and tune the rules with SourceMod.
Every official mode
Campaign, Realism, Versus, Survival and Scavenge. Limit the modes lobbies may start with sv_gametypes.
Custom campaigns
Put campaign .vpk files in left4dead2/addons and they load at start. Players need the same campaign installed, usually from the Steam Workshop.
Steam group servers
Link the server to your group with sv_steamgroup and keep it for members only with sv_steamgroup_exclusive.
Lobby or direct connect
By default players arrive through a game lobby. Set sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0 to allow joins by address and from the server browser.
SourceMod and Metamod:Source
Both support Left 4 Dead 2: add admin menus, competitive configs and community plugins that raise the slot limit.
server.cfg
Set the hostname, rcon_password, sv_password and your rules in left4dead2/cfg/server.cfg.
Set up your Left 4 Dead 2 server
Four steps from an empty server to the first safe room.
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Pick modes and size
Decide between co-op, Versus or both, then pick a size from the table above.
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Pick a location
Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations.
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Edit server.cfg and addons
Set hostname, rcon_password and sv_gametypes, link your Steam group and copy custom campaign VPKs into the addons folder.
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Start a game
Start a lobby on your group server, or allow direct joins and type connect with the address in the console.
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Frequently asked questions
How many players can join a Left 4 Dead 2 server?
The game is built for four Survivors in Campaign, Realism and Survival, and for 4 against 4 in Versus and Scavenge. Community plugins such as L4DToolZ can raise the slot limit, but more players than the modes expect can upset the balance.
Which port does the server use?
27015 by default: UDP for the game and server queries, TCP on the same port for the remote console. Change it with -port when you start the server.
Why can players not join by IP address?
By default the server only accepts players who come through a game lobby. Set sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0 in server.cfg to allow joins by address and from the server browser.
How do I run custom campaigns?
Copy the campaign .vpk files into left4dead2/addons; they load when the server starts. Every player needs the same campaign, usually by subscribing to it on the Steam Workshop.
Does the server download Workshop items by itself?
No. The Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated server has no built-in Workshop download, so download the VPK files first and copy them into the addons folder.
Can I keep the server for my Steam group?
Yes. Set sv_steamgroup to your group’s ID so members can start lobbies on it, and add sv_steamgroup_exclusive 1 to keep it for members only.
Which game modes can the server run?
Campaign (co-op), Realism, Versus, Survival and Scavenge. sv_gametypes limits which modes lobbies may start on your server.
Can I use SourceMod on Left 4 Dead 2?
Yes. Metamod:Source and SourceMod both list Left 4 Dead 2 as a supported game, and the community offers admin menus, competitive configs and many gameplay plugins.
Does Valve still update the server?
Yes. Valve shipped crash, exploit and security fixes in June 2026, including a revised Linux build. Update the server with SteamCMD app 222860 after each patch.
How do I lock the server with a password?
Set sv_password in server.cfg. Players then enter the password when they connect; leave it empty for a public server.
Ready for the next safe room?
Tell us your modes, campaigns and plugins, and we will help you pick the right Left 4 Dead 2 server.