How much RAM does an L4D2 server need?

4 GB (Survivor Squad) is enough for campaign and 4v4 Versus. For custom campaigns and a bigger SourceMod plugin stack we recommend 6-8 GB, and 12-16 GB for mod servers with 10+ players.

Which ports does a Left 4 Dead 2 server use?

Default is port 27015 (UDP for the game, TCP for RCON). If taken, the server automatically uses 27016-27020. At RespawnHost this is set up for you.

How do I install SourceMod?

Download MetaMod:Source and SourceMod (both stable at version 1.12) and copy them to `left4dead2/addons/`. A restart activates them.

How do I become admin?

Add your SteamID to the `admins_simple.ini` (in `addons/sourcemod/configs`).

Can I play co-op with more than 4 players?

Yes. The L4DToolZ extension lifts the slot limit, and a MultiSlots plugin spawns extra survivor bots for players 5-8. The old plugins 'Left 4 Downtown' and 'SuperVersus' are outdated.

What tickrate does an L4D2 server run at?

30 tick by default, hard-coded — the cause of the well-known 'ghost hits'. With the Tickrate Enabler extension your server runs at 60 or 100 tick and registers hits much more reliably.

Yes, set `mp_gamemode versus` in the server.cfg or switch in-game via vote/admin command.

How do I install custom maps?

Upload the `.vpk` file to `left4dead2/addons/` and start the map via the console (`map mapname`). If needed, find the map name with GCFScape inside the VPK.

Does the server support Steam Workshop collections?

L4D2 servers do not auto-download Workshop content (unlike CS:GO). Upload the addon `.vpk` files to the `addons` folder via SFTP or panel — Workshop campaigns go into `addons/workshop/`.

How do I start a Mutation?

With the command `map [mapname] [mutation]`, e.g., `map c1m1_hotel mutation4` for Hard Eight.

Can I force the difficulty?

Yes, with `z_difficulty [Easy/Normal/Hard/Impossible]` in the config.

Can I turn off friendly fire?

Friendly fire damage is tied to the difficulty (practically zero on Easy). For precise control, use SourceMod's `sm_cvar` with the `survivor_friendly_fire_factor` cvars.

Yes, set an `rcon_password` in the `server.cfg`.

Yes, you can use `sv_downloadurl` to distribute custom maps faster to players.

Does the server keep running when nobody is online?

Yes, the server runs until you stop it. With `sb_all_bot_game 1` even an all-bot round stays active after the last human leaves.

Simply restart the server. Our system installs the update automatically.

How do I ban players?

Via the SourceMod admin menu (`!admin`) or via RCON `banid`.

Yes, Valve Anti-Cheat is on by default.

Where are the servers located?

We have servers in Germany and in the USA (Salt Lake City).

What happens if my credit runs out?

The server stops. Your data remains. After topping up, it continues.

You can set up manual or automatic backups — for a minimal fee.

Left 4 dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 Server Hosting

Name: Left 4 Dead 2 Server Hosting
Brand: RespawnHost
SKU: left-4-dead-2-hosting
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (26 reviews)

Instantly online in < 90 seconds
SourceMod Ready
Fairness Guarantee: Pay-Per-Use

Rent a server now View all plans

4.7/5 stars on Trustpilot

Start instantly

<90

Seconds

Your server is online & ready in seconds

Online in 90 seconds

From click to running server — no waiting.

Simple & flexible

Easy setup, flexible terms, full control.

Safe & protected

DDoS protection, backups and modern hosting.

Billed by the second

Pay-per-use – only pay while your server runs.

Our most popular plans

Choose your plan

Save up to 20%with a longer term

Slots

4GBRAM

8.00 €/ mo

Recommended for 8 players

Campaign & versus
Premium server hardware
Premium DDoS protection
Game switching to 26 more games included

What is a Left 4 Dead 2 server?

A Left 4 Dead 2 server is a dedicated server (srcds, Source Engine) for Valve's co-op classic: it runs independently of your PC, and you control the game mode, difficulty, plugins, and custom campaigns — no host advantage, no lobby randoms. SourceMod turns it into your admin hub, and the L4DToolZ extension lets you play co-op with 8 survivors instead of 4. At RespawnHost you rent one pay-per-use from 0.0479 €/h (billed per second, only while the server runs) or as a fixed plan from 8.00 €/month — ready in under 90 seconds.

4v4 Versus & 8-player co-op

SourceMod 1.12 ready

Pay-per-use from 0.0479 €/h

Online in 90 seconds

Everything you need

These features are included in every package and make your server the perfect gaming experience.

Instant Setup

Your server is ready in under 90 seconds. No waiting times, start playing immediately.

Unlimited Slots

No limit on the number of players. Invite as many friends as you want.

Custom Control Panel

Fully customizable control panel with all the features you need.

Per-Second Billing

Pay only when your server is online. The corresponding amount is deducted per second.

DDoS Protection

Our permanent DDoS protection keeps attacks away and guarantees a lag-free gaming experience.

Quality Gaming Support

Our support team consists of real gamers who can help you at any time.

Gaming Infrastructure

Premium hardware for your Left 4 Dead 2 server

Kostenrechner

Calculate your real costs for Left 4 Dead 2

Play time per day3h

1h24h

Your typical day

0:0024:00

Fixed plan

8.00 €

runs around the clock

RespawnHost

~4.31 €

3h/day billed

Your savings

versus the fixed plan, at 90 h/month

46 %

~3.69 €

The fixed plan only pays off from around 5.6 hours a day. Below that, Pay-per-Use is cheaper.

For reference: €11.00 (4 GB, monthly, BisectHosting, as of July 2026)

Based on the 4 GB package. Actual costs may vary depending on usage.

Hardware & Infrastruktur

Optimized for Left 4 Dead 2

Processor

AMD Ryzen

RAM

DDR5

Storage

NVMe SSD

DDoS protection

Premium Gaming DDoS Protection

Uplink

25 Gbit/s

Uptime

100.00 %

All systems operational

Live status on Instatus

Transparent Price Calculation

Our pricing models are completely transparent and fair. You only pay for what you really use.

You only pay when the server is online

No costs when your server is turned off. Pay only for actual usage.

Per-Second Billing

costs are deducted live as soon as the server is online. Server off = no more cost consumption.

No hidden costs

When your server is turned off, no costs are incurred. No setup fees, no hidden costs.

L4D2 Price Example

Survivor Squad (4 GB RAM) as fixed plan34.50 € / Month

Pay-per-use hourly rate≈ 0.0479 € / Hour

(0.0479 € × 720 Hours = 34.50 €)

Live Billing

Credit is only deducted while the server is running. Stop it to save.

Example: 4 GB Package

2 hours online≈ 0.10 €

Server turned off0.00 €

Total costOnly what you play!

The difference to traditional hosters

Compare our features with those of traditional hosters and see for yourself why RespawnHost.com is the better choice.

Feature	RespawnHost.com	Provider A	Provider B	Provider C	Provider D
Pay only when server online
Server ready in under 90 seconds
Unlimited Slots
Unlimited NVMe SSD
Unlimited Cores
One Click Installer for Steam Workshop Content
Custom Control Panel
Full SFTP Access
Free Databases
Premium Hardware *2

*1 Sample of four major providers, surveyed in July 2026 based on their public pricing and feature pages. The providers are not named because plans can change at any time — what counts is the state as of the survey date.

Frequently Asked Questions about L4D2 Servers

Left 4 Dead 2 Server Hosting: Co-op, Versus & Custom Campaigns

More than 15 years after release, Left 4 Dead 2 is still the definitive co-op shooter. Since the last official content update 'The Last Stand' (September 2020), the community has kept the game alive with thousands of Workshop campaigns — from 'Helm's Deep' to Silent Hill remakes. With your own Left 4 Dead 2 server you get full control over difficulty, maps, mods, and who joins: no randoms killing the team, no host lag.

Why choose RespawnHost for L4D2 server hosting?

L4D2 runs on the Source Engine and is hard-capped at 30 tick out of the box — the source of those infamous 'ghost hits' where your shotgun visibly connects but deals no damage. On our servers you can install the Tickrate Enabler and play at 60 or 100 tick: noticeably better hit registration, especially against Jockeys and Chargers. SourceMod and MetaMod:Source (both currently stable at version 1.12) run out of the box.

The community has created thousands of custom campaigns. Unlike CS:GO, an L4D2 dedicated server does not auto-download Workshop collections — the `.vpk` files belong in the `addons` folder. With us you handle that via SFTP or straight from the panel, and with FastDL (`sv_downloadurl`) your friends get the maps in no time.

Features for Survivors

SourceMod 1.12: Install plugins for admin menus, stats, and fun mods
Versus Support: Host your own 4v4 matches
8-Player Co-op: L4DToolZ + MultiSlots ready
Custom Maps: Upload community campaigns as `.vpk` and play
Tickrate Enabler: 60 or 100 tick instead of the stock 30
RCON & SFTP: Full control over console and `left4dead2/addons`
DDoS Protection: Security against attacks

With our pay-per-use model, you only pay when your server runs. Perfect for the weekly zombie night.

How much does a Left 4 Dead 2 server cost?

Why pay for a server that sits empty? On the Survivor Squad plan (4 GB RAM), a 3-hour campaign night costs about 0.14 € pay-per-use — two nights a week adds up to roughly 1.15 € per month. Billing is per second and only while the server is running.

If your server should stay online 24/7 for your community, the fixed plan is cheaper: from 8.00 €/month for 4 GB RAM, or from 4.48 €/month with a 360-day term (20% discount). You can switch between pay-per-use and fixed plans anytime — full transparency, no hidden fees.

Tip: For casual co-op nights, pay-per-use is almost always the better deal. A fixed plan only pays off once your server runs permanently as a public Versus or mod server.

Co-op, Versus, Realism, or Mutation — which mode will you host?

The game mode is set via `mp_gamemode` in the server.cfg or on map change. All official modes run on the same server — no second server needed.

Co-op & Realism (`mp_gamemode coop` / `realism`): The classic for 4 survivors plus bots. Realism removes teammate glow outlines and makes headshots against commons mandatory — the mode for coordinated teams. With L4DToolZ and a MultiSlots plugin you can extend co-op to 8 players.

Versus & Scavenge (`mp_gamemode versus` / `scavenge`): 4v4 — one team plays the survivors, the other the Special Infected. This is where higher tickrate pays off the most, since Hunter pounces and Charger impacts register precisely.

Mutations (`map c1m1_hotel mutation4`): Launch official special modes like Hard Eight (mutation4) or Taaannnk! directly via the map command with the mutation ID appended. Great for variety on community nights.

How do you set up a Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated server?

These specs apply to every L4D2 dedicated server (SteamCMD AppID 222860). At RespawnHost everything comes preconfigured — and you still get full file access via panel and SFTP:

For co-op with more than 4 survivors you need two things: the L4DToolZ extension, which lifts the server's slot limit, and a MultiSlots plugin that spawns extra survivor bots for players 5-8 to take over. The formerly popular plugins 'Left 4 Downtown' and 'SuperVersus' are outdated — use the currently maintained L4DToolZ builds from AlliedModders. What RespawnHost recommends: 4 GB RAM for standard co-op and Versus, 6-8 GB once custom campaigns and a bigger plugin stack come into play.

Ports: Default is 27015 (UDP for the game, TCP for RCON); if taken, srcds falls back to 27016-27020
Launch parameters: `-console -game left4dead2 +map c1m1_hotel -port 27015 +exec server.cfg` — set start map and slots conveniently in the panel
server.cfg: lives in `left4dead2/cfg/` — this is where `hostname`, `rcon_password`, `sv_gametypes`, and `z_difficulty` belong
Tickrate: locked to 30 tick by default; the Tickrate Enabler extension unlocks 60 or 100 tick
Modding stack: MetaMod:Source 1.12 + SourceMod 1.12 (stable since March 2025) into `left4dead2/addons/`
Custom content: campaigns as `.vpk` into `left4dead2/addons/` or `addons/workshop/` — L4D2 has no automatic Workshop download like CS:GO
FastDL: `sv_downloadurl` distributes custom maps to your players much faster