A lobby that stays put
The server runs on our hardware, so the safe room door keeps working when the person who opened the lobby logs off.
Always on99.9% uptime SLA
> Left 4 Dead 2 server // ready_
Left 4 Dead 2 Server Hosting, so the horde never waits on a host.
Four survivors, one safe room, and a server that does not leave when the lobby host does.
- From $12/mo · No contracts
- 99.9% Uptime SLA
- 3 Backup Slots
- Up to 8 Players
Always online
Tired of the lobby dying when the host rage quits?
A dedicated server keeps the campaign running on its own machine, so your crew picks the map and loads in whenever they are ready.
Pick your starting map
Type the map name at checkout, like c1m1_hotel, and the server launches on it.
Starting mapCo-op and versus
DDoS protection on
Always-on DDoS protection stands between a salty rival team and your crew's rematch.
Always-on DDoS24/7 support
Backup slots for your configs
Three backup slots on every plan let you keep a copy of your server.cfg and add-ons before you try something new.
3 backup slotsConsole and file manager
Party size
How are you running the horde?
Choose your loadout
Left 4 Dead 2 Server Plans
Pay monthly. Cancel any time.
Pick your party size above, or compare every plan below.
Common★ Best for Left 4 Dead 2
Basic
$12 / month
8 players
RAM4GB
CPU1 Thread
Storage40GB NVMe
- Co-op and versus
- Starting map at checkout
- 3 backup slots
- 24/7 support
Rare
Standard
$24 / month
8 players
RAM8GB
CPU2 Threads
Storage40GB NVMe
- Headroom for add-ons and plugins
- 3 backup slots
- 24/7 support
Loadout
What you set, and what you can edit
Pick the starting map at checkout. The rest lives in server files you can open from the panel.
- Starting map at checkout
- server.cfg for hostname and rules
- Add-ons in left4dead2/addons
- Console in the panel
- File manager access
- Schedules in the panel
Bring your configs and add-ons
Settings go in server.cfg and add-ons in the left4dead2 addons folder. Upload them through the panel file manager. SourceMod plugins and custom content are yours to keep compatible after game updates.
Hardware for the horde
Ryzen 9950X cores and NVMe storage sit under every plan. Standard adds 8GB of RAM over Basic, which helps once you stack add-ons and plugins.
DDoS protection built-in · auto-detection · zero downtime
Nothing ends a finale faster than a flood of junk traffic. Protection stays on while your crew holds out for the rescue.
Briefing
About Left 4 Dead 2 server hosting
A Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated server is a Steam tool, app 222860, installed with SteamCMD. Co-op supports up to 4 players and versus up to 8, and the cap is set with +maxplayers when the server starts, so it cannot be changed while it runs. Both EZ Game Host plans list 8 players. A dedicated server is about keeping the lobby available and under your control, not raising those limits.
Settings live in a server.cfg that you create in left4dead2\cfg, since the download does not include one. Community guides set hostname, sv_lan 0, sv_consistency 0 and sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0, and the launch command picks the starting map with +map, such as c1m1_hotel. EZ Game Host asks for that starting map at checkout.
Plugins run on Metamod:Source and SourceMod, with files in left4dead2\addons, and they are yours to keep compatible after game updates. Valve publishes no server RAM or CPU figure that we could find. Valve was still patching the game in June 2026, and the Linux install through SteamCMD has an open bug (steam-for-linux issue 11522) that affects anonymous installs.
Left 4 Dead 2 server quick facts
- Server software
- Left 4 Dead 2 Dedicated Server (Steam app 222860)
- Players per server
- Up to 4 in co-op, up to 8 in versus
- Default port
- 27015, with 27015 to 27020 usable through -port
- Official RAM guidance
- None found from Valve
- Server settings
- server.cfg in left4dead2\cfg, plus launch options
- Starting map
- +map launch option, for example c1m1_hotel
- Plugins
- Metamod:Source and SourceMod in left4dead2\addons
- Updates
- Re-run SteamCMD after patches; -autoupdate does not work on Windows
Setup
How to set up a Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated server
You can run the server yourself or let EZ Game Host run it for you. Here is what each path involves.
With EZ Game Host
- Choose Left 4 Dead 2 and a plan sized for your group.
- Name your server and pick its game options and region at checkout.
- Pay, and the server deploys automatically with 3 backup slots ready.
- Share the server address with friends and manage everything from the panel.
Self-hosting on your own machine
- Install SteamCMD, then run: steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir "C:\L4D2" +app_update 222860 validate +quit.
- Create server.cfg in left4dead2\cfg with hostname, a rcon_password you change, sv_lan 0, sv_consistency 0 and sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0.
- Launch srcds.exe with -console -game left4dead2 +map c1m1_hotel +maxplayers 4 -port 27015 +ip your LAN IP +exec server.cfg.
- Forward port 27015 on your router and allow it through the firewall.
- Optionally install Metamod:Source and SourceMod into left4dead2\addons, then check meta list and sm version in the server console.
- Stop the server and re-run the SteamCMD command after each game patch.
Left 4 Dead 2 server ports
| Port | Protocol | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 27015 | UDP + TCP | Game port, set with -port (sources do not state the protocol) |
On EZ Game Host the ports are opened for you, so there is no router setup.
Intel
Frequently Asked Questions
Who hosts a Left 4 Dead 2 game on EZ Game Host?
The server does. It runs on our hardware around the clock, so your crew can load in without waiting for one player to open a lobby and stay online.
What do I choose at checkout?
The starting map, entered as a map name such as c1m1_hotel. Letters, numbers and underscores only, up to 40 characters.
Is there a difference between Basic and Standard?
Both list 8 players. Basic has 4GB of RAM and Standard has 8GB, so Standard is the pick when you want headroom for add-ons and plugins.
Can I upload add-ons and configs?
Yes, through the panel file manager. The game loads add-ons from the left4dead2 addons folder and settings from server.cfg. Keeping add-ons and plugins compatible with the current game version is your job.
Do I need to forward ports?
No. We open the port for you. Self-hosting needs port 27015 forwarded on your own router.
Does EZ Game Host have contracts?
No. Plans are paid monthly and you can cancel any time.
What port does a Left 4 Dead 2 server use?
27015 by default. Community guides say 27015 to 27020 works through the -port option, which matters when you run several servers on one IP. The guides do not state whether the port is UDP or TCP. EZ Game Host opens the port for you.
How many players can a Left 4 Dead 2 server hold?
Up to 4 in co-op and up to 8 in versus. The cap is set with +maxplayers at startup. Both EZ Game Host plans list 8 players, and the difference between them is hardware and headroom for add-ons and plugins.
Can I run SourceMod plugins on a Left 4 Dead 2 server?
Plugins load through Metamod:Source and SourceMod from the left4dead2\addons folder. On EZ Game Host you can upload files through the file manager, but there is no plugin installer, and keeping plugins compatible with the current game version is up to you.
Select your next game
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> Press start_
Your crew is waiting at the safe room door.
Pick a starting map, choose a plan and let the server hold the lobby.
Secure checkout · Monthly billing · Cancel anytime