How to Host a Garry's Mod Server (SRCDS Guide, 2026)

To host a Garry's Mod server, install SRCDS with SteamCMD (app 4020), start it with a gamemode, map and player count (+gamemode sandbox +map gm_construct +maxplayers 16), add your Steam game server token with +sv_setsteamaccount, and open port 27015. Settings like the server name and password go in garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg, and addons load from a Workshop collection with +host_workshop_collection.

What do you need to host a Garry's Mod server?

• A Windows or Linux machine that can stay on. SRCDS runs natively on both.
• SteamCMD. The server is free and does not need a copy of Garry's Mod; each player needs their own.
• A Steam Game Server Login Token (GSLT), so your server is listed properly.
• Port 27015 forwarded if you host at home.

In Gmod, memory follows addons more than players:

How do I install SRCDS for Garry's Mod?

1. Install SteamCMD.
2. Download the server:

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\gmodserver +login anonymous +app_update 4020 validate +quit

3. Create start.bat in C:\gmodserver:

srcds.exe -console -game garrysmod +gamemode sandbox +map gm_construct +maxplayers 16 +host_workshop_collection 123456789 +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_GSLT

On Linux, use ./srcds_run with the same options.

4. Run it. The first start creates the garrysmod folder structure.

Facepunch's dedicated server page has the full reference. Run the SteamCMD line again after every Gmod update.

How do I get a GSLT for Garry's Mod?

Facepunch calls the token mandatory and says servers without one are penalized in the server list ranking.

1. Go to Steam's game server account page at steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers.
2. Enter App ID 4000 (Garry's Mod itself, not the server's 4020).
3. Add a memo such as your server name and create the token.
4. Pass it with +sv_setsteamaccount on the launch line.

One token per server. If a token is shared or banned, the server stops being listed.

How do gamemodes work?

A Gmod server runs one gamemode at a time, set by +gamemode on the launch line. Change the map to one built for that gamemode too.

Gamemodes you download go in garrysmod/gamemodes/ or come from your Workshop collection. DarkRP servers are configured through plain Lua files, with jobs, shipments and door prices in the DarkRP modification addon.

How do I set up server.cfg?

Create garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg. It runs every time a map loads:

hostname "Late Night TTT | Friends"
sv_password "changeme"
rcon_password "a-long-rcon-password"
sv_loadingurl ""
sv_allowupload 0
sv_allowdownload 1
net_maxfilesize 64

TTT servers usually add their round settings here too:

ttt_roundtime_minutes 10
ttt_preptime_seconds 30
ttt_traitor_pct 0.25
ttt_karma 1

Leave sv_password empty for a public server. Keep rcon_password long, since RCON gives full control of the server.

How do I add a Workshop collection?

1. On Steam, open Garry's Mod's Workshop and create a Collection. Set it to public or unlisted (private collections do not work).
2. Add the addons, maps and gamemodes you want.
3. Copy the number at the end of the collection's URL.
4. Add +host_workshop_collection <number> to the launch line and restart.

The server downloads and mounts everything in the collection on start. Maps and gamemodes from the collection are marked for players to download automatically. For other addons such as models and materials, make players download them with resource.AddWorkshop in a server Lua file, for example garrysmod/lua/autorun/server/workshop.lua:

resource.AddWorkshop("123456789")

New in version 2026.09.22, you can also list addons in cfg/srcds_workshop_ids.txt instead of, or as well as, a collection, according to Facepunch's Workshop for dedicated servers page. Big collections make first joins slow, so trim addons nobody uses and share the collection link so players can subscribe ahead of time. Our Workshop addons for a Garry's Mod server guide covers this in depth.

Why do players see missing textures and ERROR models?

Purple and black checkers and red ERROR signs mean missing content, most often Counter-Strike: Source textures that many maps and addons use. Two fixes:

• Tell players to install CS:S (or its content) on their PC.
• On the server, install the CS:S dedicated server files and point to them in garrysmod/cfg/mount.cfg so the server mounts the same content.

Addons that are missing from your Workshop collection cause the same symptom, so check the collection first.

What ports does a Garry's Mod server use?

Use -port to run a second server on another port. The router side is in how to port forward a game server.

How do I make myself admin?

Gmod's admin tools are addons. The classic choice is ULX with ULib. Add both to your collection or addons folder, restart, join the server, then run this in the server console:

ulx adduser YourName superadmin

After that you can manage ranks, kicks, bans and teleports in game with the ULX menu (!menu in chat).

FAQ

How many players can a Garry's Mod server hold?

Up to 128 with +maxplayers. Bigger caps need more RAM and CPU, especially with heavy addon packs.

Do I need a GSLT for a Garry's Mod server?

Yes. Facepunch calls it mandatory, and servers without one rank lower in the server list. Create it for App ID 4000.

Why is my Workshop collection not downloading?

The collection must be public or unlisted, and the ID on the launch line must be the collection's own number from its URL.

Can I change the gamemode later?

Yes. Change +gamemode, switch to a map built for it, and restart. Your addons and files stay in place.

Do players need Counter-Strike: Source?

Not to join, but many maps and addons use its textures. Without them, players see missing textures and ERROR models.

The easy option: host it with GamezServers

Our Garry's Mod server hosting is ready minutes after you pay, and we create the Steam server token for you, so there is nothing to make or paste. The panel sets the gamemode, starting map, max players (32 by default, up to 128), tickrate, Lua refresh and your Workshop collection ID. server.cfg, DarkRP config and your own Lua addons are in the file manager or over SFTP.

New customers get 50% off the first month, DDoS protection is on every plan, and a community can split the bill so each member pays their own share.