How to connect to your Left 4 Dead 2 server

Left 4 Dead 2 is built around lobbies, which is why joining a dedicated server confuses people. There are two ways in, and the second is the one you want for a group.

1. Find your server address

1. Log in to the Client Area at https://playnhost.com/billing and open your Left 4 Dead 2 service.
2. Note the IP / Hostname and Port. Source servers normally use 27015, and your service may use another port.

2. Turn on the developer console

1. Open Options, then Keyboard/Mouse, and enable the developer console.
2. Press ~ to open it.

3. Join on your own

1. Type connect 123.45.67.89:27015 with your own address and press Enter.
2. The game connects straight to the server, skipping matchmaking.

4. Send a whole lobby to your server

Everyone connecting one at a time ends up in different sessions. A search key keeps a lobby together.

1. Set a search key on the server. Add sv_search_key ourgroup to left4dead2/cfg/server.cfg and restart.
2. Each player types sv_search_key ourgroup in their own console before starting a lobby.
3. Make a lobby, invite your friends, and start the campaign. Matchmaking sends the lobby to a server with the matching key.
4. Players should clear it with sv_search_key "" afterwards, or public matchmaking will not find them a game.

5. What to give your players

• The connect IP:Port line for a quick solo join.
• The sv_search_key line for group nights.
• The password, if you set one.

Open a ticket from Support in the Client Area with the console output if the lobby keeps landing on an official server instead.