How to Host a Server?

[D.A.R.K.]

I'm trying to host a local server to play with a friend, but he can't finds it in the browse. He can't join by steam neither even if I send him invitation to play. How does he join in my local server?

[DeadlyDan]

What might work is if you know what your IP Address is. You get your friend to enable Developers Console in the games settings. Then you tell your friend your IP Address.
1) You start a listen server multiplayer game on your end.
2) He hits ~ in game to open developer console
3) Then he types " Connect [IP address]:[port number] "
<don't include the "" or [] characters.>

I think it is something like that. I'm just trying to find my notes I typed up from ages ago.

I had the same problem as you, but the above instructions worked for me.
If not, then you probably both also have to open port TCP/UDP 27015 on your firewalls and routers.


Here is a really old quote;

Originally Posted by Lady Racquel

Firewall/Router Settings
If you can't see your server in the list or your friends are not able to connect to your server then this could have many causes. One of them is that you're behind a firewall or a router.
If your server is behind a firewall and/or you are using a router, you need to open/forward these ports:

UDP 1200 (Friends Network)
UDP 27000 to 27015 (Gameport)
UDP 27020
TCP 27030 to 27039
TCP: 27015 (SRCDS Rcon port)

and here is another persons solution;

Unnoticing Senpai [has Contagion] 25 Oct, 2013 @ 10:22pm
Okay this is what I found fixes server hosting for me in all source games.
First start a map.

First you have to port forward, I believe to 27015.

Then, in command prompt, set SV_LAN to 0.
Then, type "map [mapname]"
Then, type "heartbeat"
Nobody ever tells me to type Heartbeat on any tutorial for some reason but that fixes all my problems.

Let us know which solution works for you.
Cheers.