---
title: "Changing The Difficulty on Your Left 4 Dead 2 Server"
description: "Information on how to change the difficulty on your Left 4 Dead 2 Server"
url: https://help.chiphead.tech/en/articles/268-changing-the-difficulty-on-your-left-4-dead-2-server
collection: "Left 4 Dead 2"
updated: 2026-06-12
language: en
---

# Changing The Difficulty on Your Left 4 Dead 2 Server

Information on how to change the difficulty  on your Left 4 Dead 2 Server

## Summary

Adjusting your server’s difficulty level is a great way to tailor the Left 4 Dead 2 experience making it more accessible for new players or adding a challenge for veterans seeking tougher gameplay.

## Using the In-Game Voting System

Players connected to the server can initiate a vote at any time to change the game’s difficulty.

1.  Join your server and press **ESC** to open the main menu.
    
2.  Select **Call a Vote**.
    
3.  Choose **Change Difficulty**.
    
4.  Pick one of the available options: **Easy**, **Normal**, **Advanced**, or **Expert**.
    
5.  All connected players can now vote **Yes** or **No** on the change.
    

## Changing Difficulty via Admin Commands

Admins can also directly change the server’s difficulty without requiring a player vote.

1.  Make sure you are logged in as an **admin**.
    
2.  Open the **console** using the **\`** (tilde) key.
    
3.  Enter the command:
    
    ```javascript
    sm_cvar z_difficulty <difficulty>
    ```
    
4.  Replace `<difficulty>` with one of the following values: `Easy`, `Normal`, `Advanced`, or `Expert`.
    

That’s it your server difficulty will update instantly, allowing you to fine-tune the challenge to match your group’s playstyle.