---
title: "How To Make Your Left 4 Dead 2 Server Private"
description: "Information on how to make your Left 4 Dead 2 Server Private"
url: https://help.chiphead.tech/en/articles/272-how-to-make-your-left-4-dead-2-server-private
collection: "Left 4 Dead 2"
updated: 2026-06-12
language: en
---

# How To Make Your Left 4 Dead 2 Server Private

Information on how to make your Left 4 Dead 2 Server Private

## Summary

Making your Left 4 Dead 2 server private is a great way to keep out uninvited players and ensure only trusted friends or community members can join. The simplest method is to restrict access to a specific Steam Group.

## Using the Control Panel

You can easily limit access to members of a Steam Group by editing your server’s configuration file.

1.  Log in to the ChipHead Control Panel.
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/gattachments/n5fFJucIUfEOCggmzDg7gNs9EzDwgL2b3TRae2ZE9ZKXFyd0mkijdvFnPqB9FsN6020jxGIX3lT.png)
    
2.  Stop your server.
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/attachments/20260612211756_0245.webp)
    
3.  Go to the Files tab & navigate to: **“server.cfg”**
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/attachments/20260612211829_2822.webp)
    
4.  Find or add the following line:
    
    ```javascript
    sv_steamgroup <YourGroupID>
    ```
    
    Replace **<YourGroupID>** with the numerical ID of your Steam Group.
    
5.  Below that, set the following line:
    
    ```javascript
    sv_steamgroup_exclusive 1
    ```
    
    This makes the server accessible only to members of the specified group.
    
6.  Click **“Save Content”.**
    
7.  Start your server.
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/attachments/20260612211846_0781.png)
    

> **Success:** Your server is now private and restricted to your chosen Steam Group perfect for hosting controlled, community-only Left 4 Dead 2 sessions.