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Team Fortress 2: RCON

Discover how to remotely manage and control your Team Fortress 2 game server for flexible administration and monitoring → Learn more now

10 November 20262 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

RCON (Remote Console) is a network protocol that allows you to control game servers remotely. It provides access to the server console without needing to interact directly with the server environment. This way, you can execute administrative commands, adjust configuration parameters, or retrieve server status information.

In Team Fortress 2, RCON is used to execute server-side commands such as managing players, changing gameplay settings, or retrieving diagnostic output. The connection is password-protected and runs through a designated port accessible via compatible RCON clients.

A major advantage of RCON is that you manage the server without needing to be connected as a player in the game. Server admins can conveniently monitor and control Team Fortress 2 via external tools, command lines, or web dashboards—perfect for flexible and convenient remote operation.

RCON Commands

Once connected via RCON, you can execute various administrative and diagnostic commands on your Team Fortress 2 game server. Available commands depend on the game engine but typically include actions for player management, status queries, and server control.

CommandDescription
rcon_password <password>Authenticates RCON access
statusDisplays server and player information
changelevel <mapname>Switches to the specified map
mp_timelimit <min>Sets the time limit per map
mp_roundtime <min>Sets the round time
sv_cheats 0/1Enables/disables cheat commands (admin only)
kick <playername>Kicks a player from the server
banid <duration> <SteamID>Bans a player for a specified duration
exec <file.cfg>Executes a configuration file
say <message>Sends a message to all players

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Add the line rcon_password "your-password-here" in the server.cfg file (Configuration tab, raw text view).
Use the command-line tool rcon-cli (available on GitHub at gorcon/rcon-cli), connecting with the server IP, RCON port, and RCON password using: rcon-cli -a <IP>:<PORT> -p <PASSWORD> command.
In the Port Overview at the bottom of the server details on your game server’s overview page.

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