How to Install SourceMod on a Team Fortress 2 Server

To install SourceMod on a Team Fortress 2 server, download the Linux (or Windows) packages of Metamod:Source and SourceMod, extract both, and upload their addons folders into the server's tf/ folder so you end up with tf/addons/metamod/ and tf/addons/sourcemod/. Restart, then check with meta list and sm version in the console. Add yourself as admin in tf/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini or admins.cfg, and put plugins (.smx) in addons/sourcemod/plugins/.

What you are working with

Get both packages from their own sites: metamodsource.net and sourcemod.net. Use the stable branch, and match the operating system of the server, not your PC. A Linux server needs the Linux packages even if you upload from Windows.

What goes where

The gotcha: the addons folder lands one level off

Almost every "SourceMod not loading" problem is the folder being in the wrong place. Both downloads unpack into addons/ and cfg/ folders that belong inside tf/. Common mistakes:

• Uploading to the server root, giving addons/ next to srcds_run instead of tf/addons/.
• Uploading the folder into itself, giving tf/addons/addons/sourcemod/.
• Unzipping into a folder named after the archive, like tf/mmsource-1.12/addons/.

The test is simple: tf/addons/metamod.vdf must exist at exactly that path. If meta list returns "Unknown command", Metamod is not loading, and SourceMod never will.

The second trap is bitness. TF2 gained 64 bit server binaries in 2024, and a 64 bit server needs the x64 builds of Metamod, SourceMod and every extension. Our servers start TF2 with srcds_run, the 32 bit server most community plugins are built for, so the standard packages work.

Step 1: Stop the server and back up

Stop the server and back up tf/cfg and tf/addons if they already exist. On GamezServers, press Backup.

Step 2: Upload Metamod:Source

Extract the Metamod package on your PC. Upload its addons folder into tf/ so that tf/addons/metamod/ and tf/addons/metamod.vdf exist. Start the server and type:

meta version
meta list

You should see Metamod's version and an empty plugin list.

Step 3: Upload SourceMod

Stop the server. Extract the SourceMod package and upload both its addons and cfg folders into tf/, merging with what is there. Start the server and check:

sm version
sm plugins list
meta list

meta list now shows SourceMod, and sm plugins list shows the bundled plugins, like basecommands.smx and adminmenu.smx.

Step 4: Make yourself admin

Find your Steam ID with status in the console while connected, or any Steam ID lookup site. The SourceMod admin docs show the STEAM_0:1:12345 format. Then choose one file.

Simple: tf/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini, one line per admin:

"STEAM_0:1:12345678" "99:z"

99 is the immunity level and z means all permissions. For a moderator, use flags like "bcdeg" (generic admin, kick, ban, unban, change map) instead.

Detailed: tf/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins.cfg:

Admins
{
	"YourName"
	{
		"auth"		"steam"
		"identity"	"STEAM_0:1:12345678"
		"flags"		"z"
		"immunity"	"99"
	}
}

Save, then run sm_reloadadmins in the console or rejoin. In game, !admin in chat or sm_admin in the console opens the admin menu.

Step 5: Add plugins

1. Download the plugin's .smx file from its AlliedModders thread or GitHub page.
2. Upload it to tf/addons/sourcemod/plugins/.
3. Upload any extension, gamedata or translation files it lists to the matching folders.
4. Load it with sm plugins load <name> or change map. Check sm plugins list for errors.

To turn a plugin off, move it into plugins/disabled/.

After a TF2 update

Valve updates can change offsets that SourceMod and plugins rely on. If plugins start failing after a patch, update SourceMod and Metamod to the newest stable builds first, then update the plugins that still error. Keeping a backup from before the update makes rolling back quick.

Common problems

• meta is an unknown command: tf/addons/metamod.vdf is missing or in the wrong place, or you uploaded Windows packages to a Linux server.
• Metamod loads but no SourceMod: the sourcemod folder is not at tf/addons/sourcemod/.
• Admin commands do nothing: wrong Steam ID, a typo in the quotes, or you did not run sm_reloadadmins.
• Plugin listed as "Error": a missing extension, gamedata or dependency plugin. Read the error with sm plugins list and the logs in tf/addons/sourcemod/logs/.
• You uploaded a .sp file: it is source code. Download the compiled .smx, or compile it with SourceMod's compiler.
• server.cfg changes not applied: it runs on map change. Use exec server.cfg or change map.

SourceMod on GamezServers

On a Team Fortress 2 server from GamezServers, upload Metamod and SourceMod through the Files tab or SFTP (the login is in Settings), and the file manager handles zips and extracting on the server, or you can extract the packages on your PC and upload the folders. The Steam login token is made for you, so the server lists publicly from its first start, and Backup covers you before every update. Next, see how to add custom maps to a Team Fortress 2 server.

FAQ

Where do I put SourceMod on a TF2 server?

Inside the tf folder, so you have tf/addons/metamod/, tf/addons/metamod.vdf and tf/addons/sourcemod/.

Do I need Metamod for SourceMod?

Yes. SourceMod is a Metamod:Source plugin, so install Metamod first.

How do I add an admin in SourceMod?

Add your Steam ID to addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini, for example "STEAM_0:1:12345678" "99:z", then run sm_reloadadmins.

Why is SourceMod not loading on my TF2 server?

Usually the addons folder is in the wrong place or metamod.vdf is missing. Check that meta list works first.