How To Change Your Team Fortress 2 Server Map

Whether your community wants to push the cart on Upward or spend three hours locked in a stalemate on 2Fort, changing the map on your Team Fortress 2 server is a breeze. You can switch the map instantly while players are connected, or set a new default map that loads every single time your server boots up.

Method 1: Changing the Map Live via Console

If your server is already running and your players are ready for a change of scenery, you can use the live console. This is the fastest way to switch the map without needing to restart the server.

1. Log into your MintServers panel and navigate to the Console tab on the left-hand sidebar.
2. At the bottom of the console window, locate the text input box.
3. Type the changelevel command followed by a single space and the exact map name. For example, to switch to Badwater Basin, type the following:

changelevel pl_badwater

4. Press Enter. The server will immediately load the new map and pull all connected players into the new match.

Method 2: Setting the Default Starting Map

If you want your server to always boot up on a specific map after a restart or crash, you need to change your startup settings instead of using the console.

1. Log into your panel and click Stop to safely shut down the server.
2. On the left-hand sidebar, click on the Game Settings tab.
3. Scroll down until you locate the Default Map text box.
4. Replace the current map name with your desired map (for example, cp_dustbowl).
5. The panel will automatically save your changes as soon as you click outside the text box.
6. Return to the Console tab and click Start. Your server will now always boot up on this map!

Common Team Fortress 2 Maps and Prefixes

Team Fortress 2 uses specific prefixes to categorize its game modes. When typing a map name into the console or startup tab, you must include this prefix. Here are a few of the most popular official maps to get you started:

• Payload (pl_): pl_upward, pl_badwater, pl_swiftwater, pl_goldrush
• Control Point (cp_): cp_dustbowl, cp_process_final, cp_gorge, cp_mercenarypark
• Capture the Flag (ctf_): ctf_2fort, ctf_turbine, ctf_doublecross
• King of the Hill (koth_): koth_harvest_final, koth_viaduct, koth_suijin, koth_highpass
• Attack/Defend (cp_): cp_mountainlab, cp_steel, cp_degrootkeep (Medieval Mode)