How to Connect to a CS:GO Server by IP

Overview

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is still a busy multiplayer shooter, and servers are where most of the action happens. Official matchmaking is available, but community servers are useful for private matches, custom settings, practice sessions, or hosting a group without waiting on public queues.

If you have the server IP and port, CS:GO can connect directly. Before players can join a dedicated server, you may also need to add a Steam game server login token so Steam recognizes the server correctly.

Create a Steam Game Server Token

1. Open the Steam Game Servers page and sign in to your Steam account.
2. Under Create a new game server account, enter `730` as the App ID. That is the CS:GO app ID.
3. Add a memo so you can identify the token later.

1. Select Create, then copy the generated login token.
2. Open your HolyHosting server panel and sign in.
3. Find the server customization settings, then paste the token into the Steam Account Token field.
4. Restart the CS:GO server so the token is applied and players can connect.

Find the Server IP and Port

1. Open your HolyHosting server panel.
2. Locate the IP Address:Port section on the server page.

1. Copy the full address, including the port after the colon. You will need it exactly as shown. Close enough is great for horseshoes, not server addresses.

Join from the CS:GO Console

1. Launch Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
2. Open Settings, then go to the game settings menu.
3. Find Enable Developer Console and set it to Yes.

1. Return to the main menu and press the `~` key to open the console.
2. Type `connect IP:Port`, replacing `IP:Port` with your server address.

Example:

`connect 51.81.48.164:25612`

After running the command, CS:GO should connect to the server.

Join Through Steam Favorites

1. Open Steam.
2. Go to View > Servers.
3. Choose the Favorites tab, then select Add a Server.
4. Enter the server IP and port, then choose Add this address to favorites.

1. Start CS:GO and press Play.
2. Change the dropdown to Community Server Browser.
3. Open the Favorites tab, select your server, and connect.

Common Connection Problems

The server does not appear in the in-game list: Make sure it was added through Steam favorites. Also confirm the browser is set to Community Server Browser, since other filters can hide community servers.

Steam shows the server as blank or offline: Recheck the IP and port. The address in Steam must match the IP Address:Port entry from the panel exactly. Also confirm the server is started.

CS:GO gets stuck while connecting: This usually points to an incorrect address or an offline server. Verify the server status, copy the IP again from the panel, and retry. If CS:GO will not close normally, use `Alt+F4` and relaunch the game.