How to Change the Map Rotation on Your Team Fortress 2 Server

Your Team Fortress 2 server cycles through a list of maps automatically as rounds end. This list is called the map rotation. By default your server may come with a basic rotation already set up, but you can change it at any time to include the maps your community actually wants to play.

This guide walks you through finding and editing the map rotation from the RiverHosting panel, with no manual command-line work required.

Before you start

• Make sure you have an active Team Fortress 2 server with RiverHosting. You can log in to the panel at panel.riverhosting.com.
• You will need to know the internal map names used by Team Fortress 2. These follow the format cp_badlands, ctf_2fort, koth_nucleus, and so on. The prefix usually tells you the game mode (for example cp for Control Point, ctf for Capture the Flag, koth for King of the Hill).
• If you want to include custom or workshop maps in your rotation, those map files must already be uploaded to your server before adding them to the list.

1. Open the Maps page in the panel

The RiverHosting panel has a dedicated Maps page for Team Fortress 2 servers, making it easy to view and update your rotation without editing files by hand.

1. Go to panel.riverhosting.com and log in to your account.
2. Select your Team Fortress 2 server from the server list.
3. In the left-hand menu, click Maps.
4. You will see your current map rotation listed here. Each line represents one map in the cycle.

2. Edit your map rotation

Once you are on the Maps page, you can add, remove, or reorder maps in your rotation.

1. On the Maps page, you will see the current list of maps in your rotation.
2. To add a map, type its internal name into the add field and confirm. For example: koth_harvest_final.
3. To remove a map, click the remove or delete button next to the map name you want to take out.
4. To reorder maps, drag them into the order you want, or use the ordering controls shown on the page.
5. When you are happy with the rotation, save your changes using the save button on the page.

3. Restart your server to apply the new rotation

After saving your map rotation, your server needs to restart so the changes take effect properly.

1. In the left-hand menu, click the restart button or navigate to the Console and use the restart option at the top of the page.
2. Wait for your server to come back online. This usually only takes a minute or two.
3. Join your server and confirm the map cycle is working as expected when a round ends.

Troubleshooting

• A map in the rotation is being skipped: The map name may be misspelled or the map file may be missing from your server. Check the spelling on the Maps page and confirm the file exists in the File Manager if it is a custom map.
• The old rotation is still running after saving: Make sure you saved your changes on the Maps page before restarting. If the issue continues, try a full server restart from the Console.
• Custom maps are not loading: Custom map files must be uploaded to the correct maps folder on your server before they can be included in the rotation. Use the File Manager to upload them first, then add the map name to your rotation.
• The Maps page is not visible in the menu: Double-check that you are logged in to the correct server. The Maps page is specific to Team Fortress 2 servers on RiverHosting.
• Players see an error when the map changes: This can happen if a map requires content that is not installed. Make sure all required files are present on the server.

Need help?

If you run into any issues setting up your map rotation or have questions about your Team Fortress 2 server, the RiverHosting support team is happy to help.