How to install SourceMod and plugins on a TF2 server

Getting SourceMod running on a TF2 server takes an afternoon of zips, folders and plugins that fail without a word, because TF2 can't load plugins by itself and never tells you when one fails. RCON Hub fixes it: its TF2 Manager pack has a plugin manager that installs Metamod:Source, SourceMod and your plugins in a few clicks, then checks after every start that each one loaded.

Why SourceMod is a pain on TF2

TF2 doesn't load plugins by itself. Metamod:Source loads into the game, SourceMod runs on Metamod, and every plugin runs on SourceMod. Miss one layer and nothing loads.

Popular plugins also lean on other plugins and extensions. Install them in the wrong order, or skip one, and the plugin just sits there.

So the manual way looks like this:

• Download Metamod:Source and SourceMod from AlliedModders and pick the right builds.
• Unzip both into the tf folder and hope the layout is right.
• Drop each plugin into addons/sourcemod/plugins, plus whatever it depends on.
• Dig through SourceMod's error log to find out why something didn't load.

And there's no undo when a new plugin breaks the server.

What the game and other tools leave out

• Three layers, all by hand. TF2 can't load plugins itself, and a plain RCON tool can't install anything. TF2 Manager installs Metamod:Source and SourceMod from AlliedModders' builds, and holds back a build known not to fit your TF2 version.
• Missing dependencies. Popular plugins need other plugins and extensions, and nothing checks they're there. TF2 Manager installs each plugin's dependencies first.
• Silent load failures. A broken plugin just sits there, and the reason hides in SourceMod's error log. TF2 Manager runs a load check after every start (meta list, sm plugins list and the error log) and tells you what didn't load and why.
• No undo. TF2 Manager backs up the addons folder before every change, so you can roll back. If an update breaks something, Start without plugins runs vanilla TF2 until it's fixed.
• League configs that need plugins. A league config calls cvars from plugins, and TF2 only answers Unknown command. When you load a match, TF2 Manager says which plugins the config expects.

How RCON Hub fixes it

TF2 Manager handles it all from its Plugins page. Pick from a curated catalogue, like StAC, TF2 Competitive Fixes, logs.tf, MGE, Dodgeball and SourceBans++, or paste any GitHub link. You can turn plugins on and off and edit their config files on the same page.

Step-by-step setup

1. Install RCON Hub. Download it from rconhub.gg and run the installer. It's free for Windows 10 and 11.
2. Add the TF2 game pack. Open RCON Hub. On Your games, click Add game, pick Team Fortress 2 and click Install.
3. Set up your server. Open the TF2 card. Click Install it for me to download the dedicated server with SteamCMD (about 15 GB). Already have one? Paste the folder that holds srcds.exe and click Use it.
4. Stop the server. Windows locks loaded plugin files, so installs wait until the server is stopped.
5. Install SourceMod. Open the Plugins page. Under Plugin frameworks, click Install next to SourceMod. Installing SourceMod installs Metamod too.
6. Add your plugins. Under Add a plugin, use Find a plugin to search the catalogue, or paste a GitHub link. Click Install.
7. Start and check. On the Server page, click Start server. Back on Plugins, the load check shows Everything loaded, or names each plugin that didn't load and why.
8. Tweak and roll back. Use Edit plugin config files to change a plugin's settings. A plugin broke things? Pick a backup under Backups of the addons folder and click Roll back.

Renting your server? Add it on the Servers page with file access. The Plugins page then works on it too. Stop the server first.

Is it safe?

Yes.

• It runs locally. RCON Hub and TF2 Manager run on your own Windows PC. TF2 Manager never opens the RCON port in your firewall or on your router.
• No injection. RCON Hub never touches the game client or your players' games. There's nothing for VAC to flag, so it won't get anyone banned.
• Your login token stays safe. Item changers (unusuals, Australiums, war paints, killstreaks) are refused, because they get your login token banned.
• Your secrets stay put. The Game Server Login Token is stored encrypted, and the RCON password never goes on the command line.

It's beta software. Back up your server's settings and data before you change things.

Spend your time playing, not unzipping

SourceMod should take minutes, not an afternoon. Download RCON Hub, add the TF2 pack, and get your plugins loading.

Download RCON Hub 0.3.13 More guides