The all-in-one guide for everything related to Left 4 Dead 2 cheats and console commands on PC and Mac. These L4D2 cheats are up-to-date for the latest version of the game on Steam, working for both single player and multiplayer.
Go to Options > Keyboard/Mouse > Allow Developer Console > Enabled .
Open the console by pressing the ` or ~ key on your keyboard.
Type in a command and hit ENTER to run it.
Below you can find a searchable list of all 117 cheats and console commands from Left 4 Dead 2 on PC / Mac, along with a list of the best L4D2 cheats that we've compiled.
You can also find quick, easy-to-use generators for the most popular commands below including commands to spawn items, change map and to spawn zombies.
Some commands require sv_cheats to be set to 1 in order to work - these are indicated with the sv_cheats tag in their description in the full command list. Commands that have a default value are also indicated with a badge.
| Cheat | Description |
|---|---|
| changelevel | Changes the level to the specified map. |
| god | Enable or disable god mode (makes you and your team invincible). |
| noclip | Toggles noclip (fly and walk through walls). |
| upgrade_add | Adds the specified upgrade to your character. |
| sv_infinite_ammo | Enables and disable infinite ammo. |
| give | Gives you the specified weapon or item. |
| impulse | Perform the specified impulse (click Impulse Number to view all options). |
| cl_viewmodelfovsurvivor | Changes your FOV (default is 51). |
| buddha | Enables or disables buddha mode (you appear to take damage but can't die). |
| z_spawn | Spawn the specified zombie. |
| burn | Sets you on fire. |
| z_health | Sets the maximum health a zombie can have. |
| z_speed | Sets the maximum speed of zombies. |
| crosshair | Enables or disables your crosshair. |
| kill | Kills your character. |
| explode | Explodes your character. |
| give health | Restores your health. |
| give ammo | Reloads your ammo to full. |
| director_no_mobs | Enables or disables mob rushes. |
| director_panic_forever | Enable or disable never ending panic. |
| thirdperson | Switch to third person camera. |
| firstperson | Switch to first person camera. |
In L4D2, you can change the map using the map cheat. This command takes one parameter, the map code of the map you wish to load. Simply select a map code from the "Map ID" dropdown below to generate a map command for your desired map. After doing so, all you need to do is paste it into a L4D2 console to switch map!
In L4D2, you can spawn items and weapons with the give command. This cheat takes one parameter, the item ID of the item or weapon you wish to add to your inventory. Select an item ID from the dropdown below to generate a give command. Once you've generated a command, copy and paste it into the L4D2 console to give it to yourself!
You can spawn zombies with the z_spawn cheat in L4D2. Simply select the type of zombie you wish to spawn from the dropdown below (e.g. Tank) and a working z_spawn command will be generated below. Just copy and paste this into the Left 4 Dead 2 console to spawn it in-game!
| Command | Description | Syntax |
|---|---|---|
| god | This cheat enables (if set to 1) and disables god mode for your entire team. In god mode, you and your team are invincible and will not take any damage. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | god < 0 / 1 > |
| noclip | This cheat enables and disables (toggles) no clip mode. In noclip mode, you do not collide with walls, objects, etc, allowing you to fly through/to any part of the map. | noclip |
| upgrade_add | This cheat will add the specified upgrade to your character. See command page for all upgrades that you can add with this command. | upgrade_add < Upgrade ID > |
| sv_infinite_ammo | This command enables (if set to 1) and disables infinite ammo for your weapon. Obviously, with unlimited ammo, you will never run out of ammo for any of your weapons. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | sv_infinite_ammo < 0 / 1 > |
| sv_infinite_primary_ammo | This command, if set to 1, will enable infinite ammo for your primary weapon (not your secondary weapon). By default, this command is set to 0 (disabled). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | sv_infinite_primary_ammo < 0 / 1 > |
| give | This command will give you the specified weapon or item (or health/ammo). See command page for a list of weapons, items, and other things that you can give with this command. | give < Item ID > |
| impulse | This console command has a number of functions, dependent on the number you provide as an argument. Functions include refilling ammo, health, and removing entities. See argument information for a list of possible numbers and functions. | impulse < Number > |
| z_spawn | This command will spawn the NPC with the specified ID. See command page for NPC IDs. | z_spawn < NPC ID > |
| map | This command will load the specified map (from the start menu). See command page for a list of all maps. | map < Map ID > |
| changelevel | This command will switch the current map you are playing on to the specified map. To load a map from the start menu, use the map command. Find a list of all map IDs at commands.gg/l4d2/map. | changelevel < Map ID > |
| buddha | This command enables "Buddha" mode, if set to 1. In Buddha mode, you will still appear to take damage, but will not die when you health reaches 0. This command is similar to god, but with the god command, you don't react to/take damage. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | buddha < 0 / 1 > |
| burn | This command ignites your character (setting you on fire), but you do not take damage. You can set fire to other flammable objects/entities by colliding with them (e.g. jumping on them). | burn |
| hidehud | This command can be used to hide the entire HUD (set to 4), or hide specific parts of the HUD (e.g. set to 256 to hide crosshair). See argument information for all parts of the HUD that you can hide. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | hidehud < Setting # > |
| sb_friendlyfire | This command, if set to 1, will allow bots to deal friendly fire damage. By default, this is set to 0 (bots can't do friendly fire damage). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | sb_friendlyfire < 0 / 1 > |
| sb_takecontrol | This command will make you take control of the character under your crosshair (or the closest survivor to your crosshair, if your crosshair is not over a survivor). If you specify the name of a character as an argument, you will take control of the survivor with that name, rather than the closest survivor to your crosshair. | sb_takecontrol < Character Name > |
| z_pounce_damage | This cheat sets the amount of damage a zombie does to your health when they pounce on you. By default, this is set to 5. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 5 | z_pounce_damage < Amount > |
| sv_noclipspeed | This cheat sets the speed you fly/move at when in noclip mode. By default, this is set to 5. Default Value: 5 | sv_noclipspeed < Speed > |
| sb_open_fire | This command, if set to 1, will make all bots fire continuously (until they run out of ammo). By default, this is disabled (set to 0). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | sb_open_fire < 0 / 1 > |
| z_health | This command sets the maximum amount of health a zombie can have. Default is 50. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 50 | z_health < Amount > |
| z_speed | This command sets the maximum speed zombies can accelerate to when moving. By default, this is set to 250. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 250 | z_speed < Speed > |
| tongue_range | This cheat sets the maximum range of the tongue attack of the Smoker. This is set to 750 by default - higher values mean it has more range, lower values mean it has less. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 750 | tongue_range < Distance > |
| bot_mimic | This command, if enabled (set to 1), will make all bots mimic you actions. For example, if you move forward, all bots will also move forward. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | bot_mimic < 0 / 1 > |
| nb_stop | This command, if set to 1 (which enables it), will freeze all bots in the game. Setting this command back to 0 will unfreeze the bots. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | nb_stop < 0 / 1 > |
| host_timescale | This command changes the "timescale" of the game - i.e. what speed the game processes/runs at. Setting this command to 2 would make the game run two times as fast (as-if it were in fast forward), whereas setting this command to 0.5 would make the game run in slow motion (half as fast). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 1 | host_timescale < Timescale > |
| director_force_panic_event | This command will force start a panic event. | director_force_panic_event |
| director_panic_forever | This cheat, if set to 1, will turn on never-ending panic, causing all characters to panic until this command is set back to 0. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | director_panic_forever < 0 / 1 > |
| ent_create | This command will spawn the specified entity at the location your crosshair is over. | ent_create < Entity ID > |
| ent_setname | This command sets the name of the entity under your crosshair. | ent_setname < Entity Name > |
| ent_remove | This command will delete (remove) the entity under your crosshair, or if you specify an entity/class name, the entity that matches will be deleted. | ent_remove < Entity / Class Name > |
| ent_remove_all | This command deletes all existing entities of the given type. | ent_remove_all < Entity / Class Name > |
| z_common_limit | This command sets the maximum amount of normal zombies that can be present in the world at any given time. This is set to 30 by default. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 30 | z_common_limit < Amount > |
| z_frustration_lifetime | This command sets the amount of time, in seconds, it takes for the frustration meter of The Tank to reach full (frustration rises when the survivors are not in sight). After the frustration meter reaches full, the AI will take over control of The Tank, raise the value of this command to prevent this from happening. Default is 20 seconds. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 20 | z_frustration_lifetime < Seconds > |
| sv_infected_ceda_vomitjar_probability | This command sets the chance (as a decimal percentage) a CEDA agent has to be carrying a bile jar. By default, this is set to 0.1 (10%). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0.1 | sv_infected_ceda_vomitjar_probability < Chance > |
| director_stop | This command will stop the spawning of all wanderers, mobs, specials, and bosses. Use directorstart to re-enable. | director_stop |
| director_start | This command will re-enable the spawning of all wanderers, mobs, specials, and bosses after having disabled them with directorstop. | director_start |
| thirdperson | This command will put you in third person mode. | thirdperson |
| crosshair | This command, if set to 0, will disable your your crosshair. By default this command is set to 1 (crosshair enabled). Default Value: 1 | crosshair < 0 / 1 > |
| thirdpersonshoulder | This command switches your camera to "over the shoulder" third person view. | thirdpersonshoulder |
| thirdperson_mayamode | This command toggles mayamode for third person, in maya mode, the camera will stick in its current third person position and will not rotate to stay behind your character. In other words, the camera will stay in a fixed position facing you, but it will not move around you as you look around. | thirdperson_mayamode |
| firstperson | This command will put you in first person mode (if not already in first person mode). | firstperson |
| sv_cheats | This command, when set to 1 (default is 0), allows the use of cheat commands on your current map or server. Default Value: 0 | sv_cheats < 0 / 1 > |
| kill | This cheat will set your health to 0, killing you. | kill |
| explode | This command will kill you by creating an explosion under your character. | explode |
| quit | This command will quit the game. | quit |
| jointeam | This command will make you join the specified team. The team can be specified by its team number, its name, or a character's name. | jointeam < Team # / Team Name / Character > |
| spectate | This command has been reported as not working - it should put you in spectator mode on servers. | spectate |
| kick | This command will kick the player with the specified name from the server. | kick < Name > |
| bind | This command will bind the specified command(s) to the specified key. | bind < Key > < Command(s) > |
| fire | This command will spawn fire on the ground around your character (it will deal damage to you, so be sure to run outside of the fire after using this command). | fire |
| boom | This cheat will spawn a pipe bomb under your character, which will detonate (and deal damage) after a few seconds. | boom |
| sb_all_bot_game | This command, if set to 1, will allow for your game/server to continue on with just bots and no players. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | sb_all_bot_game < 0 / 1 > |
| sb_stop | This command, if set to 1, will stop (and freeze in their current positions) all survivor bots, but not zombie bots. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | sb_stop < 0 / 1 > |
| sb_unstick | This command, if set to 0, will stop bots from teleporting to "unstick" themselves from locations. The default setting for this command is 1, which allow bots to teleport themselves out of locations they get stuck inside. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 1 | sb_unstick < 0 / 1 > |
| vs_max_team_switches | This command sets the maximum amount of team switches that players can make. Default is 1 - set this to a higher number to allow yourself or other players to switch teams more than once. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 1 | vs_max_team_switches < Amount > |
| warp_all_survivors_here | This command teleports all survivors to your current location. | warp_all_survivors_here |
| warp_all_survivors_to_battlefield | This command teleports all survivors to your map's battlefield (if it has one). | warp_all_survivors_to_battlefield |
| warp_all_survivors_to_checkpoint | This command teleports all survivors to the current checkpoint that you are at in your map. | warp_all_survivors_to_checkpoint |
| warp_all_survivors_to_finale | This command teleports all survivors to the map's "finale". | warp_all_survivors_to_finale |
| warp_far_survivor_here | This command teleports the survivor that is furthest away from you to the location your crosshair is over. | warp_far_survivor_here |
| warp_to_start_area | This command teleports you to the start location for your current map. | warp_to_start_area |
| mat_fullbright | This command, if set to 1, will enable "full bright" mode, in which all areas of the map are at the maximum lighting level (as-if it were daytime, even in the darkest areas). Setting this command to 2 removes textures from all objects (and sets brightness to max). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | mat_fullbright < 0 / 1 / 2 > |
| fog_override | This command, if set to 1, will allow you to override your current map's fog settings (with commands like fogenable, etc). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | fog_override < 0 / 1 > |
| fog_enable | Note that you need to set fogoverride to 1 in order for this command to have any effect. This command will enable and disable fog effects on your current map. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 1 | fog_enable < 0 / 1 > |
| connect | This command will connect to the L4D2 server at the specified IP address | connect < IP Address > |
| chooseteam | If it is an option on your current server/map, this command will open up the menu to allow you to choose a team. | chooseteam |
| rescue_distance | This command sets how far your teammates must travel past your body before you can be rescued. Default is 4,500. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 4500 | rescue_distance < Distance > |
| rescue_min_dead_time | This command sets how long, in seconds, you or a teammate must be dead for before you can be rescued by another teammate. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 60 | rescue_min_dead_time < Seconds > |
| hunter_pz_claw_dmg | This command sets how much damage a PZ hunter's melee attack will deal. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 6 | hunter_pz_claw_dmg < Damage > |
| tongue_choke_damage_amount | This command sets how much damage a Smoker's tongue choke attack will deal. Default damage is 10. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 10 | tongue_choke_damage_amount < Damage > |
| z_hit_from_behind_factor | This command sets how much more damage a hit from a zombie from behind will deal to you (i.e. if they hit your back). Default is 0, which means there is no extra damage. 0.5 would add 0.5x the dealt damage to the total (so 50% more damage). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | z_hit_from_behind_factor < Multiplier > |
| inferno_damage | This command sets the amount of damage dealt per second by flames and molotovs. Default is 40. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 40 | inferno_damage < Damage > |
| z_gun_damage | This command sets the amount of damage dealt to doors, boxes, walls, and other breakable objects by melee attacks. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 10 | z_gun_damage < Damage > |
| sv_lan | This command, if set to 1, will make the server you are currently on a LAN server. A LAN server does not require a connection to the internet to run. This setting disables authentication, the heartbeat to Steam servers, and other features that require a connection to the internet. Default Value: 0 | sv_lan < 0 / 1 > |
| sv_allow_lobby_connect_only | This command, if set to 1, will only allow players to connect to your server from the matchmaking lobby, and will not be able to connect directly (e.g. through Steam invite or connect command). If you want a player to be able to connect to your server mid-game, set this command to 0. Default Value: 1 | sv_allow_lobby_connect_only < 0 / 1 > |
| z_witch_burn_time | This command sets the amount of time, in seconds, a witch can burn for before they die from fire damage. Default is 15 seconds. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 15 | z_witch_burn_time < Seconds > |
| z_witch_allow_change_victim | This command, if set to 1, will allow witches to change targets. If set to 0 (default), witches will lock onto the character that they first noticed/became aggressive to, and not switch target. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 1 | z_witch_allow_change_victim < 0 / 1 > |
| z_witch_damage | This command sets the amount of damage a witch attack deals. Default is 100. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 100 | z_witch_damage < Amount > |
| z_witch_anger_rate | This command sets how close you can get to a witch before startling her. Default is 0.2, setting this command to 0 would allow you to get very close without startling, a higher number would make it easier to startle witches. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0.2 | z_witch_anger_rate < Rate > |
| cl_precacheinfo | This command prints to console information about the client's cache. | cl_precacheinfo |
| director_force_versus_start | This command will forcefully start your current versus game (without you leaving the safe room). | director_force_versus_start |
| z_tank_health | This command sets the maximum and default health (what they spawn with) of the Tank zombie. Default is 4,000. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 4000 | z_tank_health < Health > |
| z_tank_rock_debug | This command, if set to 1, enables debug for the rock Tank zombie. This debug information displays when it is thinking about detonating survivors. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | z_tank_rock_debug < 0 / 1 > |
| z_tank_throw_interval | This command sets the minimum cooldown, in seconds, between each throw attack from a Tank (i.e. they have to wait at least this amount of time after using a throw attack before being able to use another one). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 5 | z_tank_throw_interval < Seconds > |
| z_vomit_debug | This command, if set to 1, enables debug information for vomit attacks from a Puker. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | z_vomit_debug < 0 / 1 > |
| z_vomit_interval | This command sets the amount of time, in seconds, a Puker zombie must wait between each vomit attack. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 30 | z_vomit_interval < Seconds > |
| r_flashlightconstant | This command sets the constant for your flashlight - i.e. how fast the light from your flashlight drops off. With this at a higher number, your flashlight will be more effective at further distances. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | r_flashlightconstant < Constant > |
| r_flashlightfov | This command sets the field-of-view (FOV) for your flashlight. The FOV is how wide the light of your flashlight is. With this at a higher number, the light from your flashlight will be more spread out (cover more area). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 53 | r_flashlightfov < FOV > |
| r_flashlightfar | This command sets the maximum distance your flashlight can light up. Default is 750. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 750 | r_flashlightfar < Distance > |
| setinfo | This command sets the specified info value for your client. This can be used to change your name by specifying "name" as the key (and then your desired name as the value). | setinfo < Key > < Value > |
| director_no_survivor_bots | This command, if set to 1, will disable survivor bots, meaning the only players on your team will be yourself (and any other human players). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | director_no_survivor_bots < 0 / 1 > |
| director_no_mobs | This command, if set to 1, will disable mob rushes. By default this is set to 0 (meaning mob rushes are enabled). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | director_no_mobs < 0 / 1 > |
| director_no_bosses | Setting this command to 1 will completely disable the spawning of bosses. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | director_no_bosses < 0 / 1 > |
| director_no_specials | This command, if set to 1, will disable the spawning of PZ zombies. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | director_no_specials < 0 / 1 > |
| director_debug_scavenge_items | This command, if set to 1, will highlight all possible item spawns, and also all spawned items currently on the ground. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | director_debug_scavenge_items < 0 / 1 > |
| director_debug | This command, if set to 1, enables debug information for the game's AI (puts lots of data on your screen). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | director_debug < 0 / 1 > |
| upgrade_explosive_bullet_force | This command sets the explosive force of bullets from weapons (other than the shotgun) with the explosive ammo upgrade. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 2 | upgrade_explosive_bullet_force < Amount > |
| upgrade_explosive_slug_force | This command sets the explosive force for bullets from shotguns that have the explosive ammo upgrade. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 4 | upgrade_explosive_slug_force < Amount > |
| upgrade_show_explosive_ammo_radius | This command, if set to 1, will show the effective range of an explosion when an explosive bullet detonates. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | upgrade_show_explosive_ammo_radius < 0 / 1 > |
| z_forcezombiemodelname | This command sets the model that is used for all zombies, if you have enabled zforcezombiemodel. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | z_forcezombiemodelname < Model Name > |
| z_forcezombiemodel | This command, if set to 1, allows you to force all zombies to have the model set by the zforcezombiemodelname command. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | z_forcezombiemodel < 0 / 1 > |
| z_fallen_max_count | This command sets the maximum amount of Fallen Survivors that can be present at any given time. Once there are this amount of Fallen Survivors, no more will spawn. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 1 | z_fallen_max_count < Amount > |
| z_mob_spawn_min_interval_expert | This command sets the minimum interval, in seconds, between each expert zombie mob spawn. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 90 | z_mob_spawn_min_interval_expert < Seconds > |
| z_mob_spawn_max_interval_expert | This command sets the maximum interval, in seconds, between each expert zombie mob spawn. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 180 | z_mob_spawn_max_interval_expert < Seconds > |
| z_mob_spawn_min_size | This command sets the minimum amount of zombies that will spawn in a mob. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 10 | z_mob_spawn_min_size < Amount > |
| z_mob_spawn_max_size | This command sets the maximum amount of zombies that will spawn in a mob. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 30 | z_mob_spawn_max_size < Amount > |
| z_mega_mob_spawn_min_interval | This command sets the minimum spawn interval, in seconds, between each mega mob spawn. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 420 | z_mega_mob_spawn_min_interval < Seconds > |
| z_mega_mob_spawn_max_interval | This command sets the maximum spawn interval, in seconds, between each mega mob spawn. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 900 | z_mega_mob_spawn_max_interval < Seconds > |
| z_mega_mob_size | This command sets the amount of zombies that spawn in a mega mob spawn. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 50 | z_mega_mob_size < Amount > |
| z_must_wander | This command sets whether zombies always wander, always sit or lie down, or do both (both is default). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | z_must_wander < -1 / 0 / 1 > |
| z_acquire_far_range | This command sets the furthest range at which a zombie can "lock on" or "locate" a survivor - i.e. zombies will walk towards/attack survivors within this range. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 2500 | z_acquire_far_range < Range > |
| z_acquire_far_time | This command sets the amount of time, in seconds, that a survivor must be within a zombie's range before they are noticed by the zombie and the zombie walks towards them/attacks. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 5 | z_acquire_far_time < Seconds > |
| z_acquire_near_range | This command sets the range at which zombies will attack survivors instantly within (i.e. they will instantly lock onto survivors that get this close). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 200 | z_acquire_near_range < Range > |
| z_acquire_near_time | This command sets the amount of time it takes, in seconds, for a zombie to notice a survivor within the range set by zacquirenearrange. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 0 | z_acquire_near_time < Seconds > |
| z_special_spawn_interval | This command sets the amount of time, in seconds, between each "special" or "boss" zombie spawn. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 45 | z_special_spawn_interval < Seconds > |
| z_hunter_limit | This command sets the maximum amount of "The Hunter" zombies that can be present in the game at any given time - i.e. if this is set to 1, no other Hunter zombies will spawn whilst there is one present. sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 1 | z_hunter_limit < Amount > |
| z_minion_limit | This command sets the maximum amount of "special infected" zombies that can be in the game at any given time. Once this amount of special infected zombies present in the game, no more will spawn (until one is killed). sv_cheats 1 Default Value: 3 | z_minion_limit < Amount > |
| cl_viewmodelfovsurvivor | This command changes your FOV to the specified number. Default Value: 51 | cl_viewmodelfovsurvivor < FOV > |
Left 4 Dead 2 is almost 10 years old, but many players still play the game today. One of the reasons for the long-term success of L4D2 is its console. The console is essentially a text-box that allows you to enter cheat codes, also known as commands, to spice up gameplay and do all sorts of other things.
This guide has three parts:
In order to use the console, you first have to enable it. You can enable the console by navigating to Options , going to Keyboard/Mouse , like so:
Then, set Allow Developer Console to Enabled . This is pictured below:
After enabling the developer console, you can open it by pressing the ` (grave) or ~ tilde key on your keyboard.
If this doesn't work for you, see Common Issues below.
Right, so you've got the console opened. If you're asking yourself the question - how do I use this thing?! You'll want to read on.
Although it might look like a complicated stream of text, the console is relatively simple to use. All you need to do is type a command into the console and hit ENTER .
In order to use the console with most commands, you'll need to load a game with the map command. This is a relatively simple command to use. All you need to do is type "map" into the console, followed by a space, and the map code of the map you wish to load. The map code for the first chapter of "Dead Center" (The Hotel), is c1m1_hotel . The command to load the Dead Center Hotel map would be as follows:
You can find a list of all L4D2 map codes to use with this command on the map command page.
Finally, we'll show you how to use the "give" command to add an item. The give command works in a similar way to the map command. You need to type give into the console, followed by a space, and the item code of the item you wish to give to yourself. You can find a list of all item codes here. For this example, we will be giving ourselves an AK-47, which has an item ID of rifle_ak47 . The give command with the AK-47's item code added to it looks like this:
If you hadn't already tried or guessed, typing the above command into your console would give you an AK-47.
If you've enabled the console via your L4D2 settings, but it still isn't working, fear not! Almost always, the issue is due to a different keyboard layout that doesn't have the correct key, or L4D2 doesn't pick up that you're pressing the correct key.
To resolve this, first make sure Left 4 Dead 2 is closed, then:
Left 4 Dead 2 Properties SET LAUNCH OPTIONS... -console (without quotes) to your launch options OK when you have added -console to your launch options. You can check that you've added it correctly with the below image that outlines what it should look like:
After adding the -console launch option to Left 4 Dead 2, the console will open automatically when you start the game. You can then use the console to set a key to open it. We recommend F12 . To bind the console to F12 , use the following command:
After typing that into the console and hitting enter, pressing the F12 key will open and close your console.
That's all there is to this guide. If you're looking for cheats to use with the console, check out our Left 4 Dead 2 cheats list above.