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How to connect to a CS 1.6 server by IP and add it to favourites

Type connect with the IP and port in the console, or add the address to your favourites. Covers passwords, ports and the favourites bug.

Audience
New to running a server
Last checked
Steps
6
Reading time
2 min
On Hostsrc
Includes the steps for a Hostsrc server

To join a CS 1.6 server by IP, open the console and type connect followed by the address and port. Always include the port after a colon. Without it, the game tries port 27015.

Console
connect 203.0.113.24:27042

To find the server again later, add the same address to your favourites in the server browser.

On Hostsrc

A server with a dedicated IPv4 uses port 27015. A server without one shares an address with other servers and gets a random port, so always share the full address with the port. In the control panel, open Network and click the address to copy it with its port.

Before you start

  • The server's address and port, such as 203.0.113.24:27042.
  • The server password, if it has one.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Turn on the console

    In Counter-Strike 1.6, open Options > Keyboard > Advanced and tick Enable developer console. Press the key under Esc (` ` or ~` on most keyboards) to open it.

  2. Step 2: Connect with the address and port

    Type connect, a space, then the address and port. Press Enter.

    Console
    connect 203.0.113.24:27042

  3. Step 3: Set the password first, if the server has one

    Type the password in the console before you connect. Since the 25th anniversary update, joining a passworded server with connect alone can fail without asking for the password.

    Console
    password "server-password"connect 203.0.113.24:27042

  4. Step 4: Add the server to your favourites

    Open Find Servers from the main menu and go to the Favorites tab. Click Add a Server, type the address with the port, then click Find games at this address.... Select the server in the results and click Add selected game server to favorites.

    Warning

    Don't double-click the server in that list. A long-standing bug adds it on port 27015 instead of its real port, so the favourite points at the wrong server.

  5. Step 5: Or add it from Steam

    In Steam, open View > Game Servers and go to the Favorites tab. Add the address with the port there. The favourite then shows in the game's browser too.

  6. Step 6: Share a link (for server owners)

    Players with Steam can join from a link that includes the address and port. Paste it in your Discord or on your website.

    steam://connect/203.0.113.24:27042
    Network page with the server address highlighted and the Click to copy tooltip

    Panel as of

Troubleshooting

"Connection failed after 4 retries"

The game got no answer. Check the port first, because a missing or wrong port is the usual cause. Then check that the server is running and that the address has no typo or extra space.

You joined a different server than expected

The address was saved without its port, or the favourite was added by double-clicking. Remove the favourite and add it again with steps 4 or 5.

"The password you entered was incorrect" but it's right

Set the password before connecting, as in step 3. Joining from your favourites also shows the password prompt.

The server isn't in the Internet list, but connect works

That's normal. The Internet list depends on master servers and your filters, while connect goes straight to the server. Keep using the address, or add it to your favourites.

"STEAM validation rejected"

The server doesn't accept your type of game client. Only the server owner can change that setting. Hostsrc servers accept both Steam and non-Steam clients.

Links

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