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How to install an AMX Mod X plugin on a CS 1.6 server

Copy the .amxx file into the plugins folder, list it in plugins.ini and change the map. Covers extra files, modules and fixes for "bad load".

Last checked
Steps
7
Reading time
4 min
On Hostsrc
Includes the steps for a Hostsrc server

To install an AMX Mod X plugin, copy its .amxx file into cstrike/addons/amxmodx/plugins/. Add the file name on a new line in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini. Then change the map or restart the server, because AMX Mod X reads plugins.ini only when a map loads.

Check it worked with amxx plugins in the server console. Your plugin should show as running.

On Hostsrc

New servers start from our base pack, so AMX Mod X, Metamod and the core configuration are already in place. You only add the plugin.

Before you start

  • The plugin as a compiled .amxx file. A .sma file is source code and has to be compiled first.
  • The plugin author's instructions. Many plugins need extra files, a module or a minimum AMX Mod X version.
  • A way to edit your server's files. In the control panel, open Files in your server's menu.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Read what the plugin needs

    Open the plugin's page or readme before you upload anything. Note the AMX Mod X version it was built for, the modules it needs, and any extra files such as sounds, models or its own .ini file.

    A plugin built for a different AMX Mod X version may not load. If the author only gives a .sma, compile it with the compiler from your server's AMX Mod X version.

  2. Step 2: Upload the .amxx file

    Put the .amxx file in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/plugins/. Keep the file name exactly as it is. In Files, open the folder and press Upload, or connect over SFTP with the details in the SFTP menu.

    If you also have the .sma, it belongs in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/scripting/. The server never reads it, so it is optional.

    Files toolbar with the Upload button highlighted

    Panel as of

  3. Step 3: Upload the plugin's other files

    Copy each extra file into the folder the author names. These are the usual places.

    cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/      the plugin's own .ini or .cfg filescstrike/addons/amxmodx/data/lang/    translation files (.txt)cstrike/sound/                       custom soundscstrike/models/                      custom modelscstrike/sprites/                     custom sprites

    On Hostsrc

    Players download custom sounds, models and sprites when they join. FastDL is included on every plan, and the FastDL guide shows how to make new files available to it.

  4. Step 4: Add the plugin to plugins.ini

    Open plugins.ini and add the file name on its own line at the end. Write the name only, without a folder. In Files, click the file name to open it in the editor.

    A line that starts with ; is ignored. To turn a plugin off later, put ; in front of its line.

    Order matters when one plugin uses another. List the plugin that provides the feature above the plugin that uses it. In the editor, press Save Content when you're done.

    cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini
    ; Custom pluginsexample_plugin.amxx
    File search for plugins.ini with the AMX Mod X configs result highlighted

    Panel as of

    Warning

    Edit addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini. Metamod has its own addons/metamod/plugins.ini, and an AMX Mod X plugin listed there won't load.

  5. Step 5: Turn on a module, if the plugin needs one

    AMX Mod X loads most modules on its own when a plugin asks for them, including cstrike, fakemeta and hamsandwich. You only edit modules.ini for SQL modules and third-party modules.

    To turn one on, remove the ; in front of its name, or add the name on a new line. Leave out _amxx and the file extension.

    cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/modules.ini
    mysql

  6. Step 6: Change the map or restart the server

    Change the map from the server console, or restart the server. In the control panel, open Console. To restart, open the menu next to Shut Down and choose Restart.

    Console
    changelevel de_dust2
    Power menu next to Shut Down, open, with Restart highlighted

    Panel as of

  7. Step 7: Check that it loaded

    Type amxx plugins in the server console and find your plugin in the list. running means it loaded. Any other status, such as bad load, means it didn't, and the Troubleshooting section below covers the usual causes.

    If the plugin has settings (cvars), put them in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/amxx.cfg or in the config file the author names. They apply on the next map change.

    Console
    amxx plugins

Troubleshooting

The plugin shows "bad load"

Read the newest file in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/logs/. It names the exact problem. The common causes are:

  • The name in plugins.ini doesn't match the file. Check the spelling and the case.
  • The file is missing, or it isn't in addons/amxmodx/plugins/.
  • The plugin was compiled for another AMX Mod X version. Recompile the .sma with your version's compiler.
  • The file was damaged on upload, often by an FTP client in text mode. Upload it again.

The log says a module or library is required

The log line looks like Module/Library "sqlx" required for plugin. Turn the module on in modules.ini (step 5), or install the third-party module the author links. Then change the map.

The plugin isn't in the list at all

AMX Mod X never read the line. Check that you edited addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini, that the line doesn't start with ;, and that you changed the map after saving. On Windows, check the file isn't named example_plugin.amxx.txt with the extension hidden.

"Run time error" with "debug not enabled"

The plugin loaded but failed while running. Add debug after its name, change the map, and send the full error from the log to the plugin's author.

cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini
example_plugin.amxx debug

Remove debug once it's fixed. Debug mode makes plugins slower.

No plugins load at all

Metamod isn't loading AMX Mod X. Type meta list in the server console and look for AMX Mod X. If it's missing, check that addons/metamod/plugins.ini still has the AMX Mod X line.

cstrike/addons/metamod/plugins.ini
linux addons/amxmodx/dlls/amxmodx_mm_i386.so

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