Install SourceMod and MetaMod on a Team Fortress 2 Server
Install MetaMod:Source, SourceMod and TF2 plugins, verify every layer and fix common loading errors.
MetaMod:Source loads native extensions, while SourceMod provides administration, permissions and plugins for a community TF2 server. Install them in that order on a stopped server, then validate each layer before adding a plugin. That prevents you from debugging plugin code while MetaMod itself is not loaded.
Before installing: back up and check compatibility
Stop the server completely. Download a copy of tf/addons/, tf/cfg/, your startup script and server.cfg. If an older installation exists, also preserve tf/addons/sourcemod/configs/, data/ and translations/; they may contain administrators and plugin state.
Download MetaMod:Source and SourceMod only from their official sites and select the archive for the server operating system, Windows or Linux. A TF2 update can temporarily break hooks. AlliedModders recommends checking its required versions page and using a compatible snapshot when needed instead of mixing random files.
Install on the server, not the client
tf/. Installing SourceMod in your local TF2 client does not change a remote server.Install MetaMod, then SourceMod
Extract MetaMod into the TF2 game folder
addons folder into tf/addons on the server. The expected layout includes tf/addons/metamod/ and tf/addons/metamod.vdf. Do not accidentally create an extra metamod/metamod level.Restart and test MetaMod
meta version in the server console or RCON. It must print a version and say MetaMod is loaded as a Valve server plugin. If the command is unknown, stop here and fix the path or build.Extract SourceMod into `tf/`
addons and cfg folders into tf/. You should now have tf/addons/sourcemod/ and tf/cfg/sourcemod/. SourceMod depends on MetaMod, so do not skip the previous test.Restart and verify both layers
meta list, sm version and sm plugins list. meta list should show SourceMod and the plugin list should contain no FAILED or ERROR state.Add an administrator and a plugin
Configure an administrator with a stable Steam ID rather than a player name. SourceMod supports several files under tf/addons/sourcemod/configs/, including admins_simple.ini and the structured admins.cfg plus admin_groups.cfg. Follow the commented format in the method you choose, grant only the flags that role needs, then change map or reload the admin cache. Once connected, use sm_who to verify the detected account and permissions.
To install a compiled plugin:
- Read its whole release page and confirm TF2, the required SourceMod version and dependencies.
- Back up, then place the
.smxintf/addons/sourcemod/plugins/. Preserve any suppliedtranslations,gamedata,configs,extensionsanddatapaths. - Change map or restart. Check
sm plugins list; a healthy entry shows its name and version. - If it reports Error, read
tf/addons/sourcemod/logs/. Fix the missing dependency or incompatible version instead of hiding the error.
To disable a plugin safely, move its .smx into plugins/disabled/ and change map. Keeping configuration and data makes rollback easier.
Fix common errors
| Symptom | Likely cause | Check |
|---|---|---|
| `meta` is unknown | Wrong path or incompatible MetaMod build | Check `tf/addons/metamod.vdf`, the OS build and `metamod-fatal.log` |
| `meta list` says NOFILE/FAILED | Missing binary or wrong architecture | Reinstall the Windows/Linux archive and check 32-bit libraries on Linux |
| SourceMod is absent | Incomplete upload | Check `tf/addons/sourcemod/bin/` and perform a full restart |
| Plugin shows Error | Missing extension, translation or gamedata | Read `sm plugins info`, `sm exts list` and SourceMod logs |
| Everything breaks after a TF2 update | Game interfaces changed | Update MetaMod and SourceMod first, then reintroduce plugins gradually |
Do not copy a whole stale installation over a current release. Preserve useful configuration and data, but replace framework binaries with clean archives. Test startup, a map change, an admin command and a fresh player connection before reopening the server.
Run a TF2 server ready for SourceMod
Compare TF2 plans with SFTP access, restart controls and support for MetaMod and SourceMod.
Frequently asked questions
Are MetaMod and SourceMod the same thing?
.smx plugins. Install SourceMod after MetaMod.Must I restart after adding a plugin?
.smx, but use a full restart after updating MetaMod, SourceMod, a native extension or gamedata.Where is the useful plugin error?
sm plugins list and sm plugins info, then read tf/addons/sourcemod/logs/errors_*.log. It normally names the missing native, extension or translation.Sources: installing MetaMod:Source, installing SourceMod and managing SourceMod plugins.
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