Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteGarry’s Mod displays the value of the hostname convar as your server’s name. On a self-hosted or dedicated server, stop the server, edit garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg, add or replace hostname "Your Server Name", save, and restart. If a hosting control panel manages that line, change the panel’s server-name setting instead, then verify the resulting hostname value because panel saves can overwrite manual edits.
Playing with friends? Godlike.Host runs hosted Garry's Mod servers from 10 data-center locations, with free DDoS protection.
What actually controls the displayed name?
The in-game server browser reads Garry’s Mod’s hostname console variable, commonly called a convar. The setting belongs to the server process, not to your Steam profile, client nickname, or the name of a local collection. A server can therefore have a different browser name from the label you use for it in a hosting dashboard.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For a dedicated server, convars are normally loaded when the server starts. The usual persistent location is the server’s garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg file. Facepunch’s documentation for CreateConVar describes dedicated-server convars as settings that can be supplied through server.cfg at startup; it does not provide a separate, dedicated hostname article. In practice, the decisive test is the value shown by the server browser after a restart.
Before you edit anything
- Have the right access. You need access to the server’s files and console, or permission to edit the relevant control-panel setting.
- Know which instance you are changing. If you run several servers, identify the correct Garry’s Mod installation and its matching console or panel entry.
- Plan a restart. A configuration-file change is normally read at startup. Warn players and stop the process cleanly before editing when possible.
- Keep a rollback copy. Download or copy
server.cfgbefore changing it. This makes it easy to restore a working configuration if a panel or syntax mistake causes trouble. - Use a plain-text editor. Do not save the file as rich text or add formatting characters around the command.
Change the name on a self-hosted or dedicated server
1. Stop the server
Use the server manager, service control, or hosting console to stop the Garry’s Mod process. Editing while the process is running can leave you unsure whether the program or an automatic save wrote the old value back. A stop is especially important if your setup regenerates configuration files during shutdown.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
2. Open the correct configuration file
Navigate to:
garrysmod/cfg/server.cfgOn Windows, the same folder is commonly displayed with backslashes:
garrysmodcfgserver.cfgThe path is relative to the Garry’s Mod server installation. If you installed the server through a manager or placed it in a custom directory, search inside that installation for the garrysmod folder, then open its cfg subfolder. Do not edit a similarly named file in a client installation or in a different server instance.
Recommended Free Tools
3. Add or replace the hostname line
Use one line, with the complete name enclosed in straight double quotation marks:
hostname "Your Server Name"If server.cfg already contains a hostname entry, edit that entry rather than leaving competing copies in the file. Keeping one authoritative line makes the loaded value easier to diagnose. Preserve other settings unless you intentionally mean to change them.
The quotation marks matter when the name contains spaces. The text between the quotes becomes the displayed server name; the word hostname is the command, not part of the name. For example:
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
hostname "Build & Chill | Sandbox"Use ordinary text characters that your server and browser can display reliably. If you use punctuation or symbols, check the result in the browser after restarting rather than assuming every character will render identically in every listing view.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
4. Save without changing the file type
Save server.cfg as a plain text configuration file. Confirm that your editor did not create a second extension such as server.cfg.txt. If the file manager hides extensions, enable them temporarily or inspect the filename from the editor’s open dialog.
5. Start or restart the server
Start the server normally. A full restart is the reliable way to make the startup configuration take effect. Wait until the server has finished loading before checking the listing. If you operate it as a service, restart the service through the same manager that normally launches the instance so it reads the same installation and configuration path.
6. Verify the result
- Open the Garry’s Mod multiplayer browser.
- Refresh the list and locate the server by its address, map, or other identifying detail.
- Check that the displayed name matches the text inside the
hostnamequotes. - If the old name remains, allow for listing-cache delay and then refresh again. A browser can temporarily retain an earlier listing even after the server has loaded the new value.
Do not treat the filename, a dashboard label, or a local bookmark as proof that the in-game name changed. The browser entry is the user-facing result that matters.
Changing the name through a hosting control panel
Panel-managed servers require an extra distinction: a control panel may have a “Server Name” field for its own dashboard while the Garry’s Mod browser continues to use hostname from server.cfg. In one common layout, the dashboard field is under System > Server Details; that field changes the label shown in the provider’s game-control interface, not necessarily the name players see in Garry’s Mod.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Other panels expose hostname in a Settings page and rewrite the beginning of server.cfg whenever you save. In that arrangement, a manual edit at the top of the file can disappear on the next panel save. Custom commands, if the panel supports them, belong in its dedicated Custom Commands section rather than in a protected block.
Use this panel-safe sequence
- Stop the server from the panel, if the panel provides a stop control.
- Open the panel’s server settings and look for a field explicitly described as the game server name, hostname, or
hostnameconvar. - Enter the desired name and save the settings.
- If the panel offers a separate dashboard label, set it only if you also want the control-panel listing to use the same wording.
- Start or restart the server from the panel.
- Inspect the generated
garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg, when file access is available, and confirm that the resultinghostnameline contains the intended value. - Refresh the Garry’s Mod browser and verify the public listing.
If the panel has no hostname field and keeps overwriting direct edits, use its Custom Commands feature if available. Add the command there in the panel’s documented format, then restart and verify. Do not repeatedly edit a protected section of server.cfg; the panel will continue to replace it.
Dashboard name, server.cfg name, and browser name
| Where you change it | What it may affect | How to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Panel “Server Name” or “Server Details” field | The label used by that provider’s control panel; it may not change the in-game listing. | Check the public Garry’s Mod browser and the generated hostname line. |
garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg |
The startup value of the server’s hostname convar on an unmanaged installation. |
Restart the server, then refresh the browser. |
| Panel Settings or Custom Commands field | The panel’s managed command set, which can regenerate server.cfg. |
Save, restart, inspect the generated configuration when possible, and check the browser. |
Because panel designs and labels change, follow the wording visible in your own panel. The durable rule is to identify which control writes the server process’s hostname value.
Why the old name can still appear
The server did not restart
Saving a file does not guarantee that a running process rereads it. Confirm that the old process stopped and that the newly started process belongs to the same server installation you edited.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11You edited the wrong instance
Multiple installations, test servers, and panel instances can each have their own garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg. Use the launch entry, working directory, or panel instance information to match the file to the process that appears in the browser.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
A panel restored its managed value
If the name changes briefly and then reverts after a settings save or restart, the panel is likely regenerating the managed portion of server.cfg. Set the value through the panel’s hostname control or Custom Commands area instead of editing the protected lines.
The command is malformed
Check for a misspelled command, curly “smart” quotation marks, an unmatched quote, or a second hostname line that appears later in the file. The safe basic form is:
hostname "Your Server Name"Remove accidental line breaks inside the value and save the file as plain text. Keep comments and unrelated commands separate so that the hostname line remains easy to read.
The browser is showing cached data
Server browsers can retain an earlier listing for a while. Refresh the list, wait for the server to answer again, and check a fresh view rather than relying on a saved favorite or an old result. Entering heartbeat in the server console is an optional way to prompt a listing refresh. Treat that as a refresh aid, not as a replacement for correcting server.cfg and restarting; it does not fix a wrong or overwritten hostname.
Editing safely when players are online
A name change is usually low risk to gameplay settings, but the configuration still belongs to the live server. Announce a maintenance window if the server is populated, stop it cleanly, make one focused edit, and restart once. Avoid using a temporary console command as the only change if you want the name to survive the next restart; persistence comes from the configuration or the panel control that writes it.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
After the restart, check both the console for configuration errors and the public listing. If other startup commands fail, restore the backup and reapply only the hostname change. This isolates the naming change from unrelated configuration problems.
Choosing a clear server name
The value is visible wherever Garry’s Mod presents the server listing, so make the important information readable at a glance. Put the primary identity first, followed by a mode or community descriptor only when it helps players distinguish your server. Keep the spelling consistent between the browser and your community’s own documentation. Do not put passwords, private contact details, or operational secrets in a public name.
Changing the name does not change the server’s address, map, player limit, password, game mode, addons, or permissions. Those are separate settings. A renamed listing is still the same server instance unless you change those other configuration values independently.
A repeatable checklist
- Identify the exact server instance and its installation directory.
- Back up the current
server.cfg. - Stop the server when editing a file directly.
- Open
garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg. - Keep one correctly quoted
hostnameline. - Save as plain text, without an extra extension.
- On a managed panel, use the panel’s hostname or Custom Commands control so it is not overwritten.
- Restart the server.
- Refresh the browser and verify the public name.
- If the old name persists, check the instance, panel regeneration, syntax, and listing cache in that order.
Quick answers to common questions
Is hostname the same as the server’s IP address?
No. hostname is the human-readable display name. The address and connection details remain separate.
Do I need to change a client-side setting?
No. The displayed multiplayer-server name is controlled on the server. Editing a client nickname or local game setting will not rename the server for other players.
Can I leave the name unquoted?
Use double quotes consistently, especially for names containing spaces. The documented, unambiguous form is hostname "Your Server Name".
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Why did my manual edit vanish?
A hosting panel may own the hostname line and rewrite it when settings are saved or the server is restarted. Change the value through that panel’s hostname control or its Custom Commands mechanism.
How long should I wait for the new name?
The server must restart with the new value, and the browser may need a refresh before it discards an older listing. If a fresh listing still shows the old name, troubleshoot the file, instance, and panel ownership rather than waiting indefinitely.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
