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How do I remove bots from my TF2 private server?

To remove bots from a TF2 private server, use the kick [botname] command in the server console or install anti-bot plugins like SourceMod. Set tf_bot_quota 0 in your server.cfg file and enable sv_password to restrict access. For persistent bots, block suspicious IPs via firewall rules or use whitelisting plugins.

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How Can I Manually Kick Bots Using Server Commands?

Open your TF2 server console and type status to list active players. Identify bot names (e.g., “FakePlayer”) and use kick [botname] to remove them. For multiple bots, run tf_bot_kick all. Note: This is temporary—bots may rejoin unless server settings are updated.

What Server Configuration Changes Block Bots?

Edit your server.cfg file to include:

tf_bot_quota 0
mp_autoteambalance 0
sv_password "yourpassword"
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 1

These settings disable bot spawns, prevent auto-balancing, require a server password, and restrict access to Steam group members.

For enhanced security, combine these with sv_visiblemaxplayers 0 to hide player counts from public lists. Adjust sv_maxuptimelimit to automatically restart your server periodically, disrupting bot persistence strategies. Consider implementing rate limits using sv_maxrate and sv_minrate to throttle suspicious connection attempts. Below is a reference table for critical anti-bot CVars:

Command Function
tf_bot_quota 0 Disables all bot spawns
sv_password Requires password for entry
sv_region -1 Removes from regional server browser
sv_steamgroup_exclusive 1 Limits access to Steam group members

Which Plugins Automatically Remove TF2 Bots?

Install SourceMod with plugins like:

  1. Anti-Bot: Blocks common bot IP ranges.
  2. Bot Control: Auto-kicks bots based on behavior analysis.
  3. Whitelister: Restricts server access to approved SteamIDs.

Configure plugins via addons/sourcemod/configs/ files and restart the server.

How Do Firewall Rules Prevent Bot Access?

Block bot IP ranges using Windows Firewall or Linux iptables. Identify bot IPs via server logs (tf/logs/) and create rules to deny traffic from those addresses. For example:

iptables -A INPUT -s 192.168.1.100 -j DROP

Update rules regularly as bot networks shift IPs.

Implement geolocation filtering through tools like IPset to block entire regions where bot activity originates. For Windows servers, use PowerShell scripts to parse logs and update firewall rules automatically. Pair this with Fail2Ban configurations that trigger after repeated connection attempts:

Tool Function
IPset Blocks IP ranges by country
Fail2Ban Auto-bans IPs with suspicious patterns
Wireshark Analyzes network traffic for bot signatures

Monitor netstat outputs during peak hours to identify new malicious IPs. Combine firewall rules with SteamAPI checks to validate authentic user sessions before granting server access.

Why Do Bots Keep Rejoining After Removal?

Bots exploit unprotected servers through public server listings or leaked IPs. Fix this by:

  • Setting sv_region -1 to hide from regional lists
  • Using non-default ports (e.g., 27016 instead of 27015)
  • Enabling sv_steamgroup to limit access to your Steam group

“Modern TF2 bot attacks use AI to mimic human behavior. Beyond basic plugins, consider rate-limiting player connections and validating Steam accounts. I recommend using Fail2Ban to automatically block IPs with suspicious login patterns.” — TF2 Server Security Specialist

Conclusion

Eliminating bots requires both immediate actions (manual kicking) and long-term solutions (plugins, config tweaks). Regularly update your anti-bot tools and monitor server logs for new threats.

FAQ

Does setting a server password stop all bots?
No—advanced bots can bypass passwords. Combine with IP whitelisting for full protection.
Can I permanently ban bots?
Use sm_ban commands via SourceMod to add SteamIDs to banned_user.cfg.
Do bots work in all game modes?
Most target casual modes like Capture the Flag. Competitive modes with Steam group requirements see fewer bots.
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