Click Find Multiplayer Game on the main menu, pick a gamemode, pick a server and click Join Server. If you already have an address, open the console and type connect followed by it.
Use the Server Browser
Open It
Click Find Multiplayer Game on the main menu.
Pick a Gamemode
The browser groups servers by gamemode, with the busiest at the top. Click one, such as DarkRP or Trouble in Terrorist Town.
Pick a Server
Click a server to see its details on the right: name, address, map and who's playing. A low ping means less lag.
Join
Click Join Server. If the server has a password, type it in the Password box above the button first.
Click return to gamemodes to go back to the gamemode list. The tabs down the side switch which servers you see:
| Tab | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Internet | Every public server |
| Local Network | Servers on your home network |
| History | Servers you've played on |
| Favorites | Servers you've saved |
Refresh Listings loads the list again. Legacy Browser opens the older Source engine browser, which shows every server in one big list.
Filter and Sort Servers
The server list sorts by Ranking unless you change it. Ranking mixes ping, player count and whether you already have the map. Click a column to sort by Server Name, Map Name, Players or Ping instead.
Type in Search maps or servers to find a server by name or map. The filter options cut the list down:
- Hide full servers and Hide empty servers
- Hide servers with a password
- Hide outdated servers, which run an older version of the game than you
- Player limit and Ping limit, to set your own maximums
Found a server that's full? Tick Join when not full in its details panel and GMod joins as soon as a slot opens.
The gamemode list has filters too. You can hide Roleplay, PvP, PvE or other categories, and sort by player count, server count or name.
Save Your Favourite Servers
Click the favourite button on a server's row in the browser and it appears on the Favorites tab. You can also favourite the server you're playing on. Press Escape and click Favorite this server in the bar at the bottom of the menu.
To add a server you can't see in the list, open Favorites and use Find servers at given address. Type the address and add the server it finds.
Join by IP With the Console
Every server has an address made of an IP and a port, like 192.0.2.10:27015. Servers post theirs on their website or Discord.
Turn On the Console
Go to Options, then Keyboard, click Advanced... and tick Enable developer console.
Open It
Press ` (the backtick key, below Escape) on the main menu.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
connect 192.0.2.10:27015 | Join the server at that address |
password "yourpassword" | Set the password before you connect to a locked server |
retry | Reconnect to the last server you joined |
disconnect | Leave the server |
More commands are in our console commands guide.
Use Steam's Server Browser
Steam has its own server browser that works without opening the game first.
In Steam, click View, then Game Servers.
Open the Favorites tab and click Add a Server.
Type the server's address and add it.
Select the server and click Connect. Steam starts Garry's Mod and joins it.
What the Loading Screen Is Doing
The first time you join a server, the loading screen does a lot of work. It downloads the map if you don't have it. Then it downloads the server's Workshop addons, which you'll see as "Downloading Workshop content". Last, the server sends its Lua files and spawns you.
Your first join to a big server can take a few minutes. GMod keeps what it downloaded, so joining again is much faster. Many servers show their own loading page with rules or tips while you wait.
Give it time on the first join. If the bar stops for several minutes, disconnect and try again. Too many of your own addons can slow loading, so see How to Install Addons for turning them off.
The server uses content from a game you haven't mounted, usually Counter-Strike: Source. See How to Mount Games and Fix Missing Textures.
The server runs an older version of Garry's Mod than you, which happens for a while after a game update. Wait for the server to update, then try again.
Play With a Friend
The quickest way to play together is for one of you to host.
Host the Game
The host clicks Start New Game, picks a map and sets the player count to 2 or more.
Turn On Peer-To-Peer
The host ticks Peer-To-Peer, so friends can join through Steam. Tick Peer-To-Peer: Friends Only to keep strangers out. Then click Start Game.
Join Through Steam
The friend opens their Steam friends list, right-clicks the host and clicks Join Game. The host can also right-click a friend and click Invite to Play.
If you're both on the same home network, the friend can find the game on the Local Network tab instead. To join a friend on a community server, use Join Game in your Steam friends list the same way.
Ready to play? Justified is a Garry's Mod DarkRP server: justified.gg
