> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wasabihosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Join Your Garry's Mod Server

> Connect to your Garry's Mod server hosting via the in-game server browser, console connect command, or favorites - including password-protected servers.

There are several ways to join a Garry's Mod server: the in-game server browser, the Legacy Browser, or a direct console `connect`. This guide covers all of them, plus favorites, password-protected servers, and how to confirm your server is actually online first.

## Verify the Server Is Online

Before connecting, make sure the server has finished starting:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the panel console">
    Log in to the [Wasabi Hosting Game Panel](https://panel.wasabihosting.com), select your Garry's Mod server, and open the **Console** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the startup output">
    A fully started server ends its boot log with lines like `Connection to Steam servers successful.` and `VAC secure mode is activated.` If the console is still scrolling mount/addon messages, give it a moment — servers with large Workshop collections take longer on first boot.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the address">
    Note your server's address from the panel dashboard in the format `IP:port`. The default Garry's Mod port is `27015`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Method 1: Console Connect (Fastest)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable the developer console">
    In GMod, go to **Options → Keyboard → Advanced** and check **Enable Developer Console**. The console opens with the backtick/tilde key (`` ` ``).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect">
    Open the console and type:

    ```
    connect 203.0.113.10:27015
    ```

    Replace the example address with your server's actual `IP:port`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You can share this as a one-liner with your community — anyone can paste a `connect` command into their console to join instantly.
</Tip>

## Method 2: Server Browser

1. From the GMod main menu, click **Multiplayer** (or the server browser icon).
2. Pick the category matching your gamemode (e.g. **Sandbox** or **DarkRP**) — servers are grouped by gamemode.
3. Search for your server's hostname (set via `hostname` in `server.cfg` — see [Server Configuration](/games/garrysmod/server-configuration)).
4. Double-click the server to join.

<Note>
  A freshly started server can take a few minutes to appear in the public browser list. The console `connect` method works immediately.
</Note>

## Method 3: Legacy Browser

The Legacy Browser is the classic Source-engine server list and includes a direct-connect option:

1. From the main menu, open the **Legacy Browser** (bottom-right of the multiplayer menu).
2. Use the **Favorites** tab and click **Add a server**.
3. Enter your `IP:port` and click **Add this address to favorites**.
4. Select the server and click **Connect**.

## Adding to Favorites

Keep your server one click away:

* **Via Legacy Browser** — Favorites tab → **Add a server** → enter `IP:port`. This works even when the server is offline.
* **From the server list** — right-click the server in the Legacy Browser and choose **Add server to favorites**.

## Password-Protected Servers

If the server has a password set (`sv_password "yourpassword"` in `server.cfg` or the panel startup settings):

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Joining (client side)">
    Set the password in your console **before** connecting:

    ```
    password "yourpassword"
    connect 203.0.113.10:27015
    ```

    If you join via the server browser instead, GMod will simply prompt you for the password.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Setting it (server side)">
    Add this line to `garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg` using the File Manager ([File Management](/server/file-management)):

    ```cfg theme={null}
    sv_password "yourpassword"
    ```

    Restart the server to apply. Leave the value empty (`sv_password ""`) to make the server public again.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Can't Connect?

* **Server not responding** — confirm it's fully booted in the panel console (see above).
* **Wrong port** — GMod defaults to `27015`, but always use the exact port shown on your panel dashboard.
* **"Bad password" loop** — re-run `password "..."` in your console; quotes matter if the password contains spaces.
* **Stuck on downloading/mounting addons** — large Workshop collections take time on first join; see [Workshop Addons](/games/garrysmod/workshop-addons).
* **Firewall rules** — if you use the [Firewall Manager](/firewall-manager), verify no rule is blocking your IP.

<Card title="Need a Garry's Mod server?" icon="rocket" href="https://wasabihosting.com/game-servers/garrysmod">
  Get your own GMod server from **€12.50/month** — deployed in about 2 minutes with DDoS protection included.
</Card>