sv_consistency Command: Guide on How to Use It & Examples
As an admin, you have endless options at your disposal for customizing your server, and one of them is to automatically kick players if their critical files aren’t consistent with your server’s files. And all you need to do to activate this function (or deactivate it), is inputting the sv_consistenty command via console.
In this guide, we are going to show you all about the sv_consistency command in CS:GO and CS2 – here you have an overview on everything you are going to learn:
- Definition of the sv_consistency command and how it works
- Requirements for inputting the command
- How to input it via console correctly
- Examples on how to use sv_consistency in CS:GO and CS2
- Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the command
Let’s begin by bringing you a proper definition and overview of this command, so you can understand what it is and how it works.
Definition of the sv_consistency Command
It is a server-side command that enables or disables the server from checking the consistency of players’ critical files with its own files. Introduced by Valve for proper server management, it’s one of the most popular commands for modifying the settings of private and dedicated servers in CS:GO and CS2.
By default, this command is set to “0”, which means the server won’t check if the critical files of players match the configuration of the server. Therefore, to activate it you need to use “1” as the argument, hence this command acts like a switch for enabling and disabling this function respectively.
Even though some players might believe it’s necessary to cheat commands to be able to use sv_consistency, because it has the “sv” part in it, it’s not true. You can use this command without inputting “sv_cheats 1” beforehand, because it won’t execute any sort of cheat. It’s simply a command for adjusting a setting of the server.
A Useful Command for Server Administration
This is one of the most useful commands you can use when running your own dedicated server. And if you’re new to this world, we recommend you to check our guide on How To Set Up a CS2 Dedicated Server, which will show you everything you need to know about it.
Now that you have a proper definition and overview on the sv_consistency command, let’s check the requirements you must meet to be able to execute it.
Requirements for Using the sv_consistency Command
Before you can use the sv_consistency command, you must make sure you meet the requirements to execute it:
- The developer console must be enabled
- You must have admin rights
This is all you need to execute sv_consistency via console. And in case you haven’t activated the developer console yet, just follow this quick tutorial:
- Open Counter-Strike
- Go to “Settings”
- Locate “Enable Developer Console”
- Set it to “Yes”
- Click the “~” key to launch the console
- Now you can input sv_consistency without problems
Take note that you will also be able to execute other commands now that the console is enabled, allowing you to keep fine tuning the settings of your server as necessary.
Now that you have met all the requirements, check out the tutorial below so you can start using this command.
How to Use It – Step by Step
Let’s see how you can use this command to customize the settings of your server, by enabling or disabling the checks for the consistency of critical files:
- Press the “~” key
- The CSGO developer console will be available now
- Input sv_consistency + your preferred value (1 or 0)
- Press “Enter”
- It will enable or disable the consistency checks automatically
According to what we have already seen about this command in the previous section, you can only use two values as the arguments: 1 to enable checks and 0 to disable them.
For instance, if you want to enable this function, all you need to do is to input “sv_consistency 1”, and if you want to disable it, just input “sv_consistency 0”. No rocket science here.
Of course, like we previously mentioned, you need admin rights to execute this command without problems. Hence it’s only possible to use it if it’s your private or dedicated server.
How to Always Check for Files Consistency Automatically
If you want to automate the process, and hence make it automatic for your server to check for critical files consistency, we recommend you to add the command to your .cfg file, as it will save you time and energy.
Be it you decide to create a separate .cfg file, or you simply want to add it to the autoexec.cfg file, make sure to add “sv_consistency 1” and you will no longer have to bother with launching the console to activate this function.
If you ever want to turn it off, you can always input “sv_consistency 0” and it will stop checking for file consistency until you restart the server, and it will execute the normal configuration once again.
Examples on How to Use sv_consistency
Let’s explore all the ways you can use the sv_consistency command, by exploring all the possible scenarios on how you can implement it in CS:GO and CS2.
Turn On the Files Consistency Checks
If you want to only accept players whose critical files match your server’s files, all you need to do is to launch the developer console and input the following: sv_consistency 1. Automatically, it will turn on the files consistency checks, and the players who don’t meet this requirement will be kicked instantly.
This is the best option if you want to deliver a pretty specialized gameplay experience, because only the players who match your requirements will be able to join, by filtering out the users whose critical files differ from your server’s.
Turn Off the Files Consistency Checks
If you turned on this function, but now you want to turn it off, all you need to do is to open the developer console and input the following: sv_consistency 0. Instantly, all players will be able to join your server even if their critical files don’t match your server’s files.
Likewise, if you enabled this function, and you wish to reset it back to default, all you need to do is to input sv_consistency 0. Because this command uses “0” as its default value.
Using Additional Values
The sv_consistency command acts like a switch for turning on and off the files consistency checks. Therefore, it’s not possible to use additional values as arguments for it. Here you have a list with some examples on how not to use this command:
- sv_consistency maps
- sv_consistency scripts
- sv_consistency autoexec.cfg
- sv_consistency true
- sv_consistency false
Simply use “1” to turn this function or, and “0” to turn it off. There’s no other way to use it, just keep it simple and use it as intended.
If you want to test it yourself, you can write any of the aforementioned examples, or any other variation you wish, and you will find it will do nothing, because the command hasn’t been designed to work like that.
F.A.Q
If you’d like to explore even more details and information about this command, we invite you to read the answers to the most frequently asked questions about it.
What is the meaning of sv_consistency 0?
The meaning of sv_consistency 0 is the server won’t check if the players’ critical files match its files, hence allowing everyone to join even if they’re using a modified version of the map or additional scripts. By default, the command is set at “0”, so if you don’t want to enable the function, simply leave it as it is.
Is sv_consistency a cheat command?
No, sv_consistency is not a cheat command, and hence it won’t require you to input “sv_cheats 1” beforehand. As long as you have admin rights, you can execute sv_consistency without problems, hence you need to have your own dedicated server.
Will sv_consistency 1 stop users from using modified versions of maps?
Yes, when you input “sv_consistency 1”, it will stop users from using modified versions of maps, because they won’t match the critical files of your server, and hence they will be kicked automatically. Hence, using this command will allow you to run the server according to your needs and goals.
Can sv_consistency 0 fix the “Host_Error: Server is enforcing file consistency for” error?
Yes, if you and other players are experiencing this error, it’s possible to solve it by inputting “sv_consistency 0”. Automatically, the server will stop checking for the consistency of critical files, and hence all players will be able to join it without problems.
Is this command available for match making on public servers?
No, it is not possible to use this command for matching making on public servers, as you don’t have the rights to alter such settings. You can only use this command if it’s your own private or dedicated server, where you will have all the rights to execute sv_consistency without problems.