Left 4 Dead 2 – PCGamingWiki PCGW – bugs, fixes, crashes, mods, guides and improvements for every PC game

Warnings

The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.

General information

Availability

All versions require Steam DRM.

Includes the campaigns of the original Left 4 Dead and its DLC.

Version differences

Some content is censored in Australia and Germany. Install the official Uncensored DLC to remove the limitations.

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Delete or rename video files

1. Go to <path-to-game>\left4dead2\media
2. Delete or rename l4d2_intro.bik and valve.bik.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

Save game data location

Video

In-game video settings.

Force SGSSAA (Nvidia only)[5]

1. Download and run Nvidia Profile Inspector.
2. Select the Left 4 Dead 2 profile.
3. Change Antialiasing compatibility value to 0x000000C0.
4. Change Antialiasing - Behavior Flags to None.
5. Change Antialiasing - Mode to Override any application setting.
6. Change Antialiasing - Setting to 4x [4x Multisampling].
7. Change Antialiasing - Transparency Supersampling to 4x Sparse Grid Supersampling.
8. Press “Apply Changes” in the top-right corner.

Notes

Antialiasing fix is needed.[6]

Ambient occlusion

Force HBAO+ (Nvidia only)[7][8]

1. Download and run Nvidia Profile Inspector.
2. Select the Left 4 Dead 2 profile.
3. Change Ambient Occlusion compatibility value to 0x00000014.
4. Change Ambient Occlusion setting to High Quality.
5. Change Ambient Occlusion usage to Enabled.
6. Press “Apply Changes” in the top-right corner.

Disable motion blur

Viewmodel field of view

Works in multiplayer.

The default FOV value is 51.

Change viewmodel FOV

1. Bring up the in-game console.
2. Type in "cl_viewmodelfovsurvivor XX" to change the viewmodel FOV (replace “XX” with the desired value).

Input

In-game control settings.

In-game key map settings.

“Gamepad” option in Keyboard/Mouse settings menu is to enable legacy Xinput controller mode. Enabling this erases all keyboard bindings.

Audio

In-game audio settings.

Audio feature
State
Notes

Separate volume controls

Game and music volume sliders.

Surround sound

7.1, 5.1 surround sound, 4 speaker surround.

Subtitles

Closed captions

Mute on focus lost

Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language
UI
Audio
Sub
Notes

English

Simplified Chinese

Traditional Chinese

Czech

Danish

Dutch

Finnish

French

Not all original voice lines have been completly dubbed, including some unused original ones.

German

Hungarian

Italian

Japanese

Korean

Norwegian

Polish

Portuguese

Brazilian Portuguese

Russian

Spanish

Swedish

Turkish

Network

In-game multiplayer settings.

Multiplayer types

Type
Native
Players
Notes

Local play

2
Co-op
See Local play.

LAN play

8
Co-op, Versus
Co-op (4 players) or “Versus” mode (up to 4v4 Survivors vs. Infected).

Online play

8
Co-op, Versus
Co-op (4 players) or “Versus” mode (up to 4v4 Survivors vs. Infected).

Connection types

Type
Native
Notes

Matchmaking

Peer-to-peer

Dedicated

Self-hosting

Direct IP

Use connect [IP address here] in the console.
Server must have set sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0

Ports

Protocol
Port(s) and/or port range(s)

TCP
27014-27050

UDP
4380, 27000-27030

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

A list of useful console commands is available below.

If using a single 4:3 or 16:9 monitor, see Split-screen without bezels.

If loading bar is stuck, quickly pause and unpause game

Playing with two controllers[10][11]

If you want to play with only a controller and a mouse+keyboard, check Mouse + Keyboard in split-screen

1. Download custom split.cfg file
2. Extract it inside <path-to-game>\left4dead2\cfg\
3. Start the game and open the console
4. Load up the map you want to play with the ss_map #map-name# command
5. Type connect_splitscreen localhost 2
6. Load second player keys bindings by typing exec exec split in console (all bindings are reset).

Alternative method: use Kaotic’s UI mod

Mouse and keyboard in split-screen

Bind controller to second player

[citation needed]

1. Configure x360ce to force controller on the guest slot
2. Copy x360ce.ini and xinput1_3.dll to the Left 4 Dead 2 installation folder
3. Go to <path-to-game>\bin\ and rename xinput1_3.dll to something else
4. Follow standard procedure

Use Kush’s menu

[citation needed]

Split-screen without bezels

The file which needs be edited is packed. Minimal hex editing knowledge is required.

Edit split-screen aspect-ratio[12][13]

1. Go to <path-to-game>/left4dead2/.
2. Open pak01_000.vpk with a hex editor such as HxD.
3. Look for the "aspect"...."8 by 3" string (offset 0x1C4CCFB, just under hex 73 20 34 78 33).
4. Change it according to the desired aspect ratio divided by 2.
5. Save the changes.

Notes

After hex editing, the original and final file size must remain the same. Therefore if a digit is added or removed, it may be necessary to add or remove a character elsewhere as well.

For horizontal split-screen aspect ratio, change the "aspect"...."32 by 9" string according to the desired aspect ratio multiplied by 2.

As long as the Valve pak file is modified, it may be impossible to join pure servers.

VR support

Issues fixed

Purple and black broken textures

A generic fix for this issue can be found on the Source engine page.

Improper sniper scope on 1366×768 resolution

Set resolution to 1360×768

Download the Default Scope: OVSF Mod

No music playing in main menu on Linux

Caused by shared library filename bug in Linux depot of the game.

Rename library file[14]

1. Go to <path-to-game>/bin/
2. Rename the file libmiles.so to libMiles.so.

Other information

API

Technical specs
Supported
Notes

Direct3D
9

OpenGL
2.1
OS X and Linux only.

Vulkan
1.0
Need to run with -vulkan in launch options. Uses DXVK wrapper (DXVK-Native on Linux).

Shader Model support
2.0, 3.0

Executable
32-bit
64-bit
Notes

Windows

macOS (OS X)

[citation needed]

Linux

[citation needed]

Middleware

Middleware
Notes

Physics
Havok
Heavily modified variant.

Audio
Miles Sound System

Cutscenes
Bink Video

Multiplayer
Steamworks

Console commands

Games running on the Source engine can utilize Source Engine Console Commands for various tasks.[15]

Enabling the console in Source games

1. Launch the game
2. From the main menu, select Options
3. Select the Keyboard/Mouse tab
4. Set Allow Developer Console to Enabled

Notes

Press ~ to open the console.

Some commands may first require enabling sv_cheats with the sv_cheats 1 command.

Many servers will not allow playing with cheats enabled, or will disable them upon entering the server.

Users without a US keyboard could experience some problems.

Creating a custom CFG file

A CFG is a file that contains a list of commands that will be executed when called.

Creating a custom CFG file

1. Go to <path-to-game>\left4dead2\cfg\
2. Create a .cfg file.
3. Open the file with a text editor and type in all desired commands, separating each with a ; character.
4. Save the file.
5. To run the .cfg file, open the console during the game and type in exec [filename].cfg

Notes

To run the .cfg file on every launch, name it autoexec.cfg

Third-person view support

The game in third-person view, featuring multiple other modifications

Pressing F10 will toggle between first and third person after enabled.

A simplified setup can be achieved with the 3PS mod.

Command set 1

• Input the following commands in the console:

c_thirdpersonshoulderaimdist 360
c_thirdpersonshoulderdist 90
c_thirdpersonshoulderheight 0
c_thirdpersonshoulderoffset 20
bind "F10" "thirdpersonshoulder"

Command set 2 (camera centered on player, higher zoom)

• Input the following commands in the console:

c_thirdpersonshoulderaimdist 1000
c_thirdpersonshoulderdist 115
c_thirdpersonshoulderheight 15
c_thirdpersonshoulderoffset 0
bind "F10" "thirdpersonshoulder"

Warnings

• Some cutscene intros may be angled incorrectly.
• Several graphical glitches may occur: an inaccurate weapon shadow, flashlight glows seen at character’s back, motion blur for melee weapons looking broken (see mod to remove this effect), and potential others.
• Switching between first and third person in-game may cause the HUD to disappear.
• The crosshair may be slightly off-center; use the cam_idealyaw function to correct this.
• The camera may occasionally see through walls and objects.
• The shotgun will sound very quiet. Try this mod (may cause online games to crash).
• Dying and entering new areas may revert it to first person.

Text chat with keyboard in controller mode

If playing using a controller and the text chat needs to be used (press Y) online, there are several methods. This also applies to the voting keys.

Enable Steam Input from game porperties from Steam’s library.

[citation needed]

This allows simultaneous input from both keyboard, mouse and controller.

Edit .cfg file

[citation needed]

1. Go to <path-to-game>\cfg.
2. Open 360controller.cfg in a text editor.
3. Find the line which starts with unbindall and comment it out by adding // before it (resulting in //unbindall).

If this still does not work, it is possible that the key bindings were unbound, so re-binding them in the settings menu is required.

Remove item/character glows

Some players may wish to remove the item glows and/or character glows since they are unrealistic and makes discovery of other players/items too easy.

Create a custom .cfg file

1. See instructions on creating and running .cfg files

Copy and paste the following lines

//Glow of barfed survivors
cl_glow_survivor_vomit_b 0
cl_glow_survivor_vomit_g 0
cl_glow_survivor_vomit_r 0

//Glow of survivors
cl_glow_survivor_b 0
cl_glow_survivor_g 0
cl_glow_survivor_r 0

//Glow of incapped survivors
cl_glow_survivor_hurt_b 0
cl_glow_survivor_hurt_g 0
cl_glow_survivor_hurt_r 0

//Glow of items after you are in black and white mode (after 3rd incap)
cl_glow_thirdstrike_item_b 0
cl_glow_thirdstrike_item_g 0
cl_glow_thirdstrike_item_r 0

//GLOW from FAR distance:
cl_glow_item_far_b 0
cl_glow_item_far_g 0
cl_glow_item_far_r 0

//GLOW from UP CLOSE:
cl_glow_item_b 0
cl_glow_item_g 0
cl_glow_item_r 0

cl_glow_ability_r 0
cl_glow_ability_g 0
cl_glow_ability_b 0

Command line arguments

See command line arguments on how to use the following options.

Parameter
Description

-w X -h Y
Sets screen resolution (or window resolution if using -window). Example: -w 1920 -h 1080.

-refresh X
Sets the screen refresh rate (Hz). Example: -refresh 60.

-noborder -window
Launches the game in a borderless windowed mode. This may result in a minor performance loss. Windows Aero (Vista/7) may cause stuttering.

-novid
Skips intro videos.

-high
Sets the game’s process priority to High.

-autoconfig
Restores video and performance settings to default for the current hardware detected. Ignores settings inside any .cfg files until this parameter is removed.

+mat_motion_blur_percent_of_screen_max 0
Removes motion blur.

-vulkan
Forces the Vulkan renderer.[16]

Useful split-screen commands

Relevant only when using split-screen mode.

Parameter
Description

connect_splitscreen localhost [ip-address] 2
Connects to a LAN or Internet server. Direct connections must be allowed

[cmd/cmd2] jointeam (2/3)
Assigns selected player (cmd) to either survivor or infected team

ss_map <map-name> [realism/survival/versus/mutation#

ss_splitmode (0/1/2)
Toggles horizontal and vertical screen split (0 is auto selection)

z_difficulty (Easy/Normal/Hard/Impossible)
Changes game difficulty

setinfo name Max

name2 Tony

Mods

Graphics

UI

Audio

• Resident Evil Weapon Sounds (low mid) – lowers the volume of loud gunshot sounds, but has a glitch with the combat shotgun where there is a very loud static noise after each shot.
• Shut Up Survivors – mutes some of the more annoying survivors’ quotes. Important quotes are left intact.

Gameplay

• Improved Bots (Advanced) – increases bot AI. The advanced version of this mod is not compatible with SFKTeam’s custom main menu mod, but Improved Bots (Simple) is.

System requirements

WindowsmacOS (OS X)Linux
Windows

Minimum
Recommended

Operating system (OS)
7, 8.1, 10

Processor (CPU)
Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz

System memory (RAM)
2 GB

Hard disk drive (HDD)
13 GB

Video card (GPU)
ATI Radeon X800
Nvidia GeForce 6600
128 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0c compatible
Shader model 2.0 support
ATI Radeon X1600
Nvidia GeForce 7600
Shader model 3.0 support

Sound (audio device)
DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card

Windows XP and Vista were previously supported. As future updates for this game and Steam occurred, the support was dropped, even for retail copies.

macOS (OS X)

Minimum

Operating system (OS)
10.7

Processor (CPU)
Intel Dual Core 2 GHz

System memory (RAM)
2 GB

Hard disk drive (HDD)
13 GB

Video card (GPU)
ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro
Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT
Intel HD Graphics 3000

Linux

Minimum

Operating system (OS)
Ubuntu 12.04

Processor (CPU)
Intel Dual core 2.8 GHz
AMD Dual core 2.8 GHz

System memory (RAM)
2 GB

Hard disk drive (HDD)
13 GB

Video card (GPU)
ATI/AMD Radeon HD2600/3600
Nvidia GeForce 8600/9600GT
OpenGL 2.1 compatible

Sound (audio device)
OpenAL Compatible Sound Card

Other
(Graphic Drivers: Nvidia 310, AMD 12.11)

OpenGL versions require the GL_EXT_draw_buffers2 extension.[18] A hacky workaround exists.

Not supported: OS X 10.5.x (Leopard), ATI Radeon X1600 or X1900 graphics, Nvidia GeForce 7 graphics or Intel graphics less than Intel HD 3000.

Notes

1. ↑Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below

   %PROGRAMFILES%

   %PROGRAMDATA%

   %WINDIR%

   %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore

   When running this game without elevated privileges (option), write operations against a location below, ormight be redirected toon Windows Vista and later ( more details ).

References