How to get a Steam Game Server Login Token (GSLT) for CS2 and CS:GO
CS2 and CS:GO Legacy servers sign in to Steam with a Game Server Login Token (GSLT), and Valve needs one before it lists your server publicly. It is free and takes a couple of minutes. NGP Cloud asks for it at checkout, so your server is ready the moment you pay.
What your Steam account needs
Valve only lets an account create tokens if:
- It isn't community banned or locked.
- It isn't limited. A limited account is one that has never spent at least $5 (USD) on Steam; buying a game or adding wallet funds lifts the limit.
- It has a phone number registered.
- It owns the game the token is for: CS2 for App ID 730, the standalone CS:GO app for 4465480. Both are free on Steam, so adding the right one to your library is enough.
CS:GO Legacy: App ID 730 or 4465480?
CS:GO can be played two ways on Steam, and your server and its token have to match the way your players play:
- Through Counter-Strike 2, switched to the old version (right-click Counter-Strike 2 in your Steam library, then Properties, Game Versions & Betas, csgo_legacy): use App ID 730.
- As the separate, free "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" app Valve released in 2026: use App ID 4465480.
- Never 740. That is the ID of the server software, and Steam refuses tokens made for it.
- New CS:GO Legacy servers are set up for the standalone app (4465480). If your players use csgo_legacy, make a 730 token and say so in a ticket, and support will switch your server to match.
Create the token
- 1. Sign in to Steam's Game Server Account Management page: steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers.
- 2. In App ID, type 730 for a CS2 server. For CS:GO Legacy, type 730 or 4465480 as explained above.
- 3. In Memo, type something you'll recognise later, like your server's name.
- 4. Click Create, and copy the token: 32 letters and numbers.
- 5. Paste it at checkout when you order the server.
Rules worth knowing
- One token per server. Two servers can't share one; if you order two servers, create two tokens.
- An account can create up to 1000 tokens.
- A token that is never used for a long time expires. You can regenerate it on the same page.
- Keep your token private: anyone who has it can run a server as you. If one leaks, regenerate it.
- If a server breaks Valve's rules and its token is banned, Valve can also restrict the account that made it from playing the game.
Changing the token on an existing server
If your token expires or you regenerate it, open a ticket with your new token and NGP Cloud support will update your server. Because a token is a secret, send it in the ticket, never in a public Discord channel.
Other Counter-Strike versions
Counter-Strike: Source servers can use a token too (App ID 240), but don't need one. Counter-Strike 1.6 servers don't use tokens.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Steam game server token cost money?
No, tokens are free. Your account just needs to meet Valve's rules: not limited, not banned, a phone number registered and the game in your library.
Which App ID do I use for a CS2 server?
730. For CS:GO Legacy it depends on how your players play: 730 through CS2's csgo_legacy version, 4465480 with the standalone CS:GO app. Counter-Strike: Source uses 240.
My CS:GO Legacy server says it is restricted to LAN only. Why?
Steam refused its token. Usually the token was made for the wrong App ID (740 is the most common mistake), for the other CS:GO version than your server is set to, or it has expired. Create a new one with 730 or 4465480, whichever your players use, and send it to support in a ticket.
Can I use one token for two servers?
No. Each running server needs its own token; create one per server.