: Documentation for setting up or joining dedicated servers is now hosted on the AlterWare Docs Interesting Feature: The Bot Menu
Most changes should take effect automatically upon a fresh launch.
Servers with minimized heads-up displays (HUD), increased bullet damage, and tactical rule sets. Troubleshooting a Blank Server List
How to Setup an IW4X Server in 2026 | Basic Setup and Configuration iw4x server list updated
If servers appear → Done.
You must forward port 28960 (UDP/TCP) in your router settings to allow others to join.
If you are hosting a server, ensure sv_lanOnly is set to "0" (false) in your server configuration. If it is set to true, your server will not send heartbeats to the master server and will not appear in the public list. : Documentation for setting up or joining dedicated
Ensure you have a clean installation of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) , typically found in your Steam common folder.
If your server browser shows stale results, don’t panic. Follow these steps to trigger a complete re-fetch.
Filter out empty or completely full servers to find a slot instantly. What to Do If the Server List is Empty You must forward port 28960 (UDP/TCP) in your
Outdated clients lack modern remote code execution (RCE) patches.
Some servers run extensive custom mods or custom maps. When you join, the client will automatically download these files. Ensure you have extra storage space on your hard drive to accommodate custom textures and map files.
: Regularly cited by the community as having active TDM and trickshot lobbies.
Open the and search for "Allow an app through Windows Firewall." Click Change Settings . Locate iw4x.exe on the list. Ensure both Private and Public boxes are checked. Click OK and restart your game. Disable VPNs Temporarily
Your Windows Defender Firewall might be blocking the game from pinging the master server network.