October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk9 min

How to Enable Cheats on a Garry’s Mod Server

Enable Garry’s Mod cheats by setting sv_cheats to 1. This guide covers console, RCON and server.cfg setup, restart behavior, permissions, safety and troubleshooting.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To enable Garry’s Mod’s cheat-protected commands on a server, set the server convar sv_cheats to 1. Enter sv_cheats 1 in the server console or through RCON for an immediate, temporary change. To apply it after every restart, put the same line in garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg or in your host’s server-configuration editor.

The switch is server-wide, not a per-player setting. With it enabled, commands such as noclip, god, buddha, impulse 101 and give can be used, subject to the permissions and sandbox rules of your server. Leave it at 0 on a public or live multiplayer server unless you are deliberately testing a map or debugging.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What sv_cheats does

sv_cheats is the server convar that controls Garry’s Mod’s cheat-protected commands. Its default value is 0, which means those commands are blocked in multiplayer. Changing the value to 1 unlocks the protected command set for the server.

This is a server-wide switch. It does not create a private allowance for the administrator who typed it, and it does not let you choose individual players from the convar itself. Everyone connected to that server is subject to the same cheat state. If you return the value to 0, the protected commands stop working again; a player who is currently in noclip is taken out of noclip when the switch is disabled.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Logitech G213 Prodigy Wired RGB Gaming Keyboard - Black
  • Personalize 5 customizable lighting zones with over 16.8M colors to match your setup or game and synchronize backlit lighting effects with other Logitech G devices using Logitech G Hub
  • G213 Prodigy is a full-sized keyboard designed for gaming and productivity, with a slim body built for gamers of all levels and durable construction to repel liquids, crumbs, and dirt for easy cleanup
  • Each key is tuned to enhance the tactile experience, delivering ultra-quick, responsive feedback while the anti-ghosting gaming matrix is tuned for optimal gaming performance, keeping you in control
  • G213 gaming keyboard features dedicated media controls that can play, pause, and mute music and videos instantly; easily adjust the volume or skip to the next song with the touch of a button
  • Customize lighting, game mode, and macro programming with Logitech G HUB software and stay comfortable during long gaming sessions thanks to an integrated palm rest and adjustable keyboard feet

When the convar is off and someone attempts a cheat-protected command in multiplayer, Garry’s Mod displays a message beginning “Can’t use cheat command … in multiplayer.” That message is a useful indication that the command reached a multiplayer server where cheats are not enabled.

Choose temporary or persistent activation

Method Where you enter it Survives a restart? Best use
Live console change Server console No Short tests, map debugging or a one-time session
Live RCON change Your RCON client or control panel No Changing a remote server without opening its local console
Persistent configuration garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg or a hosting-panel configuration editor Yes, provided the file is loaded normally A test server that should start with cheats enabled
Admin-mod permissions Your installed administration system Depends on that system’s configuration Giving selected abilities without enabling the global cheat switch

The first two methods change the running server immediately but are lost when the server stops or restarts. A line in server.cfg is read when the server starts, so it is the appropriate method when the setting must be restored automatically.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Enable cheats immediately from the server console

Use this procedure when the server is running and you want the change only for the current session.

  1. Open the server console. Use the console provided by the dedicated-server process or by your hosting control panel. You need access to the server’s command input, not merely the chat box seen by ordinary players.
  2. Enter the convar command exactly: sv_cheats 1. The value is a number: 1 enables the switch and 0 disables it.
  3. Press Enter and wait for the command to be accepted. The change is intended to take effect on the running server; no restart is required for this live method.
  4. Test one protected command. For example, try noclip from an account that is allowed to issue console commands. If the server still reports “Can’t use cheat command … in multiplayer,” the command was not enabled on that server instance, or your access level is preventing the test.
  5. Turn it back off when the test ends. Enter sv_cheats 0. This restores the default cheat state and ends active noclip use.

A live change is deliberately ephemeral. If the process is restarted, stopped and started again, or replaced by a new instance, the setting returns to whatever the startup configuration specifies—normally the default of 0 unless you have saved a persistent setting.

Rank #2
Sale
AULA F75 Pro Wireless Mechanical Keyboard,75% Hot Swappable Custom Keyboard with Knob,RGB Backlit,Pre-lubed Reaper Switches,Side Printed PBT Keycaps,2.4GHz/USB-C/BT5.0 Mechanical Gaming Keyboards
  • Tri-mode Connection Keyboard: AULA F75 Pro wireless mechanical keyboards work with Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless and USB wired connection, can connect up to five devices at the same time, and easily switch by shortcut keys or side button. F75 Pro computer keyboard is suitable for PC, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, PS, XBOX etc, to meet all the needs of users. In addition, the rechargeable keyboard is equipped with a 4000mAh large-capacity battery, which has long-lasting battery life
  • Hot-swap Custom Keyboard: This custom mechanical keyboard with hot-swappable base supports 3-pin or 5-pin switches replacement. Even keyboard beginners can easily DIY there own keyboards without soldering issue. F75 Pro gaming keyboards equipped with pre-lubricated stabilizers and LEOBOG reaper switches, bring smooth typing feeling and pleasant creamy mechanical sound, provide fast response for exciting game
  • Advanced Structure and PCB Single Key Slotting: This thocky heavy mechanical keyboard features a advanced structure, extended integrated silicone pad, and PCB single key slotting, better optimizes resilience and stability, making the hand feel softer and more elastic. Five layers of filling silencer fills the gap between the PCB, the positioning plate and the shaft,effectively counteracting the cavity noise sound of the shaft hitting the positioning plate, and providing a solid feel
  • 16.8 Million RGB Backlit: F75 Pro light up led keyboard features 16.8 million RGB lighting color. With 16 pre-set lighting effects to add a great atmosphere to the game. And supports 10 cool music rhythm lighting effects with driver. Lighting brightness and speed can be adjusted by the knob or the FN + key combination. You can select the single color effect as wish. And you can turn off the backlight if you do not need it
  • Professional Gaming Keyboard: No matter the outlook, the construction, or the function, F75 Pro mechanical keyboard is definitely a professional gaming keyboard. This 81-key 75% layout compact keyboard can save more desktop space while retaining the necessary arrow keys for gaming. Additionally, with the multi-function knob, you can easily control the backlight and Media. Keys macro programmable, you can customize the function of single key or key combination function through F75 driver to increase the probability of winning the game and improve the work efficiency. N key rollover, and supports WIN key lock to prevent accidental touches in intense games

Enable cheats through RCON

RCON provides remote access to the server console. If your server host supplies RCON credentials and an RCON client or panel, connect to the correct server instance and submit the same command, sv_cheats 1. It has the same behavior as entering the line locally: the running server changes immediately, but the value is lost at the next restart unless it is also stored in the startup configuration.

Be careful to target the server that players are actually using. It is possible to send a valid command to a staging instance, a second game server or a stopped instance while the public server remains unchanged. After sending the command, test from a connected player on that same instance rather than assuming that an RCON success message changed every server you operate.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Make the setting persistent with server.cfg

For a server that should start with cheats enabled every time, add this line to the configuration file:

sv_cheats 1
  1. Stop or otherwise place the server in a safe maintenance state. Editing a configuration while a host panel is rewriting files can cause your change to be lost.
  2. Open garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg. On a dedicated Garry’s Mod installation, this is the standard server configuration path. A hosting provider may expose the same file through a web editor instead of direct file access.
  3. Add the line as its own setting: sv_cheats 1. Keep the spelling and underscore exactly as shown.
  4. Save the file and restart the server. A restart is needed to load a file change into the running process.
  5. Connect and test. Use a protected command such as noclip from an account permitted to run it. If the setting did not take effect, inspect the panel’s active configuration file and confirm that the server was restarted after saving.

One hosting guide specifically advises keeping the line in the configuration whenever cheats are meant to remain enabled after restarts. If you later want the normal multiplayer state, change the line to sv_cheats 0 or remove the enabling line, then restart and test again.

Rank #3
Sale
SteelSeries Apex 3 Gaming Keyboard - Black | 10-Zone RGB Illumination – IP32 Water Resistant – Premium Magnetic Wrist Rest (Whisper Quiet Gaming Switch)
  • Ip32 water resistant – Prevents accidental damage from liquid spills
  • 10-zone RGB illumination – Gorgeous color schemes and reactive effects
  • Whisper quiet gaming switches – Nearly silent use for 20 million low friction keypresses
  • Premium magnetic wrist rest – Provides full palm support and comfort
  • Dedicated multimedia controls – Adjust volume and settings on the fly

Use a hosting panel’s configuration editor

Many managed hosts do not give you a normal file-transfer workflow. In that case, open the panel’s server configuration or “server.cfg” editor, add sv_cheats 1, save it and restart the server through the panel. The important distinction is whether the editor writes the startup configuration, not whether it is a web page or a local file.

Some panels also offer a separate live-console window. Entering sv_cheats 1 there is only a temporary change; use the persistent configuration editor when the setting must survive a restart. If the panel has both a command console and a configuration field, treat them as the temporary and persistent methods respectively.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Permissions: why operators may get different results

Access to the server console, access to RCON and permission to run commands from an in-game console are separate things. The available hosting documentation is not consistent about the exact requirement for changing sv_cheats: one account says a multiplayer operator must be a Super Admin, while another says an administrator can issue the command from the in-game console when they have Super Admin or RCON access.

Because those reports conflict, do not assume that every “admin” rank can change the convar. Test the procedure on a private or disposable server with the same administration setup as the production server. If the command is rejected, ask the host which account level is required or use an authenticated RCON connection. Do not grant broad privileges on a public server merely to test a cheat command.

Rank #4
Sale
TECKNET Wired Gaming Keyboard, RGB Backlit Keyboard with Metal Panel Design | 15-Zone RGB Illumination, Whisper Quiet Design, IP32 Water Resistance, 25 Anti-ghosting Keys, Ergonomic Design
  • 【Ergonomic Design, Enhanced Typing Experience】Improve your typing experience with our computer keyboard featuring an ergonomic 7-degree input angle and a scientifically designed stepped key layout. The integrated wrist rests maintain a natural hand position, reducing hand fatigue. Constructed with durable ABS plastic keycaps and a robust metal base, this keyboard offers superior tactile feedback and long-lasting durability.
  • 【15-Zone Rainbow Backlit Keyboard】Customize your PC gaming keyboard with 7 illumination modes and 4 brightness levels. Even in low light, easily identify keys for enhanced typing accuracy and efficiency. Choose from 15 RGB color modes to set the perfect ambiance for your typing adventure. After 30 minutes of inactivity, the keyboard will turn off the backlight and enter sleep mode. Press any key or "Fn+PgDn" to wake up the buttons and backlight.
  • 【Whisper Quiet Design】Experience near-silent operation with our whisper-quiet gaming switch, ideal for office environments and gaming setups. The classic volcano switch structure ensures durability and an impressive lifespan of 50 million keystrokes.
  • 【IP32 Spill Resistance】Our quiet gaming keyboard is IP32 spill-resistant, featuring 4 drainage holes in the wrist rest to prevent accidents and keep your game uninterrupted. Cleaning is made easy with the removable key cover.
  • 【25 Anti-Ghost Keys & 12 Multimedia Keys】Enjoy swift and precise responses during games with the RGB gaming keyboard's anti-ghost keys, allowing 25 keys to function simultaneously. Control play, pause, and skip functions directly with the 12 multimedia keys for a seamless gaming experience. (Please note: Multimedia keys are not compatible with Mac)

Even when you can set the convar, a separate admin-mod permission system may still control who can open a console, run commands or use sandbox tools. A successful sv_cheats 1 change therefore does not automatically mean that every player has identical command access through every interface.

What becomes available—and what does not

With sv_cheats 1, the server permits cheat-protected commands including:

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  • noclip, which is commonly used to fly while testing a map;
  • god and buddha, which change protected player-survival behavior;
  • impulse 101;
  • give.

The convar unlocks the protected class of commands; it is not a grant of a particular tool or role. Whether a player can actually issue a command can still depend on their console access, administrator permissions and the rules of the current game mode.

For sandbox noclip specifically, hosting documentation mentions an sbox_noclip convar that can block ordinary players from flying. Its exact behavior and interaction with current Garry’s Mod builds were not established in the available official documentation, so treat it as a separate server setting and verify it on a test server rather than assuming that sv_cheats 1 overrides it.

Best Value
GEODMAER 65% Gaming Keyboard, Wired Backlit Mini Keyboard, Ultra-Compact Anti-Ghosting No-Conflict 68 Keys Membrane Gaming Wired Keyboard for PC Laptop Windows Gamer
  • 【65% Compact Design】GEODMAER Wired gaming keyboard compact mini design, save space on the desktop, novel black & silver gray keycap color matching, separate arrow keys, No numpad, both gaming and office, easy to carry size can be easily put into the backpack
  • 【Wired Connection】Gaming Keybaord connects via a detachable Type-C cable to provide a stable, constant connection and ultra-low input latency, and the keyboard's 26 keys no-conflict, with FN+Win lockable win keys to prevent accidental touches
  • 【Strong Working Life】Wired gaming keyboard has more than 10,000,000+ keystrokes lifespan, each key over UV to prevent fading, has 11 media buttons, 65% small size but fully functional, free up desktop space and increase efficiency
  • 【LED Backlit Keyboard】GEODMAER Wired Gaming Keyboard using the new two-color injection molding key caps, characters transparent luminous, in the dark can also clearly see each key, through the light key can be OF/OFF Backlit, FN + light key can switch backlit mode, always bright / breathing mode, FN + ↑ / ↓ adjust the brightness increase / decrease, FN + ← / → adjust the breathing frequency slow / fast
  • 【Ergonomics & Mechanical Feel Keyboard】The ergonomically designed keycap height maintains the comfort for long time use, protects the wrist, and the mechanical feeling brought by the imitation mechanical technology when using it, an excellent mechanical feeling that can be enjoyed without the high price, and also a quiet membrane gaming keyboard
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Server-wide risk and safe operating practice

Because the switch applies to the whole server, leaving it enabled on a public session can expose noclip, invulnerability-related commands and item-giving commands to players who would not normally have them. This can alter gameplay, undermine moderation and make a role-play or competitive server effectively unplayable.

The recommended use is a private test server, a temporary map-development session or debugging. Keep the default value of 0 on a live multiplayer server unless every connected player is expected to have the resulting abilities.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  • Tell connected players before enabling the switch, especially if the server is not a private test environment.
  • Use a short maintenance window for tests and return to sv_cheats 0 afterward.
  • Check the persistent file as well as the live value; otherwise a test setting can unexpectedly return after a restart.
  • Do not treat an admin rank as a substitute for the global safety decision. Super Admin or RCON access controls who can change the setting, while the setting itself affects the server.

Alternative: grant a limited ability instead of enabling cheats

If your goal is only to let moderators or builders fly, leaving sv_cheats at 0 and using your administration mod’s permissions is usually safer. That approach keeps cheat-protected commands disabled globally while assigning a narrowly scoped ability through the permission system.

The exact menu names and permission strings depend on the administration mod installed on your server, so use that mod’s current documentation. For sandbox noclip, investigate the server’s sbox_noclip policy and the relevant admin permission before changing the global convar. The available material confirms that such a setting is mentioned by hosting guides, but it does not establish a universal value or command sequence for every server configuration.

Troubleshooting

Symptom Likely cause What to do
“Can’t use cheat command … in multiplayer” appears sv_cheats is still 0, the command was sent to another server, or the change did not load Send sv_cheats 1 to the active server console or RCON endpoint, then test again from a connected player.
Cheats work now but stop after a restart The value was changed only in the live console Add sv_cheats 1 to garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg or the host’s persistent configuration editor, then restart.
The command is rejected or has no effect for an administrator The account lacks the required Super Admin or RCON authority, or the administration system blocks the command Check the host’s permission requirements and test with the correct Super Admin or authenticated RCON access on a non-public server.
Players can use abilities you intended only for staff The convar is server-wide Return it to sv_cheats 0 and use per-admin permissions for the limited ability you actually need.
A player is removed from noclip when cheats are disabled This is expected when the server-wide switch changes from 1 to 0 Re-enable cheats only for the controlled test, or use an admin permission system that provides the required ability without the global switch.
Noclip still does not work after enabling cheats A separate sandbox or admin policy may block ordinary players Check the server’s sandbox noclip policy, including the mentioned sbox_noclip setting, and verify the behavior on your exact server build.

A practical test-and-reset workflow

For map development, use a repeatable sequence so a temporary test does not become a permanent production setting.

  1. Start with a private or maintenance server and confirm that the server you are connected to is the one you intend to change.
  2. Enter sv_cheats 1 in the local console or through RCON.
  3. Run the specific protected command needed for the test, such as noclip, rather than assuming that every command behaves identically.
  4. Record any permission or sandbox restriction separately from the convar result; those are different controls.
  5. Finish the test and enter sv_cheats 0.
  6. If you added the line to server.cfg, remove it or change it to sv_cheats 0 before returning the server to normal players, then restart to ensure the saved state matches the intended live state.

Version and documentation caveat

The mechanics described here are based on current hosting documentation and the Garry’s Mod server-convar model, but the available Facepunch wiki ConVar page does not clearly spell out the multiplayer behavior in its visible description. Game builds, hosting panels and administration mods can change how permissions are presented. For a high-stakes production server, verify the command on a test instance running the same build and configuration before enabling it for players.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.