If you can’t launch Counter-Strike 2 either on your Windows or via Steam, don’t worry, you’re not the only one experiencing such a problem. As luck would have it, it’s not a difficult problem to solve. Here are some of the fixes that have helped many other gamers with their CS2 not launching issue, and you may want to try them as well.
Try these fixes
You don’t have to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that fixes the Counter-Strike 2 not launching problem for you.
- Update Windows
- Verify game files
- Reinstall Counter-Strike 2
- Update graphics card driver
- Run Counter-Strike 2 as admin and in compatibility mode
- Add Steam to the antivirus exclusion
- Repair damaged or corrupted system files
1. Update Windows
If your system isn’t updated regularly, there could be compatibility issues that can cause Counter-Strike 2 to not launch successfully. To make sure that you have the latest available updates installed:
- On your keyboard, hit the Windows key, then type check for updates, then click Check for updates.
- Click Check for updates, and Windows will scan for any available updates.
- If there are available updates, Windows will automatically download them for you. Restart your computer for the update to take effect if needed.
- If there are no available updates, you’ll see You’re up to date like this.
Then try your Counter-Strike 2 again to see if it launches well. If the problem remains, please move on to the next fix.
2. Verify game files
If there are damaged or missing game files, your Counter-Strike 2 won’t launch either. To see if this is the culprit to your not launching CS2, please verify the game files as follows:
- Launch Steam.
- In the LIBRARY, right-click Counter-Strike 2 and select Properties from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Installed Files tab and click on the Verified integrity of game files button.
- Steam will verify the game’s files – this process may take several minutes.
When the verification process is done, restart your Counter-Strike 2 to see if it launches successfully now. If the problem still remains, please move on to the next fix.
3. Reinstall Counter-Strike 2 (by uninstalling Steam)
If verifying the game files doesn’t help to launch your CS2, it’s probable that there are other corrupted or missing system files when the game is installed. In that case, we suggest you reinstall Counter-Strike 2 altogether. Given that CS2 is installed via Steam, you’ll need to uninstall Steam for it to be reinstalled. To do so:
This process will remove Steam and any installed game content from your machine.
- On your keyboard, press theWindowskey andRkey at the same time. Typecontrol paneland hitEnter.
- View byCategories,then selectUninstall a programunderPrograms.
- Select Steam, then click the Uninstall button to remove it.
- Downloadthe latest version of Steam and then double-click the file you downloaded to reinstall it.
Then download Counter-Strike 2 again on Steam, and see if it launches successfully now. If the problem still remains, please move on to the next troubleshooting method.
4. Update graphics card driver
An outdated or incorrect display card driver could also be the culprit to your Counter-Strike 2 not launching problem, so if the above two methods don’t help Counter-Strike 2 to launch, it’s likely that you have a corrupted or outdated graphics driver. So you should update your drivers to see if it helps.
There are mainly 2 ways you can update your graphics driver: manually or automatically.
Option 1: Update your graphics driver manually
If you’re a tech-savvy gamer, you can spend some time updating your GPU driver manually.
To do so, first visit the website of your GPU manufacturer:
Then search for your GPU model. Note that you should only download the latest driver installer that’s compatible with your operating system. Once downloaded, open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to update.
Option 2: Update your graphics driver automatically (Recommended)
If you don’t have the time, patience or skills to update the driver manually, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy. Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to be troubled by the wrong driver you would be downloading, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.Driver Easy handles it all.
You can update your drivers automatically with either theFREEor thePro versionof Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 steps (and you get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee):
- Downloadand install Driver Easy.
- Run Driver Easy and click theScan Nowbutton. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
- ClickUpdate Allto automatically download and install the correct version ofallthe drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. (This requires thePro version– you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.)
Note:You can do it for free if you like, but it’s partly manual. - Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
The Pro version of Driver Easycomes withfull technical support. If you need assistance, please contactDriver Easy’s support teamatsupport@drivereasy.com.
Launch Counter-Strike 2 again and see if the latest graphics driver helps it to launch. If this fix doesn’t work for you, try the next fix, below.
5. Run Counter-Strike 2 as admin and in compatibility mode
If Counter-Strike 2 lacks administrative privileges, which ensure that you have full rights to do anything it needs on your computer, it’ll fail to launch properly as well. To check if that’s your case, you can try running it as an administrator:
- Right-click yourSteamdesktop icon and selectProperties.
- Select theCompatibilitytab. Tick the box forRun this program as an administrator. Then clickApply > OKto save the changes.
- Then tick the box forRun this program in compatibility mode for:then selectWindows 8from the dropdown list. (If Windows 8 doesn’t help, repeat the process and select Windows 7 instead.)
Now open Counter-Strike 2 again (it should be opened with administrative permission), to see if it launches well. If it’s still not responding, please move on to the next fix.
6. Add Steam to the antivirus exclusion
Your not launching Counter-Strike 2 may also be caused by your third-party antivirus application, which hooks very deep into your system, and therefore may interfere with Steam.
Since Steam consumes a lot of memory and CPU usage when you’re playing a game, many third-party antivirus applications may regard it as a potential threat, so it may not run as expected. You can tryadding Steam as an exception to your third-party antivirus application.
Please consult your antivirus documentation for instructions if you aren’t sure how to do it.
7. Repair damaged or corrupted system files
If you are facing persistent issues and none of the previous solutions have proven effective, it’s possible that your corrupted system files are to blame. To rectify this, repairing the system files becomes crucial. The System File Checker (SFC) tool can assist you in this process. By executing the “sfc /scannow” command, you can initiate a scan that identifies problems and repairs missing or corrupted system files. However, it is important to note thatthe SFC tool primarily focuses on scanning major files and may overlook minor issues.
In situations where the SFC tool falls short, a more powerful and specialized Windows repair tool is recommended.Fortectis an automated Windows repair tool that excels in identifying problematic files and replacing malfunctioning ones. By scanning your PC comprehensively, Fortect can provide a more comprehensive and effective solution for repairing your Windows system.
- Download and install Fortect.
- Open Fortect. It will run a free scan of your PC and give you a detailed report of your PC status.
- Once finished, you’ll see a report showing all the issues. To fix all the issues automatically, click Start Repair (You’ll need to purchase the full version. It comes with a 60-day Money-Back Guarantee so you can refund anytime if Fortect doesn’t fix your problem).
The repair is available with the paid version of Fortect that comes with a full money-back guarantee and full technical support. If you need any assistance, feel free to contact their support team.
The above are 7 of the most effective ways to help your Counter-Strike 2 launch. If you have any other constructive suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below. We’re all ears.
- game
