Sometimes Steam users are unable to launch CS 2. There are several reasons for this – from compatibility problems to incorrect OS settings. In this article we will tell you what to do if CS 2 does not start.

Why CS 2 does not start – ways to solve the problem

Classic ways to solve the problem – check the integrity of CS 2 files or reinstall the game.

Check the integrity of CS 2 files

• Select the game in the Steam library, right-click the mouse
• Open “Properties” – “Installed files”.
• Click “Check game file integrity”.
• Steam will download the problematic files, then try to restart the game

But there are alternative options. About them below. Some methods may not help with your problem.

Method #1

• Locate cs2.exe in the game files.
• Right click on the file – “Properties” – “Compatibility”.
• Select your version of Windows and run as administrator.
• In the CS 2 startup options, type -vulkan. It is desirable to remove all other unnecessary commands.

If compatibility does not show your version of Windows 10, then choose a different one. For example, Windows 8.

Method #2

Often when launching CS 2, various errors and warnings about problems with files pop up. As a rule, such problems occur on enterprise versions of Windows 10 (LTSB / LTSC).

The only way out is to put another version of the OS. Some players report that the problems disappeared after installing Windows 10 Home/Pro or Windows 11. Alternatively, wait for the developers to fix the compatibility issue.

Method #3

Try disabling game performance monitoring applications. For example, FPS Monitor or MSI Afterburner. Sometimes they conflict with CS 2 files.

Method #4 (for NVIDIA graphics cards)

If nothing happens after launching CS 2, then run PowerShell as administrator and enter one by one:

Attention, all actions you perform at your own risk.

• dir “$env:systemroot\system32\driverstore\filerepository\*NvCameraEnable.exe” -rec |% {& “$_” off}
• dir “$env:programfiles\nvidia corporation\*NvCameraEnable.exe” -rec |% {& “$_” off}

Method #5

The game may start, but when searching for a match, the error “Some of your game files have no signature or their signatures are invalid” will appear. Update the steamservice.dll file, which is stored in two copies. You need to make sure they are identical:

• Go to the main Steam folder, open the “bin” folder.
• Find steamservice.dll and copy it.
• Go to the system drive – Program Files (x86) – Common Files – Steam.
• Paste the file and confirm the replacement.