The CS2 “VAC unable to verify game session” error is an issue that Counter-Strike players have been suffering from for years. When it happens, it feels as though the game is accusing you of cheating, but all that’s really happening when the CS2 “VAC unable to verify game session” error appears is that the anti-cheat can’t figure out if you should be allowed into online matches at that specific moment.
To fix the CS2 “VAC unable to verify game session” error, there are a few steps you need to try. There’s no guaranteed solution, so by exhausting every possible option, you can make sure you’re back into matchmaking in no time.
Restart your PC and CS2, then verify your game files
I know you didn’t come here to hear “turn it off and on again,” but that realistically should be your first step. Restart your PC and CS2, then try again. If you’re still seeing the “VAC unable to verify game session” error, then it’s time to verify the integrity of your game files.
To do this, right-click Counter-Strike 2 on Steam and follow these steps:
- Head to the Properties and go down to the Installed Files tab.
- Press the button that says “Verify integrity of game files.”
- Wait for it to automatically complete.
- If the process finds anything awry with your CS2 installation, it will automatically redownload the correct files.
- Wait for the files to redownload.
After this is complete, relaunch CS2. For most players, this should be a CS2 “VAC unable to verify game session” error fix.
Change your Steam name and profile picture
It’s going to sound strange, but I can vouch for this fix myself after having the CS2 “VAC unable to verify game session” error some time ago. On Steam, changing your profile picture and name has been known to fix this particular error. It shouldn’t be your first step, but if verifying the integrity of your game files doesn’t work, this is what’s next.
To do this, head to your Steam profile and hit the large “Edit Profile” button. You want to change the Profile Name setting under the General tab, and then switch your picture from the Avatar tab. Now try searching for a CS2 matchmaking game – hopefully this will fix the “VAC unable to verify game session” error message.
Play a CS2 Practice with bots
The next step, if you’re still getting the CS2 “VAC unable to verify game session” error message, is to hop into a CS2 practice match with bots. You don’t need to play this out to completion. Just jump in, play out the first round, and then leave at the start of the second round.
This is a super simple fix, but some players have reported that it stops “VAC unable to verify game session” from appearing in-game.
Run Steam and CS2 as an administrator
We’re starting to exhaust all options here. If you’re still having the problem after trying all of the above, close CS2 and Steam again. Then, relaunch both, this time as an administrator on Windows. This seems like a simple fix, but it’s one that many won’t think to try.
