7 Ways to Fix Regular In-Game Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Crashing on a Windows PC

Counter-Strike 2 is one of the most popular Steam games, for which players have reported regular in-game crashing issues. One player said this in a Steam forum post: “Fix CS2 freezing… as the title says, I hope Valve fixes this game. I can’t play a casual match for 5-10 mins because it freezes and I need to restart PC.” Many players have reported this kind of regular and random in-game crashing (typically freezing) for Counter-Strike 2. This is how you can fix regular in-game CS2 crashing on a Windows PC.

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Delete Temporary Files

Some players say erasing temporary Windows update and DirectX cache files has helped to resolve CS2 crashing issues on their PCs. Doing this will always free up drive storage space and might also eradicate corrupted data causing crashing issues. So, try erasing temporary files like this.

1. Activate the tool for finding files and apps by pressing the Windows key + S.
2. Type in a delete temporary files keyword.
3. Click Delete temporary files in the search results.
4. Next, click Temporary files in Settings.
5. Select the checkboxes for Windows Update Cleanup and DirectX Shader Cache. You can unselect all the other checkboxes.
   
   

   The Remove files button

6. Press the Remove files button.

Adjust In-Game CS2 Audio and Video Settings

Players have reported CS2 crashing and freezing arising when they press their push-to-talk keys. Setting a streamlined push to talk can resolve this bug. This is how you turn on streamlined push to talk.

1. Run Steam and click Play for Counter-Strike 2.
2. Next, click the Settings menu > Audio.
3. Set the Streamlined Push to Talk option to Yes.

The Streamlined Push to Talk option

In addition, try lowering the graphical settings for CS2 as well. To do this, click Video > Advanced Video within the settings menu. Select a lower Current Video Values Preset option than the one selected. For example, select Low if it’s set to Medium.

The Advanced Video tab in Counter-Strike 2

Disable Fullscreen Optimization

Some players say disabling fullscreen optimization has fixed CS2 crashing on their PCs. That fullscreen mode is set by default and can sometimes have varied gaming performance side effects, especially with overlays enabled. You can turn off fullscreen optimization for Counter-Strike 2 like this.

1. Hold the Windows logo button key and press E to access File Explorer.
2. Go to the following default folder path: Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\bin\win64.
3. Right-click the cs2.exe file and select Properties > Compatibility.
4. Select Disable fullscreen optimizations.
   
   

   The Disable fullscreen optimizations checkbox

5. Click Apply to set your selected option.
6. Exit the properties window by clicking OK.

Set a High Priority Option for Counter-Strike 2

Setting a high-priority option for Counter-Strike 2 has worked for some players who’ve needed to fix CS2 crashing. Task Manager includes a Set priority option for processes with which users can set higher or lower CPU utilization for programs. This is how you can set a higher priority for Counter-Strike 2.

1. Start Counter-Strike 2, wait for it to reach the title screen, and press the Windows logo keyboard key to return to the desktop.
2. Next, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to quickly access the Task Manager window.
3. Click Details to view that tab.
4. Right-click CS2.exe to select Set priority > High.

   

5. Note that selecting that option once doesn’t save it. You will need to select a higher priority every time after starting Counter-Strike 2.

Set a -Vulkan Launch Parameter

Setting the -vulkan launch parameter is another confirmed way to fix CS2 crashing. Doing this configures Counter-Strike 2 to run with the Vulkan API rather than DirectX. These are the steps for setting that launch option via Steam.

1. Bring up your Steam gaming client.
2. Next, right-click Counter-Strike 2 within the Library tab and select Properties.
3. Enter -vulkan in the Launch Options box.

The Launch Options parameter

Update Your Graphics Driver

Some Counter-Strike 2 players have said updating graphics drivers on their PCs has fixed the CS2 crashing for them. So, try updating the graphics driver on your PC if it’s outdated. Check out our guide to updating graphics drivers for details about how to apply this potential fix.

The Drivers tab in GeForce Experience

Reinstall Counter-Strike 2

If the CS2 crashing continues, reinstalling Counter-Strike 2 could be your best bet for fixing it. Reinstalling the game will refresh all its files and update it. This is how you can uninstall and reinstall Counter-Strike 2 with its Steam gaming client.

1. Run Steam and click Library to view your games.
2. Click Counter-Strike 2 in the left sidebar with your right mouse button to select Manage and Uninstall.
3. Select Uninstall a second time to confirm.
   
   

   The Uninstall option for Counter-Strike 2

4. Click the uninstalled CS2 game in Steam and press its Install button.
5. Press Install again to reinstall.

There are many causes for Counter-Strike 2 crashing, and the potential solutions above don’t necessarily address them all. However, the possible resolutions covered here have fixed persistent in-game CS2 crashing for some players. So, applying some of those fixes might at least reduce the regularity of CS2 crashes on your PC.