There are a lot of different game modes in CS2. Some of them, such as the Competitive game mode, require completion of specific requirements to be unlocked. Not all the players enjoy being voracious so they just play other game modes. Wingman is a shorter and faster version of Competitive, and Casual game mode is less restrictive and chill. You can leave and join at any point during the game, making it the best for new players or people who want to enjoy the game.
However, the Casual mode can be bugged or disabled sometimes. So, players are wondering why they can’t play this mode whenever they want. Today, we will talk about how to fix CS2 casual not working and why is it happening, and some of the main troubles players face such as crashing during game play.
Troubleshooting crashing mid-game
Verify Integrity of Game Files
The first and most effective way to fix most Counter-Strike related problems is to verify the integrity of your game files. Sometimes, CS2 might experience crashing issues because of corrupted files that prevent the game from working properly, which is why we’re going to do a quick clean.
Here is how you can verify the integrity of your game files:
- Exit and close Counter-Strike 2 completely.
- Open your Steam client and go to your Game Library.
- Look for CS2 on your list of games and right-click it.
- When a drop-down menu appears, click Properties.
- Next, go to the Installed Files section.
- Finally, hit Verify integrity of game files.
You’ll have to wait a few minutes for the process to be completed, and you won’t be able to run the game until it’s done.
Use Launch Options To Optimize CS2
Another thing you can do through the Steam client to figure out why CS2 keeps crashing is to use a handful of useful launch options that will improve the overall performance of your game and prevent crashing.
First, let’s guide you to the launch options section:
- Exit and close Counter-Strike 2 completely.
- Open your Steam client and go to your Game Library.
- Look for CS2 on your list of games and right-click it.
- When a drop-down menu appears, click Properties.
- In the General section, look for Launch Options.
- There should be a text box provided, where you will input the launch options.
Now, here are some of the most effective launch options to help your game run better:
- -novid: This launch option will remove the intro video every time you launch the game.
- -high: This launch option will set Counter-Strike to high priority mode on Steam.
- +cl_forcepreload 1: This launch option will force the game to load all aspects before joining the game.
- -nojoy: This launch option will disable joystick support for Counter-Strike, making it run smoother.
Here is how you should input the launch options. Feel free to copy and paste, and remove any ones you don’t like:
| -novid -high +cl_forcepreload 1 -nojoy |
These launch options should be separated by a space, nothing else.
Update Your Graphics Card Drivers
The performance of your graphics card will have direct correlation with reasons for why CS2 keeps crashing. So, instead of asking you to simply upgrade your graphics card, let’s at least improve its capabilities by ensuring they are up to date.
Here is how you can check for graphics card updates:
- Go to your Windows Control Panel.
- Next, go to the Hardware and Sound section.
- Then, go to Devices and Printers and then Device Manager.
- Click on the dropdown arrow next to Display adapters.
- Look for the name of your graphics card, right-click it, and click Update driver.
- Hit Search automatically for drivers.
- Follow the on-screen instructions if an update is available.
If you still think your graphics card drivers might have an update that was not detected by Windows, you can always head over to your manufacturer’s official website and manually search for your graphics card drivers there.
Lower Down Your Video Settings
Another common issue as to why CS2 keeps crashing is because your graphics might be set too high, which could possibly exceed the capabilities of your computer. Having high video settings on CS2 can take a massive toll on your computer’s performance, and can sometimes lead to crashing.
We can’t give you a one-stop procedure to tone down your video settings, but we can lead you to where you should be headed:
- Launch Counter-Strike 2 and go to your Settings page.
- Next, go to the Video section of your Settings page.
- Look for the Advanced Video settings, and then turn down the options to lower values.
We also recommend playing in fullscreen mode and try using a stretched scaling mode. These two changes have done wonders for most players with low-performing setups. This can also be done through your video settings.
The Mode Might Be Disabled
Since the release of CS2 wasn’t a long time ago, Valve had and will have issues with the game. At some point, there was a bug in the game that was crashing down the servers at the end of the map in the Casual game mode. Valve then decided to disable the Casual game mode until they fixed the issue with the server crashing.
At that time, CS2 was still a new game so having bugs and issues like that is completely normal. When something like that happens, Casual or any game mode gets disabled. The only thing you can do is try some other game modes that are active until the Casual mode is back. We know a lot of people prefer the Casual mode, however issues with the game servers can happen. So, it’s better to be patient and wait until it’s fixed. Then you can continue the game where you left off.
Long Queues
The Casual game mode is played 10 against 10 players. It requires 8 wins per team to win for a maximum of 15 rounds. You can also switch between teams at any point during the game or even leave. Due to big popularity and the need to assemble 20 players, CS2 casual mode can have long queues which sometimes can result in a bug that shows that you are looking for a game but you are not.
If a lot of groups queue up together it will be harder to put them in teams. This will result in long queues and potentially a bug. To fix that you just need to reset your queue and wait for the game. Luckily, the queue time will not be that long. Moreover, the queue times are longer on the weekends because there will be a lot of players trying to queue up.
Stay Informed
Before and after an update is coming to a game, usually, the developer gives the players patch notes. You can check them and read about everything that will be changed or will be on maintenance. When they disable a game mode or a server, it is mentioned in the patch notes. This can help you stay in check with all the information regarding the modes you like. Sometimes you can get a notification in the game that the mode you want to play is disabled for now. So, it’s better to keep yourself updated about such things.
Your Connection To Matchmaking Is Not Reliable
When this issue happens, you first need to check the server status. If this error is not caused by the game, you will need to restart your computer and internet provider. If the issue persists, you need to open Steam as an administrator and try launching the game like that. If then you still cannot solve the issues you will need to find CS2 in the library, right click on it, and go to ‘’Properties’’. After that select ‘’Local Files’’ tab and click ‘’Verify integrity of game files’’. This should solve the issue.
CS:GO Crashes When Loading Map FAQs
What causes CS:GO to crash during map loading?
CS:GO crashes during map loading can occur due to various reasons, including corrupted game files, compatibility issues, outdated drivers, or conflicts with other software running on your system.
How can I determine the cause of CS:GO crashes during map loading?
To identify the cause of the crashes, you can start by checking the game’s error logs, updating your graphics drivers, verifying the integrity of game files, and monitoring system resources for any anomalies.
What should I do if CS:GO crashes due to compatibility mode?
If CS:GO crashes due to compatibility mode settings, you can disable compatibility mode by heading over to the game’s installation directory, locating the csgo.exe file, and disabling the “Run as Administrator” feature and compatibility mode from the properties menu.
How do I fix CS:GO crashes by verifying game files?
To fix CS:GO crashes by verifying game files, you’ll need to access the game’s properties in your Steam Library, head to the “Local Files” button, and then click on the option to verify the integrity of game files. This process should identify and repair any missing or corrupted game files that could potentially be causing the crashes.
What is the cl_disablehtmlmotd launch option, and how can it prevent CS:GO crashes?
The cl_disablehtmlmotd launch option disables HTML MOTD (Message of the Day) content, which can sometimes cause crashes in CS:GO. If you want to use this option, add “-cl_disablehtmlmotd 1” to your game’s launch options in Steam.
How can I resolve CS:GO crashes using the –autoconfig launch option?
The –autoconfig launch option resets CS:GO’s video settings to default values, which can help resolve crashes caused by incompatible graphics settings. To use this option, add “-autoconfig” to your game’s launch options in Steam.
What should I do if CS:GO still crashes after updating my operating system?
If CS:GO keeps crashing after updating your operating systems, you may need to check for additional system updates, disable the game DVR feature in Windows settings, verify your game files through Steam, and update your device drivers to ensure compatibility with the latest OS version. If you can’t resolve the issue yourself, you may also want to contact Steam support for further assistance.
How can I prevent CS:GO crashes in the future?
To prevent CS:GO crashes in the future, you need to make sure that you keep your game files, graphics drivers, and operating system up to date. On top of this, try to avoid running unnecessary background processes or conflicting software while playing the game. Also, make sure you have your Windows updates installed.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, CS2 is a really popular game that a lot of people play. There can be several different reasons why you won’t be able to play your favorite gamemode, but that can be fixed easily. Some of the time you will have to wait for Valve to fix the issue and enable the mode. Other times you will need to fix it yourself with trying one of the methods above where we explained the CS2 casual not working problem.