The anti-cheat stopped you? Reasons and fixes

Does the launcher say the anti-cheat saw a problem, or did it remove you from a server? Every message you may see is here, with its plain meaning and its fix. Find the launcher's message and follow that part.

First, a few things to know

• The anti-cheat doesn't ban. It only blocks entry to the servers until the problem is fixed. A ban comes only from an admin's decision, for cheating proven in game, and you can appeal it.
• It has nothing to do with your Steam account. It doesn't touch cs2.exe or the game's memory, doesn't change game files and doesn't affect VAC.
• Only the result is sent. "Clean" or "problem" and a reason code. A list of programs, files, a screenshot or what you type is never sent.
• Once the problem is fixed, you can join again after a few seconds (sometimes after closing and reopening the launcher). There's no waiting period.

Which programs are fine?

Discord, Steam and NVIDIA overlays (and any other signed program) are fine. Gaming mice and keyboards and their software are fine too. A program only counts as a problem when it behaves like a cheat: it has no valid signature and stays on top of the game, it attaches to the game's memory, or it presses keys and moves the mouse by itself.

Windows security locks (mostly for mix)

These are required on mix servers only and recommended on the rest. The step-by-step fix with pictures is in this guide; in short:

• Secure Boot is off: enter the BIOS/UEFI when the PC starts and turn Secure Boot on.
• Memory protection is off: in Windows Security, Device security, then Core isolation, turn Memory integrity on and restart.
• DMA protection is off: in the BIOS turn on VT-d (Intel) or IOMMU (AMD).

Windows settings that must change

• Windows is in driver test mode: open Command Prompt with Run as administrator, run this and restart: bcdedit /set testsigning off
• A debugger is attached to Windows: close the debugger and restart Windows.
• You're playing inside a virtual machine: run the game on Windows itself, not inside a virtual machine.

Cheat and injection programs

• A cheat or injection program was open: the anti-cheat closed that program. Don't open it again; you can join a server a few seconds later. Don't keep tools like a debugger or Cheat Engine open while you play.
• A program touched the game's memory: a program that was attached to CS2 was closed. Close any program that reads the game's memory (a cheat, a memory editor, a loader) and try again.
• A program could stop or redirect the game's execution: a program that had access to CS2's running parts was closed. Don't keep a debugger, a loader or an injection tool (without a valid signature) open while you play, and sign in from the launcher again.
• Unknown code that came from no file on disk is running inside the game: close CS2 completely, close any unsigned loader, injector or helper program too, and start the game from the launcher again. If you see the same message again, restart Windows to clear whatever is left in memory.
• An unsigned program is holding suspicious executable memory (the shape of a cheat loader): the anti-cheat closed that program. Don't run unsigned programs from Downloads, Desktop or Temp while you play. If it was an ordinary program and you're sure it isn't a cheat, install its official signed version or open a support ticket.

Overlays and extra files

• An invisible unsigned window is on top of the game: an overlay program without a valid signature was closed. Discord, Steam and NVIDIA overlays are fine; close the other overlays.
• An unsigned DLL file was loaded into the game: close CS2 completely, close programs that add files to the game, and start the game again from the launcher.
• The game's core files were modified: one of the game's core files no longer carries Valve's signature. In Steam right-click CS2, then Properties, Installed Files, Verify integrity of game files, and wait until it finishes.

Macros and fake input

• Mouse or keyboard input comes from a program: close programs that press keys or move the mouse by themselves (macros, AutoHotkey, remappers) while you play. Real mice and keyboards are fine.
• A macro and fake-input driver (Interception) is installed on the mouse or keyboard: uninstall the macro program that installed it. If you're not sure, open Command Prompt with Run as administrator, run install-interception.exe /uninstall and restart. Ordinary mice and keyboards need no change.

Vulnerable drivers

A vulnerable driver that cheats abuse is active on Windows. One of the known vulnerable drivers is loaded on your system, such as the old MSI Afterburner driver, Gigabyte programs, SpeedFan, some RGB tools or Dell and Intel BIOS updaters. Most honest players who get caught are caught by these, and the fix is simple: update that program to its latest version or uninstall it from Settings, Apps, then restart Windows. If you don't recognize the program, look at the Drivers tab in the Autoruns tool or tell support.

Anti-cheat status messages

• The check couldn't finish: close the launcher and reopen it. If it persists, tell support.
• The anti-cheat isn't running: close the launcher and open it again so the anti-cheat starts.
• The anti-cheat is out of date: update the launcher (Settings, then About and update).

"This computer is banned from the game"

This message means admins banned this computer for proven cheating; it has nothing to do with the anti-cheat. If you think it's a mistake, open a "Ban appeal" ticket with support. The decision is the admins' and every appeal is reviewed.

Still stuck?

If you're an honest player and think the anti-cheat is getting it wrong, tell us. In an "Anti-cheat" ticket write exactly what the launcher showed and attach the troubleshooter report; every case is reviewed and, if a rule is wrong, we fix it. How to write a ticket is explained here.