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Something not working on your Counter-Strike 2 server? Find your problem below and follow the steps.

Difficulty

Beginner

Time

5–15 minutes

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Before you start

  1. Read the console. Open Console and start the server. Errors usually appear in red or near the end.
  2. Check the logs. Open Logs in the sidebar. See how to read server logs.
  3. Make a backup before you change files. See how to create and restore backups.
  4. Check our status page with Server status on the dashboard, in case there’s a known problem.

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Plugins stopped working after a CS2 update

When Valve updates CS2, the update resets game/csgo/gameinfo.gi. This file tells the game to load Metamod:Source, so all your frameworks and plugins switch off.
1

Open Frameworks

Click Frameworks in the sidebar. The gameinfo.gi card shows if the file needs fixing.
2

Repair it

Click Repair gameinfo.gi. The panel puts the lines back.
3

Restart

Restart the server, then type meta list in the console. Metamod plugins and CounterStrikeSharp should be listed.
If meta list works but your plugins still fail:
  • A big CS2 update can break a framework until its developers release a fix. Click Reinstall on the framework’s card, then restart.
  • Check each plugin’s page for a new version, and update it.
  • Turn plugins off one at a time on the Plugins page to find the one that fails.
See frameworks and plugins.

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Common problems

The most common cause is a missing or wrong Game server login token (GSLT).
  • Open Server settings and look at Checks. The token does not look right means the token is not 32 characters of 0–9 and A–F. Copy it again from Steam.
  • Make sure the token was made with App ID 730, and that it is not used on another server.
  • Check the token isn’t banned or expired on the Steam page. If it is, create a new one.
  • Restart the server after you change the token.
See create a GSLT. Players can always join by address with connect, even when the server isn’t listed.
  • Check the server shows Online and the console has finished starting.
  • Use the full address with the port, for example connect 203.0.113.10:27015.
  • If you set a Join password, use connect 203.0.113.10:27015; password yourpassword.
  • The player’s CS2 must be up to date. Restart the server so it picks up the latest CS2 update.
  • If the server is INSECURE (VAC off), see “VAC secure” below.
This means the player’s game files don’t match the server’s. Usually the player has changed or damaged game files.
  • The player should close CS2, right-click Counter-Strike 2 in their Steam library, choose Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files, and remove any client-side mods.
  • Make sure the server is up to date. Set Validate Install to 1 in Startup for one restart to repair the server’s files, then set it back to 0.
Custom content can’t be pushed to players by replacing game files. Use the Workshop instead. See custom content.
The INSECURE startup variable starts your server without VAC.
  • Leave INSECURE at 0 for a normal public server.
  • A player who launched CS2 with -insecure in their launch options can only join insecure servers. They should remove it and restart CS2.
  • Only set INSECURE to 1 for private testing that needs it. Restart after changing it.
The first install downloads about 68 GiB, so it can take a while. While it runs, the panel shows This server is currently running its installation process and most actions are unavailable.
  • Wait, and check back later. Turn on the Install finished or failed alert to get an email.
  • Check Disk on the Overview page. The game needs about 68 GiB free.
  • If it still hasn’t finished after a few hours, open a ticket.
Old GOTV demos, logs and Workshop downloads add up. Delete demos you don’t need from game/csgo/ and empty the file manager’s Trash. If the game itself doesn’t fit, open a ticket.
  • Use the map’s Workshop number or full address in Server settings > Workshop map and click Change now, or type host_workshop_map 3070284539 in the console with your map’s number.
  • Make sure the map is public on the Workshop and made for CS2, not CS:GO.
  • The first load downloads the map, so give it a minute.
  • A workshop map can’t be the start map. After a restart, the server goes back to your Start map.
See workshop maps and collections.
  • Click Review and save, then Save changes, and restart the server.
  • A new game mode only applies when the next map loads.
  • A config file or plugin may set the same thing again later. Look for the same setting in your other .cfg files and plugin configs.
  • Server settings keeps your previous file as server.cfg.bak if you need to go back.
  • Check admins.json is valid JSON, then type css_admins_reload.
  • Use the 17-digit SteamID64 in identity.
  • Type css_plugins list to check the plugin loaded.
See admin and commands.
Use the HOST from the Databases page, not 127.0.0.1 or localhost. If you rotated the password, paste the new one into the plugin’s config. See give a plugin a database.
Check CPU on the Statistics page, reduce bots, and remove plugins you don’t use. See performance.

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Still stuck?

Click Share log on the Console page and create a link. Passwords, keys and IP addresses are removed automatically. Then open a ticket and paste the link, so we can see what happened.

Getting started

GSLT, connecting and first backup.

Frameworks and plugins

Install and repair frameworks.

Performance

Keep your server fast.

Read server logs

Find out why your server stopped.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: October 2026