How to Fix CSGO Not Launching Issues (2024)

Nothing is worse than having a game that crashes every time you launch it. Recently, many players have been reporting the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) not launching issue.

If you’re also experiencing this problem, no worries. Here’re 8 solutions to help you rule out common causes of this issue.

Fixes to try:

You may not have to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that works for you.

1. Restart your PC
2. Create an autoexec.cfg
3. Update your graphics driver
4. Stop overclocking your CPU
5. Verify the integrity of CSGO files
6. Run CSGO as an administrator
7. Check for Windows Updates
8. Reinstall your CSGO

Fix 1: Restart your PC

The first thing to do is to turn off your computer and turn it back on. – Yes, seriously. By turning off the PC, you can clean away the current state of the software, which includes any issues that have occurred.

If CSGO is still not launching after the reboot, try Fix 2, below.

Fix 2: Reset CSGO Config to default settings

Incorrect in-game settings can also prevent the game from launching smoothly on your device. In some cases, you may run into game performance issues after altered in-game settings. If you’ve changed the setting, or you’re not sure if you’ve changed it by mistake, follow the instructions below to reset your game settings:

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and E at the same time to open File Explorer.

2) Copy and paste C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\YOUR STEAM ID\730\local\cfg on the address bar.

3) Delete the autoexec.cfg file in the current directory.

4) Relaunch the game to see if this method worked.

If the problem still exists, try the next fix below.

Fix 3: Update your graphics driver

When it comes to gameplay, your GPU is actually the most important component. And your graphics driver is essential for getting top performance from your GPU.

You should make sure your graphics driver are up to date. There are two ways you can do this:

• Option 1 – Download and install the driver manually
• Option 2 – Automatically update your graphics driver

Option 1 – Download and install the driver manually

The manufacturer of your graphics card keeps updating the driver. To get the latest correct driver, you need to go to the manufacturer website, find the driver corresponding with your specific flavor of Windows version (for example, Windows 32 bit) and download the driver manually.

Once you’ve downloaded the correct driver for your system, double-click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.

Option 2 – Automatically update your graphics driver

If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update the graphics driver manually, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy.

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct driver for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks:

1) Download and install Driver Easy.

2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.

3) Click the Update button next to the graphics driver to automatically download the correct version of that driver, then you can manually install it (you can do this with the FREE version).

Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires the Pro version which comes with full support and a 30-day money back guarantee. You’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.)

4) Relaunch your game to test the issue.

If you’re still experiencing the launching issue after confirming you have the latest driver, try the next solution below.

Fix 4: Stop overclocking your CPU

An unstable overclock will crash your game and the whole system. If you overclocked your GPU, that may be the core issue. Set your CPU clock speed rate back to the default to see if it fixes the issue.

If the launching problem continues to occur, go to the next fix.

Fix 5: Verify the integrity of CSGO files

If CSGO still won’t launch, you may have one or more corrupted or outdated game files that are conflicting with the game. In this case, try verifying the integrity of your game files on Steam. Here is how to do it:

1) Run Steam.

2) Click LIBRARY.

3) Right-click Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and select Properties.

4) Click the LOCAL FILES tab, then click VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES.

5) Relaunch your game to test your issue.

If the game still won’t launch, try the next fix below.

Fix 6: Run CSGO as an administrator

CSGO may fail to access certain game files and folders if you’re running it under a standard user account. This can cause errors when launching a game. To fix it, you can run the game as an administrator to give it high integrity access. Here is how to do it:

1) Exit Steam.

2) Right-click the Steam icon and select Run as administrator.

3) Click Yes.

4) Launch CSGO from Steam.

If this didn’t work, then go ahead with the next fix.

Fix 7: Check for Windows updates

If a game won’t run at all, it’s unlikely that the out-of-date Windows version is the core problem, but you should still rule out the possibility. Follow the instructions below:

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key. Then, type windows update and select Windows Update settings. 

2) Click Check for updates, and then wait for Windows to download and install the updates automatically.

Restart your computer after the update is complete, then try running CSGO again. If the issue persists, try the fix, below.

Fix 8: Reinstall CSGO

If none of the fixes above worked for you, reinstalling your game is very likely the solution to your problem. Follow the instructions below:

1) Run Steam.

2) Click LIBRARY.

3) Right-click Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and select Uninstall.

4) Click DELETE.

5) Exit Steam.

6) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and E at the same time to open File Explorer.

7) Paste C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common on the address bar.

8) Highlight the Counter-Strike Global Offensive folder, and then press the Del key on your keyboard to delete the folder.

9) Relaunch Steam to download and reinstall CSGO.

Conclusion

The CSGO not launching problem may occur for various reasons, most of which are hard to detect because of the number of unique hardware and software settings players have.

Hopefully, this article helped in resolving your issue. If unfortunately, none of the solutions here worked for you, we recommend reaching out to the game’s developer for in-depth support.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions and suggestions.

• games
• Steam
• Windows 10
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