8 Fixes for Counter Strike 2 (CS2) Stuttering Lags or Freezing Issue

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is the next iteration of the popular game CS:GO, developed by Valve Corporation. It boasts better features, significant improvements, and enhanced graphics overall. Initially, CS2 was only available as a Limited Test for selected Counter-Strike Global Offensive players. Just like the old CSGO, this game is also free to play. However, after its release, many players reported stuttering, lags, and freezing issues while gaming on their PCs.

It is crucial to understand that the game demands a certain level of hardware performance to deliver its best performance, especially on PCs. Due to the richness of its design, not every system can handle the game at its maximum resolution or optimal FPS. Given their inherent appetite for higher specs, such issues are common in PC gaming. For those experiencing troubles with stuttering and lag in “Counter-Strike 2,” we have curated a guide to help alleviate these issues.

Regrettably, a segment of “Counter-Strike 2” players on PC has grappled with hitches such as stuttering, lags, and even frame drops during gameplay. These challenges, often related to system compatibility, can detract from the immersive experience the game aims to offer. However, by following our guide, players can optimize their experience and enjoy the game fully.

Check System Requirements

Check out the system requirements of the Counter-Strike 2 game below to ensure that your PC configuration meets the game’s system requirements.

Fix: Counter-Strike 2 Stuttering and Lags Badly

Fixing in-game lags or frame drop issues isn’t easy because it depends on multiple factors, such as PC hardware, the display resolution of the game, maximum FPS limit count, conflicting third-party apps, and more. So, we recommend you try following all the methods one by one until the problem gets fixed or reduced. Changing the in-game graphics-related settings or keeping them low can fix several problems in a jiffy.

It may include the Screen Resolution of the game, in-game Texture Resolution, Shadow Resolution, Maximum Frame rate, number of Characters Displayed, or other visual effects that require higher graphics or memory. So, you can follow the steps below to try reducing the lags or frame drops up to some extent depending on which resolution and quality you’re playing the game, apart from FPS count.

1. Use Launch Options

• Open your Steam client > Go to Library > Right-click on the Counter-Strike 2.
• Select Properties > On the General tab, you’ll find Launch Options.
• Enter the launch options -fullscreen = Forces the engine to start in fullscreen mode.

2. Update Graphics Drivers

• Right-click on the Start Menu to open up the Quick Access Menu.
• Click on Device Manager from the list.
• Now, double-click on the Display adapters category to expand the list.
• Then right-click on the dedicated graphics card name.
• Select Update driver > Choose Search automatically for drivers.
• An update will automatically download and install the latest version if available.
• Once done, make sure to reboot your computer to change the effects.

3. Run the game as an administrator

Make sure to run the game exe file as an administrator to avoid user account control regarding privilege issues. You should also run the Steam client as an administrator on your PC. To do this:

• Right-click on the Counter-Strike 2 exe shortcut file on your PC.
• Now, select Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.
• Make sure to click on the Run this program as an administrator checkbox to checkmark it.
• Click on Apply and select OK to save changes.

4. Set High Priority in Task Manager

Make your game priority in the higher segment via the Task Manager to tell your Windows system to run the game properly. To do this:

• Right-click on the Start Menu > Select Task Manager.
• Click on the Processes tab > Right-click on the Counter-Strike 2 game task.
• Select Set Priority to High.
• Close Task Manager.
• Finally, run the Counter-Strike 2 game to check for the issue.

5. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

If there is an issue with the game files and they somehow gets corrupted or missing, then make sure to perform this method to check for the issue easily. To do so:

• Launch Steam > Click on Library.
• Right-click on Counter-Strike 2 from the list of installed games.
• Now, click on Properties > Go to Local Files.
• Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• You’ll have to wait for the process until it gets completed.
• Once done, restart your computer.

6. Change GPU Settings

Make sure to change the graphics card settings on the PC by following the steps below to check whether the problem has been fixed.

For Nvidia:

• Open up Nvidia’s Control Panel > Right-click on the desktop screen.
• Click on Nvidia Control Panel > Click on Manage 3D Settings.
• Select Program Settings > Find ‘Counter-Strike 2’ and manually add the game if it’s not in the list:
  • Monitor Tech: G-Sync (If available)
  • Maximum Pre-rendered frames: 2
  • Threaded optimization: On
  • Power Management: Prefer Maximum Performance
  • Texture Filtering – Quality: Performance

For AMD:

• Monitor Tech: G-Sync (If available)
• Maximum Pre-rendered frames: 2
• Threaded optimization: On
• Power Management: Prefer Maximum Performance
• Texture Filtering – Quality: Performance

7. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Full-screen optimization and DPI settings are the default ones on Windows. You should try disabling it by following the steps below:

• Locate the Counter-Strike 2 game directory.
• Find and right-click on the Counter-Strike 2.exe file.
• Select Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.
• Checkmark the ‘Disable Full-Screen Optimizations’ box.
• Now, click on the ‘Change high DPI setting’s button.
• Checkmark the ‘Override high DPI scaling behavior’ > Select ‘Application’ from the drop-down menu.
• Click on Apply and then OK to save changes.

8. Update Counter-Strike 2

If you haven’t updated your Counter-Strike 2 game for a while, follow the steps below to check for updates and install the latest patch (if available). To do this:

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library > Click on Counter-Strike 2 from the left pane.
• It’ll automatically search for the available update. If there is an update available, make sure to click on Update.
• Installing the update > close the Steam client may take some time.
• Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes, and then try launching the game again.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is a worthy successor to CS:GO, promising enhanced features, graphics, and improvements, it does come with its share of performance-related challenges, particularly on PCs that may not meet the game’s hardware demands. Stuttering, lags, and freezing have been reported by numerous players, potentially hindering the immersive gaming experience CS2 aims to offer. However, by acknowledging the game’s requirements and following the appropriate guidance and optimizations, players can mitigate these issues, allowing for a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. Whether you are a seasoned player or a newcomer to the Counter-Strike universe, optimizing your setup ensures that you can experience the game in all its glory, without unnecessary interruptions and disruptions.