How to fix CS:GO’s ‘VAC unable to verify’ error

Image via Valve

There’s nothing more frustrating than patching a game or returning to a game only for an error to prevent you from playing. Returning CS:GO players or frequent players trying to jump back in immediately after a patch can sometimes run into an error that reads: “VAC unable to verify.”

If this message pops up for you, don’t be alarmed, your account hasn’t been banned by the Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC). It just means that VAC was unable to properly communicate with your account and verify that the anti-cheat is working. It’s unclear why this happens, but it can happen during server outage periods, after or during Steam or CS:GO maintenance, or a handful of other random times.

VAC’s failure to verify doesn’t mean you can just start using cheats, though. Matches won’t launch without verification. Thankfully, the solution is relatively easy.

How to fix ‘VAC unable to verify’ error in CS:GO

First, completely exit CS:GO and restart Steam. When Steam restarts, check to make sure there isn’t a new update you’re missing out on. If not, go to your Steam library, right-click on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and select properties at the bottom of the drop-down menu.

Screengrab via Steam

Screengrab via Steam

Next, choose Local Files (the third tab to the right) and select Verify Integrity of Game Files. After a minute or two of loading, this should validate your files and kickstart your game. If all goes according to plan, “VAC unable to verify” should now be gone for good.

Before you load up CS:GO again, make sure to restart Steam again to be safe. If the “VAC unable to verify” error continues to appear, reinstalling CS:GO is your next best option. It’s tedious and it might take longer than you hoped, but a fresh restart of CS:GO will ensure that VAC is re-installed as well, which should clear up any more issues.

If game file integrity verification and a fresh reinstallation of CS:GO both don’t work, you may have to contact Valve about your account since something on its end might be affecting your account’s ability to get VAC verification.