How to Join Servers in CS2

Counter-Strike 2, commonly known as CS2, is a hugely popular first-person shooter game on Steam. This multiplayer experience is wonderful with friends, providing you the ability to play competitively together on highly detailed maps. Amplifying this involves hosting your own dedicated

CS2 server, giving you the tools to customize your game. Whether you want custom game modes, workshop maps, or anything else, you have the ability to do that and more. Our HolyHosting servers are easy to use and streamlined for your convenience, but joining the game after setting everything up can be challenging for some. Because of this, we have created this guide to help you join your CS2 server and start playing with others.

Getting the IP Address

Once your CS2 server is operational, finding the IP address is the next step to joining. This is conveniently located in the main panel, but follow the instructions below if you need help. If you are trying to connect to someone else's server, you will need to gather this information from another source.

1. While on the main panel of your server, locate the Address section

2. Proceed to copy and save these values appropriately for future reference.

Joining a CS2 Server

There are two main ways to join a CS2 community server, using the developer console or the official Steam list. We will cover both in the instructions below, so choose whichever you prefer to get started. If the server has a password, make sure to enter it correctly.

Console Method

1. Launch Counter-Strike 2 on Steam and open the Settings Menu in the upper left corner.

2. While in this area, locate the "Enable Developer Console" option in the Game category.

3. Once found, change it from No to Yes in the dropdown selection on the right.

4. Continue by pressing the Tilde (~) key to open the developer console.

5. Then, type and press enter "connect [IP Address:Port]" in the text box.

6. Wait for everything to load, then enjoy your CS2 server experience.

Server List Method

1. While on the Counter-Strike 2 main menu, click on Play at the top.

2. Next, click on the Community Server Browser button.

3. In the dialog box, click OK and you will be redirected to the "Game Server List".

4. Proceed to press the Plus (+) button at the bottom and enter your IP Address:Port.

5. If successful, you can click the Connect button after selecting your server to play.

Note: In cases where a password is required, it will prompt you to enter it.

Common Issues

CS2 Server Not Starting

In cases where you cannot load the CS2 server in the panel, make sure you have entered a valid Steam Account Token in the Customizations area. Remember, this is needed for everything to work properly. Once you have done this, restart the server to begin applying these changes. At this point, it should load correctly and allow you to join in-game. If you still experience issues or have other concerns, contact our 24/7 Support Team for further assistance.

Unable to Join CS2 Server

While actively trying to join a CS2 server, some issues can arise during the process. For example, Steam might be in maintenance mode and prevent anyone from playing the game. This tends to happen on Tuesdays, but it is not always the case.

Similarly, CS2 updates can result in the same situation, so make sure you are on the latest version. Other times, this could be because the server is offline or still restarting after recent changes.

My Game is Frozen

In rare cases, your CS2 client might freeze when trying to join the server. This can happen if you have not updated your computer's operating system or graphics card. Make sure your system is up to date and try again, but you may want to consider closing other applications on the device. For example, too many windows or running programs can consume too many resources and cause your game to freeze or crash.