How to Join CS2 Server

Last modified on Nov 14, 2023 in CS2

By Nathan Young

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Overview

Counter-Strike 2, commonly known as CS2, is an extremely popular first-person shooter game on Steam. This multiplayer experience is wonderful with friends, as you’re given the ability to competitively play together in highly detailed maps. Amplifying this involves hosting your own dedicated CS2 server, providing you with the necessary tools to customize your gameplay. Whether you want personalized gamemodes, workshop maps, or anything else, you have the ability to do that and more. Our Apex Hosting servers are easy to use and simplified for your convenience, but joining in-game after setting up everything can be challenging for some. Due to this, we’ve created this guide to help you join your CS2 server to begin playing with others.
 

Obtaining the IP Address

Once your CS2 server is operational, finding the IP address is the next step to join. This is conveniently located in the main panel, but follow the instructions below if you need help. If you’re trying to connect to someone’s server you’ll need to gather this information elsewhere.

1. While on your main server panel, locate the IP Address:Port section.
   
2. Proceed to copy and save these values accordingly for later reference.

Joining a CS2 Server

There are two primary ways to join a CS2 community server, using the developer console or official Steam list. We’ll be covering both of these in the instructions below, so choose your desired one to get started! If the server has a password, then make sure to enter it accordingly.
 

Console Method

1. Launch Counter-Strike 2 on Steam and open the Settings Menu at the top left corner.
2. While in this area, locate Enable Developer Console in the Game category.
3. Once found, change it from No to Yes in the dropdown selection on the right.
   
4. Continue to press the Tilde (~) key to open the developer console.
5. Afterward, type and 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 in the main menu of Counter-Strike 2, click Play at the top.
2. Afterward, press on the Community Server Browser button.
   
3. In the prompt, click OK and you’ll be redirected to the “Game Servers List” area.
4. Proceed to press the Plus (+) button at the bottom and enter your IP Address:Port.
   
5. If successful, you may click the Connect button after selecting your server to play it.
   

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

Common Issues

In cases where you’re unable to load the CS2 server on the panel, make sure you’ve entered a valid Steam Account Token in the Customizations area. Remember, this is required for everything to function properly. Once you’ve 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’re still experiencing problems or have other concerns, contact our 24/7 Support Team for extra assistance.
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While trying to actively join a CS2 server, some issues may arise during the process. For instance, Steam might be in maintenance mode and prevent anyone from playing the game. This tends to happen on Tuesdays but is not always the case. Similarly, CS2 updates can result in the same situation so make sure you’re on the latest version. Other times this could be caused by the server being offline or still rebooting after recent changes.
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On rare occasions, your CS2 client might freeze up while trying to join the server. This can happen if you haven’t updated the OS on your computer 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 programs running can take up too many resources and cause your game to freeze or crash.
 

Useful Links

How to Open Console in CS2
How to Set and Use Keybinds in CS2