If you are the CS:GO player then most probably you have encountered an interruption in your game session due to the ‘Matchmaking failed: VAC Was Unable To Verify The Game Session’ error. You might be wondering, what this error is and how to get rid of this error to continue with your gameplay. Therefore, in this article, we have tried to solve all your queries related with this error.
CS:GO i.e. Counter Strike: Global Offensive is a multiplayer video game however, many players reported that they failed to matchmake with other players due to an error that reads ‘VAC Was Unable To Verify The Game Session’.
The function of VAC (Valve Anti Cheat System) is to detect the irregularities in the installation files which prevent the gamers from taking foul benefits over other gamers by making changes to game installation files. But if you haven’t tried to alter the game files and still you are getting VAC error then possibly there is something wrong with the configuration of the files.
How To Fix VAC Was Unable To Verify The Game Session Error
Let’s see how you can fix this error. In this article, we have discussed various simple yet effective solutions so you will be able to move ahead with your gameplay.
Running Steam As Administrator
One of the reasons behind getting ‘VAC Was Unable To Verify The Game Session’ maybe because steam is not capable to function properly with just default permissions to access the files; it needs some administrative privileges to work without getting an error. By giving full access to steam it can change the system configuration files. Therefore, let’s see how to run steam as an administrator.
Step 1: At first, navigate to the folder where steam is installed and then locate ‘Steam.exe’ file and right-click on it, and then select properties.
Step 2: Further, in compatibility section mark ‘Run this program as an administrator’ checkbox.
Step 3: Moving ahead, to make effective changes click on Apply and then OK.
Step 4: Now, locate ‘GameOverlayUI.exe’ file and right click on it and select Properties from context menu.
Step 5: Afterwards, direct to the compatibility tab and mark the ‘Run this program as an administrator’ checkbox.
Step 6: Finally, click on apply and restart the game to check if this has fixed the error.
Verifying Integrity Of Game Files And Repairing Library
Missing or corrupted files can act as the source of getting ‘VAC Was Unable To Verify The Game Session’ error. Hence, it is necessary to check the integrity of game files. If it is found corrupted we can repair the steam library files. Below we have described the procedure to verify the integrity of files and repairing the library.
Step 1: First of all, open the steam client and click on Library.
Step 2: Further, from the appeared list of games, locate the game which is having an error then right click on it and select Properties.
Step 3: Let’s move ahead, click on the ‘Local’ tab and choose ‘Verify the integrity of game files’ option.
Step 4: Now, wait for the process to be completed and then close the steam.
Step 5: Finally, restart the computer and check if the game is working properly or not.
Later, to repair the steam library folders follow the given procedure:
Step 1: Firstly, open the steam client and click on the Steam tab.
Step 2: Further, click on settings and then select downloads.
Step 3: Moving ahead, select ‘Steam Library folders’ at the right side of the window.
Step 4: Here, right-click on the installed location which contains steam content, and selects ‘Repair Library Folder’ from drop-down menu.
Step 5: Thereafter, click on ‘Yes’ to a prompt that reads allow access to the command prompt.
Step 6: Now, wait for the repair process to complete.
Step 7: Lastly, restart the computer and check if the problem persists or not.
Repairing Steam Client
If the verification of game files couldn’t debug the error, then there is a possibility that the steam client itself contains some missing or corrupt files which is causing the VAC error. However, by repairing the steam client could help you to fix the problem. Follow the steps given below to repair the steam client.
Step 1: At first, in the search bar type ‘cmd’ which will prompt the command prompt, right-click on it, and select ‘Run as an administrator.
Step 2: Further, in command prompt window, type the following command and press Enter.
“C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe” /repair
Step 3: Now, wait for the process to complete.
Step 4: At the end, reboot the computer and check if the game is working properly without posing an error.
Power Cycling Your Computer
If above solutions didn’t work for you, you can try to power cycle your computer. This basic and simple solution of completely turning off the device and turning on in some time helps in most cases. Power cycling your system clears the RAM and may also solve the VAC error. Here, are the steps to power cycle your device.
Step 1: First of all, shut down the computer and unplug all the wires connected to it. In case you are using a laptop remove the battery properly.
Step 2: Secondly, unplug your internet connection equipment.
Step 3: Now, wait for around 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: After that, plug all the wires/ put the battery back and plug your internet connection equipment.
Step 5: Finally, turn on your computer and check if this simple solution has resolved your error.
Ending Steam Service
In certain cases, it is possible that there may be problems with the steam service running in the background due to which you are fetching the ‘VAC Was Unable To Verify The Game Session’ error. Hence, ending the steam service could help it to get rid of this error. Follow the given process in order to end steam service.
Step 1: At first, click on the Windows tab + R key altogether this will open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Further, type ‘taskmgr’ in the dialog box and click on ‘OK’.
Step 3: Now, click on the processes tab and select ‘Steam service’.
Step 4: Afterwards, click on the ‘End Task’ tab.
Step 5: Lastly, close the task manager and check if the problem is solved and does it works properly.
Copying DLL File
There are two steam service DLL files in your system; one is located in the program files folder in Local Disk C and the other one is located in the steam installation directory. If these two files are not similar, then you encounter a ‘VAC Was Unable To Verify The Game Session’ error. However, we can fix this issue if we copy one of the DLL files and use it to replace the other one. In order to perform this task follow the given steps:
Step 1: At first, open the Steam installation directory.
Step 2: Further, locate the ‘Steamservice.dll’ file then right-click on it and select copy.
Step 3: Now, direct to the following location
“C>Program Files (x86)>Common Files> Steam”.
Step 4: Thereafter, paste the file you copied, or if it prompts file already exists then choose to replace option.
Step 5: Finally, launch the game again and see if the error is gone.
Deleting Temporary Files
Clutter of temporary files stored in your computer may have been corrupted over a period of time and these files might have become the source of failed game session error. So, deleting these temporary files from your system may solve your problem.
Step 1: Firstly, press the Windows tab + R key this will open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Further, type ‘%temp%’ in the text box and press Enter.
Step 3: Let’s move ahead, select all items in the list Press ‘Ctrl + A’ keys and then press ‘Shift + Delete to remove them.
Step 4: Now, click on ‘Yes’ for the prompt to confirm the action of deleting all temporary files.
Step 5: Lastly, check whether the error persists or not.
Performing a File Repair
Performing a file repair will help you to fix the corrupt steam library files which may be responsible for triggering the ‘VAC Was Unable To Verify The Game Session’ error. On that account, the steps given below will walk you through the process of file repair.
Step 1: First of all, press the Windows tab + R key, this will open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Further, type the following command in the text box
“C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe” /repair
Step 3: Now, wait for the repair process to complete and then check if the error is fixed.
Step 4: Afterwards, if the error still exists direct towards the given location:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\csgo\maps\workshop
Step 5: Moving ahead, press the ‘Ctrl + A’ key to select all and then the ‘Shift + Delete’ key to clear them.
Step 6: After that, navigate to the given location
C: \Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\csgo\maps\graphs\workshop
Step 7: Here, again press the ‘Ctrl + A’ key to select all and then ‘Shift + Delete’ key to remove them.
Step 8: Now, run the steam and it will download all the missing files, and check if the issue is solved.
Step 9: If the issue still exists, press the Windows tab + R key to open the Run dialog box.
Step 10: Next, type ‘cmd’ in text box and press ‘Shift + Ctrl + Enter’ key to allow administrative privileges.
Step 11: Thereafter, in the command prompt type the following command and press Enter:
start steam://flushconfig
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
Step 12: Finally, check if the error is solved; and if the error still continues then type the following command in the command prompt but take a note that it disables some security features.
Bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx OptIn
Checking For Background Services/Tasks
If you are having virtualization software and VPN/Proxy running in the background of your system, then these services might be the root cause of the error you are facing. Sometimes VAC could flag you due to these services. Hence, you need to stop them running in the background, and here is how you do it.
Step 1: At first, press the ‘Windows tab + R’ key to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Secondly, type ‘services.msc’ in the text box and hit Enter.
Step 3: Further, in the service management window locate the following files and right-click on them, and select ‘Disable’.
- VMnetDHCP
- VMUSBArbService
- VMware NAT Service
- VMwareHostd
- VMAuthdService
- hshld
Step 4: Now, press the ‘Ctrl + Alt + Del’ key to open the Task Manager.
Step 5: After that, navigate to the processes tab and locate the following files:
- hydra.exe
- hsswd.exe
- hsscp.exe
- vmware.exe
Select each file and click on the ‘End Task’ tab.
Step 6: Lastly, check if this solution has solved your problem or not.
Try Some General Fixes
If all the above methods aren’t working for you then we can try to troubleshoot the error with some general fixes.
Restart the steam client: Open steam and change the username and exit steam client. Then open steam again in offline mode and now go back online and check.
You can attempt to change your profile name and close steam; and test if this small change could fix the error.
Check your network connection is working properly or not. Also, check the firewall restrictions if in case certain games are blocked by the firewall.
You can try to reinstall DirectX, .NET Framework, Microsoft Redistributable, and other important services.
Sometimes the antivirus software in your system can pose error so check your antivirus software or any third-party program.
Delete the config files or any key binds which might you have set.
Also, you can try to reinstall Steam but first back up all your data.
Turn Off Steam Beta
It is been observed that opting out of steam beta has helped the users to tackle the VAC error. Let’s take a look at how to do it.
Step 1: Firstly, open steam and sign in to your account.
Step 2: Further, click on the steam tab and select settings.
Step 3: Now, click on Account at the left pane then click on change tab under ‘Beta participation’ section in the right pane.
Step 4: Afterwards, select ‘NONE – Opt-out of all Beta programs’ then save it and check if the error is resolved.
Updating Windows
By updating Windows to the latest version fixes the security issues, updates drivers, fixes bugs, improves performance, and fixes other issues like VAC error. Follow the given steps:
Step 1: At first, open settings and click on ‘Update and Security.
Step 2: Now, at the left pane click on Windows Update and then click on ‘Check for updates’ at the right pane.
Step 3: Afterwards, if any update is there; download and install new updates.
Step 4: Finally, restart the computer and check if the error persists.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you to fix the ‘VAC Was Unable To Verify The Game Session error. You can go through each solution one by one which works for you.