How to Fix VAC was unable to verify the game session issue in Windows 10

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: Go) developed by Valve is a very popular Counter-Strike multiplayer first-person shooter video game. Yet, while playing the game and trying matchmaking or joining the Steam community many users have complained facing, VAC was unable to verify your game session.

 If you too are facing the same problem and looking for a way to fix it, you are at the right place. Here we will walk you through certain fixes that will help fix the VAC game session issue.

Before we get into details, here’s a quick tip

14 Best Ways to Fix VAC Authentication Error – Windows 10

To resolve VAC is unable to verify the game session if you have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the game but it did not work. It is necessary to understand that doing so loads the old game files hence, the problem will not be fixed. Therefore, to resolve the problem we suggest you try the following best fixes as this will take away VAC’s unable to verify the game session error.  

1. Logout and login to Steam

When configuration files are modified by the operating system or file management system a VAC error is caused. To fix this and to recreate files, logging out and in is recommended. To do so, follow the steps below: 

1. Launch the Steam app

2. Click your Profile name > Log out of my account

3. After logging out successfully, re-login using the credentials. In case you have forgotten the password click, Reset password.

Now try to use the game, you should not face a VAC error. However, if this doesn’t help read further. 

2. Run Steam as administrator

When an app runs without admin privileges, you can face a Steam VAC error. Hence, to fix VAC was unable to verify the game session CS: Go we suggest running Steam as admin. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam 

2. Open the folder and look for Steam.exe

3. Right-click > Properties > Compatibility tab > check the box next to, Run this program as an administrator

4. Apply > Ok

Afterward, navigate to GameOVerlayUI.exe > right-click > Properties > Compatibility tab > check the box next to, Run this program as an administrator > Apply > Ok

Once this is done, grant admin access to Steam folders. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Again go to C:\Program Files\Steam or C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam

2. Right-click > Properties > Security tab > Advanced button 

3. This will open a new window > select the editable row > click Edit button 

4. Now mark the check for options under Basic permissions including Full Control > Apply > Ok

5. Repeat the same steps and grant permission to each file

6. Now re-launch Steam to run it with admin rights. This should solve the VAC error. 

3. Reboot Steam Client

If VAC was unable to verify your game session is caused due to corrupt files, restarting the Steam client can help fix it. To do so follow the steps below:

1. Exit Steam by clicking the Steam tab

2. Re-launch Steam 

3. Click the Steam tab > Go offline from the context menu 

4. Select Restart in offline mode 

5. Again, click Steam tab > Go online from the context menu > Restart and go online 

Once this is done, try queuing for a match, VAC was unable to verify the game session should be resolved. 

4. Restart the system

When processes and apps like disk indexing run in the background, it interferes with the game, due to which VAC fails in verifying files. To resolve it, restarting the computer is recommended. After restarting the system try to run the game. If this doesn’t work, turn off the PC, disconnect from power and restart it. 

This will help reset the configurations and unresponsive programs. 

5. Repair Steam client and files

If Steam is corrupt or it contains a bad file, then you can face CS: Go VAC was unable to verify your game session error. To fix it, follow the steps below:

1. In the Windows search bar type Command Prompt 

2. Select the search result > Run as administrator 

3. Type the following command: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe” /repair

4. Wait for the command to execute 

5. Exit Command Prompt and restart the system

6. Now try to run the game, you should not face a VAC error

6. Repair game library

When integrity issues are detected within game files, you face VAC was unable to verify your game session. To fix it,  follow the steps below:

1. Launch the Steam app > Library tab.

2. Right-click on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive > Properties > Local Files tab > click Verify integrity of game files.

3. Let the process finish

4. Exit Steam app and then launch Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. 

5. This should help resolve the problem. 

7. End the Steam service

If there’s a problem with the Steam service that runs in the background you might face CS: Go VAC was unable to verify your game session. To fix it follow the steps below:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc

2. Click Processes tab > select Steam service > right-click > End Task

3. Now try to run the game, this should help fix VAC cannot verify game session problems.

8. Add game directory to whitelist

If the security program you are running scans the game in the background, it might interfere with VAC file verification, due to which you might face problems. Therefore, to solve Counter Strike Global Offensive, VAC was unable to verify your game session, we suggest adding the Steam directory to exclusion or whitelist of the antivirus you are using. If this doesn’t help, try disabling it temporarily. 

9. Opt-Out of Steam Beta

If you are using Steam Beta mode, you can try opting out of it, as it will help fix the issue. To do so, follow the steps below: 

1. Launch Steam > sign in > Steam tab > Settings > Account > Change Beta participation button to NONE – Opt out of all Beta programs.

2. Save the changes. 

3. Now try to run CS: Go you should not face any problem. 

10. Delete temporary files

When the temporary files stored on your system get old, then to you might face VAC unable to verify game session error. To resolve this, follow the steps below: 

1. Press Windows + R 

2. Type ‘%temp%’ > Ok 

3. Press Ctrl + A to select all items and Delete them 

4. Launch Steam the problem should now be resolved

11. Verify DLL file

Verifying Steam DLL files also helps fix VAC unable to verify the game session. You can find the Steam service DLL file in the Program Files folder and the second DLL file in the Steam installation directory. 

1. Head to C>Program Files (x86)> Steam > Bin, Steam installation directory. 

2. Right-click > Steamservice.dll > copy it.

3. Again, go back to C>Program Files (x86)>Common Files> Steam and paste the copied .dll. When a prompted file already exists, pick the Replace option.

4. Now, launch the game, you should not face any problems. 

12. Disable background services that you think might interfere

If you use proxy or VPN then you might face Counter Strike Global Offensive VAC was unable to verify your game session. To fix this, you need to stop background running processes. 

1. Press Windows + R > Services.msc > Ok 

2. Navigate to the following services:

• VMnetDHCP
• VMUSBArbService
• VMware NAT Service
• VMwareHostd
• VMAuthdService
• hshld

3. Right-click each of them one by one > Disable 

4. Exit the Services window

5. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc > Processes tab to locate the following processes:

• hydra.exe
• hsswd.exe
• hsscp.exe
• vmware.exe

6. Select each one by one and >End Task button.

7.cClose Task Manager and then check if the problem is solved or not. 

13. Update your drivers

If the above steps have not helped, it seems the device driver running on your system is corrupt. To resolve this, we suggest updating drivers. For this, you can use the Driver Updater module offered by Advanced System Optimizer. 

To use it, follow the steps below:

1. Install, launch, and run Advanced System Optimizer 

2. Click Windows Optimizers > Driver Updater

3. Run the scan and update all outdated drivers 

4. Reboot the system and then try to run the game you should not face any problem.

14. Update Windows

If nothing has worked so far, we suggest updating Windows as this will help fix all the bugs and remove vulnerabilities, that might be causing VAC to be unable to verify your game session.

1. Press Windows + I > Update & Security 
2. Windows Update > Check for updates
3. Wait for the process to finish. Once done, restart the system and you are done. 

Now try to run CS: Go you should not face VAC error. 

We hope using the tips explained above, you can solve VAC was unable to verify your game session. Do leave your comments, feedback, and questions in the section below. 

FAQ –

Q1. What does it mean when VAC is unable to verify your game session?

When you receive VAC it is unable to verify your game session, which means the configuration files are either corrupt or something is wrong with them. Sometimes it can be a false positive due to which you might encounter Unable to verify the game session.

Q2. How do you verify VAC in CS: GO?

To verify CS:GO go to Steam library > right-click Counter-Strike: Global Offensive > Properties > Local Files> Verify integrity of game files.

That’s it you have now successfully verified CS: GO.

Q3. How do I fix VAC error 2021?

To fix the VAC matchmaking failed error we suggest performing the following actions:

1. Logout and login to Steam
2. Run Steam as administrator
3. Reboot Steam Client
4. Restart the system 
5. Repair Steam client and files
6. Repair game library 
7. End the Steam service 
8. Add game directory to whitelist 
9. Turn off Steam Beta
10. Delete temporary files
11. Verify DLL file
12. Disable background services that you think might interfere
13. Update your drivers
14. Update Windows

Q4. How do you fix matchmaking failed in CS GO?

To fix matchmaking failed we suggest verifying Game Cache, deleting temporary files, disable Windows Firewall, Change DNS Address and follow other options explained above.