Fix CSGO: Failed to Find a Dedicated Server

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CSGO: Failed to find a dedicated server

Counter-strike is a renowned game that is played by millions of people all around the globe. The game is especially known for its competitive game modes and designs.

Although being built exceptionally well, and reaching fame and popularity within the gaming community, a lot of CS GO players are now complaining about an error, CS GO: Failed to find a dedicated server pop up on their screen.

Our top-notch research team has done its homework for you, and we have compiled valuable feedback from CS GO users worldwide to identify the causes and solutions that work well to resolve the error.

What Happens When CS GO: Failed to Find a Dedicated Server Pop-up Appears?

Just like the notifications of other types of errors, a pop-up appears on the screen displaying the message which says: “CS GO: failed to find a dedicated server”.

The game stops functioning and there is no other option left other than restarting it. It is irritating for gamers. No one wants their game to be interrupted again and again. Since many players were facing this problem, investigations were done regarding the issue and it was known there are multiple causes for this error to occur.

You’re here because you’re also experiencing the same issue, but you don’t need to worry as this article entails everything you need to know about the error and how to fix it.

What Could be the Possible Cause of The Error You Are Experiencing?

Big or small, any kind of problem it is, there’s always a solution. Some problems may be easy to resolve and some may be difficult to resolve. There’s a solution to everything present in this world. Problem-solving can be challenging if the cause behind it stays unknown.

Identifying the cause of the error is the most difficult step in solving the issue. Once you’re done identify it, the rest of the things fall in place and in no time you will be able to resolve it. CS GO: failed to find a dedicated server issue can happen due to multiple underlying causes, some of the very common ones which result in showing the error are listed below.

Before you begin the troubleshooting process and dive in to solve the problem, check what is causing the error, and then begin. It will save you a lot of time, energy and also prevent you from messing up with your device.

  • Game file corruption issue: One of the most common reasons for you to come across this error is the corruption of game files which can affect the loading of the workshop maps. Corrupt game files cause hindrances in loading workshop maps. If this is the case, the problem can be fixed by running an integrity check program from “steam settings.”
  • Improper installation of workshop maps: Some of the users facing the issue might have installed the workshop maps manually and they may not have been installed properly; another reason for seeing this error code. Many gamers install these maps manually, without proper technique or following an improper pathway, and thus have to encounter the issue. Deleting improper workshop maps from dedicated folders can help you play peacefully without the interruption of the pop-up CS GO: failed to find a dedicated server.
  • Glitches in the workshop folder: One major cause for this glitch showing up in your game is that you may have subscribed to a lot of workshop maps. Subscribing to many workshop maps will confuse the installer to put them all in the same folder, resulting in this error being shown while playing the game. For this, you will need to unsubscribe from all the previous workshop maps.
  • NAT (network address translation) issue: Playing a CS GO game via steam is another reason for encountering this issue. Steam doesn’t support a heavy game like this one. Network inconsistencies prevent your system from establishing a stable connection with steam servers and that is why you may see “CS GO: failed to find a dedicated server” on your screen. What you need to do in this case is to check your network address translation NAT, whether it is opened or closed. Detailed steps for checking the NAT are provided below.

How to Fix The Problem?

The process is simple, quick, and easy. It does not require any sort of expertise to resolve the error given by CS GO. All you need is to know how to operate the basic functions of a computer. Now that you have identified the reason what could be preventing you from finding a dedicated server and interrupting your gameplay.

It’s time to kick out the root cause of the issue. Jump directly to the solution which relates to the identified cause. If the reason remains unknown, follow each solution given below in the same order as given. Rule out each fix one at a time until you reach what works for you. After each step, restart your device. Restarting your device will refresh all the changes and is highly recommended by our experts.

Solution #1: Run a Game Folder Integrity Check

Firstly, check if the error is being caused due to a file mismatch in CSGO, if that is the case, you need to run an integrity check on your game folder from the steam menu. Follow the steps written below to complete the integrity check:

  • Open your steam client and go to the library tab from the list of available options
  • Scroll through the items and right-click on the entry that is associated with the counter strike global offensive.
  • A pop-up menu will appear, click “properties”.
  • Select the local files tab.
  • Click on verify the integrity of the game files.

It may take a few minutes to complete the process, however, once the process is finished, restart your computer and run your game. If the error persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution #2: Remove Improper Workshop Folders From Your Device

Manually installed workshop maps also cause this problem. If you have installed the maps manually, chances are they may have not been installed properly. So the first thing you need to do is uninstall the workshop folders that are causing the problem. After that, make sure there are no processes related to CSGO running in the background. If there are any, shut them so you can try out the method successfully. Follow the steps written below:

  • Open the stream and go to the library option.
  • Right-click on the counter strike global offensive and select properties.
  • Click on the local files tab.
  • Select browse the local files option from the menu that appears below.
  • Enter the game folder.
  • Within the game folder, click on the CS: GO folder.
  • Go to maps and then select “workshop”
  • Double-click on every folder present inside the workshop folder.
  • Check the names of the files, if you see any files that don’t end with a “.bsp”, delete that file because they are just images that you do not need.
  • Check and delete every folder that doesn’t contain a “.bsp” until you are only left with proper workshop maps.
  • Restart the counter-strike global offensive after you have made sure all the files lacking “.bsp” have been deleted.

Try opening a workshop map now to see if you are still facing the problem or not.

Solution #3: Unsubscribe to All Workshop Maps

If you’re still facing the error, it means that you have subscribed to a lot of workshop maps. Subscribing to too many workshop maps confuses the installer and it may put all of them in the same folder. To fix this problem, you need to unsubscribe from the workshop maps and delete the workshop folder. Follow the steps written below if you don’t know how to delete the workshop folder.

  • First of all, make sure that the game is closed and not running in the background.
  • Go to steam and click on the community tab.
  • A drop-down menu will appear, click on the workshop.
  • Click on CS: GO.
  • Open the browse tab.
  • Select subscribed items.
  • And click on the unsubscribe button for every CSGO map.
  • After successfully unsubscribing from all the workshop maps, go back to the main menu of steam.
  • Click on the library tab and right-click on CSGO.
  • Select properties.
  • Go to local files.
  • Choose to browse the local files option from the menu.
  • Choose the maps folder, right-click on the workshop folder, and click delete.

Now re-subscribe to the workshop maps and check for any kind of errors.

Solution #4: Check if NAT is Open or Not

The only reason you are still facing the error is that you have a NAT (network address translation) problem. NAT is responsible for connecting your game servers to the consoles. Any problems occurring in the NAT can cause this error. The first thing you need to do is to check your NAT. if it is closed, open it using your router.

  • Press the Windows + R key
  • Type ms-settings:gaming-Xbox networking and press enter
  • The Xbox networking tab of gaming settings will open up in front of you
  • Wait a few minutes for the operation inside the Xbox to complete
  • Check the NAT
  • If you see “closed” or “toredo is unable to qualify” in the NAT type, then it means that the problem you were facing was because of the NAT only
  • Now go to the router settings and open NAT. You might need to use Universal plug and play (UPnP) for the process
  • If you have an old router model, you may need to forward the ports used by steam and CSGO manually
  • Open the browser you generally use and go to the router address
  • You can either use the following address or you can also search for the correct address of your router
  • 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1
  • Enter your login credentials in the login screen
  • The majority of manufacturers use admin or 1234 or both for their password and username
  • But if you don’t know the custom credentials, press and hold on the reset button on your router to change the default values
  • Log in and choose the advanced menu
  • Go to the NAT forwarding (port forwarding menu)
  • Search for the option to forward ports manually
  • Add the following ports
  • TCP: 27015-27030, 27036-27037
  • UDP: 4380, 27000-27031, 27036
  • Save the changes and restart your device after completing the procedure

Hopefully, by the end of this process, your problem will be resolved and you are back to playing your game without interruptions or annoyance of these error pop-ups.

Solution #5: Restoro Repair Tool

Call it a lifesaver and the ultimate solution to all your problems.

Restoro repair tool is the magic wand that you need if you’re unable to locate the cause and after that trying out all the possible solutions to fix the error, mentioned above. Restoro repair tool is an automatic troubleshooting application that rectifies the cause and then automatically runs accordingly to fix it. The software is paid but a one-time worth-it experiment.

If you’re someone who doesn’t have time to try solving the issue one by one or fear that doing it yourself is going to make things worse, the tool is made for you.

Restoro can be purchased from its official website and installed into your device, and boom, everything will be solved automatically whenever you face any kind of error with any game or program.

Conclusion

By now you know, fixing CSGO: failed to find a dedicated server is not that difficult.

We hope that you have learned to identify the cause and the proposed solution to fix the issue. Our expert team works hard to help you out with any sorts of questions and queries. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

We would appreciate it if you let us know anything else that works for you in getting rid of this issue. We value your feedback and appreciate it. Happy gaming to all the gamers out there!

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Luqman Khan

Luqman is the founder of cliffyB.com and an obsessed gamer! Overseeing the site's coverage of gaming hardware and software. He is also the founder of a Computer Gaming Lounge. He has been into gaming and PC Building since 2009. He is also obsessed with DOTA 2 and Rainbow Six Siege.