Common Reasons for VAC Bans in CS2 / CS:GO

In general, a VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) ban in CS2 or CS:GO is issued when the system detects cheating software or unauthorized modifications to the game client. The main categories are listed below.

1. Direct Use of Cheating Software

These are the most typical reasons for a VAC ban:

1. Aimbots

   • Software that automatically aims or locks onto enemy players, assists with recoil control, or performs instant, highly precise shots.

2. Wallhacks

   • Tools that allow players to see enemies through walls or other obstacles, often showing boxes, skeletons, health, or names.

3. Recoil or Firing Scripts

   • Scripts that automatically control recoil, burst firing, or clicking patterns beyond what is humanly possible, especially if injected into the game process.

4. DLL Injection and External Cheat Loaders

   • Using injectors to insert DLL files or other code into cs2.exe or csgo.exe to alter the game’s behavior.

5. Game File Modifications for Unfair Advantage

   • Editing models, textures, or other files to gain advantages (for example, making player models more visible or simulating a wallhack effect).

Any software that changes the game to provide an unfair competitive advantage can result in a permanent VAC ban.

2. Unauthorized Modifications or “Tweaks” to the Game

Some players do not consider themselves cheaters but still modify the game in ways that can trigger VAC:

1. Editing Core Game Files

   • Modifying .dll, .pak, .vpk, or similar files to change field of view, model size, smoke visibility, or other gameplay elements.

2. Using Third-Party “Optimization” Tools

   • Certain “FPS boosters” or “latency optimizers” that work by injecting into the game or modifying its memory may be detected as cheats.

3. Unofficial Skin or Viewmodel Tools

   • Local skin changers or camera tools that alter what is shown in the client by changing memory or game files can be flagged.

3. Shared Devices, Stolen Accounts, and Rental Accounts

In some cases, the owner of the account is not the person who actually used cheats, but the account is still punished:

1. Cheating on the Same Computer with Different Accounts

   • If cheats are used on a particular PC, other accounts that are later played on the same system may also be affected.

2. Compromised or Stolen Accounts

   • If an account is stolen and the intruder uses cheats, the account can receive a VAC ban regardless of who was actually playing at the time.

3. Account Sharing and Rental Services

   • Sharing accounts with friends or using rental accounts is risky, because you cannot control whether cheats were used on that account or device in the past.

From VAC’s perspective, the key factor is that the account was used in a cheating environment, not who was physically sitting at the computer.

4. Conflicts with Third-Party Software (Less Common but Possible)

Most legitimate software is safe, but certain types of tools can create risk:

1. Overlay and Hook-Based Tools

   • Some overlays, recording tools, or debugging utilities that attach to the game process and modify its behavior can be misinterpreted as cheats, especially if they use injection techniques.

2. Extreme Macros or Auto-Clickers

   • Simple mouse or keyboard macros from official drivers are usually acceptable, but highly aggressive auto-clickers or macros that interact directly with the game process may cause problems.

5. Abnormal or “Suspicious” System Environment

Even if no cheat is actively running, the following situations can be risky:

1. Leftover Cheat Components

   • Old cheat tools that were not completely removed, such as remaining drivers, services, or files, can still be detected by VAC.

2. Other Game Modifiers Running in the Background

   • Generic trainers or memory editors used for other games may still be open and attached to running processes, creating a suspicious environment.

6. Situations That Normally Do Not Cause VAC Bans

The following, when used normally and legitimately, are generally safe and do not lead to VAC bans:

1. Official Steam Features

   • Steam overlay, screenshots, friends list, and chat.

2. Standard Game Settings and Launch Options

   • Approved launch options (e.g., -novid) and usual in-game settings such as crosshair, sensitivity, and configuration files that do not automate gameplay.

3. Mainstream Recording Software

   • Common tools like OBS or NVIDIA ShadowPlay, used in their default modes.

4. Regular Antivirus or System Cleaning Tools

   • Normal use of antivirus programs or system maintenance tools that do not inject into the game process.

7. Characteristics of VAC Bans

• No Detailed Reason Provided VAC bans do not include a specific explanation of which tool or file caused the ban.
• Typically Permanent and Non-Negotiable VAC bans are almost always permanent and are rarely removed, except in extremely rare proven cases of system error.
• Delayed Enforcement The ban does not always occur immediately; sometimes it is applied days or even weeks after the cheating behavior is detected.

If you want, I can now help you turn this into a more personal explanation (for example, for a support ticket or forum post) in clear, formal English.