Best known fix for VAC Authentication Error

[greased up deaf guy]

Hi guys.

As I'm sure anyone reading this will be aware, there's been a huge spike in the number of people receiving this error lately. I had it twice and troubleshooted both times. So far, this is the best resource I've found for getting rid of the issue. I've played 5 games without issue, hopefully that's not a string of good luck but it's worth trying if you're getting the error often.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalOffensive/comments/396ys1/vac_authentication_error_what_it_is_why_it/

Hopefully the information contained within here can help you out. If there's anything anyone wants to add feel free.

[ReBoot]

The only thing it mentions that the official support article doesn't is to turn off your cheats.

[greased up deaf guy]

The official support article you get sent to when you get the in-game error is this one:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2117-ilzv-2837

It's not nearly as comprehensive as the one I linked. Thank you for your unconstructive input.

[ReBoot]

Its far from unconstructive I you think a little further. Or read through this forum.
This article lacks core points the official article lacks too. Namely that turning off the problematic boot options isn't enough, one also has to verify if they stay off.

[greased up deaf guy]

To be honest nothing in the official article is actually helpful for preventing the problem occurring again. At best it will (maybe) allow you to reconnect if you've got a PC decent enough to do the fixes, restart, relaunch CSGO and get into the game.

It won't prevent it from happening all over again. The point of linking the article is to have something that people can use to actually prevent the re-occurrence of the error.

Your post was the epitome of unconstructive. Many people have had this issue occur multiple times and have been trying to fix it based on the link sent in CSGO, following the information found within and still having the issue occur.

Therefore I made this thread to have a more succintly worded reference for people to troubleshoot with. It's what worked for me and the numerous people I've sent it to have so far been grateful as it's solved their problems.

I apologize if people using and finding better results when referencing non-official support sources hurts your feelings.

[ReBoot]

You don't get it, do you? The thing you linked is incomplete and in #3, I provided additional information! Why are you refusing that? Dint you want to help opeoe?

[maZe]

thanks for the help

[Commander Makara]

As I'm sure anyone reading this will be aware, there's been a huge spike in the number of people receiving this error lately.

Is that so, from where do you have any reliable statistics on which to base this?

Even if it were even possible to ascertain a direct correlation between #accounts, #people or clarify how you determine what is 'huge spike' or 'lately'.

_________________

Anyway, the support article describes in full, all that is necessary to solve the problem - with a small caveat which understandably and quite reasonably assumes the following:

1) You have not installed, used, attempted to use or followed suggested methods for cheating.
2) You are honest, and fully dsiclosing about the situation, your activity pertaining to Steam and your system with regards to the security features relevant such as the secured kernel, boot mode and data execution prevention.
3)You are capable of understanding and following the sequence of steps provided and acknowledge the list of conflicting software.

________________________________________________






There are rare circumstances, in which the supplied information is not entirely sufficient, in which cases Operating system settings have been altered, policy configurations set, or other software may interfere with the optimal running of the Steam platform.

[ReBoot]

Commander Makara님이 먼저 게시:

As I'm sure anyone reading this will be aware, there's been a huge spike in the number of people receiving this error lately.

Is that so, from where do you have any reliable statistics on which to base this?

Well, I do feel that there's an increase in the posts abouth is in this forum.

[Commander Makara]

ReBoot님이 먼저 게시:

Commander Makara님이 먼저 게시:

Is that so, from where do you have any reliable statistics on which to base this?

Well, I do feel that there's an increase in the posts abouth is in this forum.

Meaningless without context.

How statistically accurate is your 'feeling'?

How does the number of people positing about this issue correlate to the number of people posting on the forums generally?

How does the number of people posting about this issue compare now and historically with the number of players of CSGO?

How does the number of people posting about this issue here on Steam forums compare to the number of people advidsed on Reddit, Twitter, and other external sources being advised to post here instead?

How does the number of people posting about the issue unite with the release of a new 3rd aprty software (upgrade) installation/malware etc.

Unless you are able to provide those details, then there's nothing to suggest any overall net proportionality of those receiving the error. It's all just too vague.

[ReBoot]

Hey, I am one of the people who claim that the problem is a PEBCAK one, not Valve one. Just saying.

[[NFG] Amstel]

This is problem that valve/VAC has to fix.
There are alot of people that dont know to fix things like this and are not IT experts, after a few bans with this problem, people just can't play for F****** 7 days!
I now have 4 IRL friends with this problem and I play alot of competetive games with them, its so frustrating when the freakin VAC Authentication problem pops up again.

With all the people that bought this game, and the big market around the skins etc where valve also gets a fee from, They've earned alot of money.. and still are.. atleast they can fix things like this. Just like all the hackers that are still around.. the 64tick servers... ( Come on give us 128Tick to play competetive on!) We payed, We play, we contribute, most of us play since CS1.6 give the players what they want with the money you earned please. Maybe I'll make a petition with all this things and set it online maybe they'll listen to us than.

[ReBoot]

Valve cant fix problems on end users computers.

[tabskant]

Ty, that solve works 4 me ;d

[Commander Makara]

GReddy님이 먼저 게시:

This is problem that valve/VAC has to fix.
There are alot of people that dont know to fix things like this and are not IT experts,

Which is why Valve provide a list of instructions.
Which is why non-IT experts should NOT be ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ with settings and installing software etc.
Which is why non-IT experts should check ith Microsoft on how to configure their Firewall etc.

It's not Valve's fault if you, being a non-IT expert (not saying you yourself necessarily, but those to whom you may refer) mess with the computer in a way in which you are unable to rectify.

_


In extreme situations, the guaranteed workaround is to simply completely reformat and reinstall with only essential hardware and software (but inclusive of Windows and necessary driver updates)

I know it seems as though many people ahve issues with this and they "try everything" without success, but on further examination, overwhelmingly, these same people insist on installing software KNOWN to conflict with Steam, they insist on using pirated software, they insist on running CCleaner....

Valve can fix a lot of things, sure, but they can't fix stupid.