CSGO Crashes When Changing Video Settings? Fixes

Updated 9 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

If Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) crashes when you change video settings, the cause is usually a display-mode switch, an unsupported resolution or refresh rate, a graphics-driver problem, or damaged configuration files. Start with a safe launch option or reset the game’s video configuration, then check the display mode and drivers before trying more disruptive fixes.

Why changing video settings can crash CS:GO

Changing resolution, refresh rate, or display mode can make the game recreate its graphics window and swap display resources. If that transition fails, CS:GO may freeze, close, or stop responding. The problem can also occur when a setting does apply but leaves the game rendering at a mode the monitor or driver does not handle as expected.

A crash at the moment you click Apply is different from low frame rates during a match. Lowering texture quality is unlikely to fix a crash caused by an invalid display mode. Likewise, a game that closes during startup after a settings change may need its saved video options reset before you can reach the menus again.

Recover access with safe launch options

If the game now crashes before its menu appears, use Steam’s launch options to start it in a conservative windowed mode. In Steam, open your Library, right-click Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, choose Properties, and find the Launch Options field. Enter one option at a time, starting with -windowed. You can also try -autoconfig, which asks the game to use default configuration settings.

Launch options can vary in usefulness with game versions and configurations. If the game opens, adjust the settings from its menu, exit normally, and remove temporary launch options that you no longer need. Do not stack a long list of commands: one change at a time makes it easier to identify what worked.

Close the game and enter -windowed in Launch Options.
Start CS:GO and set a resolution supported by your display.
Apply the change, confirm the game remains stable, and then exit.
Remove the temporary option and relaunch to see whether the saved setting works normally.

If windowed mode does not help, close the game and try -autoconfig. It can reset more than just the display choice, so expect other game preferences to return to defaults. Remove the option after the reset if you want to make new changes and keep them.

Choose a stable resolution and display mode

For initial troubleshooting, use the monitor’s native resolution and a refresh rate it supports. A monitor’s native resolution is the pixel size it is designed to display most clearly; its supported refresh rates depend on the monitor, connection, and system configuration. If you are uncertain, use the operating system’s display settings to check the active resolution and refresh rate.

Test one mode at a time. If fullscreen crashes during the switch, try windowed mode first. Borderless windowed mode may be available in the game’s video options, but its exact behavior can depend on the game build and system. Avoid forcing a refresh rate with launch commands unless you know the display supports it. A setting accepted by the game is not necessarily supported by every connected display.

After the game opens reliably, change only one graphics option at a time. Apply it, wait for the result, and keep the new setting only if the game remains responsive. This isolates whether the failure relates to resolution, refresh rate, fullscreen mode, or another option.

Check graphics drivers and game files

An outdated, corrupted, or recently changed graphics driver can interfere with game rendering. Update the graphics driver through the computer or graphics-device manufacturer’s normal update channel, then restart the computer. If the crash began immediately after a driver update, check whether a previous stable driver is available through that same official channel. Avoid downloading drivers from unfamiliar sites.

Steam can also check whether installed game files are missing or damaged. In the game’s Steam Properties, open Installed Files and select the option to verify integrity of game files. The wording may differ slightly across Steam versions. Verification can replace or reacquire altered files; it does not necessarily reset every user configuration file.

Before changing configuration files manually, close the game and make a copy of any file you plan to edit or remove. CS:GO settings can be stored in user-specific configuration locations, and the exact folder can depend on installation and account setup. Prefer the in-game reset or -autoconfig first rather than deleting files you cannot identify.

Other causes and mistakes to rule out

Overlays and background programs can sometimes conflict with a display-mode change. As a test, temporarily disable nonessential overlays or screen-recording features, then launch the game and repeat the same change. Close other graphics-intensive applications as well. If that resolves the crash, re-enable items individually to identify the conflict.

Changing several settings at once: You cannot tell which setting triggered the failure.
Assuming every crash is a graphics-quality issue: Resolution and display-mode transitions are separate from texture or shadow quality.
Keeping conflicting launch options: Remove temporary reset or display options once normal access returns.
Editing files while the game is open: The game may overwrite your changes when it exits.
Ignoring a recent system change: A driver update, monitor change, or Windows display adjustment may be relevant.

Do not repeatedly force unsupported display modes in an attempt to make them work. If the crash persists after a reset, a supported resolution, driver checks, and file verification, note when it occurs and what changed recently. That information is useful when checking current Steam support resources or asking for help.

When a reset does not solve it

Try the least disruptive checks first: restart the computer, remove temporary launch options, and test with overlays disabled. Then verify game files and check for a graphics-driver update. If the issue began after changing a monitor, cable, or display arrangement, restore the previous setup temporarily. This can reveal whether the problem follows a particular display or connection.

For persistent crashes, record whether the game closes on launch, on clicking Apply, or only after entering a match. Also note the selected resolution, display mode, recent driver changes, and any error message. Avoid reinstalling Windows or deleting broad configuration folders as an early step; those actions can remove data without addressing the actual cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does CS:GO crash when I click Apply?
The game may be failing while switching resolution, refresh rate, or display mode. Reopen it in windowed mode, choose a supported resolution, and apply only one setting at a time.

How do I reset CS:GO video settings if it will not start?
In Steam, open the game’s Properties and try -autoconfig in Launch Options. You can also try -windowed to regain access to the menu. Remove temporary options once you have reset the settings.

Can an unsupported refresh rate cause a crash?
It can contribute to display problems, especially during a mode switch. Select a refresh rate listed as supported for the display in your operating system’s display settings.

Will verifying game files reset my settings?
Verification checks the installed game files and may repair or replace them. It is not a reliable way to reset all user video settings, so use the game’s reset options if settings are the suspected cause.

Should I reinstall CS:GO?
Not as the first fix. Try a safe launch option, a supported display mode, a driver check, and Steam file verification first. Reinstalling may not remove configuration problems stored separately from the game files.

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