Fix Input Lag in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) – 2025 Ultimate Guide
Why Input Lag Matters in Counter-Strike
In Counter-Strike (CS:GO, CS2), precision and reaction time determine the outcome of every gunfight. Even a few milliseconds of input lag can mean the difference between landing a headshot or missing entirely.
If your actions—like flicking to an enemy, strafing, or switching weapons—feel delayed, you’re experiencing input lag.
This guide will help you minimize input delay on PC, covering everything from display settings to network optimizations for a more responsive gaming experience.
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Reduce Input Lag Counter-Strike 2
1. Display Optimization – Reduce Monitor Lag & Response Time
Your monitor is one of the most important factors in reducing input lag. Even if your PC is powerful, a slow display will always hold you back.
Best Monitors for Counter-Strike
- 1ms or lower response time
- 240Hz or 360Hz refresh rate (higher refresh rates = lower lag)
- Recommended models:
- BenQ Zowie XL2566K (360Hz, DyAc+) on Amazon* (Affiliate Link)
- Alienware AW2725DF (360Hz, G-Sync) on Amazon* (Affiliate Link)
- ASUS ROG Swift PG259QN (380Hz, Fast IPS) on Amazon* (Affiliate Link)
- BenQ Zowie XL2566K (360Hz, DyAc+) on Amazon* (Affiliate Link)
Best Monitor Settings for Low Input Lag
✅Enable “Instant Mode” or “Low Latency Mode” (if your monitor has it)
✅Turn Off Motion Blur / Overdrive – Adds processing delay.
✅Disable G-Sync & FreeSync – They help smooth visuals but introduce slight input lag.
✅Use the Right Cable
- DisplayPort 1.4 (Best for 240Hz/360Hz monitors)
- HDMI 2.1 (If DisplayPort is unavailable)
- Avoid adapters, as they introduce extra delay.
2. In-Game Settings – Optimize CS for Low Input Lag
Turn Off V-Sync (Always!)
❌V-Sync introduces massive input lag because it forces frames to sync before displaying them.
➡ Go to CS Settings → Video → Disable V-Sync.
Set FPS Cap Correctly (Avoid Latency Spikes)
🔹Enable Console (~) and use these commands: fps_max 0
- This uncaps FPS (only recommended for very high-end PCs).
- If you get FPS spikes, set it to 144, 240, or 300 to stabilize performance.
Best Graphics Settings for Lowest Input Lag
| Setting | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Global Shadow Quality | Very Low |
| Model / Texture Detail | Low |
| Effect Detail | Low |
| Shader Detail | Low |
| Multicore Rendering | Enabled |
| MSAA (Anti-Aliasing) | None or 2X |
| FXAA | Disabled |
| Texture Filtering | Bilinear |
| Motion Blur | Disabled |
Why?
- Lower shadows & effects reduce GPU workload, minimizing frame rendering delays.
- Disabling anti-aliasing & motion blur improves responsiveness.
- Multicore rendering ON helps utilize more CPU cores for smoother performance.
3. Mouse Optimization – Reduce Latency in Aiming
Use a High-Polling-Rate Mouse
✔ 1000Hz polling rate updates your input every 1ms (vs. 8ms at 125Hz).
Recommended mice:
- Logitech G Pro X Superlight on Amazon* (Affiliate Link): Ultra-lightweight wireless mouse with industry-leading latency.
- Razer Viper Ultimate on Amazon* (Affiliate Link): Wireless mouse with a 1ms response time and advanced optical switches.
- SteelSeries Rival 600 on Amazon* (Affiliate Link): Excellent wired option with a dual-sensor system for pinpoint accuracy.
Disable Mouse Acceleration
❌Mouse acceleration causes inconsistent aiming because your speed affects movement.
➡Disable it in Windows & CS with these steps:
- Windows:
- Open Control Panel → Mouse Settings → Pointer Options
- Uncheck “Enhance pointer precision”
- CS Console Command: m_rawinput 1
Set Correct DPI & Sensitivity
- DPI: 400–800 for precise aiming
- CS Sensitivity: Adjust to preference, but keep eDPI (DPI × In-Game Sens) between 800-1600
4. Network Optimization – Reduce Online Input Lag & Latency
Use a Wired Ethernet Connection (Avoid Wi-Fi!)
❌ Wi-Fi introduces random packet loss and higher latency.
✔ Use a Cat6 Ethernet cable for the most stable connection.
Use CS-Specific Network Commands for Lower Delay
Enter these commands in the console (~):
rate 786432
cl_interp 0
cl_interp_ratio 1
cl_cmdrate 128
cl_updaterate 128
- Why?
- rate 786432 = Maximum bandwidth usage allowed
- cl_interp 0 & cl_interp_ratio 1 = Forces the lowest interpolation delay
- cl_cmdrate 128 & cl_updaterate 128 = Syncs with 128-tick servers for faster response
Change DNS for Faster Response Time
- Default ISPs can cause routing delays.
- Change DNS settings to:
- Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4
- Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1
5. System Performance Tweaks – Optimize PC for CS
Enable High-Performance Mode in Windows
➡Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Set to “High Performance”
✔ This prevents CPU throttling, improving consistency.
Disable Background Apps & Overlays
❌ Close Discord Overlay, GeForce Experience, and Steam Overlay.
➡Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) → End unnecessary background processes.
Overclock Your Monitor (If Possible)
✔Some 144Hz monitors can be overclocked to 165Hz.
➡ Check your monitor’s OSD settings or use NVIDIA Control Panel.
6. Extra Pro Tips – Get Even Lower Input Lag
✅ Disable USB Power Saving Mode
➡Go to Device Manager → USB Controllers → Disable power saving.
✅ Unplug Unnecessary USB Devices
❌Too many USB peripherals can interfere with system polling rates.
✅ Enable Ultra-Low Latency Mode (NVIDIA GPUs)
➡ NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Set “Ultra-Low Latency Mode” to ON.
✅ Use the Right Windows Timer Resolution
➡ Use TimerTool to set your Windows timer resolution to 0.5ms for better response time.
Final Thoughts – Test & Optimize Your Setup
By following these Counter-Strike-specific optimizations, you’ll achieve faster aiming, lower input lag, and better reaction time.
Find out how you can improve your input delay in general: Learn more.