How to Fix Input Lag in CS2 and CS:GO – Best Tips and Tricks 2025
Fix input lag in CS2 and CS:GO – because reaction time is crucial in Counter-Strike. If your inputs feel delayed or sluggish, you’re already at a disadvantage before the round even starts. Whether you’re lining up a precise AWP shot, counter-strafing to land the perfect tap, or clutching a 1v3, even a few milliseconds of input lag can cost you the game.
Input lag in CS2 or CS:GO can come from multiple sources—your in-game settings, monitor, peripherals, system latency, or even background processes running on your PC. The good news? With the right optimizations, you can significantly reduce input lag and achieve ultra-fast responsiveness.
At inputdelay.com, we’ve tested and fine-tuned the best settings and hardware upgrades to help you eliminate delays and maximize your reaction time in 2025. In this guide, we’ll cover:
🎮 CS2 / CS:GO In-Game Settings – The best graphics, input, and network settings for low latency
🖥️ Monitor Optimization – How to choose the right refresh rate, response time, and settings
🖱️ Mouse & Keyboard Tweaks – Reduce latency with proper polling rates and actuation speeds
💻 PC & Windows Optimizations – Minimize background processes and system-induced lag
🌐 Network & Connection Fixes – Reduce ping spikes and stabilize server response times
If you want the smoothest, most responsive experience possible in Counter-Strike, this guide will help you fine-tune every aspect of your setup—so your reactions happen in real-time, with zero delay.
Let’s fix input lag in CS2 and CS:GO and take your performance to the next level! 🚀🎯
Updated: March 12, 2025
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How To Fix Input Lag in CS2 and CS:GO
🖥️ Display Optimization – Reduce Monitor Lag & Response Time
Your Monitor Can Make or Break Your Game! 🎯
Even with a beastly PC, a slow monitor will always hold you back. If you’re serious about competitive gaming, reducing input lag should be your top priority. A high-refresh-rate, low-latency display gives you that crucial edge in fast-paced shooters like Counter-Strike.
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)
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.
🎮 In-Game Settings – Fix Input Lag in CS2 and CS:GO for Low Latency
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.
🖱️ 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
🌐 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 to Fix Input Lag in CS2 and CS:GO
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
💻 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.
Extra Pro Tips to Reduce Input Lag in CS2 & CS:GO
✅ 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 – Optimize Your Setup To Fix Input Lag in CS2 & CS:GO
By following these Counter-Strike-specific optimizations, you’ll achieve faster aiming, lower input lag, and better reaction time.
Every millisecond counts—reduce input delay now: Learn more.