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To set up a Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) match on a local network, have one PC host a practice server and let the other PCs join using the address shown by the host. This walkthrough follows community-published CS2 instructions; Valve’s documentation explains the underlying LAN setting but does not provide a current, complete CS2 setup recipe. Menus and commands can change.
What you need before you start
- CS2 installed and updated on each participating PC.
- All PCs connected to the same local network, whether through Wi-Fi or a wired network.
- One PC chosen as the host. It can also be used by a player; a separate host PC is optional.
The available guides do not establish a minimum hardware specification for the host, so there is no verified minimum to list here.
Host the match from a player’s PC
- Start CS2 on the PC that will host.
- Open the developer console. If the console key does not open it, enable the developer console in the game’s settings first. The key can vary with keyboard layout.
- Enable LAN hosting. Enter
sv_lan 1in the console. The Valve Developer Community describessv_lanas a setting for whether a Source dedicated server is only available on a LAN; CS2 community guides also use this command for their LAN setup. - Create a practice server and select the game mode you want to play.
- Find the address to share. Enter
statusin the host console and note the server address it displays, including any port. Use the exact address shown on your host rather than assuming a fixed address or port.
The host-and-client procedure is described in Steam Community guides: CS2 LAN 5v5 Setup Guide and How to play on LAN in CS2 with friends. The latter page is marked as removed. Valve’s Source Dedicated Server command-line options documents the general meaning of the LAN setting; it is not a CS2-specific step-by-step guide.
Join from the other PCs
- Start CS2 on each client PC and open its developer console.
- Enter
connect <server-address>, replacing<server-address>with the full address the host got fromstatus. - Repeat on each PC that needs to join.
Choose a host setup that fits the group
| Approach | Best fit | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Practice server on a player PC | A group whose PCs are already on the same LAN and wants a straightforward setup. | Community guides describe the host, sv_lan 1, practice server, status, and client connect flow. |
| Separate dedicated host | An organized event that can reserve a PC for hosting. | A separate PC is optional, not required. The available sources do not establish a current official CS2 dedicated-server installation procedure. |
| Remote or virtual-network setup | Players who are not on the same physical LAN. | This is a different connectivity problem. A Steam Community guide discusses port forwarding and Hamachi, but those methods are not needed for the basic same-LAN setup and should not be treated as the default. |
For general Source engine networking context, see the Valve Developer Community’s Source Multiplayer Networking page. It is not a complete current CS2 LAN recipe.
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UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable 6FT, High Speed Braided 40Gbps 2000Mhz Network Cord Cat8 RJ45 Shielded Indoor Heavy Duty LAN Cables Compatible with Gaming PC PS5 PS4 PS3 Xbox Modem Router 6FT
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If a client cannot connect
Check these basics before changing router settings:
- Confirm that both PCs are connected to the same local network.
- On the host, run
statusagain and check that the client is using the address exactly as displayed, including its port if shown. - Check whether a local firewall prompt or setting is blocking CS2 on either PC. This is a general troubleshooting check, not a guaranteed CS2-specific fix.
Port forwarding is not part of the basic workflow when all players are on the same LAN. The Steam Community guide on setting up a private CS2 server with friends discusses remote-connectivity alternatives, but it is community guidance for a different scenario.
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