[FIX] CS GO ‘Failed to Find a Dedicated Server’ Error

Some Counter-Strike Go players are encountering the ‘Failed to find a dedicated server‘ error when attempting to open a Workshop map. Most affected users are reporting that this problem only occurs in instances where they attempt to start a map with bots.

After investigating the issue, it turns out that there are multiple causes that might ultimately cause this particular error code. Here’s a shortlist of potential causes:

Method 1: Running a Game Folder Integrity Check

Before you try any other fix, start by checking whether this particular error is related to an inconsistency related to the game files of Counter-Strike Global Offensive. Some users that were previously dealing with the Failed to find a dedicated server error have reported that the issue was resolved after they performed a game folder integrity check via the Steam menu.

If you haven’t done this already, follow the instructions below to verify the game integrity of Counter-Strike Go:

1. Open your Steam client and go straight to the Library tab from the list of available options. Next, scroll down through your library items and right-click on the entry associated with CS GO.
2. Next, from the newly appeared context menu, click on Properties.

   

3. Once you’re inside the Properties screen of Counter-Strike Global Offensive, select the Local Files tab and then click on Verify Integrity of the Game Files.

   

4. Wait until the operation is complete, then restart your computer and repeat the action at the next computer startup to see if the problem is now fixed.

In case the integrity check didn’t reveal any underlying corruption issue with the game installation, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 2: Deleting Improper Workshop Folders

According to some affected users that were also encountering this problem, you might also see this error occurring due to some improper workshop folders that Steam is unable to load up into the game.

If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix this problem by navigation to the location of the workshop maps and deleting every improper map instance. After doing this and restarting the game, most affected users have reported that the ‘Failed to find a dedicated server‘ error has stopped occurring.

Here’s a quick guide on deleting the improper workshop folders:

1. First things first, ensure that CSGO is completely closed and that there is no background process still running.
2. Return to Steam, click on Library from the horizontal menu at the top, then right-click on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and choose Properties from the newly appeared context menu.

   

3. Inside the Properties screen, click on the Local Files tab, then click on Browse Local Files from the menu below.

   

4. Inside the game folder, double-click on the CSGO folder, then go to Maps > Workshop.
   

   

5. Next, go ahead and double-click every folder inside the Workshop folder and check whether each entry contains a file that ends with .bsp. In case you discover that the .bsp file is missing and the folder only contains images, go ahead and delete the entire folder.
6. Check every folder inside the workshop folder and delete every instance where the .bsp file is missing until you are left only with proper workshop maps.

   

7. Once you’ve made sure that every improper workshop map is removed, restart CSGO, open a workshop map, and see if the problem is now resolved.

In case you still end up seeing the ‘Failed to find a dedicated server‘ error when you try to open a CS Go workshop map, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Unsubbing to every Workshop Map

As it turns out, this problem can also occur due to a glitch with Steam’s Workshop subscription model. Several users that were previously encountering the same problem have reported that they managed to fix the issue by manually going into the Workshop window and manually unsubbing to everything.

After doing this, deleting the Workshop folder and unsubscribing to the maps they wanted to play, they’ve reported that the problem was finally resolved and they were able to play Workshop maps with bots without seeing the ‘Failed to find a dedicated server‘ error.

Here’s a quick guide on unsubbing to every Workshop map and deleting the workshop folder:

1. Ensure that Counter-Strike GO is closed, then open Steam and click on the Community tab from the list of available options, then click on Workshop from the newly appeared context menu.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Workshop page, click on CSGO from the list of available workshops.

   

3. Once you’re inside the Workshop tab, click on the Browse tab, then click on Subscribed Items from the newly appeared context menu.

   

4. Once you’re inside the subscribed Workshop Items tab, scroll down through the page and hit the Unsubscribe button for every CSGO map that you’re currently subscribed to.

   

5. Once you have successfully unsubscribed to every relevant CSGO Workshop map, return to the main menu of Steam. Next, click on Library from the horizontal menu at the top, then right-click on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and choose Properties from the newly appeared context menu.
6. Once you’re in the Properties screen, click on the Local Files tab. Next, click on Browse Local Files from the menu below.

   

7. Inside the game folder, open the Maps folder, then right-click on the workshop folder and choose Delete from the newly appeared context menu. 
   
8. Now that you have successfully unsubscribed to every relevant workshop map and deleted the folder that contained the remaining remnant files, go ahead and re-subscribe to every workshop map, then launch the game and see if the problem is now resolved.

In case the problem is still not resolved as you’re still seeing the ‘Failed to find a dedicated server‘ error, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Ensuring that your NAT is OPEN

In case you’re still encountering the same problem even after following every potential fix below, chances are you’re actually dealing with a NAT (Network Address Translation) issue. This important metric will ultimately determine if the game server accepts the connection with the machine or not.

In case the NAT is closed, you should encounter the ‘Failed to find a dedicated server‘ error with every Workshop map you attempt to play and face a similar issue when trying to play regular maps.

If this scenario looks like it could be applicable, you should begin by checking if your NAT is closed on your computer and if the NAT is indeed closed, you need to open it from your router settings.

Step 1: Checking your NAT type

1. Open up a Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ”’ms-settings:gaming-xboxnetworking’ inside the text box, then press Enter to open up the Xbox Networking tab of the Gaming Settings app.

   

2. Inside the Xbox Networking tab, wait until the operation is complete, then check the NAT Type once the results are displayed.

   

   Note: If the Nat Type shows at ‘Closed’ or ‘Teredo is unable to qualify‘, you can conclude that the problem is indeed occurring due to your NAT.

3. If the results show that the NAT Type is Closed or undetermined, move down to Step 2 below where we’ll show you how to open your NAT from your router settings.

Step 2: Opening your NAT

In case the investigation above has revealed that you are indeed dealing with a NAT issue, you need to open it from your router settings. With the vast majority of routers, you will be able to do this opening Universal Plug and Play (UPnP).

UPnP is an industry-standard for years now, but if you’re using an older router model, you will likely need to forward the ports used by Steam and CS GO manually in order to allow the game serves to communicate with your computer.

Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:

Note: The instructions below are general since the exact steps of forwarding ports manually will be different from router to router.

1. Open your default browser, type one of the following address and press Enter to access your router settings:

   192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1

   Note: If none of these generic addresses end up taking you to the login screen of your router, you will need to find out the correct address of your router.

2. Once you’re at the login screen, insert the custom login credentials if you previously established any. Else, use 1234 or admin for both password and username and see if you’re able to get in (most router manufacturers use these defaults)

   

   Note: In case the generic login credentials don’t work and you don’t know your custom credentials, press and hold on the reset button on the back of your router to revert back to the default values.

3. After you have successfully logged into your router settings, expand the Advanced menu, and access the NAT Forwarding (Port Forwarding menu).

   

4. Next, look for an option that will allow you to forward your ports manually and start adding the ports below (used by Steam and CS Go):

   TCP: 27015-27030, 27036-27037
   UDP: 4380, 27000-27031, 27036

5. Once you successfully manage to forward the ports, save the modifications, then restart your computer and see if the problem is resolved at the next computer startup.