CS2 resolution keeps resetting: how to fix
Why CS2 reverts to a different resolution or display mode after restarting and how to keep your settings: cs2_video.txt, launch options and Steam Cloud.
If you set a resolution but CS2 opens with a different one after restarting, the game is not saving video settings or something overwrites them.
🔧 1. Launch options
Check Steam → right-click CS2 → Properties → General → Launch Options. Options such as -w, -h, -fullscreen or -windowed overwrite settings on every launch. Remove them or fix the values.
📁 2. The cs2_video.txt file
Video settings are stored in:
Steam\userdata\YOUR_ID\730\local\cfg\cs2_video.txt
Make sure the file is not marked "Read-only" (right-click → Properties).
If the file is damaged, delete it — the game creates a new one and you set video up again.
☁️ 3. Steam Cloud
Steam Cloud sometimes restores old settings. Temporarily disable it: CS2 Properties → General → Steam Cloud, set your resolution, restart the game, then turn the cloud back on.
🖥️ 4. Stretched resolution
If you play 4:3 and get black bars at launch, check scaling in the NVIDIA or AMD panel — it may have reset after a driver update.
⚠️ Tip
Once your resolution sticks, only put non-video commands in autoexec so you do not overwrite graphics.