Steam overlay not working in CS2 (Shift+Tab)
What to do if the Steam overlay will not open with Shift+Tab in CS2: Steam settings, game properties, admin rights and conflicts with other overlays.
The Steam overlay is used for friends chat, the browser, screenshots and game recording. If it will not open, check a few settings.
🔧 1. Global Steam setting
Steam → Settings → In Game.
Enable "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game".
Check the shortcut — Shift + Tab by default.
📌 2. CS2 setting
Steam → right-click CS2 → Properties → General → enable "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game".
🖥️ 3. Admin rights
If Steam runs without admin rights but the game runs with them (or vice versa), the overlay may not work. Run both the same way — preferably without admin rights.
🎯 4. Other overlays
Discord, NVIDIA, MSI Afterburner and recording software sometimes conflict with the Steam overlay. Disable them one at a time and test.
⚠️ If it did not help
Fully restart Steam.
Check whether your CS2 launch options contain something that disables the overlay.
Verify game files.