Getting a Competitive cooldown in CS2 is one of the more confusing moments in the game. The in-client message is vague, and the rules live on a Steam Support page rather than anywhere in the game. This covers what triggers a cooldown, the four levels Valve uses, how the probation period works, and the difference between a cooldown and a real ban.
What triggers a Competitive cooldown
Valve issues cooldowns for actions that damage the match for other players. The official list includes:
- Failing to stay connected to the server, or not reconnecting in time
- Kicking too many teammates
- Being kicked from too many matches
- Abandoning a match
- Being AFK or not participating
- Receiving too many in-game reports for griefing
- VAC flagging your gameplay as irregular
- VAC flagging a member of your party
How long each level lasts
- Level 1: 30 minutes
- Level 2: 2 hours
- Level 3: 24 hours
- Level 4: 1 week
That second sentence is the part most players miss. A single mistake does not follow you forever, but it does follow you for a week, and queuing again while you are still on probation makes the next cooldown worse.
Can you get a cooldown removed?
No. Valve is explicit that cooldowns are non-negotiable and cannot be removed or reduced by Steam Support, whatever the reason. If a cooldown was issued incorrectly, Valve's servers roll it back on their own.
How to tell which level you are on
Your current level is the length of the last non-VAC cooldown you received:
- 30 minutes means level 1
- 2 hours means level 2
- 24 hours means level 3
- One week means level 4 or above
Cooldowns and VACnet
A cooldown issued because VAC flagged irregular gameplay is always a minimum of one day, and it raises your cooldown level by one. A cooldown from partying with a flagged player blocks all game modes for the duration, and Valve notes that your rating is adjusted regardless of whether you or your party member caused the match to be cancelled.
Cooldown versus ban
A cooldown is temporary and keeps you out of matchmaking. A ban is a different animal:
- VAC bans are permanent account bans issued when Valve's anti-cheat detects cheat software on your machine
- Game bans are issued when a player tries to circumvent or interfere with game systems
- GSLT bans target server operators who offer false inventories or profiles through mods
- Family Sharing privileges can be revoked, and the account VAC banned, if a shared library is used for cheating or fraud
- Sort out connection problems before you queue. Valve points to its network troubleshooting article for cooldowns caused by disconnects.
- Use a timeout instead of stepping away. Going AFK in a Competitive match can get you removed and cooldowned.
- Report abusive teammates rather than vote kicking them. Valve says vote kicks should be reserved for extreme circumstances.
- If you are on probation, treat the next week as a clean stretch. It is the only thing that lowers your level.
- Can Steam Support remove my cooldown?
No. Cooldowns cannot be removed or reduced, whatever the reason. - How do I know my current level?
Check how long your last non-VAC cooldown lasted. The length tells you the level. - Does a cooldown block every mode?
A normal cooldown blocks Competitive matchmaking. A cooldown from partying with a VAC flagged player blocks all game modes. - Will a cooldown expire on its own?
Yes, after its duration. A week of clean play then drops your level by one. - Do I get warned first?
Valve states that explicit warnings are shown before actions that result in a cooldown.