This guide will help you connect to your Counter-Strike 2 dedicated server. Whether you prefer the console or Steam's server browser, you'll be fragging in no time.
The quickest way to join your server.
Open CS2, go to Settings > Game > Enable Developer Console and set it to Yes.
Press the tilde key (~) on your keyboard to open the developer console.
Type the connect command with your server IP:
Press Enter and CS2 will connect to your server. If Smart Sleep is enabled, wait up to 60 seconds for the server to wake.
Save your server for easy access later.
In Steam, click View > Game Servers (or press Ctrl+G).
Click the Favorites tab, then click the + button.
Enter your server IP and port: 123.45.67.89:27015 and click OK.
Double-click your server or select it and click Connect. CS2 will launch and connect automatically.
You can also use connect without the port if your server uses the default (27015). Just type: connect 123.45.67.89
Make sure you've enabled the developer console in Settings > Game > Enable Developer Console > Yes. Then press the ~ key.
If using Smart Sleep, your server may be waking up. Wait 60 seconds and try the connect command again. Also verify the IP and port are correct.
Check your NordHost dashboard to make sure the server is online. If it shows as sleeping, connecting will wake it automatically.
Try restarting Steam and CS2. If the issue persists, verify game files in Steam: Right-click CS2 > Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity.