To register on FACEIT in CS2, create an account on the official faceit.com website (signing in with Steam is the quickest route), connect Counter-Strike 2 in your account settings, install the FACEIT Anti-Cheat client and restart your PC. New accounts need CS2 Prime Status ($14.99), a public Steam profile, and Windows 10 or 11 with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled. After that you can queue for your first match; identity verification is only required in certain cases.
FACEIT is an independent competitive platform for Counter-Strike 2, founded in 2012. It runs its own servers, its own anti-cheat and a 10-level system with ELO rating. Below we walk through what to prepare before you sign up, how to create the account and link the game, how to set up the anti-cheat, and which errors come up most often.
Why Register on FACEIT?
Players pick FACEIT for three main reasons. First, it is a separate competitive environment with its own servers and skill-based matchmaking, where games tend to be more serious than in regular matchmaking. Second, its anti-cheat runs at the Windows kernel level and requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which makes life much harder for cheaters. Third, the transparent 10-level system with ELO rating lets you track your progress precisely.
FACEIT compared with CS2 matchmaking:
| Parameter | FACEIT | CS2 matchmaking |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-cheat | FACEIT Anti-Cheat (kernel level) | VAC |
| Rating | 10 levels + ELO | Premier (CS Rating) and Competitive ranks |
| Tournaments and leagues | Regular | No |
| PC requirements | Windows 10/11, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot | Just the game |
On top of that, the platform offers tournaments, a missions and rewards system, and a way to build a reputation in the community. For the full picture, from sign-up to your first games, see our guide on how to play on FACEIT in CS2.
What's Needed Before Registering on FACEIT in CS2?
Steam Account Requirements
Since January 2025, new FACEIT accounts for CS2 must have Prime Status, which costs $14.99 (regional prices vary). If you try to link an account without Prime, you will see a message asking you to upgrade. The rule was introduced to fight cheaters and smurfs who were creating free accounts in bulk. We cover it in detail in Do You Need Prime for FACEIT CS2?, and buying the upgrade is explained in our article on how much Prime costs in CS2.
Your Steam profile must be public. In Steam's privacy settings, set "My profile" and "Game details" to "Public"; otherwise FACEIT cannot see CS2 in your library and will not let you connect the game.
System Requirements
FACEIT Anti-Cheat only runs on Windows 10 or Windows 11 and requires two components:
TPM 2.0: a security module that verifies system integrity. You can check for it with tpm.msc or in the System Information window (msinfo32).
Secure Boot: a UEFI feature that checks the signatures of the operating system and drivers at startup. Its state is also shown in msinfo32.
Both are enabled in your motherboard BIOS, usually under the Security or Boot sections. Board-specific steps are in our guide on how to enable Secure Boot for FACEIT.
How to Set Up FACEIT in CS2: Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Account Creation
Go to the official faceit.com website and click the sign-up button in the top right corner. You can register with an email address (nickname, email and password), with Steam, or with one of the other available sign-in options. For CS2 players, Steam is the most convenient choice: it creates the account and links your Steam profile in one go.
If you sign up with Steam, the official Steam login window opens, where you confirm the sign-in with your username, password and Steam Guard code if it is enabled. Only enter these details on steamcommunity.com, never on third-party sites.
Step 2: Connecting CS2
Once you are logged in, open your account settings and go to the games section. Add Counter-Strike 2 from the list and confirm the connection. If you did not sign up through Steam, FACEIT will ask you to link your Steam account at this step. Our guide on how to link CS2 to FACEIT covers this stage in more detail.
FACEIT then checks a few conditions automatically: that CS2 is in your Steam library, that your profile is public and that you have Prime Status. Once the game is connected, choose your matchmaking region; the one closest to you will give the lowest ping.
Step 3: Completing Setup
In the last step, fill in your basic profile details: upload an avatar and review your nickname and privacy settings. It is a good idea to turn on two-factor authentication right away to protect the account from being hijacked.
How to Install FACEIT CS2: Anti-Cheat Setup
Client Download and Installation
You cannot play on the platform without FACEIT Anti-Cheat; the system will not let you into matches. Download the client from the official FACEIT website (the Anti-Cheat section) and run the installer as administrator.
The installation itself is standard: accept the license agreement, choose a folder and confirm the driver installation. When it finishes, restart your PC so the anti-cheat driver can load. The FACEIT icon will then appear in the Windows system tray.
First Launch and Setup
On first launch, sign in to your FACEIT account. The client checks your system against the requirements: TPM 2.0, Secure Boot enabled and the Windows version. If anything is missing, you will see a message describing the problem.
The anti-cheat client must be running before every match, and it has to start before CS2 does: if the game is already open, you will need to restart it. If the anti-cheat will not start or shows an error, use our separate guide on how to enable FACEIT Anti-Cheat.
Anti-cheat system requirements:
| Component | Requirement | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11 | Settings → System |
| TPM | Version 2.0 | tpm.msc or msinfo32 |
| Secure Boot | Enabled | msinfo32 |
| Permissions | Administrator | Run the installer as administrator |
The anti-cheat also needs a stable internet connection to communicate with FACEIT servers during matches.
FACEIT Account Verification
Who Must Verify
Identity verification is an extra layer of protection against cheaters and smurfs. FACEIT may require it from new accounts with few hours in CS2, from participants in some tournaments and qualifiers, and from accounts with suspicious activity. For everyone else it is optional, but a verified mark on your profile does build trust with teammates.
Verification Process
You can start verification in your account settings under Verification. FACEIT usually asks you to scan a QR code with your phone, which opens a secure page run by the platform's identity verification partner.
The first step is a selfie in good lighting, sometimes with head turns as prompted. The second step is a photo of an ID document (passport or driver's license). The photo must be sharp and all details readable.
The check takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Once you pass, a verification mark appears on your profile.
First Steps After FACEIT Registration
Launching First Match
To start a match, open the CS2 play section and choose matchmaking. Check your region and start the search; the system will find players with a similar ELO. Queue times depend on your region, level and time of day.
When a match is found, you have to accept it within the time limit. The team captains then pick the map through a veto, and players join the server with the connect button in the match room. The current map pool is listed in our article on FACEIT maps in CS2.
Calibration Matches and Level System
New players usually start at around 1,000 ELO, and the first matches help the system find your real level. From then on, your rating changes after every game.
FACEIT levels and ELO:
| Level | ELO range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 100-500 | Beginners |
| Level 2-3 | 501-900 | Some experience |
| Level 4-6 | 901-1350 | Intermediate |
| Level 7-9 | 1351-2000 | Advanced players |
| Level 10 | 2001+ | Elite, pro level |
A win earns about 25 ELO, and a loss costs roughly the same. The exact amount depends on the difference in strength between the teams.
Common Problems When Trying to Register on FACEIT in CS2
Missing Prime Status Error
This is the most common problem for new players, and there is only one fix: buy Prime Status. Open the CS2 page in the Steam store or in the game itself and choose the Prime upgrade; payment goes through the usual Steam methods. After the purchase, connect the game on FACEIT again.
Anti-Cheat Problems
If FACEIT Anti-Cheat will not launch, the cause is usually TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot being turned off. To enable TPM, restart your PC and enter the BIOS (Del, F2 or F10 during boot). In the Security or Advanced section, find TPM (on AMD boards it may be called fTPM, on Intel boards PTT) and set it to Enabled.
Secure Boot is enabled the same way: find Secure Boot in the Boot section and switch it to Enabled. Note that Secure Boot only works in UEFI mode, so your system drive must use GPT partitioning, not MBR.
Other Common Errors
If verification fails, photo quality is usually to blame. Use good lighting and make sure all details are clearly visible, with no glare or blur. Your face must be fully visible, without glasses or a mask.
Problems connecting CS2 are most often caused by Steam privacy settings: make your profile and game details public and try connecting the game again. If your account is set up but you cannot join a match server, see our guide on what to do if you can't connect to FACEIT servers.
FACEIT Free vs Premium After FACEIT CS2 Registration
Free Account Features
The free version of FACEIT gives you everything you need to play: matchmaking with levels and ELO, the mandatory anti-cheat and basic stats such as K/D and win rate. For most players it is enough for comfortable games and steady improvement.
Premium Subscription Advantages
Premium is a paid subscription for players who are on the platform regularly. It unlocks extended statistics and additional perks; the exact feature list and price are shown on the FACEIT subscription page, since they change from time to time.
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Matchmaking with levels and ELO | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-cheat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Basic statistics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended statistics and subscription perks | ✗ | ✓ |
It makes sense to start with the free version, see whether the platform suits you, and only then decide whether you need a subscription.
Final Tips Before Starting
To register on FACEIT in CS2 you need Prime Status, a public Steam profile, the anti-cheat installed with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, and in some cases identity verification. In return, FACEIT offers a more competitive environment, a transparent 10-level system and a strict anti-cheat.
A free account is enough to start playing and improving. Premium adds features but is not required. Once you have completed every step, all that is left is to queue for your first match and start the climb toward Level 10.
FAQ
Can I register on FACEIT without Prime?
You can create the account itself, but new players cannot connect CS2 and play matches without Prime Status. Owners of accounts created before the requirement was introduced can still play without it.
Does it cost anything to register on FACEIT?
Registration and basic play on FACEIT are free. You only pay for CS2 Prime Status if you do not have it yet, and for Premium if you decide you want it.
Why can't FACEIT see CS2 on my Steam account?
In most cases your Steam profile or game details are hidden by privacy settings. Make them public and connect the game again in your FACEIT settings.
