While playing your favorite game on secure servers you might be unable to continue as an issue with your computer is blocking the (Valve Anti-Cheat) VAC system.
Commonly, you may receive this error message if you are cheating while gaming with the VAC engine, like DOTA 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Moreover, even if you do not use a cheat during gaming you could also come across this issue because of other factors.
Also read: Steam Download Slow: How To Fix!
Why You Get Disconnected By VAC And Cannot Play On Secure Servers?
You encounter the problem when – an issue with your computer is blocking the vac system mostly if you are cheating while playing a game that is protected by VAC.
Sometimes the game files may be corrupted or some anti-virus or firewall blocking the game may cause the error.
Some users have complained that when we delay installing the latest network driver, or there is some sort of software confliction, it may trigger the issue!
Whatever the reason may be, through this article we are providing some feasible workarounds to solve the issue effectively.
Solution 1: Remove Software Confliction
Before you try any solution, we advise you to first exit Steam and then give your computer a fresh restart and proceed to seek a solution.
The Steam support declares that there is some software that interferes with the Steam client or the games and cause – disconnected by vac you cannot play on secure servers issue.
Some of the involved programs may be listed like:
Powershell CCleaner, SandboxieCheat, EngineProcess, HackerDLL, Injectors Steam Idlers, etc.
We recommend you to disable if you are using any of these programs while you are playing games. This will help you resolve the issue.
Solution 2: Add your Game Folder to the Exception List of Your Antivirus
Your antivirus may regard your Steam or game as a negative application by mistake and this may cause the – disconnected by VAC you cannot play on secure server error.
In order to render protection to your system, your antivirus might stop the operations and cause the issue.
We recommend you toadd your Steam or game folder to the exception list of your antivirus.
To accomplish the task successfully follow these steps:
Step 1: Press Windows + I and open Settings. Now move on to Update & Security > Windows Security.
Step 2: Then choose Virus & threat protection and open the Windows Security window.
Step 3: When the Security Window gets opened, Choose Manage Settings under Virus & threat protection settings section.
Step 4: Choose Add or remove exclusions under the Exclusions section. You should press Add an exclusion and then from the drop-down list, select Folder.
Step 5: Now, find and select your game folder, and choose the Select Folder button to add it to the exclusion list.
Now, after the whole process is completed check if – an issue with your computer is blocking VAC error disappears.
Also read: Help! Can’t Find Friend On Steam: How To Fix?
Solution 3: Check the Integrity of Game Files in Steam
Sometimes some important installation files of the game may be missing or corrupted. In this case, you will face an issue with your computer is blocking VAC error.
We advise you to check the integrity of the game files in Steam. Follow the steps provided below:
Step 1: Open your Steam and select the Library tab. A list of the installed games will get displayed now.
Step 2: Next right-click on the problematic game and select Properties.
Step 3: Press the Local Files tab and when the tab opens, navigate to find Verify Integrity Of Game Files option.
Step 4: Allow the process to get completed. After that choose to restart the game and check if your problem gets solved.
Solution 4: Update Network Adapter Driver
Often the gamers have reported that the problem lies with the network adapter driver.
To solve the problem, update your network adapter driver to the latest version available.
But, in case you encounter the problem right after you update a certain driver, you may roll back the driver and this can resolve the issue.
Here, we will provide a detailed guide to do that. Please follow the steps:
Step 1: First of all, right-click on the Start button and select the Device Manager.
Step 2: Now, expand the Network adapters category and right-click on the current network adapter driver, and select Update Driver.
Step 3: Then navigate to find updated driver software option and follow the instructions provided on the screen to accomplish the procedure.
After it gets done, choose to restart your computer and launch the game once again. Now, you can enjoy gaming without – you cannot play on secure server error.
Also read: Can I Reset Steam Password? A Quick Guide!
Solution 5: Activate Data Execution Prevention (optional)
If your motherboard can use Data Execution Prevention (DEP), you should enable the feature on your computer, and this might resolve the problem instantly.
DEP is the set of technologies that perform additional memory checks in order to restrict malicious software from running on your PC.
When you enable it, it will not cause any harm. Follow the procedure described below:
Step 1: First right-click on This PC icon to select Properties.
Step 2: Then go to the Advanced system settings option at the right of the window.
Step 3: Now, navigate to the Advanced tab under the Performance section. Then click the Settings button in the Performance section.
Step 4: From the new window, move on to the Data Execution Prevention tab and now check that the radio button is set to Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only.
Step 5: Now hit the Apply button and restart your Computer and check whether you can continue gaming without any further issue.
Solution 6: End the Powershell Process While Playing
In case if Powershell is running alongside while you are gaming, you may meet the disconnected by vac you cannot play on secure server error.
We recommend you not to disable Powershell but to end the process while you are playing the game. Follow the steps to commence the task properly:
Step 1: Hold and press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys at the same time and open the Task Manager utility.
You may also press Ctrl + Alt + Del key combination and select Task Manager from the popup blue screen. Now you will get several options.
Step 2: Now, choose More details from the bottom left part of the window. Then expand Task Manager and navigate to find the Windows PowerShell.
Step 3: When you locate it right under Apps, select it, and choose the End task option.
Step 4: Now, check if an issue with your computer is blocking the vac system error has completely disappeared and you can peacefully continue with your gaming.
Winding Up
So, hope by now you could able to find out a proper solution for an issue with your computer is blocking the vac system error.
You are welcome to share your ideas, suggestions, or related queries in our comments section provided below. We look forward to hearing from you.