Last updated: March 14, 2025

How to Fix Counter-Strike 1.6 Screen Resolution

Experiencing screen resolution problems in Counter-Strike 1.6 can be frustrating, whether your game is stuck in low resolution, stretched, or doesn’t fit the screen properly. These issues can happen on both Steam and Non-Steam versions due to incorrect settings, outdated graphics drivers, or conflicts with your display settings.

This guide will show you how to fix CS 1.6 resolution issues and get the best display settings for your game.

Adjust Resolution in CS 1.6 Video Settings

The first step is to manually set the correct resolution inside the game.

How to Change CS 1.6 Resolution:

1. Open Counter-Strike 1.6.
2. Click on Options > Video.
3. Look for Resolution and choose one that matches your screen (e.g., 1920×1080 for Full HD).
4. Set the Color Quality to 32-bit for better visuals.
5. Select the Display Mode:
   • Normal: If you want a 4:3 stretched look.
   • Widescreen: If you want the game to fit a 16:9 or 16:10 screen properly.
6. Click Apply, then restart the game to check if the issue is fixed.

Force Resolution via Launch Options (Steam Users)

If the in-game settings don’t work or you can’t access the menu, you can force the resolution through Steam Launch Options.

How to Set Resolution via Launch Options:

1. Open Steam and go to Library.
2. Right-click on Counter-Strike 1.6 and select Properties.
3. In the Launch Options field, type the following command: -w 1920 -h 1080
4. (Replace 1920×1080 with your preferred resolution).
5. Close the settings and start the game to see if the issue is resolved.

Fix Fullscreen and Stretching Issues

Some players experience black bars or a stretched screen when playing CS 1.6 on widescreen monitors.

How to Fix Stretched or Black Bars:

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings.
2. Go to Display Settings > Adjust Desktop Size and Position.
3. Set Scaling Mode to:
   • Full-screen (for stretched gameplay).
   • Aspect Ratio (for original 4:3 resolution with black bars).
4. Click Apply, then restart CS 1.6 to see the changes.

Manually Change Resolution in Config Files (Non-Steam Users)

If you are using the Non-Steam version of Counter-Strike 1.6 and your resolution won’t change, you may need to edit the config.cfg file manually.

How to Edit Resolution in Config.cfg:

1. Go to your CS 1.6 installation folder.
2. Open the cstrike or cstrike_addon folder.
3. Find the file named config.cfg and open it with Notepad.
4. Look for these lines:

gl_mode “X”
width “XXXX”
height “XXXX”

Change width and height to your desired resolution (e.g., 1920 and 1080).

Save the file and restart CS 1.6 to apply the changes.

Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or missing drivers can cause resolution problems in CS 1.6. Make sure you have the latest graphics drivers installed.

How to Update Graphics Drivers:

• NVIDIA Users: Download from NVIDIA’s official site.
• AMD Users: Download from AMD’s official site.
• Intel Users: Download from Intel’s official site.

After updating, restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

Use Compatibility Mode (For Windows 10/11 Users)

If CS 1.6 resolution issues started after updating Windows, try running the game in compatibility mode.

How to Enable Compatibility Mode:

1. Right-click on hl.exe (found in the CS 1.6 folder).
2. Select Properties > Compatibility.
3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode and select Windows XP (Service Pack 3).
4. Click Apply and OK.
5. Launch the game and check if the resolution issue is fixed.

Reinstall CS 1.6 (If Nothing Works)

If the resolution issue still persists, your CS 1.6 installation may be corrupted. A fresh reinstall can help.

For Non-Steam Users:

1. Uninstall Counter-Strike 1.6 completely.
2. Download a clean version from a trusted source:
   • Download CS 1.6 here
   • Or choose different versions from CSDownload.net (on the right side of the page).
3. Reinstall the game and test different resolutions.

For Steam Users:

1. Open Steam > Library.
2. Right-click Counter-Strike 1.6 > Properties > Local Files.
3. Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
4. Steam will check and fix any missing or corrupted files.

Fixing CS 1.6 Screen Resolution Issues

If you are experiencing resolution problems in Counter-Strike 1.6, follow these steps to fix them:

✔ Adjust resolution in game settings via Options > Video.
✔ Force resolution using Steam Launch Options (-w 1920 -h 1080).
✔ Fix black bars/stretching via NVIDIA/AMD display settings.
✔ Manually edit config.cfg to set the correct resolution.
✔ Update your graphics drivers to avoid compatibility issues.
✔ Use compatibility mode if you are on Windows 10/11.
✔ Reinstall CS 1.6 if the problem persists.

By applying these fixes, you should be able to play CS 1.6 with the correct screen resolution, avoiding any stretched, blurry, or incorrect display issues.