Last updated: March 12, 2025

How to Fix Weapon Not Switching After Ammo Runs Out in CS 1.6

One of the most frustrating moments in Counter-Strike 1.6 is when your primary weapon runs out of ammo, but the game does not automatically switch to your secondary weapon. This issue can leave you defenseless in crucial firefights and cost you rounds. If you’re experiencing this problem, whether on Steam or Non-Steam versions of the game, this guide will show you how to fix it.

Enable Auto Weapon Switch in Game Settings

CS 1.6 has a built-in auto weapon switch feature that automatically switches to your next available weapon when your ammo runs out. If this setting is disabled, your weapon will not switch when you’re out of bullets.

How to Enable Auto Weapon Switch:

1. Open Counter-Strike 1.6.
2. Go to Options and navigate to the Multiplayer tab.
3. Look for the setting “Auto Weapon Switch” and make sure it is enabled.
4. Click Apply and OK to save the settings.

If the option is missing or still doesn’t work, you can enable it manually using the console.

Use the Correct Console Command

If the auto weapon switch setting is not working, you can manually activate it using the CS 1.6 console.

Enable Auto Weapon Switch via Console:

1. Open the game and press the tilde (~) key to open the console.
2. Type the following command:
   • cl_autowepswitch 1
3. Press Enter, then close the console.

This command forces the game to automatically switch to a secondary weapon when your primary runs out of ammo. If you ever want to disable it, you can use cl_autowepswitch 0 instead.

Check for Custom Scripts or Config Files

If auto weapon switch is still not working, it’s possible that a custom script or config file is preventing the feature from functioning correctly.

How to Reset Your Config to Default:

1. Go to your CS 1.6 installation folder.
2. Navigate to cstrike or cstrike_addon.
3. Find the config.cfg file and delete it (or rename it to backup it).
4. Restart the game to generate a fresh config.cfg file with default settings.

This will remove any custom binds or scripts that may be interfering with weapon switching.

Avoid Third-Party Plugins (For Non-Steam Users)

If you are playing a Non-Steam version of CS 1.6, some third-party mods or plugins might interfere with weapon switching. Some AMX Mod X or Metamod plugins change how weapons behave, causing issues like the weapon not switching when out of ammo.

How to Fix Plugin Conflicts:

1. If you are playing on a server, check if it is running custom plugins that may be affecting your gameplay.
2. If playing offline, remove any third-party AMX Mod X or Metamod plugins and test if the issue is resolved.
3. Try playing on a clean server without modifications to see if the problem persists.

If plugins are causing the problem, you may need to reinstall a clean version of CS 1.6 to remove conflicts.

Reinstall or Verify CS 1.6 Files

If none of the above solutions work, your game files may be corrupted or missing important settings.

For Steam Users:

1. Open Steam, go to Library, and find Counter-Strike 1.6.
2. Right-click the game and select Properties.
3. Go to Local Files and click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
4. Let Steam check and repair any missing or corrupted files.

For Non-Steam Users:

1. Uninstall CS 1.6 completely.
2. Download a clean version of the game from a reliable source.
3. Reinstall it and test if the issue is fixed.

Fixing Auto Weapon Switch in CS 1.6

If your weapon is not switching after running out of ammo in CS 1.6, follow these steps:
✔ Enable Auto Weapon Switch in game settings.
✔ Use the cl_autowepswitch 1 command in the console.
✔ Reset or delete the config.cfg file to remove conflicting settings.
✔ Avoid using third-party plugins that may interfere with weapon switching.
✔ If necessary, reinstall or verify game files to fix any corrupted data.

By applying these fixes, your weapon should now automatically switch when out of ammo, allowing you to stay in the fight without interruptions.