AMD has withdrawn its latest graphics driver after Valve, the maker of Counter-Strike 2, issued warnings that players using AMD’s Anti-Lag+ technology would be banned under Valve’s anti-cheat rules. Anti-Lag+ is an updated version of Anti-Lag, which reduces input lag by optimizing CPU and GPU frame processing. The newer Anti-Lag+ system introduces additional lag reduction by altering the game code itself. However, this modification triggered warning signals for Valve’s anti-cheat system, leading to bans for AMD users who activated the feature.
Valve warned AMD customers not to enable Anti-Lag/+ for Counter-Strike 2, as tampering with the game code would result in a VAC ban. There have been widespread reports of Anti-Lag+ causing crashes or account bans in other competitive online games as well. In contrast, Nvidia’s Reflex system, which also reduces input lag, has not been associated with similar issues. AMD has since removed the problematic graphics driver from its website, and users who have already downloaded it can disable Anti-Lag+ before starting a game.
Valve acknowledges that the unintentional “cheating” identified here can be resolved once AMD releases an update. However, reversing other bans may prove challenging, as one Apex Legends player reports that the publisher confirmed their ban without disclosing the reason.
