FACEIT IOMMU: Check BIOS, VBS and Windows Requirements

FACEIT IOMMU errors mean the anti-cheat expects a particular hardware protection or system configuration. Before changing anything in the BIOS, record the complete message, your motherboard model and your Windows version. Enabling an option with a similar name may not solve the problem.

This guide helps you establish where to start and how to check the result. We checked the requirements on 24 October 2026. The details for your PC depend on its firmware, operating system and the message shown by FACEIT AC.

IOMMU, virtualization and VBS: what are you enabling?

These names often appear together, but they describe different components.

Microsoft explains the relationship between Memory integrity and VBS. Turning on one switch does not automatically establish that every other requirement is met.

First, gather information and prepare a way back

Open the Run dialog with Windows + R, then enter msinfo32 , and find your processor model and motherboard manufacturer and model. For a prebuilt PC or laptop, record the complete device model as well. Use winver.

Before making changes:

• Back up important files and record the current firmware settings, for example with photographs.
• Check whether BitLocker or device encryption is active. Make sure you can access the correct recovery key from a second device.
• Open the manufacturer's manual for your exact motherboard or computer model.
• Record the full FACEIT error. “The anti-cheat does not work” is too broad to choose a solution.

Microsoft explains where to find your BitLocker recovery key. Do not assume it is stored in the account you are currently using. Do not publish the key or include it in an ordinary support request.

Where is IOMMU on MSI, ASUS, Gigabyte and ASRock?

Focus on the feature name and the manual for your exact model. On Intel platforms, the setting is usually called VT-d; on AMD platforms, look for IOMMU or AMD-Vi. It may be available only in the advanced menu.

Menu names, locations and availability vary between MSI, ASUS, Gigabyte and ASRock product lines and BIOS versions. Do not copy a route from a video about a similar board. FACEIT's IOMMU and DMA Protection guide provides a starting point; compare it with your model's documentation.

Cannot see the option? Check the menu mode, hardware support and documentation. A firmware update may be needed, but it should follow the manufacturer's guidance. A missing option does not automatically prove that an old BIOS is responsible.

Change only settings you understand, and keep a record of each step. Do not switch between Legacy and UEFI boot or clear the TPM as an extra measure. Those are separate operations that can affect booting and encryption.

How do you check the result in Windows?

After restarting, return to msinfo32. Find the entries for Kernel DMA Protection and virtualization-based security. Their names depend on the Windows interface language.

Kernel DMA Protection reports a Windows feature; it does not certify that every FACEIT requirement is met. Microsoft describes its hardware and firmware dependencies in the Kernel DMA Protection documentation. An “Off” reading does not, by itself, identify the exact setting you need to change.

Check the current FACEIT AC message as well. If the error changes, record the new text. You may have resolved the first issue while the anti-cheat is now pointing to another requirement. Avoid enabling several unrelated options at once.

FACEIT and Windows 10 after 14 October 2026

According to FACEIT's current FAQ , Windows 10 needs version 22H2 with active ESU from 14 October 2026. It gives October 2027 as the Windows 11 requirement date, with some configurations potentially needing an earlier upgrade. It would therefore be inaccurate to say that every user must reinstall Windows today.

ESU provides continued security updates. Enrollment conditions can vary by region, including within the European Economic Area. Check your device's status in Windows Update and consult Microsoft's current ESU page. Installing a licensing preparation package alone does not prove that the computer is enrolled.

The anti-cheat works, but the game feels worse

Separate two goals: meeting the anti-cheat requirements and improving game performance. Record your changes, then compare the same map, settings and scenario. A result from an empty map should not be compared with a chaotic round full of grenades.

Do not assume one universal percentage loss. Our article on Memory integrity and performance provides further context; your own PC needs a measurement. The CS2 settings guide.

If the computer stops booting after a change, restoring a stable boot takes priority, following the manufacturer's instructions. Do not continue performance tuning on an unstable system.

Need help finding the cause?

Prepare your motherboard and CPU models, Windows version, complete FACEIT message and a list of changes. If the anti-cheat will not start, begin with compatibility troubleshooting. If AC works but CS2 stutters, the next task is performance analysis.

Describe your case to UltimateMove. We can use that information to determine whether you need requirement configuration, driver troubleshooting or broader PC optimization. The scope and cost should be clear before the session.

Frequently asked questions