Getting started with FACEIT

FACEIT is a competitive gaming platform where you play matches against other players, earn rankings, and join tournaments. To play, you need to create a FACEIT account and then connect it to the game you want to compete in — usually CS:GO, Valorant, Dota 2, or League of Legends. The connection process is different depending on which game you're playing and whether you're on PC or console.

The basic steps are the same across all games: create your FACEIT account, verify your email, download the FACEIT client if required, and then link your game account to FACEIT. Some games require additional steps, like authorizing FACEIT to access your game account or installing an anti-cheat system.

Key Takeaways

  • You must create a FACEIT account with a valid email address before you can connect any game account.
  • Most games require you to authorize FACEIT to access your existing game account through that game's login system.
  • CS:GO and Valorant require the FACEIT client to be installed on your PC to play matches.
  • Console players on PlayStation or Xbox can connect their accounts to FACEIT but play through the game's own matchmaking, not FACEIT's servers.
  • After connecting, you may need to download anti-cheat software or complete a rank placement match before you can queue for competitive games.

Creating your FACEIT account

Go to faceit.com and click the sign-up button. You can register using your email address, or you can sign up through Steam, Epic Games, PlayStation Network, or Xbox Live. If you use your email, enter a username, password, and your email address, then check your email for a verification link and click it.

If you sign up through a game platform (Steam, Epic, PlayStation, or Xbox), FACEIT will ask permission to access your account information. Click authorize, and your FACEIT account will be created automatically. This method is faster because FACEIT already knows your game account exists.

After your account is verified, log in to FACEIT and go to your settings. You'll see a section called "Connected Accounts" or "Connections" — this is where you'll link your game accounts.

Connecting CS:GO or CS2

In your FACEIT account settings, find the option to connect Steam. Click it, and Steam will open in your browser asking you to authorize FACEIT. Click "Authorize" and Steam will confirm the connection. FACEIT will then check that you own CS:GO or CS2 on that Steam account.

Next, download the FACEIT client from faceit.com/download. Install it on your PC, then open it and log in with your FACEIT account. The client will detect that you've connected a Steam account and will show CS:GO or CS2 as an option to play. Click it, and the client will download any necessary files.

When you launch CS:GO or CS2 through the FACEIT client for the first time, you may be asked to install anti-cheat software. Follow the prompts to install it. After that, you can queue for matches directly from the FACEIT client.

Connecting Valorant

In your FACEIT account settings, find "Connected Accounts" and select Valorant. FACEIT will redirect you to Riot's login page. Enter your Riot account email and password, and Riot will ask you to authorize FACEIT. Click authorize.

Download the FACEIT client from faceit.com/download and install it on your PC. Open the client, log in with your FACEIT account, and select Valorant. The client will download the FACEIT anti-cheat system, which is required to play. This may take a few minutes.

Launch Valorant through the FACEIT client. The first time you do this, the anti-cheat will initialize. After that, you can queue for competitive matches. You'll need to complete a placement match to get your initial rank.

Connecting Dota 2 or League of Legends

For Dota 2, go to your FACEIT settings and click "Connect Steam." Authorize FACEIT through Steam, and FACEIT will verify you own Dota 2. You do not need to download the FACEIT client for Dota 2 — you'll queue for matches through the FACEIT website or mobile app.

For League of Legends, go to your FACEIT settings and click "Connect Riot." You'll be taken to Riot's login page. Enter your League account credentials and authorize FACEIT. Like Dota 2, you queue through the FACEIT website or app, not a separate client.

Both games may require you to complete a placement match or rank calibration before you can queue for ranked matches. This usually takes one match and happens automatically the first time you queue.

Connecting on PlayStation or Xbox

FACEIT supports console play for some games, but the process is different from PC. Go to your FACEIT settings and select "Connected Accounts." Choose PlayStation Network or Xbox Live, and you'll be redirected to that platform's login page. Enter your console account credentials and authorize FACEIT.

After connecting, you can view your stats and profile on FACEIT, but you'll play matches through your console's native matchmaking system, not through FACEIT servers. FACEIT tracks your performance but does not host the actual game servers for console players.

Some console games on FACEIT may have additional requirements, like linking a second account or verifying your rank. Check the FACEIT page for your specific game to see what's needed.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If your game account won't connect, the most common reason is that you're trying to connect an account that's already linked to a different FACEIT account. Each game account can only be connected to one FACEIT profile. If you created multiple FACEIT accounts by mistake, you'll need to use the one you connected first.

If you see an error saying your account is not may be able to access, check that you own the game on the platform you're connecting. For Steam games, make sure your Steam account is public or set to friends-only — private accounts sometimes cause connection issues. For Riot games, make sure you've played at least one match in the game before connecting.

If the FACEIT client won't launch the game, try restarting your PC and the client. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall the FACEIT client. Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date, as outdated drivers can prevent the anti-cheat system from running.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the FACEIT client for every game?

No. CS:GO, CS2, and Valorant require the FACEIT client because they use FACEIT's servers and anti-cheat system. Dota 2 and League of Legends use the FACEIT website or mobile app to queue — you play on your game's normal servers. Console games also use the website or app, not a client.

Can I connect multiple game accounts to one FACEIT profile?

Yes. You can connect a Steam account, an Epic Games account, a Riot account, and a console account all to the same FACEIT profile. This is useful if you play multiple games or own the same game on different platforms.

What happens if I unlink my game account from FACEIT?

Your FACEIT stats and match history stay on your profile, but you won't be able to queue for new matches until you reconnect a game account. You can reconnect the same account or link a different one.

Do I need to pay to use FACEIT?

Creating an account and playing matches is free. FACEIT also offers a paid subscription called FACEIT Pro that includes features like priority queue, premium tournaments, and cosmetics, but it's not required to play.

Why does FACEIT need anti-cheat software?

Anti-cheat software runs on your PC to detect cheating programs and prevent unfair play in competitive matches. It's required for CS:GO, CS2, and Valorant on FACEIT because those games use FACEIT's servers instead of the game publisher's servers.