A replay will not start

Start with these checks

1. 1

   Open License and confirm that replay access is active. Keep the internet connection available.

2. 2

   Make sure Steam and the installed CS2 can start under the same Windows account. Close an existing CS2 session before retrying the recording.

3. 3

   Confirm that the original .dem, .dem.gz or .dem.zst file is still present and readable. If it moved, open it from its new location.

4. 4

   Check the Download page for the release's requirements and known issues. An older recording may not play in your current CS2 engine even when analysis succeeds.

If analysis works but the picture does not

Replay analysis and engine rendering are separate. A successful parse does not prove that CS2 can play the recording or that capture has connected. If Reconnect video appears, use it to retry capture without restarting CS2.

Demo Trace prepares the engine's windowed video settings and restores the original settings when the replay closes. Close the replay normally before retrying. Avoid changing unrelated game files or removing your original recording while troubleshooting.

Send a useful report

Email support@demo-trace.com with your Demo Trace version, Windows version, installed CS2 build if known, the demo's file extension, the exact error text and the steps that reproduce it. Say whether analysis completed and whether another recording plays.

A screenshot of the error is useful. Do not send a recording containing other people's information unless you have permission and support has asked for it. Your demos remain local by default.