VALORANT won't connect, or packet loss keeps interrupting your match. Start with Riot’s service status, then follow the fixes that match the error or warning on your screen. The PC steps below cover connection checks, DNS, and firewall settings, with separate tests for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Check Riot’s servers before restarting the client
This identifies outages and addresses errors that call for a client restart. Open Riot Games Service Status. Select VALORANT. Choose your region.
Follow any incident or maintenance notice. For error 39 or 46, wait for server availability before retrying.
If services are running, close VALORANT on your PC. Right-click the Riot Client icon in the Windows system tray and select Exit. Reopen Riot Client. Riot recommends restarting for connection errors 0, 1, and 38.
For error 5, log out of your account from all devices. For error 7, check your email for an account suspension. Check Riot’s service notices for error 7 as well.
Give your home connection a fresh start
Connect your PC directly to a LAN port on your router using an Ethernet cable. This removes wireless interference from the connection test.
Retest VALORANT over Ethernet. If you already use Ethernet, reseat the cable in the correct LAN ports. Try another Ethernet cable if the problem continues.
Unplug the power from your modem and router for at least 30 seconds. Restore power to the modem first. Wait until the modem is ready. Restore power to the router.
Test the connection on another device to help isolate the fault. Keep using Ethernet during the remaining PC checks so wireless interference stays out of the picture.
What the network warning actually means
Before changing more settings, check what the game is reporting. On PC, open Settings > Video > Stats to enable the incoming and outgoing packet-loss graphs and performance displays. These distinguish connection trouble from rendering problems.
Low Server FPS requires action from Riot. Low Client FPS calls for local performance troubleshooting; changing DNS or restarting your router does not address that warning.
The warning icons are controlled under Settings > General > Other > Instability Indicators. Hiding an indicator does not repair the connection.
Remove interference on your PC
These checks address competing traffic, VPN interference, and network-adapter driver problems. Disconnect your active VPN before launching VALORANT. Disable the proxy configured for your connection, if you use one. Its controls depend on the product.
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Close unnecessary apps using substantial network bandwidth. On PCs with Killer Intelligence Center, open the app’s Settings.
Turn off Killer Prioritization Engine. Older versions call this Advanced Stream Detect. Restart your PC after changing that setting. Retest VALORANT.
If the problem remains, open Device Manager from Windows search. Expand Network adapters. Right-click the adapter you use and select Update driver. Retest VALORANT after the driver installation.
If Riot Client still cannot connect, refresh DNS
Search Windows for Command Prompt. Select Run as administrator. Run ipconfig /flushdns to clear the DNS cache. Retry Riot Client.
If the problem continues, open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Changing DNS addresses problems resolving Riot Client services.
Right-click your active adapter and select Properties. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Open its Properties. Record the original DNS settings so you can restore them.
Select Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter 8.8.8.8 as the preferred DNS server. Enter 8.8.4.4 as the alternate DNS server. Click OK.
Run ipconfig /flushdns again in the administrator Command Prompt. Restart your computer. Riot's DNS-change procedure requires this restart after the flush.
Retry Riot Client with the new settings. Restore your original DNS settings if connectivity gets worse.
Allow Riot through the Windows firewall
For suspected firewall blocking, including error 29, add exceptions for all five required Riot executables.
- 1.Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall.
- 2.Select Change settings, then Allow another app. Approve the administrator prompt if Windows displays one.
- 3.Add
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exeandC:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\VALORANT-Win64-Shipping.exeindividually. - 4.Add
C:\Riot Games\Riot Client\RiotClientServices.exe. - 5.Add
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgc.exeandC:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgm.exeindividually. - 6.Enable the applicable network access for each entry, then retry VALORANT. Adjust the paths if you installed the software elsewhere.
On console, test the platform connection
These tests identify PlayStation or Xbox connection failures separately from a VALORANT outage. On PS5, check PlayStation service status through Sony’s connection troubleshooting page. Open Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection. Record the stage that fails.
To reconnect over Wi-Fi, open Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection. Select your network. Enter the correct network password when prompted. Select Connect.
On Xbox Series X|S, press the Xbox button. Open Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings. Run Test network connection. Run Test multiplayer connection.
Run Test network speed & statistics to inspect connection performance and packet loss. Run Test NAT Type. Review Current network status. Check Xbox service status through Xbox’s network support page.
To replace the Xbox’s previous wireless configuration, choose Set up wireless network. Select your network. Enter its password to reconnect.
Repair files or reset Windows networking as a last resort
For file-related PC failures, sign into Riot Client and open Profile Icon > Settings > VALORANT > Repair. Follow the prompts to repair missing or corrupted game files. This does not fix packet loss on your ISP’s connection.
For persistent Windows connection trouble, leave network reset until last. On Windows 11, open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, then select Reset now > Yes.
Restart afterward. If networking software no longer connects with its previous configuration, reconfigure it after the reset.
On Windows 10, the network-reset path is Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset. Windows 10’s standard Microsoft support ended October 14, 2025.
Send the remaining problem to the right support team
If the connection still fails, send support the error details and diagnostics for your platform. Record the error, time, region, and troubleshooting results, including whether Ethernet helped. On PC, open the Riot Repair Tool download page. Select Download for Windows.
Run the tool with Run as administrator. Select VALORANT and let it collect logs. Attach the resulting ZIP to a new or existing Riot Support ticket. The Riot Repair Tool collects logs; the client’s Repair button repairs game files.
For persistent ping or packet loss on PC, press Win+R. Enter cmd. Press Enter. Run the command for your region from Riot’s Tracert instructions and wait for it to finish.
Attach Tracert.txt to your ticket. Share the routing evidence and any available router packet-loss logs with your ISP.
On console, select Help or Support. Scan the QR code. Describe the failure.
Include your Xbox gamertag or PSN ID. Select Yes when asked to include logs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a gaming VPN to fix Valorant lag?
Riot supports VPN testing only for specific routing investigations directed by its technical specialists. A gaming VPN is not a default troubleshooting step.
Can I choose a different Valorant server?
Yes. Solo players and party leaders can use Server Select to choose an available server within their account’s existing region or shard. This does not transfer the account to another region.
What if Valorant only fails on a campus or workplace network?
Ask the network administrator to allow Riot traffic. Provide Riot’s port requirements and your game and platform details. Contact Riot Support if the administrator needs additional information.
Should I reinstall Vanguard for packet loss?
Vanguard reinstallation addresses applicable initialization or service errors. It is not a routine packet-loss fix. Follow the instructions for your specific error code before reinstalling it.