Valorant Not Launching: Complete Fix Guide (2026)

Valorant not launching is one of the most frustrating issues for players of Riot Games’ popular tactical shooter. You click Play, the Riot Client flashes, and then nothing happens—or the game crashes immediately, gets stuck on the loading screen, or displays a VAN error code[reference:0][reference:1].

When valorant not launching occurs, the problem usually sits in one of three places: Riot’s services, Vanguard (the anti-cheat system), or your Windows setup[reference:2]. According to Hotspawn, common underlying causes include outdated graphics drivers, corrupted game files, software conflicts, Vanguard anti-cheat issues, pending Windows updates, and lack of administrator privileges[reference:3]. This comprehensive guide provides proven methods to fix Valorant not launching issues on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

1. Why Valorant Won’t Launch

Valorant not launching can have many causes. According to Hotspawn, the most common underlying problems include outdated graphics drivers, corrupted game files, software conflicts, Vanguard anti-cheat issues, and insufficient system permissions[reference:6]. According to The Spike, most cases look the same at first: you click Play, the Riot Client flashes, and then nothing happens[reference:7].

Vanguard is the most frequent cause of valorant not launching. As a kernel-level anti-cheat system, Vanguard must load correctly at boot. If it fails to initialize, is blocked by security software, or has corrupted files, Valorant will refuse to launch[reference:8]. According to a 2026 guide, Vanguard sometimes runs abnormally, and when component processes are lost or fail to start, the game is blocked from logging in[reference:9].

Windows 11 users face additional challenges. According to Hotspawn, Secure Boot or TPM not being enabled can cause the game to freeze or show “Not Responding” in Task Manager[reference:10]. Understanding these root causes helps you apply the right fix for valorant not launching.

2. Check Riot Server Status First

Before diving into complex fixes, check if Riot’s servers are experiencing issues. According to The Spike, if Riot runs maintenance, no local fix will help until services recover[reference:11].

1. Open your browser and go to status.riotgames.com
2. Check VALORANT and your region
3. If you see an incident, wait and retry later
4. If status looks normal, move to the next fix

According to The Spike, checking Riot’s service status page should be your first step before any local troubleshooting[reference:12]. If the servers are down, no amount of local troubleshooting will fix valorant not launching.

Outcome: Checking server status confirms whether the issue is on Riot’s side or local.

3. Restart VGC Service and PC

The most effective valorant not launching fix is restarting the VGC (Vanguard) service. According to a 2026 troubleshooting guide, if Vanguard is not running normally, it directly prevents the game from launching[reference:13].

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box
2. Type "services.msc" and press Enter
3. In the Services window, find "vgc" (Riot Vanguard Service)
4. Right-click vgc and select Restart
5. If it's not running, select Start
6. Close the Services window
7. Restart your PC
8. Launch Valorant again

According to a 2026 guide, if the service repair is ineffective, you can uninstall the Riot Vanguard component from Control Panel, restart your PC, and then restart the game—the system will automatically reinstall the latest version of the anti-cheat program[reference:14]. According to Hotspawn, restarting the system and client, ensuring Vanguard is active, is one of Riot’s recommended troubleshooting steps[reference:15].

Outcome: Restarting VGC resolves most Vanguard-related valorant not launching issues.

4. Run Valorant as Administrator

Running Valorant with administrative privileges removes permission blocks that stop the game from writing files or starting services. This is a proven valorant not launching fix[reference:16].

1. Right-click the VALORANT shortcut
2. Click "Run as administrator"
3. Click Yes on the UAC prompt
4. If the game opens, keep admin mode for future launches

According to The Spike, admin mode removes permission blocks that stop VALORANT from writing files or starting services[reference:17]. According to a 2026 guide, launching in compatibility mode is another effective solution; right-click the VALORANT executable, go to Properties → Compatibility tab, check “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select “Windows 8” or “Windows 7″[reference:18].

Outcome: Running as administrator resolves permission-related valorant not launching issues.

5. Clear Local Cache and Config

Corrupted local cache files often block launch after patches or crashes. Clearing them is a quick valorant not launching fix[reference:19].

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type "%LocalAppData%" and press Enter
3. Find the VALORANT folder
4. Delete the entire VALORANT folder
5. Press Windows + R again
6. Type "%AppData%" and press Enter
7. Find the Riot Games folder
8. Delete any VALORANT-related folders
9. Launch Valorant so it rebuilds fresh files

According to The Spike, a broken local cache often blocks launch after patches or crashes, and deleting the VALORANT folder from %LocalAppData% allows the game to rebuild fresh files[reference:20]. According to Riot Support, you should also clear the cache under AppData\Local by opening the Riot Games folder and deleting any game folders[reference:21].

Outcome: Clearing cache resolves valorant not launching caused by corrupted local files.

6. Repair or Reinstall Vanguard

If Vanguard is corrupted or not functioning properly, repairing or reinstalling it is a reliable valorant not launching fix. According to a 2026 guide, uninstalling and reinstalling the anti-cheat component resolves most anti-cheat-related errors[reference:22].

1. Open Control Panel → Programs and Features
2. Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list
3. Right-click and select Uninstall
4. Restart your PC
5. Launch Valorant—it will automatically reinstall Vanguard
6. Wait for the component to be fully deployed
7. Restart Valorant

According to Hotspawn, you can reinstall Vanguard by navigating to Control Panel → Programs and Features, uninstalling Riot Vanguard, restarting your PC, and then launching VALORANT to trigger the reinstall[reference:23]. According to Riot Support, if the above steps don’t help, you should reinstall the game and Vanguard[reference:24].

Outcome: Reinstalling Vanguard resolves valorant not launching caused by corrupted anti-cheat files.

7. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers are a leading cause of valorant not launching. According to Hotspawn, outdated graphics drivers can prevent the game from starting[reference:25].

1. Right-click Start → Device Manager
2. Expand "Display adapters"
3. Right-click your GPU → Update driver
4. Select "Search automatically for drivers"
5. If no update is found, visit your GPU manufacturer's website:
   - NVIDIA: nvidia.com/download
   - AMD: amd.com/en/support
   - Intel: intel.com/support/detect.html
6. Download and install the latest driver
7. Restart your PC

According to Riot Support, updating your graphics card drivers is one of the recommended fixes for game launch errors[reference:26]. According to a 2026 guide, AMD’s Adrenalin 26.5.1 driver is causing crashes in Valorant, and the temporary solution is to roll back to the previous stable driver version[reference:27].

For a complete guide on graphics driver updates, see our How to Update Graphics Driver Windows 11 guide.

Outcome: Updating graphics drivers resolves valorant not launching caused by GPU compatibility issues.

8. Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0

Windows 11 users often experience valorant not launching because Secure Boot or TPM 2.0 is disabled. According to Hotspawn, when you encounter a “Suspended” or “Not Responding” issue on Task Manager, the cause is often Secure Boot or TPM not enabled[reference:28].

1. Check TPM status: Press Windows + R → Type "tpm.msc" → Enter
2. If TPM is not ready, you need to enable it in BIOS
3. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (F2, F10, Del, or Esc)
4. Enable Secure Boot (under Boot or Security tab)
5. Enable TPM/PTT/fTPM (under Security or Advanced tab)
6. Save changes and exit BIOS
7. Boot into Windows and verify TPM is ready in tpm.msc

According to Hotspawn, you should verify TPM is enabled using tpm.msc, then restart into BIOS/UEFI to enable Secure Boot and ensure TPM/PTT/fTPM is enabled[reference:29]. According to a 2026 guide, to fix the VAN9003 error in Valorant, you need to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0[reference:30]. For more detailed Secure Boot instructions, see our How to Enable Secure Boot guide.

Outcome: Enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 resolves valorant not launching on Windows 11.

9. Add Firewall Exceptions

Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus can block Valorant and Vanguard, causing valorant not launching. According to Riot Support, adding exceptions in your firewall is a recommended troubleshooting step[reference:31].

1. Open Windows Security → Firewall & network protection
2. Click "Allow an app through firewall"
3. Click "Change settings"
4. Find VALORANT and Riot Client in the list
5. Check both Private and Public boxes
6. If not listed, click "Allow another app" and browse to:
   - C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exe
   - C:\Riot Games\Riot Client\RiotClientServices.exe
7. Click OK to save

According to The Spike, you can add VALORANT as a security exclusion by opening Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Add or remove exclusions → Add folder for VALORANT and Riot Client[reference:32]. According to a 2026 guide, you should temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall to avoid them intercepting the game file repair process[reference:33].

For a complete guide on firewall exceptions, see our How to Add Firewall Exception Windows 11 guide.

Outcome: Adding firewall exceptions resolves valorant not launching caused by security software blocking.

10. Install Missing DirectX Components

Some users encounter valorant not launching with a DirectX Runtime error. According to a Microsoft Q&A discussion, when trying to open Valorant, users may see an error: “The following components are required to run this program: DirectX Runtime”[reference:34].

1. Visit the Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime download page
2. Download and run the installer
3. Follow the on-screen instructions
4. Restart your PC
5. Try launching Valorant again

According to a 2026 guide, missing DirectX components can prevent Valorant from launching[reference:35]. According to another Microsoft Q&A discussion, the dsound.dll file may be missing, which also requires DirectX installation[reference:36]. Installing the DirectX End-User Runtime resolves these missing component errors.

Outcome: Installing DirectX components resolves valorant not launching caused by missing system files.

11. Advanced: Clean Boot and Network Reset

For persistent valorant not launching issues, a clean boot and network reset can resolve conflicts. According to Riot Support, performing a clean boot ensures other programs are not competing with your game for resources[reference:37].

Clean Boot:

1. Press Windows + R → Type "msconfig" → Enter
2. Go to the Services tab
3. Check "Hide all Microsoft services"
4. Click "Disable all"
5. Go to the Startup tab → Open Task Manager
6. Disable all startup items
7. Restart your PC
8. Launch Valorant to test

Network Reset:

1. Press Windows + I → Settings
2. Go to Network & internet → Advanced network settings
3. Click Network reset
4. Click Reset now
5. Your PC will restart in 5 minutes

According to Hotspawn, resetting network settings can resolve connectivity-related valorant not launching issues[reference:38]. According to Riot Support, performing a clean start ensures that background processes are cleaned up and other programs are not competing with your game for resources[reference:39].

Outcome: Clean boot and network reset resolve valorant not launching caused by software conflicts and network issues.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Valorant not launching on my PC?

Valorant not launching is usually caused by Vanguard issues, outdated graphics drivers, corrupted game files, disabled Secure Boot/TPM, or software conflicts.

How do I fix Valorant not opening on Windows 11?

Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in BIOS, run Valorant as administrator, update graphics drivers, and restart the VGC service. See our Windows 11 TPM 2.0 Issue guide for more help.

What does Vanguard have to do with Valorant not launching?

Vanguard is the kernel-level anti-cheat system that must load correctly for Valorant to start. If Vanguard fails to initialize, is blocked, or has corrupted files, valorant not launching occurs.

How do I restart Vanguard on Windows?

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, find “vgc” (Riot Vanguard Service), right-click and select Restart. Then restart your PC.

Why does Valorant say “DirectX Runtime is required”?

This means your system is missing DirectX components. Install the DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft’s website to resolve this.

Can a firewall block Valorant from launching?

Yes, Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus can block Valorant and Vanguard. Add exceptions for VALORANT.exe and Riot Client in your firewall.

How do I reinstall Riot Vanguard?

Open Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall Riot Vanguard → Restart your PC → Launch Valorant to automatically reinstall Vanguard.

Does Valorant require Secure Boot and TPM 2.0?

Yes, Valorant’s Vanguard anti-cheat requires both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled on Windows 11. Disabling these can cause valorant not launching.

What should I do if none of these methods work?

Submit a ticket to Riot Games Support. Provide your system specifications and any error codes you see. For more gaming troubleshooting, explore our Gaming Errors Hub.

13. Conclusion

Valorant not launching is a frustrating but fixable issue. From restarting the VGC service and updating drivers to enabling Secure Boot and reinstalling Vanguard, this guide covers all effective methods. According to Hotspawn, the most common causes include outdated graphics drivers, corrupted game files, software conflicts, and Vanguard anti-cheat issues[reference:40]. Start with the simplest solution — restarting the VGC service — and escalate only if necessary. For more gaming troubleshooting, explore our Gaming Errors Hub and guides on Valorant Van Error Codes, How to Enable Secure Boot, and How to Update Graphics Driver Windows 11. With the right approach, you can overcome any valorant not launching issue and get back to the game.

For more gaming troubleshooting, explore our Gaming Errors Hub and guides on how to add firewall exception, Windows 11 TPM issues, and system requirements not met. With the right approach, you can resolve any valorant not launching issue and keep your gaming experience smooth.