Valorant Crashing Heres How To Fix It Quick Guide

Valorant, Riot Games’ tactical first-person shooter, delivers high-stakes gameplay that demands precision and consistency. But when the game crashes unexpectedly—mid-match or during launch—it disrupts your rhythm, costs ranking progress, and damages the overall experience. The good news: most crashes are preventable with targeted fixes. This guide breaks down the most effective troubleshooting methods, from simple restarts to deeper system optimizations, so you can return to flawless performance quickly.

1. Verify Game Files and Update the Client

Corrupted or outdated game files are among the top causes of unexpected Valorant crashes. Over time, patches may fail to install correctly, or critical files can become damaged due to incomplete downloads or background interference.

Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat system and the game client itself receive frequent updates. Running an outdated version can lead to instability, especially after a new patch rollout.

Tip: Always check for updates before launching Valorant. Open the Riot Client, go to Settings > Downloads & Updates, and ensure “Automatically update games” is enabled.

To verify your game files:

1. Open the Riot Client.
2. Select Valorant from your game library.
3. Click the gear icon next to the \"Launch\" button.
4. Choose “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”
5. Wait for the process to complete and relaunch the game.

This scan checks all core files and replaces any that are missing or corrupted. It typically takes 5–10 minutes depending on your drive speed.

2. Check System Requirements and Hardware Compatibility

While Valorant is optimized to run on modest hardware, falling below minimum requirements—or running on incompatible components—can trigger crashes. Outdated drivers, insufficient RAM, or overheating GPUs are frequent culprits.

Component	Minimum Requirement	Recommended for Stability
CPU	Intel i3-4158U @ 2.0GHz	Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5+ (6th gen or newer)
RAM	4 GB	8 GB or higher
GPU	Intel HD 4400 or equivalent	NVIDIA GTX 950 / AMD R9 360 or better
OS	Windows 7 (64-bit)	Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
Storage	SSD recommended	NVMe SSD preferred for faster load times

If your system meets only the bare minimum specs, consider upgrading your RAM or switching to an SSD if you're still using a mechanical hard drive. These changes significantly reduce crash rates caused by slow data access or memory bottlenecks.

“Many players overlook storage health. A failing HDD or fragmented SSD can cause silent read errors that crash games without warning.” — Jordan Lee, PC Hardware Analyst at TechPulse Labs

3. Disable Overlays and Background Applications

Third-party overlays like Discord, GeForce Experience, or MSI Afterburner often conflict with Valorant’s full-screen mode and Vanguard kernel-level processes. These tools inject code into running applications, which can destabilize sensitive game engines.

Similarly, background apps such as Chrome with multiple tabs, antivirus software, or RGB control suites consume resources and may interfere with real-time rendering.

Steps to eliminate overlay conflicts:

• Disable Discord overlay: User Settings > Voice & Video > Overlay → Toggle off.
• Turn off NVIDIA GeForce Experience in-game overlay: Open the app, go to Settings > General > In-Game Overlay → Disable.
• Close unnecessary programs before launching Valorant (e.g., Spotify, OBS, Chrome).
• Add Valorant.exe and Vanguard to your antivirus exclusion list to prevent false positives.

Tip: Use Windows’ built-in Game Mode (Settings > Gaming > Game Mode) to automatically suppress notifications and background tasks while playing.

4. Update Graphics Drivers and BIOS

Outdated GPU drivers are a leading cause of game crashes across all titles, including Valorant. Manufacturers like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel regularly release performance patches and bug fixes tailored to new game releases.

To update your graphics driver:

1. Press Win + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand “Display adapters,” right-click your GPU, and choose “Update driver.”
3. Select “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

Alternatively, visit the official website:

• NVIDIA GeForce Drivers
• AMD Radeon Software
• Intel Driver Support

For advanced users: Updating your motherboard’s BIOS can resolve compatibility issues with modern operating systems and anti-cheat software. However, proceed with caution—flash BIOS only if recommended by your manufacturer and ensure stable power supply during the process.

5. Fix Vanguard and Kernel-Level Conflicts

Vanguard, Valorant’s anti-cheat system, runs at the kernel level, meaning it loads before Windows and has deep system access. While essential for security, misconfigurations or conflicts with other kernel drivers can force crashes or boot failures.

If Valorant crashes immediately on startup or displays a black screen, Vanguard may be blocked or malfunctioning.

Troubleshooting steps:

• Restart your PC to reload Vanguard properly.
• Ensure no other kernel-level software (e.g., certain VPNs, old antivirus tools) is installed.
• Run Command Prompt as Administrator and type: sc delete vgc then restart. This removes Vanguard temporarily; it will reinstall automatically upon launching Valorant.
• Check Windows Event Viewer under “System” logs for errors related to “vgc” or “vgl” services.

Note: Uninstalling Vanguard manually is not recommended and may result in a ban. Always let the Riot Client manage it.

Mini Case Study: Recovering From Persistent Crashes

Mark, a competitive Valorant player from Chicago, experienced frequent crashes during ranked matches—sometimes twice per session. His rig was relatively new: RTX 3060, 16GB RAM, and an SSD. Initial checks showed his game files were intact, but he overlooked one factor: his Corsair iCUE software.

iCUE was set to adjust fan speeds and lighting based on CPU usage, injecting into system processes. After disabling iCUE’s runtime injection and updating his NVIDIA driver, Mark reported zero crashes over the next three weeks. His FPS stabilized, and match continuity improved dramatically.

This case highlights how even trusted utilities can interfere with low-latency gaming environments.

Quick Fix Checklist

✅ Immediate Actions to Stop Valorant Crashing:

• Restart your computer and router.
• Verify game files via the Riot Client.
• Update graphics drivers to the latest version.
• Disable all third-party overlays (Discord, Steam, GeForce).
• Close background apps (especially browsers and recording tools).
• Run Valorant as Administrator.
• Ensure Windows is up to date (Settings > Update & Security).
• Clear temporary files using Disk Cleanup or CCleaner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Valorant crash randomly during gameplay?

Random crashes are often due to overheating, driver timeouts, or memory leaks. Monitor GPU/CPU temperatures using tools like HWMonitor. If temps exceed 85°C, improve airflow or clean dust from fans. Also, enable “Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling” in Windows Settings > System > Display > Graphics.

Can Windows updates cause Valorant to crash?

Yes. Major Windows updates can temporarily break compatibility with Vanguard or DirectX components. If crashes begin after an update, roll back recent drivers or wait for Riot to release a patch. You can also use System Restore to revert to a stable point.

Does overclocking cause Valorant crashes?

Overclocked CPUs, GPUs, or RAM can introduce instability, especially under sustained load. If you’ve recently overclocked, reset to default settings and test stability. Many players report resolved crashes after returning to stock clocks.

Conclusion: Play Without Interruption

Valorant crashing doesn’t have to be a recurring frustration. By methodically addressing software conflicts, hardware limits, and system configurations, you can achieve smooth, uninterrupted gameplay. Start with the basics—restart, verify files, disable overlays—then move to advanced steps like driver updates and service resets if needed.

💬 Found a fix that worked for you? Share your experience in the comments—your insight could help another player stay in the fight.