Why Is My Ping So High In Valorant But Low In Other Games Troubleshooting Guide

If you're experiencing sky-high ping in Valorant while other games run smoothly, you're not alone. Many players report stable connections in titles like Fortnite or Apex Legends but face frustrating latency spikes when playing Riot Games' tactical shooter. The issue isn’t always your internet speed or router—it’s often a combination of game-specific network behavior, routing inefficiencies, and overlooked system settings. This guide dives deep into why this happens and how to fix it for good.

Understanding Why Valorant Is More Sensitive to Ping

Valorant is a first-person tactical shooter where split-second decisions determine match outcomes. Unlike games that rely more on prediction or can tolerate minor lag, Valorant demands consistent, low-latency communication between your device and the game server. Even 50ms of fluctuation can cause bullets to whiff or result in unfair deaths.

The game uses a client-server model with strict server authority, meaning every action—movement, shooting, ability use—is processed on Riot’s servers before being reflected back to you. High ping introduces delay in this loop, making gameplay feel sluggish or unresponsive.

Other games may mask latency through interpolation or client-side prediction. For example, battle royale titles might let you move freely for a few frames even if the server hasn’t confirmed your position. Valorant doesn’t do this. It prioritizes fairness over smoothness, which means any network irregularity becomes immediately noticeable.

“Valorant's netcode is designed for precision, not forgiveness. That’s why players feel ping differences more acutely than in other shooters.” — Jason Lin, Network Engineer at a major esports infrastructure firm

Common Causes of High Ping in Valorant Only

Just because your ping is fine in other games doesn’t mean your internet is flawless. Several factors can affect Valorant specifically:

• Suboptimal Server Routing: Your ISP might route traffic efficiently for some destinations (like Steam or Xbox Live) but poorly to Riot’s servers.
• Game-Specific Port Blocking: Firewalls or routers may throttle or misroute UDP packets used by Valorant.
• Background Processes Targeting Riot Services: Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat, runs at kernel level and can interfere with network drivers if misconfigured.
• DNS Resolution Delays: Slow DNS lookups for Riot’s domains can add tens of milliseconds before connection even begins.
• Regional Server Congestion: During peak hours, nearby Valorant servers may be overloaded, increasing response times.

Tip: Run a traceroute to gg.rs (Riot’s endpoint) and compare it to google.com. If the hop count or latency spikes after your ISP, routing is likely the culprit.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Follow this sequence to isolate and resolve the root cause of high ping in Valorant:

1. Verify Your Baseline Connection
   Close all apps, restart your router, and test your speed using speedtest.net. Note your ping to the nearest server. Then, launch Valorant and check in-game ping. If they differ significantly, proceed.
2. Check Valorant Server Status
   Visit status.valorant.com. Look for ongoing incidents related to matchmaking or regional outages. A red alert explains temporary high ping across regions.
3. Run In-Game Network Diagnostics
   In the main menu, go to Settings → General → Network. Enable “Display Network Stats” to see real-time packet loss, jitter, and ping. Consistent values above 100ms or packet loss >1% indicate issues.
4. Perform a Traceroute to Riot Servers
   Open Command Prompt and type:
   tracert gg.rs
   Analyze each hop. If latency jumps drastically at a single node (e.g., from 30ms to 180ms), that’s a bottleneck. Contact your ISP with this data.
5. Change DNS Servers
   Switch to Google DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). Poor DNS resolution can delay initial handshakes with Riot’s servers.
   Windows: Control Panel → Network → Adapter Settings → TCP/IPv4 → Use custom DNS.
6. Disable Bandwidth-Hogging Apps
   Use Task Manager to close cloud sync tools, streaming apps, or downloads. Even background updates can fragment bandwidth allocation for real-time games.
7. Update Network Drivers
   Outdated Wi-Fi or Ethernet drivers can cause packet loss. Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s site to download the latest version.
8. Restart or Reinstall Riot Client & Vanguard
   Corrupted client files or Vanguard conflicts can increase overhead. Use the official repair tool via the Riot Client settings.

Do’s and Don’ts: Network Optimization Table

Action	Do	Don't
Connection Type	Use wired Ethernet whenever possible	Rely solely on Wi-Fi, especially 2.4GHz
Router Placement	Keep near your PC; avoid walls or interference	Place in basement or behind metal objects
QoS Settings	Enable QoS and prioritize your PC’s IP	Leave default settings if multiple devices stream
Firewall	Add exceptions for RiotClientServices.exe and VALORANT.exe	Block unknown processes without checking
Background Usage	Pause updates during matches	Run large downloads while gaming

Real-World Example: Fixing Regional Routing Issues

A player in Denver, Colorado, consistently experienced 140–180ms ping in Valorant despite having 10ms ping in Overwatch and 120 Mbps download speeds. Other games ran flawlessly. After running tracert gg.rs, the trace revealed a sudden jump from 25ms to 160ms at a Level 3 Communications node—outside their ISP’s control.

The player contacted their ISP, provided the traceroute log, and requested a BGP route optimization. Within 48 hours, the ISP rerouted traffic through a different peering point. Result: Valorant ping dropped to a stable 35ms. This case illustrates how game-specific routing—not overall bandwidth—can be the true bottleneck.

Advanced Fixes for Persistent Ping Issues

If basic steps fail, consider these deeper solutions:

Use a Gaming VPN (Strategically)

While most VPNs increase latency, some—like ExitLag or WTFast—are optimized for gaming. They establish direct tunnels to game servers, bypassing congested public routes. Test with a free trial before subscribing.

Port Forwarding for Valorant

Forward these ports on your router to improve connection stability:

• UDP 5000–6000 (game traffic)
• TCP 80, 443 (authentication)
• UDP 3478–3480 (P2P for voice)

Assign a static IP to your PC first, then access your router’s admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1) to configure port forwarding.

Adjust Windows Network Throttling Settings

Windows limits background network activity. Override this:

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → QoS Packet Scheduler
3. Double-click “Limit reservable bandwidth”
4. Set to “Enabled” and change bandwidth limit to 0%

This allows full bandwidth utilization for applications like Valorant.

Tip: Disable IPv6 in your network adapter settings if your ISP doesn’t fully support it. Mixed protocol usage can cause handshake delays with Riot’s servers.

FAQ: Common Questions About Valorant Ping

Why is my ping high in Valorant but low on speed tests?

Speed tests measure throughput to generic servers, not Riot’s specific endpoints. High ping in Valorant usually stems from inefficient routing, local network congestion, or server load—not raw bandwidth. Your 10ms speed test might go to a local Google server, while Valorant connects to a distant AWS-hosted node with poor peering.

Can antivirus software cause high ping in Valorant?

Yes. Overzealous firewalls or real-time scanning can intercept and delay game packets. Add VALORANT-Win64-Shipping.exe and RiotClientServices.exe to your antivirus whitelist. Also, ensure Windows Defender isn’t running scans mid-match.

Does ping matter more in Valorant than in other FPS games?

Absolutely. Due to its server-authoritative netcode and precise hit registration, Valorant treats 60ms like other games treat 100ms. Competitive players aim for under 40ms. Higher ping increases input delay, making recoil control and flick shots less accurate.

Final Checklist: Eliminate High Ping in 10 Steps

1. ✅ Restart your router and modem
2. ✅ Connect via Ethernet, not Wi-Fi
3. ✅ Close bandwidth-heavy background apps
4. ✅ Set DNS to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8
5. ✅ Run tracert gg.rs to identify routing issues
6. ✅ Update network drivers and Windows
7. ✅ Whitelist Valorant and Riot Client in firewall
8. ✅ Disable IPv6 if not needed
9. ✅ Use the Riot Client repair tool
10. ✅ Consider a gaming-optimized network solution (e.g., ExitLag) if routing is flawed

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Connection

High ping in Valorant while other games perform well isn’t random—it’s a signal of underlying network inefficiencies that only become visible under the game’s strict netcode. By methodically diagnosing routing paths, optimizing local settings, and understanding how Valorant handles data, you can achieve the responsive, competitive experience you deserve. Don’t accept lag as inevitable. Apply these fixes, monitor your results, and play with the confidence of a stable connection.

🚀 Ready to dominate with lower ping? Start with the traceroute test today and share your before-and-after results in the comments below.