How to Fix Valorant Keeps Crashing

Valorant can crash to the desktop during matches or on startup due to driver issues, Vanguard anti-cheat problems, or system conflicts. Here are all the methods to stop Valorant from crashing.

Method 1: Update GPU Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are the most common cause of Valorant crashes.

1. For NVIDIA: Open GeForce Experience and install the latest driver.
2. For AMD: Open AMD Software and check for updates.
3. Restart your PC after installing.
4. Launch Valorant and test.

Method 2: Reinstall Vanguard Anti-Cheat

Riot Vanguard can become corrupted and cause the game to crash.

1. Open Windows Settings, Apps, find Riot Vanguard and uninstall it.
2. Restart your PC.
3. Launch Valorant. Vanguard will reinstall automatically.
4. Restart your PC again and launch the game.

Method 3: Run as Administrator

Valorant needs elevated permissions to work with the Vanguard anti-cheat system.

1. Right-click the Valorant shortcut and select Properties.
2. Click the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program as an administrator.
4. Click Apply and OK.

Method 4: Disable Overlay Apps

Discord overlay, Steam overlay, and other overlay applications can conflict with Valorant.

1. In Discord: Settings, Game Overlay, toggle off Enable in-game overlay.
2. Disable NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay, Xbox Game Bar, and any other overlay apps.
3. Launch Valorant and test for crashes.

Method 5: Update Windows

Vanguard requires up-to-date Windows security features including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on Windows 11.

1. Open Windows Settings, Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install everything.
3. Restart your PC.

Method 6: Lower Graphics Settings

High settings can cause crashes on systems that cannot maintain stable performance.

1. Open Valorant Settings, Video, Graphics Quality.
2. Set all quality options to Low.
3. Disable Anti-Aliasing and VSync.
4. Cap the frame rate to your monitor’s refresh rate.

Method 7: Clean Boot Windows

A third-party application may be conflicting with Valorant or Vanguard.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, press Enter.
2. Click Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, click Disable all.
3. Click Startup tab, Open Task Manager, disable all startup items.
4. Restart and launch Valorant.
5. If it works, re-enable services one at a time to find the conflict.

Method 8: Reinstall Valorant

A clean reinstall removes all corrupted files.

1. Uninstall Riot Vanguard first, then Valorant.
2. Restart your PC.
3. Download the latest installer from playvalorant.com.
4. Install and restart once more.