Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →To fix high ping and lag in VALORANT, start with the connection rather than changing graphics settings: use Ethernet, remove VPN or proxy routing, restart and repair the network connection, test a different DNS service, and check whether your firewall is blocking VALORANT or Vanguard. Router port forwarding should be a last-resort connection troubleshooting step—not a general way to lower match ping.
Work through the seven fixes below in order. After each major change, launch VALORANT and check whether the problem is resolved. A useful distinction: ping is the round-trip delay between your PC and the game server, while lag can also mean packet loss, jitter, disconnects, or local performance problems. The steps below focus primarily on network-related problems.
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1. Switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet
A wired Ethernet connection is usually the fastest first test when VALORANT shows high ping, sudden spikes, or unstable gameplay. Riot recommends trying a wired connection because Ethernet is generally more stable than Wi-Fi and is less affected by distance, interference, congestion, and other wireless devices.
- Connect an Ethernet cable directly between your router and computer.
- Make sure both ends are firmly inserted.
- If your router has several LAN ports, try another port if the connection does not appear.
- Disable Wi-Fi temporarily or confirm that Windows is using the wired adapter.
- Start VALORANT again and compare the connection.
If you must use Wi-Fi, check that it is enabled under Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi. Confirm that you are connected to the intended network and re-enter the SSID password if the network name or password recently changed. Riot’s network troubleshooting guidance recommends Ethernet as a first-line connection test: Riot’s connection troubleshooting guide.
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What the result tells you: if Ethernet fixes the problem, your internet service may be fine and the issue is likely Wi-Fi interference, signal strength, wireless congestion, or the router’s wireless configuration. If both wired and wireless connections behave the same way, continue with the next steps.
2. Test VALORANT without a VPN or proxy
VPNs and proxy servers add another route between your computer and Riot’s servers. That route can be longer, congested, geographically indirect, or incompatible with the game’s connection. Riot specifically recommends testing VALORANT without a VPN or proxy when connection problems occur.
- Close VALORANT and the Riot Client.
- Disconnect your VPN.
- Disable any proxy configured for your Windows network connection or browser-level network tool.
- Reconnect normally through your ISP.
- Launch VALORANT and reproduce the same problem.
This is a diagnostic comparison, not a claim that every VPN causes lag. If the issue disappears without the VPN, test a nearby VPN endpoint or contact the VPN provider if you need the service for another reason. If your normal connection is worse than the VPN connection, the problem may involve your ISP’s route to Riot rather than your local PC.
Riot’s recommendation to test without VPN or proxy routing is included in its official network troubleshooting guidance.
3. Install Windows updates and run the network troubleshooter
Outdated Windows networking components, adapter drivers, or system fixes can contribute to connection problems. Install available Windows updates before making more invasive changes.
If Windows Update does not resolve an adapter-driver issue, Outbyte Driver Updater is an optional way to check for outdated Windows hardware drivers, not a required step.
Windows 10 path documented by Riot
Riot’s guide uses the older Windows Settings layout:
Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates
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Install the available updates, restart the computer if Windows requests it, and test VALORANT again.
Run the documented network troubleshooter
Riot also documents this path:
Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter
On the older layout, the troubleshooter may appear under Advanced network settings. Follow the suggested repair and restart if prompted.
Windows 11 organizes these controls differently from the Windows version shown in Riot’s older guide. Do not treat the Update & Security path as a universal Windows 11 path; use the Settings search box for Windows Update and network troubleshooter if the labels do not match. The underlying goal is the same: bring Windows up to date and let it identify common adapter or connectivity faults.
4. Test a public DNS server
DNS translates names into network addresses. A slow or unreliable DNS resolver can make services take longer to locate or reconnect, so Riot lists public DNS as a possible connection-stability troubleshooting step. It is not a guaranteed way to reduce your in-game VALORANT ping: DNS normally affects name resolution, not the physical route used for the entire match.
Before changing anything, note your current settings so you can restore them. Riot documents the following Windows route:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
- Select Change adapter options.
- Right-click the network adapter you are using and choose Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then choose Properties.
- Clear Obtain DNS server address automatically.
- Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Enter one of these pairs:
| Provider | Preferred DNS | Alternate DNS |
|---|---|---|
| 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 | |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
Riot’s guide additionally tells users to open Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and uncheck it during this troubleshooting procedure. Treat that as a specific diagnostic step from Riot’s guide—not proof that IPv6 must generally be disabled for VALORANT. If disabling IPv6 creates another problem, restore it.
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Some internet providers may block or interfere with third-party DNS servers. If websites and other internet services stop working after the change, return to IPv4 Properties and select Obtain DNS server address automatically. Riot’s full DNS instructions and warning are available in its connection guide.
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A stale DHCP lease or cached DNS entry can cause connection and resolution problems. Riot recommends releasing and renewing the IP lease, flushing the DNS cache, and then restarting the computer.
- Close VALORANT, browsers, and other applications.
- Press the Windows key, type CMD, and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
- Run these commands in order, pressing Enter after each one:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns- Restart the computer.
- Reconnect to the network and test VALORANT.
Riot displays the second command as ipconfig/Renew; Windows command names and switches are generally not case-sensitive, and the spaced form above is the conventional Command Prompt syntax. The release command may temporarily disconnect the PC until the renewal completes, so do not run it while you need an active connection.
This procedure does not change your internet plan or guarantee a lower match ping. It clears and rebuilds local network information, which can resolve failed connections, stale addresses, or DNS-related behavior.
6. Check firewall rules for VALORANT and Vanguard
A firewall can block or restrict VALORANT or Riot Vanguard, preventing the client from connecting correctly even when other applications have internet access. Riot identifies firewall blocking as a possible cause of connection failure.
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Check your firewall configuration and make sure it is not denying VALORANT or Vanguard. If Windows or your security suite previously displayed an allow-or-block prompt, review the existing rule rather than automatically creating broad exceptions.
- Keep the firewall enabled unless a qualified support technician gives you a narrowly scoped diagnostic instruction.
- Do not assume that disabling the entire firewall is a fix.
- Check both Windows security controls and any third-party antivirus or firewall installed on the PC.
- If a security product recently updated, quarantined a Riot file, or changed application permissions, review its event history.
The supplied Riot material confirms that firewall rules should be checked, but it does not provide a current, verified list of executable names or a definitive current Windows Defender Firewall path. Because those details can change with Riot Client and Vanguard updates, avoid adding guessed executable paths or labels. Use Riot’s current firewall-specific support instructions if you need to create or edit an allow rule. The connection guide is available here.
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7. Consider router port forwarding only for persistent connection failures
Riot lists router port forwarding as a possible step when connecting to its servers remains problematic after firewall checks. It is not a routine performance tweak.
Port forwarding may be relevant when the router’s NAT behavior prevents a required connection, but it does not automatically lower normal in-game ping, improve Riot’s internet route, or make every VALORANT connection faster. Do not configure it merely because your match ping is higher than expected.
Use it only when the symptoms justify it
- Confirm the issue is a persistent server-connection problem rather than ordinary Wi-Fi instability or local frame-rate stutter.
- Test Ethernet, remove VPN or proxy routing, and check the firewall first.
- Make a backup or note of the router’s current settings.
- Use Riot’s current port-forwarding documentation or your router manufacturer’s instructions.
- Remove the rule if it does not help or creates an unwanted exposure.
The available Riot material does not verify a current port list, so this article intentionally does not publish port numbers that could be outdated. Port forwarding also exposes a service path from the internet to a device or network and should be configured carefully. If you do not understand your router’s NAT and forwarding controls, ask the router manufacturer or ISP for help rather than guessing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to tell whether the problem is ping, packet loss, or PC performance
Network fixes will not solve every type of “lag.” Use the symptom to choose the right branch:
| Symptom | More likely area to investigate |
|---|---|
| Ping number is consistently high | Distance to the selected game server, ISP routing, VPN/proxy path, or broadband connection |
| Ping jumps sharply, then returns to normal | Wi-Fi interference, network congestion, router problems, or route instability |
| Characters rubber-band or actions arrive late | Packet loss, jitter, or an unstable route—not necessarily a high average ping |
| Game feels choppy while ping remains normal | Frame rate, GPU/CPU load, overheating, background processes, or graphics settings |
| You disconnect from the Riot Client or cannot log in | DNS, firewall, VPN/proxy, ISP, Riot service availability, or account/client issues |
The research available for this guide does not verify the current VALORANT menu labels for network graphs, network buffering, packet-loss statistics, or server selection. Therefore, do not rely on an allegedly exact in-game menu path that may differ by region or client version. Focus first on reproducing the problem consistently and comparing wired versus wireless, VPN versus normal routing, and before-versus-after network changes.
When the seven fixes do not work
Do not apply every advanced change at once. Undo the last change that made the connection worse, then collect evidence for support:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Record when the problem occurs and whether it affects only VALORANT or other online services too.
- Note whether Ethernet, normal ISP routing, and another device on the same network change the result.
- Check whether the issue occurs at particular times, which can indicate local or ISP congestion.
- Restore automatic DNS if the public-DNS test caused loss of connectivity.
- Remove experimental port-forwarding rules that did not help.
- Keep the firewall enabled and review its blocks instead of disabling it entirely.
Collect logs with Riot Repair Tool (ROA)
Riot’s support utility is now called Riot Repair Tool (ROA); Riot says it was formerly known as the Hextech Repair Tool. On Windows, download and run ROA, select VALORANT, and let it collect the relevant logs. Riot says the generated .zip file can be attached to a support ticket. Use Riot’s ROA log-collection instructions rather than searching for the old tool name alone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can changing DNS lower VALORANT ping?
Usually, changing DNS should not be treated as a direct match-ping reduction. Riot lists public DNS as a possible way to improve connection stability, speed, or reliability, but it does not promise lower in-game ping. Test it only as a troubleshooting change and restore automatic DNS if connectivity fails.
Should I disable IPv6 to fix VALORANT lag?
Not as a universal rule. Disabling IPv6 appears in Riot’s documented network troubleshooting procedure, but that does not establish that IPv6 must normally be disabled for VALORANT. Treat it as a reversible diagnostic step and restore it if it causes problems.
Does port forwarding improve VALORANT ping?
No—not generally. Riot presents port forwarding as a conditional measure for persistent server-connection problems after firewall checks. It is not a general latency optimization and should not be performed solely because your normal match ping is high.
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Should I turn off my firewall when VALORANT lags?
No. Riot identifies firewall blocking of VALORANT or Vanguard as a possible cause, but the safer response is to review and correct the relevant rules. Disabling the entire firewall is not a verified general fix.
What is Riot Repair Tool called now?
Riot calls the current support utility Riot Repair Tool, or ROA. Riot says it was formerly known as the Hextech Repair Tool. ROA can collect VALORANT logs and create a ZIP file for a support ticket.
The Bottom Line
For most players, the best order is: test Ethernet, disconnect VPNs and proxies, update Windows, renew the IP lease and flush DNS, then check firewall rules. Public DNS is a reversible stability test rather than a guaranteed ping fix. Use port forwarding only for a documented, persistent connection problem, and never disable the firewall or IPv6 as a blanket solution.
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