To troubleshoot VALORANT freezing or crashing, start with the moment it happens: on launch, during a match, after Alt+Tab, or alongside a visible VAN error code. Riot’s guidance offers different checks for these symptoms; it does not identify one cause or one guaranteed fix for every PC.
Why does VALORANT keep freezing or crashing?
The symptom alone does not identify the cause. A launch or system-critical error calls for general crash troubleshooting, while a freeze that begins after Alt+Tab points to Windows multitasking and display behavior. A visible VAN code should be handled using Vanguard’s guidance for that specific code.
Use the branch that matches what you see, and change one thing at a time so you can tell whether it helped. Riot’s support catalog includes separate guides for crashes, graphics drivers, PC specifications, logs, and Vanguard errors: Riot Games Support.
How do I stop VALORANT from crashing with a system or critical error?
Riot’s launch-crash guidance recommends working through these checks, moving to reinstalling only if earlier steps do not resolve the issue. Restart or retest after each relevant change.
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- Clear VALORANT’s local cache. Riot’s instructions refer to the game’s local AppData cache. Follow the current localized Riot support directions for the exact folder and removal procedure rather than deleting unrelated files.
- Try a Windows clean boot. This starts Windows with a reduced set of background processes, which can help identify interference. Use Microsoft’s clean-boot procedure and restore normal startup afterward; do not permanently disable services you need.
- Check firewall exceptions. Confirm that VALORANT and Riot Client are allowed through your firewall. Use Riot’s current guidance for the relevant app entries and your firewall.
- Test for third-party antivirus interference. Riot suggests temporarily disabling third-party antivirus to see whether the problem persists. Treat this only as a brief diagnostic test, then re-enable protection; do not leave security software off as a permanent fix.
- Update the graphics driver. Use Riot’s official graphics-driver guide to find the appropriate update path for your system: Riot Games Support. Avoid relying on unrelated driver-updater utilities.
- Reinstall VALORANT and Vanguard if the earlier checks fail. Follow Riot’s current uninstall and reinstall instructions so both the game and its anti-cheat component are handled correctly.
If the crash continues, use Riot Support’s crash and log-collection guidance to submit the relevant information: Riot Games Support.
VALORANT freezes after Alt+Tab: what should I change?
For freezing or stuttering that reliably follows Alt+Tab, Riot points to how Windows handles switching apps and displaying the game. Try these targeted settings before using the general crash sequence:
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- Limit the Alt+Tab app list to open windows. In Windows multitasking settings, change the Alt+Tab list so it shows open windows rather than browser tabs or other expanded choices. The exact label can vary by Windows version.
- Turn off Windows animations. Test whether disabling animation effects changes the stutter when switching between VALORANT and another app.
- Test fullscreen optimizations for VALORANT.exe. Open the executable’s Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and select “Disable fullscreen optimizations.” If it does not help, undo the change.
These are symptom-specific troubleshooting suggestions, not universal crash fixes. Riot also lists a clean reinstall as a later option if the Alt+Tab issue remains.
How do I fix a VALORANT VAN error?
If the message includes a VAN code, look up that exact code in Riot’s Vanguard error-code guidance and follow its instructions. A VAN code is not interchangeable with a general crash symptom. Do not change Secure Boot, TPM, virtualization, or other firmware and security settings unless Riot’s instructions for your particular code call for it; the wrong change can affect Windows or other software beyond the game.
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Could my PC specifications or graphics driver be the issue?
Check Riot’s current minimum and recommended PC specifications against your actual CPU, graphics card, and memory before drawing conclusions about hardware. The available support information does not provide specification figures here, and “VALORANT freezes” by itself is not evidence that a component is failing or needs an upgrade. Riot’s support catalog links both PC-specification and graphics-driver guidance: Riot Games Support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if VALORANT still freezes or crashes?
If the symptom persists after the relevant checks, collect the logs Riot requests and contact Riot Support. Include when the freeze occurs, whether it began after Alt+Tab, and any displayed error code. That information helps distinguish a general crash from a Windows display issue or a Vanguard-specific error.
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