How To Fix Valorant Not Launching Windows 11

Are you experiencing the frustrating issue of Valorant not launching on your Windows 11 system? You're not alone. Many players have encountered this problem, leaving them unable to enjoy their favorite game. But fear not, as there are effective solutions available to get Valorant up and running again on your Windows 11 PC.

If you're facing the issue of Valorant not launching on Windows 11, there are a few key aspects to consider. Firstly, ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for running Valorant. This includes having a compatible operating system, sufficient RAM, and a capable graphics card. Secondly, check for any pending updates for both Windows 11 and the game itself. Outdated software can often cause compatibility issues. Finally, try running Valorant as an administrator or reinstalling the game to resolve any corrupted files that may be preventing it from launching.

Troubleshooting Valorant Launch Issues on Windows 11

Valorant is a highly popular online multiplayer game developed by Riot Games. While the game runs smoothly on most systems, some players may encounter issues when trying to launch Valorant on Windows 11. This can be frustrating, especially for avid gamers who are eager to dive into the action. Fortunately, there are several methods and troubleshooting steps you can take to fix Valorant not launching on Windows 11. In this article, we will explore various solutions to help you get back into the game and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.

1. Update Graphics Drivers

Out-of-date or incompatible graphics drivers can often cause issues with launching games. To ensure that Valorant runs smoothly on Windows 11, it is essential to update your graphics drivers to the latest version. Here's how:

• Search for "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar and open it.
• Expand the "Display adapters" category.
• Right-click on your graphics card and select "Update driver."
• Choose the option to search for drivers automatically.
• If Windows finds a newer driver version, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

If Windows fails to find a newer driver version, you can visit the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers manually. Make sure to select the correct driver for your specific graphics card model and Windows 11 compatibility.

After updating your graphics drivers, restart your computer and try launching Valorant again to see if the issue has been resolved.

1.1. Uninstall and Reinstall Graphics Drivers

If updating the graphics drivers did not resolve the issue, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling them. Here's how:

• Open "Device Manager" again.
• Right-click on your graphics card and select "Uninstall device."
• Check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device" and click "Uninstall."
• Restart your computer.
• Visit the manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers.
• Install the downloaded drivers.
• Restart your computer once again and launch Valorant.

2. Run Valorant as Administrator

Running Valorant with administrative privileges can help resolve compatibility issues and allow the necessary permissions for the game to launch. Here's how you can run Valorant as an administrator:

• Locate the Valorant shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
• Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties."
• In the Properties window, go to the "Compatibility" tab.
• Check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator."
• Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.

Now try launching Valorant again and check if the game launches without any issues.

2.1. Disable Windows Firewall and Antivirus Software

In some cases, Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus software can interfere with the game's launch process. To see if this is the cause of the problem, try temporarily disabling your firewall and antivirus software before launching Valorant. Here's how:

• Open the Windows Security app by searching for it in the Windows search bar.
• Go to "Virus & threat protection" and click on "Manage settings."
• Toggle off the switches for "Real-time protection" and "Cloud-delivered protection."
• Next, open the Control Panel and navigate to "System and Security" > "Windows Defender Firewall."
• Click on "Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off" in the left sidebar.
• Select the option to turn off the firewall for both private and public networks.
• Save the changes and exit the Control Panel.

Once you have disabled the firewall and antivirus software, try launching Valorant again. If the game runs successfully, it means that the firewall or antivirus was causing the issue. In that case, you can either make an exception for Valorant in your firewall or antivirus settings or consider using a different antivirus solution.

3. Verify Game Files and Repair Installation

Corrupted game files can prevent Valorant from launching properly. Verifying the game files and repairing the installation can help resolve this issue. Here are the steps to do so:

• Open the Riot Games client (Rioter).
• Hover over the Valorant game and click on the gear icon that appears.
• Select "Repair" from the dropdown menu.
• Wait for the repair process to complete. This may take some time.

Once the repair process is finished, try launching Valorant again and see if the issue persists. If the game still doesn't launch, you may need to perform a clean reinstall of Valorant. Uninstall the game completely and then reinstall it from the official Riot Games website.

3.1. Clear Temporary Files

In some cases, temporary files can interfere with the proper functioning of Valorant. Clearing these temporary files can help resolve the issue. Here's how:

• Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type "%temp%" (without quotes) and hit Enter.
• This will open the Temp folder in File Explorer.
• Select all the files and folders in the Temp folder and delete them.
• Empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete the files.

After clearing the temporary files, restart your computer and try launching Valorant again.

4. Check for Windows Updates

Windows updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can help resolve compatibility issues with games like Valorant. Make sure that your Windows 11 operating system is up to date with the latest updates. Here's how:

• Open the Windows Start menu and click on the gear icon to open the Settings app.
• In the Settings app, click on "Windows Update" in the left sidebar.
• Click on "Check for updates" and wait for Windows to search for available updates.
• If updates are found, click on "Download and install" to install them.
• Restart your computer once the updates are installed.

After updating Windows, launch Valorant and check if the game launches without any issues.

4.1. Compatibility Mode and Troubleshoot Compatibility

If Windows updates did not resolve the issue, you can try running Valorant in compatibility mode or using the troubleshoot compatibility feature. Here's how:

• Locate the Valorant shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
• Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties."
• In the Properties window, go to the "Compatibility" tab.
• Check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"
• Choose an earlier version of Windows from the drop-down menu.
• Click on "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.
• If the game still doesn't launch, right-click on the shortcut again and select "Troubleshoot compatibility."
• Follow the on-screen instructions to run the compatibility troubleshooter and apply the recommended settings.

Once you have made the necessary compatibility changes and troubleshooted the game, try launching Valorant to check if the issue has been resolved.

Fixing Valorant Not Launching Windows 11: Part 2

Valorant not launching on Windows 11 can be a frustrating issue, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve it and get back in the game. In the previous section, we covered solutions such as updating graphics drivers, running Valorant as an administrator, verifying game files, and checking for Windows updates. Now, let's explore a few more methods to help you fix Valorant not launching on Windows 11.

1. Disable Steam Overlay or Other Overlays

If you have any game overlays enabled, such as Steam Overlay, Discord Overlay, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience Overlay, they could potentially conflict with Valorant and prevent it from launching. To troubleshoot this issue, try disabling all overlays and then launch Valorant. Here's how:

• If you are using Steam, open the Steam client and go to "Steam" > "Settings."
• In the Settings window, click on "In-Game" in the left sidebar.
• Uncheck the box that says "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game."
• Click "OK" to save the changes.
• If you are using Discord, open the Discord client and go to "User Settings" (located near your profile picture).
• In the User Settings menu, click on "Overlay" in the left sidebar.
• Toggle off the switch for "Enable in-game overlay."
• Exit the Discord client.
• If you are using NVIDIA GeForce Experience, right-click on the GeForce Experience icon in the system tray and select "Settings."
• In the Settings window, click on "General" in the left sidebar.
• Scroll down to the "In-Game Overlay" section and toggle off the switch for "Enable in-game overlay."
• Close the GeForce Experience settings window.

After disabling all overlays, launch Valorant and check if the game starts normally. If it does, you can try enabling the overlays one by one to identify which one is causing the conflict. Alternatively, you can choose to play Valorant without any overlays enabled.

1.1. Disable Windows Game Mode

In addition to disabling overlays, you can also try disabling the Game Mode feature in Windows 11. Game Mode is designed to optimize your system's performance while gaming, but it can sometimes cause compatibility issues with certain games. Here's how to disable Game Mode:

• Open the Windows Start menu and click on the gear icon to open the Settings app.
• In the Settings app, click on "Gaming" in the left sidebar.
• Go to the "Game Mode" tab.
• Toggle off the switch for "Use Game Mode."

Once Game Mode is disabled, launch Valorant and check if it launches without any issues.

2. Check for Conflicting Software

Some software applications or background processes can interfere with Valorant's launch process. To troubleshoot this issue, try performing a clean boot to identify any conflicting software. Here's how:

• Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type "msconfig" (without quotes) and hit Enter.
• This will open the System Configuration window.
• In the System Configuration window, go to the "Services" tab.
• Check the box that says "Hide all Microsoft services."
• Click on "Disable all" to disable all non-Microsoft services.
• Go to the "Startup" tab and click on "Open Task Manager."
• In the Task Manager, disable all startup items.
• Close the Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
• Click on "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.
• Restart your computer.

After the clean boot, launch Valorant and check if the game launches successfully. If it does, it means that one of the disabled services or startup items was causing the conflict. You can then enable the services and startup items one by one to identify the conflicting software and take appropriate action, such as updating or uninstalling it.

3. Reinstall the Riot Games Client (Rioter)

If all else fails, you can try reinstalling the Riot Games Client (Rioter) to ensure a clean installation. Here's how:

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  Troubleshooting Valorant Launching Issues on Windows 11

  If you are encountering issues with Valorant not launching on your Windows 11 computer, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the problem:

  • Ensure that your computer meets the system requirements for Valorant, including a compatible operating system and sufficient hardware specifications.
  • Update your graphics driver to the latest version provided by your graphics card manufacturer. Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause issues with game launch.
  • Verify the game files in the Riot Games client. This will check for any missing or corrupted files and repair them if necessary.
  • Temporarily disable any background applications or services that may interfere with Valorant's launch. Antivirus software, overlays, and other third-party programs can sometimes cause conflicts.
  • Try running Valorant as an administrator. Right-click on the game's shortcut or executable file and select "Run as administrator" to grant it elevated privileges.

  If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may need to contact Riot Games support for further assistance. Provide them with detailed information about your computer's specifications and any error messages you have encountered.

  
  

  Key Takeaways: How to Fix Valorant Not Launching on Windows 11

  • Ensure your system meets the minimum requirements for running Valorant on Windows 11.
  • Update your graphics card drivers to the latest version.
  • Disable any third-party antivirus software that may be blocking Valorant from launching.
  • Verify the integrity of Valorant game files to fix any corrupted files.
  • Try running Valorant as an administrator to bypass any permission issues.
  
  

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Having trouble launching Valorant on Windows 11? Here are some common questions and their solutions to help you fix the issue.

  1. Why is Valorant not launching on my Windows 11 PC?

  Valorant may not launch on Windows 11 due to various reasons such as outdated graphics drivers, incompatible hardware, or corrupt game files. Sometimes, security software or Windows settings can also interfere with the game's launch.

  To fix this issue, try updating your graphics drivers, verifying the game files, and disabling any conflicting software. Additionally, make sure your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Valorant and check for any Windows updates that may address compatibility issues.

  2. How can I update my graphics drivers on Windows 11?

  To update your graphics drivers on Windows 11, follow these steps:

  1. Right-click on the Start button and select "Device Manager" from the menu.

  2. In the Device Manager window, expand the "Display adapters" category.

  3. Right-click on your graphics card and select "Update driver" from the context menu.

  4. Choose the option to automatically search for updated driver software.

  5. If an update is available, Windows will download and install it. Restart your PC after the installation is complete.

  3. What should I do if my hardware is incompatible with Valorant on Windows 11?

  If your hardware is incompatible with Valorant on Windows 11, you may need to upgrade specific components of your PC. Check the official system requirements for Valorant and compare them with your hardware specifications. If necessary, consider upgrading your graphics card, increasing your RAM, or getting a faster processor.

  Keep in mind that upgrading hardware can be a costly solution, so make sure to weigh the benefits against the cost before making any decisions.

  4. How do I verify the game files in Valorant?

  To verify the game files in Valorant, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Riot Games Launcher and click on the Valorant tab.

  2. Click on the gear icon at the top-right corner of the Valorant tab to open the settings.

  3. Under the "General" section, click on "Initiate Full Repair."

  4. Wait for the repair process to complete. This will verify the game files and fix any corrupted files.

  5. How can I disable conflicting software or Windows settings that prevent Valorant from launching?

  To disable conflicting software or Windows settings that may prevent Valorant from launching, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type "msconfig" and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.

  3. In the System Configuration window, go to the "Services" tab.

  4. Check the box for "Hide all Microsoft services" to avoid disabling essential Windows services.

  5. Click on "Disable all" to disable all non-Microsoft services.

  6. Go to the "Startup" tab and click on "Open Task Manager."

  7. In the Task Manager window, disable any applications that are not necessary for your computer's startup process.

  8. Close the Task Manager and click on "OK" in the System Configuration window.

  9. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

  
  
  
  

  In conclusion, if you're facing issues with Valorant not launching on Windows 11, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem. Firstly, ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements and that all necessary updates are installed. Next, try running the game as an administrator, disabling any conflicting software or overlays, and updating your graphics drivers. You can also try repairing the game files or reinstalling the game if necessary. If none of these solutions work, reaching out to the Valorant support team or seeking assistance from online communities can provide further guidance.

  It's important to remember that technical issues can vary, and different solutions may work for different individuals. Patience and persistence are key when troubleshooting problems with Valorant or any other software. By following the steps outlined in this guide and exploring additional resources and support, you'll increase your chances of successfully fixing Valorant not launching on Windows 11 and getting back into the game.