Playing Valorant on a Windows 11 PC can sometimes be a bit of a headache—crashes, lag spikes, or just not launching at all. Properly frustrating, especially when you’re keen to jump into a match. Usually, these issues aren’t too complicated—oftentimes it’s just out-of-date drivers, odd permissions, or Windows settings that need a tweak. This guide’s here to run you through some common fixes that have worked well in real-world setups. You’ll probably notice an improvement after trying a few—whether it’s smoother gameplay or the game firing up properly. No guarantees, but they’re worth a shot before you consider a full reinstall.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Valorant on Windows 11
If it feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry—just work through these one at a time. Windows can be a bit cheeky sometimes, making things more complicated than they need to be. On some systems, just one or two of these fixes do the trick; on others, a combo does the job. The aim is to get Valorant running smoothly without crashing or input lag. Expect to poke around in Settings, update drivers, and maybe toggle a few options in the game itself.
Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date
First thing’s first—outdated drivers are often the culprit for crashes, poor FPS, or the game not starting. Check your GPU manufacturer’s website—either NVIDIA or AMD. Download the latest driver, run the installer, and restart your PC. Sometimes Windows updates don’t automatically update your drivers, so a manual nudge can make all the difference. If you prefer, tools like GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software can auto-detect your card and handle updates for you—safer than hunting down files manually.
Fair dinkum, messing around with outdated drivers is like shooting yourself in the foot—your game will crash less and run smoother afterward. On some rigs, this fix works straight away; on others, you might need a reboot or re-install the driver package.
Run Valorant as an administrator
This often helps because of Windows permissions—sometimes Valorant needs a bit of a boost in rights to access certain parts of your OS. Right-click the Valorant shortcut or its `.exe` in `C:\Riot Games\Valorant\live\Valorant.exe` and pick Run as administrator. If it works, you can set it to always run this way: right-click again, go to Properties, then Compatibility, and tick Run this program as an administrator. It’ll save hassle in the long run.
This Tip has helped a lot of folks fix permission errors or crashes at launch. Sometimes Windows just blocks Valorant from doing its thing unless you give it the green light.
Disable fullscreen optimisation for Valorant
This setting is meant to improve performance, but it can actually cause issues—like input lag or the game hanging. Right-click the game shortcut or find Valorant in Start Menu, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check Disable fullscreen optimizations. Hit Apply, then open the game. Sometimes, this simple change makes the game feel much more responsive. Weird, but in gaming, Windows doesn’t always get it right.
For some rigs, disabling this stops stuttering dead in its tracks. Others might find it’s a must-do after updating drivers.
Check for Windows updates
Because, of course, Windows can complicate things on purpose. Head into Settings > Windows Update and hit Check for updates. Install anything that’s pending and restart. Sometimes a big Windows update can sort out compatibility issues with newer hardware or game-specific patches. Occasionally, it’s just what the doctor ordered—unblocking certain game components or security protocols Valorant needs.
It can fix other background gremlins, like network hiccups, sound driver conflicts, or system DLL issues. On some setups, it’s a game-changer; on others, just standard maintenance.
Optimize in-game settings for better stability
Once you’ve got Valorant to open, it’s all about easing the load on your GPU and CPU. Inside the game, go to Settings > Video. Turn down options like texture quality, anti-aliasing, and shadows. If your PC’s a bit under the pump, try setting Limit FPS to match your monitor’s refresh rate or a bit below. Also, disable V-Sync if it causes input delay.
Sometimes, dropping a few effects like Bloom or Post-processing makes the game run way smoother. Not sure exactly why, but lowering graphics often turns crashes into smooth sailing. Play around with settings—test, tweak, repeat. This step is especially handy if you’re chasing higher FPS or trying to avoid random freezes.
Tips for Fixing Valorant on Windows 11
- Keep your drivers up to date—outdated ones are like rust on a ute; best to fix early.
- Check that your PC meets Valorant’s specs—no point fiddling if your hardware’s not up to scratch.
- Close unnecessary background apps—less clutter means less lag.
- Turn off startup programs you don’t need to free up resources before playing.
- If problems keep cropping up, try a clean reinstall. Uninstall, delete leftover files in the install folder, then install fresh from the Riot site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Valorant keep crashing on my Windows 11 PC?
Most often, it’s drivers, permissions, or Windows settings acting up. Updating drivers and running the game as admin usually does the trick.
How do I update my graphics drivers?
Head to your GPU maker’s site—NVIDIA or AMD. Download the latest installer, run it, and reboot. If you’d rather not fuss, tools like GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software can handle auto-updates for you.
Can I play Valorant on a low-end PC with Windows 11?
Yeah, but you’ll need to tone down the settings—lower the effects, shadows, reflections, that sort of thing. It’s all about balancing good looks with performance.
What if Valorant won’t start on Windows 11?
Try running it as an admin, check for Windows updates, disable fullscreen optimisation. If it’s still hanging, verify game files through Riot’s launcher or give it a reinstall.
Do I need to reinstall Valorant if issues keep happening?
If nothing else works, a fresh reinstall can clear out any corrupted files. Just uninstall, delete leftover files in `C:\Riot Games\Valorant`, then reinstall from scratch.
Summary of Steps
- Keep graphics drivers up to date
- Run Valorant as an admin
- Disable fullscreen optimisation
- Check for Windows updates
- Dial down in-game graphics if needed
Wrap-up
Getting Valorant running smoothly on Windows 11 isn’t always a walk in the park, but these steps have sorted out many setups. Usually, updating drivers and tweaking some Windows or game settings does the trick. Every system’s a bit different, so a bit of trial and error might be needed. Hopefully, this saves someone a fair few headaches. If one of these fixes works for you, it’s a job well done.