Getting Valorant to run on Windows 11 isn’t exactly hard yakka, but a few things can trip you up—like out-of-date drivers, system settings, or a dodgy install. It’s a bit strange, but even if your PC ticks all the boxes, the game might just play hard to get, crashing straight after launch or refusing to start. The good news is, most issues are pretty fixable with a few simple tweaks. This guide will run you through some practical steps that have worked for heaps of folks in a similar spot, so if Valorant’s acting up, here’s what to try.
How to Fix Valorant Running Issues on Windows 11
Method 1: Make sure your system’s fully up-to-date and good to go
It sounds basic, but a lot of people overlook it. Windows 11 needs the latest updates—especially security patches and performance improvements—or else you might run into weird compatibility dramas with newer games like Valorant. So, jump into Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. While you’re at it, double-check your graphics drivers—outdated drivers are often to blame for gfx glitches or crashes.
You can update your GPU drivers by visiting NVIDIA’s driver download page or AMD’s drivers site. Usually, a quick update does the trick, but for a clean sweep, you can choose a clean install option to wipe out any old conflicting files. On my own setup, updating drivers cleared up a lag spike I’d been battling for ages.
Method 2: Check your gear meets the game’s specs and tweak some settings
It’s obvious your hardware shouldn’t be below specs, but it’s worth double-checking. Riot recommends at least 4GB RAM, an Intel i3-370M or better, and a decent GPU. If you’re just scraping in, dropping the graphics quality to low or medium helps avoid lag or crashes—especially if your PC gets hot or has low VRAM. To adjust settings, fire up Valorant, go to Settings > Video > Lower graphics quality. Also, close any background apps—Windows loves to chomp up RAM and CPU with all sorts of processes that aren’t doing you any favours when you’re trying to game.
Method 3: Tweak Windows 11 for better compatibility
This is where some folks get caught out. Windows 11’s default app permissions can block Valorant’s launcher or Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat system. To fix this, head to Settings > Privacy & Security > App permissions > Files and folder access and make sure Valorant and Riot Client are allowed access. Also, temporarily turn off Automatic app updates—sometimes Windows updates can muck around with game files or permissions.
Next, turn on Game Mode: go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar > Turn on Game Mode. That gives Windows a nudge to prioritise gaming processes, which can give a little boost in performance. On my machine, flicking on Game Mode made a noticeable difference during multiplayer—stability-wise.
Method 4: Run Valorant as admin and switch off overlays
Strangely enough, running the game with admin rights can fix a lot of startup hiccups. Right-click the Valorant shortcut or exe, then select Properties > Compatibility > Run this program as administrator. Also, disable overlay features like Steam, Discord, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlays—they can interfere with Vanguard, Riot’s anti-cheat, and cause the game to crash or not launch at all.
This step alone has fixed issues on a few setups. Windows can be a bit of a pain when it comes to permissions, after all.
Method 5: Reinstall Valorant and clear out the cache if nothing else does the trick
When all else fails, give it a fresh go. Uninstall Valorant, then delete leftover files—usually found in C:\Program Files\Riot Games\ or similar. Also, clear the Riot Client cache by deleting the folder in %localappdata%\Riot Games\. Download and install from the official Valorant website. Sometimes, corrupted files or incomplete installs cause drama, and a clean install sorts it out. On one rig, it worked first go; on another, it took a few reinstalls. Don’t be shy to keep at it.
All these tips are aimed at giving your game the best chance to run smoothly on Windows 11, especially if you’re dealing with weird bugs or startup errors. No one’s exactly sure why it works, but these steps tend to cover the usual suspects—drivers, permissions, and a bit of tweaking.