Valorant Error Code 1, usually popping up during game startup, can be pretty annoying. It’s often caused by server hiccups, corrupted files, or network stuff going haywire. If you’re seeing this, it’s worth trying a series of fixes before pulling your hair out. Some fixes are quick and passively resolve the issue, while others require more effort, like reinstalling everything. Getting past this error means jumping through a few hoops—hopefully, one of these methods gets you back in game without too much fuss.
How to Fix Valorant Error Code 1 in Windows
Method 1: Restart the Riot Client
This might sound obvious, but sometimes a quick restart of the Riot Client can clear out those temporary glitches. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
- Close Riot Client: Right-click the icon in the system tray (bottom right corner) and choose Exit. Wait a few seconds to make sure it fully closes. You might need to check Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) if it’s stubborn—look for any Riot or Valorant processes and end them manually.
- Reopen Valorant: Launch the Riot Client again via the desktop shortcut or start menu, and try launching Valorant. Sometimes it’s just that simple, but don’t expect miracles every time.
This helps because it resets whatever temporary misfire was happening. On some setups, it might fail initially, then work after a second try or two.
Method 2: Run Valorant as Administrator
Upping the permissions reduces chances of access errors, especially if Windows is blocking parts of the game or Vanguard. On some systems, this is enough to solve the problem.
- Run as Administrator: Right-click the Valorant shortcut (either on your desktop or in the start menu) and pick Run as administrator. Confirm if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).
- Set Always Run as Administrator (Optional): Right-click the shortcut again, go to Properties > Compatibility, then check Run this program as an administrator before clicking Apply.
This approach can bypass some Windows security blocks. On my own machine, it’s a hit or miss, but worth trying if you’re stuck.
Method 3: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers are a common villain here. If your drivers are out of date, Valorant’s anti-cheat and rendering might freak out, causing error codes.
- Check for Driver Updates: Use Nvidia GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software if you have those. For a more manual approach, open Device Manager (
Win + X> Device Manager) then expand Display adapters. Right-click your GPU and choose Update driver. - Install Updates: Download and install any available updates. Sometimes, just a simple driver update fix can resolve this error.
Why it helps? Because newer drivers often patch bugs and improve compatibility, which might be causing the crash on startup. On one setup, this fixed it on the first try; on another, it required a reboot afterward.
Method 4: Reinstall Valorant and Riot Vanguard
If files got corrupted or Vanguard’s kernel component is borked, a clean reinstall can do the trick. Word of warning: Riot Vanguard gets deeply integrated, so you’ll want to delete all its leftover files.
- Uninstall through Settings: Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Uninstall Valorant and Riot Vanguard. Don’t forget to check in there for Riot Vanguard specifically, since it’s separate from the game itself.
- Remove leftover files: Delete any Riot folders in
%appdata%,%LocalAppData%, and%ProgramData%. Some people swear by manually deleting these folders to make sure no corrupted configs hang around. - Reinstall from Riot’s official link: Download the installer from Riot’s Valorant download page and reinstall. Sometimes a fresh setup clears out any lingering issues.
Method 5: Check Network and Security Settings
This one gets overlooked, but network conflicts or security apps can block Valorant or Vanguard from functioning correctly.
- Disable VPNs and Proxies: Turn off VPNs or proxies temporarily. Also, disable bandwidth-heavy background apps that could be causing instability.
- Add Valorant & Vanguard to exceptions: In your antivirus or firewall settings, add the game and Vanguard to the exceptions list (often found in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Exclusions).You might also need to temporarily disable these shields while testing.
- Use a VPN like Cloudflare WARP: If your ISP causes issues, a VPN that’s lightweight might help bypass local network blocks. Just don’t leave it on permanently if not needed; it can sometimes cause more problems.
This can be a wild card fix, but it’s surprisingly effective — especially if network issues are causing the launcher or game to crash.
Method 6: Reinstall Windows (Advanced & Last Resort)
Not everyone wants to go this route, but if nothing else works, resetting Windows while keeping your files can help fix deep system conflicts. It’s like giving your OS a fresh start without losing everything.
- Reset this PC: Search for “Reset this PC” in the Windows search bar, select it, then choose Keep my files. Follow the prompts. Warning: some apps and drivers might need reinstalling afterward.
- Reinstall Valorant: After resetting Windows, download the latest installer from Riot and install again. Hopefully, this wipes out whatever was causing the error.
Method 7: Contact Riot Support
If all else fails, Riot’s support team might have more tailored tricks. Be prepared to share logs, troubleshooting steps already tried, and your system specs. Sometimes they escalate bug reports that aren’t your fault.
Wrap-up: Fixing Valorant Error Code 1 isn’t always straightforward, but starting with quick things like restarting the client and running as admin can save a lot of headache. If those don’t work, more involved fixes like driver updates or reinstalling can do the trick. Only move to Windows resets or contacting support if necessary. It’s a process, but with patience, it can be sorted.
Summary
- Try restarting the Riot Client first.
- Run Valorant as administrator.
- Update your graphics drivers.
- Reinstall Valorant and Riot Vanguard if needed.
- Check your network, disable VPNs, and add exceptions.
- As a last resort, reset Windows or contact Riot support.
Wrap-up
At the end of the day, this error can be caused by several things — fancy driver updates, security software, or corrupted files. Sometimes, just giving everything a fresh install fixes it overnight. On other days, it’s a bit of trial and error. Still, most of these steps are simple enough for most players to follow, and they usually cover the main culprits. Fingers crossed this helps someone get back in game quickly — good luck!