Valorant, developed by Riot Games, is a highly popular tactical first-person shooter (FPS) known for its strategic gameplay and competitive intensity. In the game, players choose unique Agents, each equipped with distinct abilities, and engage in 5v5 matches with the objective of planting or defusing the “Spike” in bomb sites. Valorant’s precise gunplay, team-based strategies, and regular updates have contributed to its widespread appeal. With a growing esports scene and a passionate community, Valorant remains a dominant force in the FPS genre, providing an exhilarating gaming experience for players worldwide. But among the heart-pounding battles and exciting scenes, some players have encountered troublesome issues while playing Valorant which dampen their gaming experience.

The Valorant freezing problem can be seen by unresponsive controls, stuttering gameplay, and frozen screens, leaving players frustrated and wanting a flawless gaming experience. Such technical glitches in Valorant can be intensely irritating, especially during intense matches where split-second decisions can make all the difference between victory and defeat. This article will delve into the potential causes behind Valorant freezing issues, exploring hardware, software, and network-related factors. Moreover, it will equip you with a comprehensive troubleshooting guide to help you reclaim the smooth and immersive gameplay that Valorant is renowned for. Let’s dive into the depths of this issue to ensure that your Valorant experience remains hassle-free.

5 Potential Causes Which Lead To Valorant Freezing

• Outdated Graphics Card Drivers: Using outdated or faulty graphics card drivers can have a significant impact on the Valorant’s performance and stability, leading to frustrating freezing issues during gameplay. The graphics card driver acts as a crucial intermediary between the hardware of the graphics card and the game software. It translates the game’s instructions into a language that the graphics card can understand, allowing it to render images and animations accurately on the screen.
• Network Connectivity Problems: An unstable or high-latency internet connection can disrupt communication with the game servers, leading to freezing or lag in Valorant gameplay. A consistent and low-latency connection is vital for a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience.
• Corrupted Game Files: Damaged or corrupted game files can cause Valorant freezing. Verifying and repairing game files can help resolve this issue.
• Background Application: Performance issues with Valorant might be caused by background programmes using up system resources while the game is running. The competition between these resource-hungry processes for CPU, RAM, or network bandwidth may cause latency, freezing, or lower frame rates.
• Over Heating: It’s a critical concern during Valorant gameplay as it can lead to freezing issues. The intense processing demands can cause CPUs and GPUs to overheat. Ensuring proper cooling and ventilation, like using cooling pads or cleaning dust from internal components, prevents overheating-related freezes.

Also Read: Definitive Guide To Stop Valorant Stuttering: Hardware & Software

How To Troubleshoot Valorant Freezing Issue Easily?

By addressing these issues, you can enjoy Valorant without being hindered by freezing issues, fully immersing yourself in the game’s rich world and captivating gameplay.

Fix 1: System Requirements and Game Optimization

Before diving into more technical solutions, let’s start with the basics. Ensure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements to run Valorant. Even if you meet the necessary requirements, upgrading your hardware and using cooling pads may help to reduce freezing issues. Additionally, consider optimising your game settings for optimal performance. Lower graphical settings, and resolution, and disabling unnecessary background processes can significantly improve gameplay stability.

Fix 2: Updates and Drivers for Graphics Cards

Outdated or faulty graphics card drivers can often lead to freezing issues in games, including Valorant. Ensure that you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card, as developers regularly release updates to improve compatibility and performance.

• Step 1: Click the Windows start menu and type ‘Device Manager’ in the search bar. Access the Device Manager either from the search results or by directly typing “device manager” into the search bar.
• Step 2: Navigate to the Display Adapters section in the Device Manager and proceed to the Properties of your GPU.
• Step 3: Compare your GPU’s model and serial number with the most recent driver release to determine if an upgrade is needed. If it’s mandatory then move ahead with the next steps.
• Step 4: For Nvidia Graphic drivers, visit the Nvidia homepage and click on the “Drivers” section.
• Step 5: Use the search feature to find the latest Nvidia driver updates suitable for your GPU.
• Step 6: Click on the “Download” button and, when prompted, initiate the download process. After the drivers have finished downloading, run the .exe file to start the setup process.

Fix 3: Settings For Firewall & Antivirus

Firewalls and antivirus software may sometimes interfere with Valorant’s communication with game servers, leading to freezing issues. Add Valorant to your firewall and antivirus exceptions list to ensure uninterrupted communication between the game client and servers. If you encounter freezing issues after installing antivirus updates, consider rolling back to a previous version or switching to a different antivirus program.

• Step 1: Click the Windows start menu and search for “Windows Security” or “Windows Defender Firewall.”
• Step 2: Open Windows Security and select “Firewall & network protection.”
• Step 3: Click on “Allow an app through firewall” or “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.”
• Step 4: Click the “Change settings” button (may require administrator permission).
• Step 5: Scroll down the list to find “Valorant” or “Riot Client,” and make sure both public and private checkboxes are ticked. If not, click “Allow another app” and browse to the location of your Valorant executable (usually located in “C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exe”).
• Step 6: To add an exception for our Anticheat, repeat the step above at C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgc.exe and click OK.

Fix 4: Using In-Game Settings

Valorant offers various in-game settings that can be adjusted to optimise performance. Experiment with different settings such as reducing resolution, lowering texture quality, and disabling anti-aliasing to see if they reduce freezing issues. Furthermore, try running Valorant in fullscreen mode instead of windowed or borderless to reduce strain on system resources.

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Fix 5: Windows Should Be Updated

• Step 1: To begin, access the Settings app by pressing the Win + I altogether. If this shortcut doesn’t work, utilise an alternative method to open Settings.
• Step 2: Once in the Settings app, select the Windows Update option from the left panel.
• Step 3: Proceed by clicking the “Check for updates” button.
• Step 4: If you see updates available, tap on the ‘Install Now’ button. Afterwards, you may be prompted to restart your computer to finalise the update installation.

Fix 6: Restart All Riot Processes

By following these steps, you can effectively restart all Riot processes, which can help resolve certain issues like freezing, crashes, or other technical problems that may arise during gameplay.

• Step 1: Begin by right-clicking on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen.
• Step 2: From the context menu that appears, choose “Task Manager” to open the Task Manager window.
• Step 3: Select Task Manager > “Processes” or “Details” tab according to Windows version. Look for any processes associated with Riot Games or Valorant, which may have their respective logos next to them.
• Step 4: Right-click on each Riot Games or Valorant process, one by one, and select “End Task” from the context menu. Confirm your action if prompted.
• Step 5: Once all relevant processes are closed, close the Task Manager, and then restart the game.

Fix 7: Verify Game Files and Reinstall

Corrupted game files can lead to freezing problems in Valorant. The game client allows you to verify the integrity of game files to identify and fix any damaged components. If verifying the files doesn’t resolve the issue, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the game to start fresh with a clean installation.

Fix 8: Reinstalling Valorant Might Help

If you have tried every single method on this list and still can’t get over this issue, just reinstall the Valorant as reinstalling often fixes the error for many users.

For Uninstalling Valorant:

• Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
• As per your Windows version, Select “Apps” or “Apps & features
• Navigate downwards and find “Valorant” in the installed apps list.
• Click on “Valorant,” and then click on the “Uninstall” button.
• Go ahead with the instructions displayed on the screen to execute the installation process.

Delete any remaining Valorant files:

• After uninstalling Valorant, it’s a good idea to delete any remaining game files to ensure a clean installation.
• Navigate to the installation directory of Valorant, which is usually located in “C:\Riot Games”.
• Delete the “VALORANT” folder to remove any leftover files.

Download the Valorant Installer:

• Go to Valorant official website and tap on “Play Now”
• Create a Riot Games account or log in with your existing account. Upon doing so, you’ll be redirected to the download page.
• Click on the “Download” button to get the latest Valorant installer.

Install Valorant:

• Run the Valorant installer that you downloaded.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to install the game on your computer.
• Choose the installation directory and any other preferences during the installation process.

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the freezing issue in Valorant can be frustrating, but with a systematic approach, players can overcome it. Checking system requirements, updating graphics card drivers, and ensuring proper cooling is essential. Adding Valorant to firewall and antivirus exceptions, verifying game files, and closing resource-intensive background applications can resolve freezing problems. By following these steps and staying updated with patches, players can enjoy a smooth and immersive gaming experience, fully embracing the competitive spirit of Valorant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) Can SSD cause freezing?

Ans: Yes, SSD (Solid State Drive) can cause freezing in certain cases. If the SSD is faulty, has firmware issues, or experiences read/write errors, it can lead to freezing and other performance problems in the system or applications installed on it.

Q) Can the Motherboard cause freezing?

Ans: Yes, the motherboard can cause freezing issues in a computer. If the motherboard is faulty, experiencing hardware conflicts, or not properly handling data and communication between components, it can lead to system instability, including freezing during tasks like gaming or running applications.