Valorant error code 1 is an annoying common error that occurs when your game cannot connect with the Valorant main server. It is usually caused by either Riot or Valorant Client app & service. You may be frustrated by this connection error as it interrupts your daily rank grind on the game. So, today’s guide will help you fix it.
How to Fix Valorant Error Code 1
We said that it is mainly a connection problem, but there are other factors too, which can play a crucial role.
- Clients not launched properly
- Corrupt system or game files
- Outdated OS
- Storage full
Quick Answer
Try updating Valorant game to fix this problem:
1. Launch Riot client app.
2. Locate the Valorant game.
3. Click on Update option if new updates are available.
Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Steps
1A. Wait for Server Uptime- As Valorant is an online game, they use servers, and sometimes the servers misfunction. You can visit the official site of Riot, and then check if the servers are down.
1B. Troubleshoot Network Connectivity – Using a Strong network is important if you want to play a game that is based on servers. If for any reason you cannot use a different service provider, then read our dedicated article on that matter, how to Troubleshoot Network Connectivity.
1C. Close Unwanted Background Processes – Follow our guide to End Task on Windows 10 and then restart Valorant.
1D. Run Valorant as Administrator – If you run a program as an administrator, that means you are giving the program special privileges. So we will strongly suggest you use this feature with only verified software, in this case, Valorant.
1. Right-click on the Valorant app.
2. Choose Run as administrator.
Method 2: Update Valorant
If your game isn’t updated, then this outdated version can create problems similar to the one discussed above. So if this is the case, then solving the issue is easy. You just need to update the game. You can do this by following the steps we have shared below,
1. Open the Riot Client app on your PC.
2. Sign in to your Riot account.
3. Under My Games, look for Valorant and under it, click on the Update button.
Also Read: Fix Valorant Error Code 29
Method 3: Update Graphics Drivers
A graphics card is a very important component to play games. So, if your graphics drivers are outdated, then that can also cause some malfunctions in your computer because the current version of the applications, and the version of the driver, mismatch. Solving this conflict needs you to update the graphics driver. However, if you think it is a very technical and hard thing to do, then we won’t deny that it is technical. But we don’t think it will be hard after you follow the steps shared in this article, 4 Ways to Update Graphics Drivers in Windows 10.
Method 4: Reinstall Graphics Drivers
If the graphics drivers are corrupt, then they can interfere with your programs. So you can uninstall, and then reinstall the graphics drivers again to fix this issue. Here is the guide on how to uninstall and reinstall drivers that will help you to do this,
Method 5: Update Windows Manually
Just like graphics drivers, if your device isn’t updated, then that can also create issues with the current version of the apps. Some of the new features might conflict with outdated Windows. An update also contains bug fixes.
1. Before downloading the update, you need to know the KB number for the update.
2. Go to Settings by simultaneously pressing Windows + I, click on Update & Security.
3. You can note down the KB number if the download fails.
4. Now, see the right side of the update and note down the KB number.
5. Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website and enter the KB number you have noted in the previous step.
6. Click Search to bring up the search results for the update.
7. Click on the Download button on the appropriate file from the website and install it.
After the device restarts, you can then try to open the game and see if the error code 1 persists.
Also Read: Guide to Best Sensitivity & FPS Settings
Method 6: Enable Vanguard
Vanguard is an important service that helps you to play Valorant. So, if you are getting an error related to the Valorant game, then disabled Vanguard can be the culprit here. Follow the steps below for more details,
1. Press Windows + R keys together to open the Run dialog box.
2. Write msg config and hit Enter key.
3. Click on the Services tab then locate vgc.
4. Check the tickbox next to it and hit Apply then Ok.
5. Select the Restart button on the System Configuration pop-up to run the enabled vgc service.
6. Then, relaunch the Valorant game
Method 7: Change Vanguard Startup Type
If whenever you turn off your computer, and the error returns after gettings fixed by using method 6, then Vanguard services might be crashing or get turned off. So to fix this issue, and you can change the startup type of this program. Follow the steps to do that,
1. Press Windows + R keys together to launch the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and hit Enter key.
3. Locate vgc and double-click it to open its Properties window.
4. Change the Startup type to Automatic.
Note: If the service status is stopped, click the Start button highlighted under the Service status section to start running the vgc service.
5. Select Apply and click OK to save the changes made in vgc properties.
6. Once done, launch Valorant app.
Also Read: Fix Valorant TPM 2.0 Error in Windows 11
Method 8: Reinstall Vanguard and Valorant
If for some reason Vanguard is not opening or still the error in Valorant persists, then you can try reinstalling the vgc service. You can follow the steps below for more help,
1. Press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Scroll down and select Riot Vanguard.
4. Click on Uninstall.
5. Again, click Uninstall in the pop-up.
6. Click on Yes in the User Account Control prompt.
7. Now, click on Yes to confirm the uninstallation.
8. Similarly, search for Valorant and uninstall it.
9. Type %localappdata% in the Windows search bar and open the Local folder.
10. Right-click the Riot Games folder and select Delete.
11. Similarly, delete the VALORANT folder.
12. Again, type %appdata% in the Windows search bar and open it.
13. Click on Riot games and Valorant folders, and delete them.
14. Once done, restart the PC.
15. Then, install the game again. Read our guide on how to download Valorant on PC.
Method 9: Contact Customer Support
If no method mentioned above is working then you cannot do anything but contact the customer support of Valorant. There are two ways to do this:
- Get in touch with their official Twitter handle
- Visit their official support page and raise an issue
If you are using Twitter for contacting them, then explain your problem and tag them. The Valorant support team will reply to you and give your suggestion regarding your issue.
Recommended: How to Fix High Ping in Valorant 2023
We hope after reading this article your issue regarding Valorant error code 1 is now solved. If you still have any questions, don’t forget to ask them in the comment section, and our team will look after them. You can also save our site to your bookmark for future reference.
