“When I click 'play' in Riot Client, the button goes gray like it's going to launch, but then after a few seconds, the button is reilluminated and Val doesn't launch. There is no error message or anything like that. I have tried disabling all antivirus and firewalls, reinstalling the client, the game itself, and vanguard. I launched the game on my friend's computer with my account and it worked fine. Is there some app that I have that is conflicting with Valorant?”SunChipsTM

What do you think is more disheartening for a gamer than a screen with no response at all? Instead of hearing that familiar login sound, you’re left with that VALORANT won’t open frozen launch screen. Even more disturbing is how unpredictable it can be; one day the game loads smoothly, while on another day it refuses to launch.

Anyway, in any such condition, you’re only left with a choice to look for workable solutions and get it solved at once. To simplify things, the guide below covers all possible reasons behind this non-launching issue, providing guided solutions for assistance.

Table of Contents
    1. Solution 1. Launch in Compatibility Mode
    2. Solution 2. Run VALORANT as an Administrator
    3. Solution 3. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus
    4. Solution 4. Perform a Clean Boot
    5. Solution 5. Change Your Computer Resolution
    6. Solution 6. End VALORANT.exe Running in the Background

Part 1. Why Won't My VALORANT Open? What Could Be the Reasons?

When gamers face the "why won’t my VALORANT open” issue, it often indicates the following technical and system-related causes behind it:

why valorant is not opening

Graphics Drivers Aren’t Updated: VALORANT depends on smooth rendering and updated graphics support to launch and run properly. Gamers who haven’t updated their NVIDIA or AMD drivers in a long time may be stuck on a black screen upon launching.

Riot Vanguard Issues: VALORANT utilizes Riot’s anti-cheat software, which runs in the background every time you play the game. When Vanguard isn’t installed correctly or becomes corrupted anyhow, the game will refuse to open or launch completely.

The Game Files Are Corrupted: If any important game file goes missing or is improperly updated, the game won’t boot at all. This usually occurs after incomplete updates, power outages, or any interference from antivirus/firewall software.

Background Applications Conflicts: Many modern computers run dozens of background applications, including recording software and RGB controllers. While harmless most of the time, some of these apps can interfere with VALORANT’s startup, leading to crashes altogether.

Windows Update or System Compatibility: When your Windows are missing important security patches or are not compatible with Riot’s client version, the game won’t launch. Incompatibility problems also arise if system settings, such as TPM or Secure Boot, are disabled, because Riot might require them for security compliance.

Part 2. [Solved] 6 Best Methods: How to Fix "VALORANT Won't Open" Error

For your query about “why is it that my VALORANT won’t open even after multiple tries?”, explore the section ahead, packed with solutions:

Solution 1. Launch in Compatibility Mode

It's possible that VALORANT may not be fully compatible with your current version of Windows. When you run the game in Compatibility Mode, it tells Windows to simulate an older version of the OS for game stability. Whenever this issue occurs after a Windows update, refer to this approach, as it bypasses crashes, startup errors, and random freezes. For more clarity, follow the instructions below and launch the game in Compatibility Mode:

Instructions: Locate the VALORANT executable file, right-click it, and choose the “Properties” option. Now, access the “Compatibility” tab, check the box for “Run this Program in Compatibility Mode For” and select an earlier version of Windows. Once done, press the “Apply” button first, and then the “OK” button to apply the changes before relaunching the game.

launch game in compatibility mode

Solution 2. Run VALORANT as an Administrator

Keep in mind that without the right permissions, VALORANT might fail to launch because it can’t access protected files. For VALORANT won’t open issue, run your game as an administrator and grant it complete control over your system, overcoming restrictions. Once your game has elevated permissions, it minimizes the chances of conflicts with background services or other startups. Adhere to the provided tutorial and run your game as an administrator:

Step 1. Open File Manager, search for the VALORANT.exe file, and select the “Properties” option after right-clicking it.

access valorant file properties

Step 2. Here, access the “Compatibility” tab and tick the box “Run this Program as an Administrator” under the Settings section. After this, press the “Apply” and “OK” buttons to finalize the changes applied.

run game as an administrator

Solution 3. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus

Even the overprotective antivirus or firewall settings can mistakenly consider VALORANT or Riot Vanguard as a potential threat. Temporarily turning off these protections helps you determine whether your security program is the reason "why won’t VALORANT open. It allows you to determine and eradicate false positives without permanently compromising your PC’s security. Walk through the given stepwise manual and disable real-time protection on your Windows:

Step 1. Enter Windows Settings, access the “Privacy & Security” tab, and then press the “Windows Security” option.

open windows security option

Step 2. Now, under the Protection Areas section, click the “Virus & Threat Protection” option to manage further settings.

choose virus and threat protection option

Step 3. Move forward and press the “Manage Settings” option from the Virus & Threat Protection Settings section.

select manage settings option

Step 4. Lastly, toggle off the “Real-Time Protection” option and temporarily disable the antivirus for the game to launch smoothly.

toggle off real time protection
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Solution 4. Perform a Clean Boot

As discussed, background apps and services run silently on your PC and can interfere with Riot Vanguard or the Riot Client. To solve the "my VALORANT won’t open” query, perform a clean boot that guarantees only important Microsoft services and drivers run. Once the game launches in a clean boot, you’ll understand that the background programs were blocking it. To proceed, explore the manual below and boot your Windows for a fresh start:

Step 1. Press the “Windows and R” keys together and type “msconfig” in the given space for Open, and click the “OK” button.

open dialogue box

Step 2. Reveal the “Services” tab in the System Configuration window and check the box labelled “Hide all Microsoft Services.” Once done, press the “Disable All” and “OK” buttons to turn off all non-Microsoft services.

mark and hide all microsoft services

Step 3. Now, switch to the “Startup” tab in the System Configuration window, and click the “Open Task Manager” option.

open task manager

Step 4. From the Task Manager window, disable all startups by selecting them and pressing the “Disable” button. After this, restart your computer to boot Windows with only essential services and programs running in the background.

disable processes in task manager

Solution 5. Change Your Computer Resolution

Periodically, “why won’t my VALORANT open?" is because your PC's current display resolutions or refresh rates do not align with the game. This mismatch might cause startup crashes or failure to load, unless addressed by lowering or adjusting your computer's resolution. It helps to resolve display-related issues before the game launches, resulting in a compatible environment to start. For a better understanding, dive into the tutorial and change your computer resolution:

Step 1. Simply, right-click on your desktop and choose the “Display Settings” option from the menu that appears.

select display settings option

Step 2. From Display Settings, expand the list for “Display Resolution” to select your preferred resolution for optimal game performance. After applying the changes, restart your PC and then relaunch your game to check its functioning.

adjust display resolution

Solution 6. End VALORANT.exe Running in the Background

Even when you close VALORANT, the process doesn’t completely end, but it continues running in the background. These stuck processes can block the game from reopening the next time you try, leaving you with the question, “why won’t VALORANT open?" Here, manually closing VALORANT.exe and related Riot processes in Task Manager clears every hidden task, causing a silent blockage. To do so, follow the given manual and delete all unnecessary files:

Instructions: Gain access to Task Manager, hit the “Processes” tab, and look for the relevant VALORANT.exe files. Once located, right-click and select the “End Task” option from the context menu to close the process entirely.

end valorant.exe files in task manager

Pro Tip. One Click Solution to Fix All Game and Asset Files of VALORANT

If every possible fix is tested and VALORANT won’t open continues to be a problem; the issue might revolve around game or asset files. Instead of reinstalling the entire game, consider Repairit as your one-click solution for game file issues. With this repair program, you can retrieve game-related images or videos used for animation or a legacy browser game. Users can also insert multiple corrupted game files for simultaneous complete repair.

It further allows fixing video game files, making it a convenient choice for gamers who encounter issues with game recordings. Apart from this, you can examine all repaired asset files before considering saving them. This software also facilitates audio files containing in-game soundtracks or commentary clips recorded during the session. In addition, Repairit guarantees a 99.5% success rate in fixing corrupted game executable files.

Key Features

  • Fixes AutoCAD Files: This software is capable of repairing corrupted or broken DWG and DXF files with precision, recovering 2D/3D drawings.

  • Repairs All RAR Files: With Repairit, you can restore incomplete and damaged RAR files in bulk, even those larger than 1GB.

  • Mends iWork Documents: It facilitates users in retaining layout, text, and design elements within their iWork documents during the repair

A Comprehensive Guide to Fix All VALORANT Corrupt Asset Files

For this dreaded, why won’t VALORANT open issue, follow the given stepwise manual and get sorted within no time:

Step 1. Commence the Program and Access the Document Repair Section

Install the software, open the “More Types Repair” tab, and press the “Start” button for the Document Repair tool.

access document repair section

Step 2. Import All Corrupted VALORANT Asset Files

Move forward and click the “Add” button to insert all the broken VALORANT game files into the program for repair.

add corrupted valorant game files

Step 3. Start the Repair Process and View Repaired Game Files

Press the “Repair” button and begin the repair process on damaged VALORANT files. When the process is complete, preview the repaired VALORANT files and export them for smooth gameplay.

start repair process on game files
fixes VALORANT Can't Open

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Conclusion

In conclusion, right after hitting that play button, the VALORANT won’t open problem can be a real setback for every gamer. Fortunately, this issue comes down to simple fixes, either adjusting compatibility settings, disabling conflicting apps, or modifying display resolution. What seems simple at times indicates major game file corruption and demands a dedicated program like Repairit.

FAQ

  • Q1. How do I fix VALORANT stuck on a black screen at startup?
    When VALORANT opens but hangs on a black screen, it's typically due to display incompatibility between your system's configuration and the game. The resolution or refresh rate of your monitor may exceed what VALORANT can render. As a solution, decrease your computer's resolution in Windows display options and restart the game.
  • Q2. Can overclocking my GPU/CPU cause VALORANT not to open?
    Although overclocking can extract additional performance from your hardware, it can also cause system instability. VALORANT is particularly susceptible due to Riot Vanguard's strict anti-cheat policy. Unstable CPU or GPU clock speeds can cause immediate crashes, failure to start, or prevent launching entirely.
  • Q3. Why does VALORANT take forever to load?
    Slow loading or failure to open may result from a slow hard drive or corrupted cache files. Launch times typically improve by switching to an SSD, verifying and repairing game files through the Riot Client, or clearing the client cache.
Louie Morgan
Louie Morgan Sep 09, 25
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