How to fix “Critical Error Has Occurred” in Valorant

Running into messages like “Critical Error Has Occurred” while trying to play Valorant is not pleasant. Sadly these things happen and rest assured you are not the only one encountering them. While problems like these are troublesome and will prevent you from playing the game, there are ways you can try and fix them. Stick with us and we will go over steps you can try to fix the “Critical Error Has Occurred” error in Valorant.

Steps to fix Valorant Critical Error Has Occurred

Many things can cause a “Critical Error Has Occurred” message to appear in Valorant, from software conflicts to network issues, outdated drivers, and more. This means that there is no one solution to fix this problem. You can try the following steps to fix this issue.

Run Valorant as Administrator

Running the game as an Administrator can fix user permissions that can be the cause of this issue. Following is how to run the game as an Administrator:

Locate the Valorant icon on your desktop, right-click it, and select Properties.
Select the Compatibility tab, and locate Run this program as an Administrator.
Check the box next to Run this program as an Administrator, and press Apply to save the change.
Restart your PC, and run the game to see if this fixed the problem.

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Update Windows and Drivers on your System

This error can sometimes occur due to outdated drivers. Furthermore, you should make sure all your graphics and Windows drivers are up to date before trying the game again. To keep your graphic drivers up to date you will have to visit the official website for the manufacturer of your graphics card. You can easily locate the latest drivers for your specific card there. Here’s how to update Windows:

To update your Windows, press Windows + I, which will open Settings.
Locate and click on Update and Security.
Select Check for updates.
If there are any new updates, you will have to download and install them. After this, restart your computer before trying to launch Valorant again.

Enable Vanguard Automatic Startup

Vanguard is Valorant’s anti-cheat software that should be running in the background constantly. Unfortunately, it sometimes stops working after an update or due to some troubles with Windows. Vanguard not working properly can be the cause of a Critical Error. Follow these steps to fix this:

Press Windows + R to access the Run application.
In the Run application type services.msc and press OK.
Locate vgc among all the services and double-click on it.
In the General tab select Startup type and select Automatic.
Click on Apply to save the changes.
Restart your PC and Vanguard will now automatically start when you power up your PC.

Reinstall Valorant

If you were unable to fix the Critical Error with any of the above-mentioned solutions, we recommend fully reinstalling Valorant. Once you have uninstalled the game you can install a fresh copy by using Valorants official website or through the Riot Client. This should solve any Critical Errors caused by the game or the client, and you will be able to play normally.

If you want to know more about Valorant, check out our other guides and articles on Valorant How to Disable Chat Filters, Best Lurking Agents in Valorant and When Is Valorant Night Market.