Fixing Valorant Stuck on Loading Screen

TL;DR: If your Valorant is stuck on the loading screen, try these quick fixes: ensure your system meets the minimum requirements for Valorant, check your internet connection, update your game client and your graphics drivers, or reinstall the game. Disabling unnecessary background applications and running the game as an administrator may also help. For more in-depth solutions, continue reading the article.

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Meeting the Minimum Requirements

When it comes to gaming, your system needs to be able to meet the demands of the game. Valorant, although not the most hardware-intensive game, still has its minimum requirements that your system should meet.

I recommend you cross-check your system’s specifications against these minimum requirements.

• Operating System: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
• RAM: 4GB
• Graphics Card: Intel HD 3000
• VRAM: 1GB
• DirectX: Version 11

Checking Your Internet Connection

Valorant is an online multiplayer game, and a reliable internet connection is vital for seamless gameplay. If you’re experiencing issues with loading screens, it could be a sign of a weak or unstable internet connection.

I recommend performing a simple speed test to check your connection’s quality.

Updating Your Game Client and Graphics Drivers

Outdated game clients and graphics drivers can often cause problems with games loading. Ensuring you have the latest updates can help you fix the Valorant stuck on loading screen issue.

Game Client

Riot Games periodically releases updates for Valorant to introduce new content, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Make sure your game client is updated to the latest version.

Graphics Drivers

Graphics drivers are software that allows your operating system and programs to use your computer’s graphics hardware. If you play PC games, you should keep your computer’s graphics drivers updated to get the best performance out of your hardware.

Reinstalling the Game

In some cases, game files can become corrupted or missing, leading to issues such as stuck loading screens. Reinstalling the game can be a more drastic step, but it can often solve these problems.

Note: Before you uninstall Valorant, make sure to back up any important files such as game settings or custom maps.

Ensure your Antivirus Isn’t Blocking Valorant

Another factor that might be causing your Valorant to stick on the loading screen could be your antivirus software. Some antivirus programs may recognize certain game files as potential threats, causing interference with the game’s operation. I recommend checking your antivirus software to ensure that it’s not blocking Valorant.

To do this, you can usually open your antivirus software, go to the settings, and look for an option related to blocking or allowing applications. Make sure Valorant is on the ‘allowed’ list.

Alternatively, you can temporarily disable your antivirus software to see if that solves the issue, but remember to turn it back on afterward for your system’s security.

Using a VPN

In certain cases, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help if your Valorant is stuck on the loading screen. Sometimes, internet service providers (ISPs) may throttle the connection to certain online services, causing slower loading times.

Using a VPN can circumvent this by changing your virtual location, thereby potentially enhancing the speed and reliability of your connection to the Valorant servers.

However, note that the use of VPNs can sometimes cause additional issues, such as increased latency, which can negatively impact your gaming experience. Use VPNs as a last resort, and ensure you use a reputable VPN service to avoid potential security issues.

Checking the Game’s Server Status

In some instances, the issue might not be on your end at all. Riot Games, like any other online game developer, occasionally needs to perform maintenance on their servers. During these periods, you might experience issues with loading the game.

To check the server status, you can visit the official Riot Games Service Status page. If the servers are down, all you can do is wait for Riot to fix the issue.

Clearing the Game’s Cache

Over time, Valorant, like other games, stores temporary data known as cache to improve your gaming experience. However, these files can occasionally become corrupt and cause issues such as the game sticking on the loading screen. Clearing your game’s cache can help resolve this problem.

To clear Valorant’s cache, navigate to the directory where the game is installed on your computer, locate the cache folder, and delete it. Then, restart your game. This will force Valorant to create a new cache, potentially resolving any issues caused by corrupt cache files.

Remember to tread carefully while dealing with game folders, and avoid deleting any files unless you’re certain they’re cache files to prevent any unwanted issues.

Checking for Overheating

Lastly, consistent gaming can cause your system to overheat, especially if you’re playing resource-intensive games like Valorant. Overheating can cause various issues, including the game freezing on the loading screen.

If your system is overheating, ensure it’s adequately ventilated and consider using a cooling pad if you’re gaming on a laptop.

Other Tips to Solve Valorant Stuck on Loading Screen

Sometimes, other programs running in the background can interfere with Valorant. I recommend disabling unnecessary background applications, especially those that use a lot of resources.

Additionally, running the game as an administrator can solve several issues. To do this, simply right-click on the Valorant shortcut, select ‘Properties’, then ‘Compatibility’, and finally check the box next to ‘Run this program as an administrator’.

Conclusion

When you’re eager to jump into a match of Valorant, nothing can be more frustrating than being stuck on the loading screen. However, with the detailed solutions provided above, you should be able to fix this issue and get back into the action.

Always remember to keep your game and system updated, ensure you have a stable internet connection, and run the game with the necessary permissions.

FAQs

I have tried all the solutions, but Valorant is still stuck on the loading screen. What should I do?

If you’ve exhausted all the solutions provided above, it’s time to reach out to Riot Games Support. They will be able to provide further assistance based on the specific issues you’re encountering.

Can running other applications in the background affect Valorant’s loading times?

Yes, applications running in the background can use system resources that Valorant needs to run smoothly. It’s recommended to close unnecessary applications before launching Valorant.