How To Stop Valorant Freezing Issue

Are you tired of experiencing freezing issues while playing Valorant? Nothing can be more frustrating than being on the verge of victory, only to have your game freeze and turn you into an easy target for your opponents. Whether it’s due to outdated hardware, software bugs, or issues with the game itself, freezing problems can ruin your gaming experience. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various solutions to help you fix Valorant freezing issues and get back in the game.

Understanding the Causes of Valorant Freezing

Before we dive into the solutions, it’s important to understand the possible causes of Valorant freezing. While outdated hardware is often the culprit, software bugs and game issues can also contribute to the problem. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors:

1. Outdated Hardware: If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for Valorant, you may experience freezing issues. Insufficient processing power, low memory, or outdated graphics cards can all contribute to game freezes.
2. Software Bugs: Like any other software, Valorant is not immune to bugs. Sometimes, freezing issues can be caused by specific bugs within the game. These issues are usually addressed by the game developers through patches and updates.
3. Game Issues: Occasionally, freezing issues can be directly related to the game itself. Whether it’s an optimization problem or a compatibility issue with certain hardware configurations, these game-specific issues can lead to freezing problems.

Now that we have a better understanding of the possible causes, let’s explore the solutions to fix Valorant freezing issues.

Solution 1: Restart All Riot Processes

One of the simplest solutions to try when experiencing Valorant freezing is to restart all Riot Games processes. This includes Riot Vanguard, the Riot client, and Valorant itself. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Right-click on your taskbar and select “Task Manager.”
2. In the Task Manager window, find all processes with the Riot Games or Valorant logo.
3. Right-click on each of these processes and select “End Task.”
4. After closing all Riot-related processes, restart the game as an administrator.

Solution 2: Disable Startup on Boot for Non-Essential Applications

Certain applications running in the background can interfere with Valorant and cause freezing issues. Discord, Spotify, Steam, and other non-essential programs may impact the game’s performance. Try disabling startup on boot for these applications by following these steps:

1. Open the taskbar by pressing “Ctrl + Alt + Del” on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to the startup menu and disable non-essential processes to free up bandwidth for Valorant.

It’s worth noting that Valorant has been known to have compatibility issues with Discord in particular. Disabling Discord on startup has helped many players resolve freezing problems.

Solution 3: Disable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling, a feature introduced in Windows 10, can sometimes cause freezing issues in Valorant. Disabling this feature may help alleviate the problem. Follow these steps to disable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling:

1. Open the “Settings” menu on your PC.
2. Navigate to the “System” option.
3. Select the “Display” tab.
4. Click on “Graphics settings” at the bottom of the page.
5. Toggle the hardware-accelerated GPU setting to the “Off” position.

This simple adjustment may resolve freezing problems caused by GPU scheduling conflicts.

Solution 4: Disable Windows Fast Boot

In some cases, Valorant’s anti-cheat system, Riot Vanguard, may not launch correctly when booting through Windows Fast Boot. Disabling this feature can help ensure the proper functioning of Riot Vanguard. Here’s how you can disable Windows Fast Boot:

1. Go to the Windows “Settings” menu on your device.
2. Navigate to System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings > Choose what the power buttons do.
3. Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable” to access advanced power settings.
4. Uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” to disable Windows Fast Boot.

Disabling Windows Fast Boot may prevent conflicts and freezing issues related to Riot Vanguard.

Solution 5: Check Your Internet Connection

Since Valorant is an online game, a stable and strong internet connection is essential for smooth gameplay. Slow or intermittent internet connections can lead to freezing problems. To check your internet connection, follow these steps:

1. Open your preferred internet browser on your computer.
2. Type “speedtest.net” in the address bar to access a popular web tool for checking your connection speed.
3. Press the “Go” button to start the speed test.
4. Wait for the results to be completed and note your ping, download, and upload speeds.

A low ping, consistent download and upload speeds are ideal for a lag-free gaming experience. If your connection is causing freezing issues, consider troubleshooting your networking devices or contacting your internet service provider for assistance.

Solution 6: Close Background Programs

Running multiple programs in the background while playing Valorant can consume system resources and potentially lead to freezing issues. Closing unnecessary programs can free up resources and improve game performance. Here’s how you can close background programs:

1. Right-click on the Start button on your taskbar.
2. Select “Task Manager” from the menu that appears.
3. In the Task Manager window, click on the “Processes” tab.
4. Right-click on any running program that is not essential and select “End Task.”

By closing unnecessary background programs, you can ensure that Valorant has access to the maximum resources it needs to run smoothly.

Solution 7: Update Graphics Card Driver

Outdated graphics card drivers can often cause freezing issues in Valorant. It’s important to keep your graphics card drivers up to date to ensure optimal performance. Here’s how you can update your graphics card driver:

1. Type “Device Manager” in the search bar on your desktop and click on the icon that appears in the results.
2. In the Device Manager window, click on the “Display adapters” option.
3. Right-click on the graphics card you are using to play the game and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose the option to search automatically for drivers online.
5. Windows will search for the latest graphics card drivers and install them on your computer.

Alternatively, you can use the software provided by your graphics card manufacturer, such as Nvidia GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software, to update your drivers. After updating the drivers, restart your computer and check if the freezing issues in Valorant are resolved.

Solution 8: Update Operating System

Running Valorant on an outdated version of Windows can also contribute to freezing problems. Keeping your operating system up to date with the latest updates can improve performance and fix compatibility issues. Here’s how you can update your operating system:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select “Settings.”
2. In the Settings menu, select “Windows Update” on the bottom left.
3. Click on “Check for updates” to search for available updates.
4. If updates are found, click on “Install” to download and install them.

Updating your operating system can address potential conflicts and improve the overall stability of Valorant.

Solution 9: Check Antivirus Software

Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with Valorant and cause freezing issues. Antivirus programs may scan game files in real-time, which can impact performance. Try disabling your antivirus software temporarily and check if the freezing issues persist. Here’s how you can disable antivirus software:

1. Open the Windows Start menu and click on “Settings.”
2. Select “Update & Security” and then click on “Windows Security.”
3. Click on “Virus & Threat Protection” and then select “Manage settings.”
4. Turn off the real-time protection option.

If you are using Avast antivirus, you can disable it by right-clicking on the Avast icon in the taskbar, selecting “Settings,” and then choosing the “disable” option for Avast Shields.

Solution 10: Clean Your PC and Prevent Overheating

Overheating can be a common cause of freezing issues in Valorant. Dust and debris can accumulate in your computer’s cooling system, leading to poor heat dissipation and higher operating temperatures. Regularly cleaning your PC can help prevent overheating and freezing problems. Here’s how you can clean your PC:

1. Turn off your computer and unplug it from the power source.
2. Open the case of your computer and use compressed air or a soft brush to remove dust from the cooling fans, heat sinks, and vents.
3. Be gentle when cleaning delicate components and avoid static electricity discharge.
4. Once the cleaning is complete, close the case and reconnect the power source.

By keeping your PC clean and well-maintained, you can ensure proper airflow and prevent overheating, reducing the chances of freezing issues in Valorant.

Solution 11: Verify Game Files

Corrupted game files can also cause freezing issues in Valorant. Verifying the integrity of game files can help identify and repair any corrupted files. Here’s how you can verify game files in the Riot client:

1. Open the Riot client and navigate to the Valorant game page.
2. Click on the gear icon in the top-right corner to access the settings.
3. Select “Troubleshoot” from the settings menu.
4. Click on the “Verify” button to start the verification process.

The Riot client will check the integrity of game files and automatically repair any corrupted files it finds. This process may take some time, so be patient.

Solution 12: Contact Riot Games Support

If none of the above solutions resolve your Valorant freezing issues, it’s recommended to reach out to Riot Games support for further assistance. They have dedicated support teams that can help troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to the game. Visit the official Riot Games support website to submit a ticket or search their knowledge base for relevant articles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Valorant freezing issues can be frustrating, but there are several solutions available to help you get back to a smooth gaming experience. From restarting Riot processes to updating drivers and disabling unnecessary programs, each solution addresses a potential cause of freezing problems. Remember to keep your hardware and software up to date, maintain a stable internet connection, and optimize your PC for gaming. By following these steps, you can minimize the occurrence of Valorant freezing and enjoy uninterrupted gameplay.

Now it’s time to jump back into the game and show off your skills without the annoyance of freezing issues. Happy gaming!

Additional Information:

• It’s always a good idea to check the official Valorant subreddit and forums for any known freezing issues or community-suggested solutions.
• Consider running a system diagnostic tool to check for any underlying hardware issues that may be contributing to freezing problems.
• Keep an eye out for software updates and patches released by Riot Games, as they often address performance and stability issues.
• If you’re playing on a laptop, make sure it is properly ventilated and not overheating during gameplay. Using a cooling pad can help dissipate heat and prevent freezing issues.
• Remember to back up your game settings and files before attempting any major troubleshooting steps to avoid any potential data loss.