Few things kill the Valorant vibe faster than staring at a frozen loading screen. Whether it’s the game logo hanging mid-launch or infinite spinning before a match, this issue is a universal frustration. But don’t rage quit just yet! This guide breaks down why Valorant Stuck on Loading Screen and offers actionable, step-by-step fixes to resolve it quickly. Let’s dive in!
Why Valorant Gets Stuck on the Loading Screen: Causes & Identification
Valorant’s loading screen acts as a bridge between your PC and the game servers. When it freezes, it’s usually due to one of these issues:
| Cause | Root Issue | Signs to Identify the Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Screen Optimization Conflicts | Windows overrides Valorant’s display settings, causing crashes. | The game launches but freezes instantly on a black/loading screen. |
| Corrupted Game Files | Critical files (e.g., Manifest_DebugFiles) are damaged or missing. | Frequent crashes during map loads, agent selection, or abrupt game closures. |
| Vanguard Service Errors | Valorant’s anti-cheat (VGC) fails to initialize or crashes silently. | VAN-9003 error messages or the game closing without warnings. |
| Antivirus Blocking | Security software flags Valorant as a threat and blocks its processes. | Freezes occur after updating antivirus software or installing new security tools. |
| HDD Speed Limitations | Slow hard drives struggle to load game assets quickly. | Loading screens take 1-2+ minutes before freezing; longer wait times on HDDs vs. SSDs. |
| Outdated Drivers | GPU/network drivers conflict with Valorant’s updates or Windows patches. | Freezes begin after a recent Windows/driver update; GPU usage spikes in Task Manager. |
Valorant Stuck on Loading Screen Step-by-Step Fixes
1. Disable Full-Screen Optimizations
- Navigate to Valorant’s installation folder: Right-click the Valorant shortcut > Open File Location > Go to
Riot Games > VALORANT > live > ShooterGame > Binaries > Win64. - Right-click
VALORANT-Win64-Shipping.exeProperties > Compatibility tab. - Check Disable Full-Screen Optimizations > Apply.
Launch Valorant. If it loads within 30 seconds, the fix worked. If it freezes again, uncheck the box and try Run as Administrator instead.
2. Delete Corrupted Manifest Files
- Go to
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live. - Delete both manifest files (they’ll regenerate automatically).
Relaunch Valorant. If the game starts normally, the corruption is resolved.
3. Restart the Vanguard Service
VGC (Valorant’s anti-cheat) must run for the game to launch.
- Press `
Win + R`, type `services.msc`, and hit Enter. - Scroll to VGC, double-click it, and set Startup type to Automatic.
- Click Start if the service is stopped > Apply > OK.
Relaunch Valorant to trigger a fresh Vanguard install. Restart your PC afterward.
4. Rename Corrupted Game Folders
Forces Valorant to rebuild fresh configuration files.
- Close Valorant and Riot Client via Task Manager.
- Press `
Win + R`, type `%localappdata%`, and navigate to the Local folder. - Rename the Riot Games folder to RiotGames_Old and VALORANT to VALORANT_Old.
- Restart your PC and relaunch the game.
5. Disable Conflicting Background Services
Third-party apps can interfere with Valorant’s processes.
- Press `
Win + R`, type `msconfig`, and go to the Services tab. - Check Hide all Microsoft services > Click Disable all > Apply > OK.
- Restart your PC and test Valorant.
Test Result: If the game launches, a background service (e.g., Discord overlay) is the culprit.
4. Clean Install GPU Drivers via Safe Mode
Residual driver files can cause crashes.
- Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).
- Restart Safe Mode with Networking (via `
msconfig>Boot`). - Run DDU as admin, select your GPU brand, and click Clean and Restart.
- Install fresh drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s official site.
Test Result: Launch Valorant. Smooth loading = driver conflict resolved.
6. Switch to Windowed Mode
Bypasses full-screen optimization bugs.
- Launch Valorant and press Alt + Enter during the loading screen.
- If unsuccessful, press F11 (or Fn + F11 on laptops).
Test Result: Does the game load in windowed mode? Full-screen settings were the issue.
7. Add Valorant to Antivirus Exceptions
Stops your security software from blocking the game.
- Open your antivirus settings (e.g., Norton, Windows Defender).
- Add these files to Exclusions:
VALORANT-Win64-Shipping.exe(located in Win64 folder).RiotClientServices.exe(in Riot Games directory).
Temporarily disable your antivirus. If Valorant loads, re-enable it and confirm the exception works.
Advanced Fixes for Persistent Issues
8. Reinstall Riot Vanguard
- Uninstall Vanguard via Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
- Relaunch Valorant to trigger a fresh install.
9. Move Valorant to an SSD
- Uninstall Valorant via Settings > Apps.
- Reinstall it on your SSD using the Riot Client.
Time how long the loading screen takes. If it’s under 20 seconds, the SSD fixed the bottleneck.
10. Verify Game Files via Riot Client
- Open the Riot Client > Click Valorant’s Settings (gear icon).
- Select Repair > Wait for the process to finish.
11. Reset Network Settings
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
Prevent Future Freezes: Pro Tips
- Keep Windows and drivers updated—set updates to automatic.
- Clean your PC regularly to avoid overheating (dust blocks airflow!).
- Use a wired Ethernet connection for stable gameplay.
- Monitor your game: Use Task Manager to track CPU/GPU usage during loading screens. Spikes above 90% mean hardware upgrades may help.
- Check Riot’s Server Status: Visit Valorant Status to rule out server-side issues.
Valorant Stuck on Loading Screen – FAQ
Q1. How do I fix Valorant stuck on the loading screen?
You can try these fixes:
Q2: Why is my Valorant screen frozen?
Valorant may freeze due to:
Q3: Why isn’t Valorant working on Windows 11?
Valorant may not work on Windows 11 because:
Q4: How do I force repair Valorant?
To repair Valorant:
Final Word
Valorant’s loading screen freeze isn’t a dead end—it’s a solvable puzzle. Start with Vanguard and folder renaming, then escalate to driver fixes or SSD upgrades. Still stuck? Reach out to Riot Support (https://support-valorant.riotgames.com) for tailored help.
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