FacebookTwitterLinkedIn

How to Fix Valorant Error Code VAL 5

How to Fix Valorant Error Code VAL 5

Many users report getting Error Code VAL 5 in Valorant while in-game or in a matchmaking queue. VAL 5 is a connection error that can occur when Valorant’s servers are down for maintenance or overloaded due to a player surge, among other reasons. If this error occurs due to an issue on the client side, follow the instructions in this article to fix it.

Valorant Error Code VAL 5

The game has lost connection. Please relaunch the client to restore connectivity. Error Code: VAL 5

What Causes Error Code VAL 5?

Valorant Error Code VAL 5 indicates a connectivity issue that can be caused by problems on the server side or client side. We have listed all of the known reasons below.

  • Unstable Internet Connection. If you get error code VAL 5, but Valorant’s servers are online and working correctly, then there’s an issue with your Internet connection, and it’s likely unstable.
  • Valorant servers are overloaded. Valorant servers may become overloaded during peak hours and cause the VAL 5 error.
  • Valorant servers are down for maintenance. Valorant servers may be offline due to an update or patch. To find out if Error Code VAL 5 occurs to an issue on the server side, go to Riot Games Service Status website and check if the service is experiencing problems. If Valorant’s servers are operational, then it’s likely that the connection issue originates from the client side.
  • Interference from third-party software. Other software on your system may interfere with Valorant and cause it to lose connection to its servers. Try closing unnecessary software or Clean Boot Windows to see if the issue is caused by third-party software.
  • Valorant’s VGC service is disabled. The Vanguard service (VGC) ensures that the anti-cheat protection is running before launching the game. You will get the VAL 5 error if the service isn’t running.

Before trying any of our fixes, restart your PC, power-cycle your Internet router, and update your Windows operating system to the latest version.

Video Instructions on How to Fix Valorant Error Code VAL 5

Table of Contents:

Check Valorant Server Status

1. Open your web browser and go to the Riot Games Service Status website.

Select Valorant

2. Select Valorant.

Select your preferred region

3. Choose your region.

4. See if there are any issues with Valorant’s services.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Method 1. Run Valorant as an Administrator

Right-click the Valorant shortcut and click Properties

1. Right-click the Valorant desktop shortcut and select Properties.

Select the Compatibility tab and mark Run this program as an administrator and click Apply and click OK

2. Select the Compatibility tab.

3. Mark the Run this program as an administrator checkbox.

4. Click Apply and click OK.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Method 2. Repair the Valorant Installation

Corrupted Valorant installation files will cause connectivity issues. Repairing the game installation should fix Error Code VAL 5.

Click your profile icon and click Settings

1. Open Valorant. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.

Click Repair

2. In the Valorant section, click Repair. Valorant will verify the integrity of game files and redownload missing or corrupted files.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Method 3. Reset TCP/IP Settings and Flush DNS Cache

In most cases, resetting your network settings and clearing your DNS cache solves all connectivity issues in Valorant.

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in CMD in Run and hold down Ctrl+SHift+Enter keys to open the Command Prompt as an administrator

2. In the Run dialog box, type in CMD and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt.

3. In the Command Prompt window, type in the commands below and press the Enter key after typing in each one.

Run netsh winsock reset and netsh int ip reset commands

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset

Run ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew commands

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

Run ipconfig /flushdns command

ipconfig /flushdns

4. Close the Command Prompt and restart your PC.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Method 4. Reinstall Riot Vanguard

Right-click the Windows Start menu button and select Apps and Features

1. Right-click Start and click Apps and Features.

Click the three dots next to Riot Vanguard and click Uninstall

2. Scroll through the app list and locate Riot Vanguard.

3. Click the three dots next to Riot Vanguard and click Uninstall

Click Uninstall again to confirm the removal

4. Click Uninstall again.

Click Yes

5. Click Yes to continue.

6. Launch Valorant and Riot Vanguard will be reinstalled automatically.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Method 5. Change the VGC Startup Type to Automatic

The VGC Service is part of the anti-cheat system for Valorant and other Riot games. Error VAL 5 will occur if the VGC service fails to start. The guide below will show you how to set the service to start automatically.

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in services.msc in Run and click OK

2. In the Run dialog box, type in services.msc and click OK.

Right-click VGC and click Properties

3. In the Services window, right-click the VGC service and select Properties.

Open the Startup type drop-down menu and select Automatic

4. Open the Startup type drop-down menu and select Automatic.

Click Start and click Apply and click OK

5. In the Services status section, click Start.

6. Click Apply and click OK.

7. Restart your PC and launch Valorant.

8. However, if you get a “Windows could not start the vgc service on Local Computer. Error 1: Incorrect function”, message when starting the service, perform the following steps.

Right-click the Windows Start menu button and click Apps and Features

9. Right-click Start and select Apps and Features.

Click the three dots next to Riot Vanguard and click Uninstall

10. Scroll through the app list and find Riot Vanguard.

11. Click the three dots next to Riot Vanguard and click Uninstall.

Click Uninstall to confirm the removal

12. Click Uninstall again.

Click Yes

13. Click Yes to continue.

14. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in CMD in Run and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the Command Prompt as an administrator

15. In the Run dialog box, type in CMD and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt.

Run bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF and bcdedit -set NOINTEGRITYCHECKS OFF commands

16. In the Command Prompt window, type in bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF and press Enter.

17. Then, type in bcdedit -set NOINTEGRITYCHECKS OFF and press Enter. If you get “The value is protected by Secure Boot policy and cannot be modified or deleted” message, disable Secure Boot in your system’s BIOS.

18. Run the Valorant launcher to install Riot Vanguard.

19. Restart your PC.

20. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in services.msc in Run and click OK

21. In the Run dialog box, type in services.msc and click OK.

Right-click VGC and click Properties

22. In the Services window, right-click VGC and select Properties.

Open the Startup type drop-down menu and select Automatic

23. Open the Startup type drop-down menu and select Automatic.

Click Start and click Apply and click OK

24. In the Services status section, click Start.

25. Click Apply and click OK.

Did this article help you fix Error Code VAL 5 in Valorant? Let us know by commenting below.

[Back to Top]

▼ Show Discussion

About the author:

Rimvydas Iliavicius

Rimvydas is a researcher with over four years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. He attended Kaunas University of Technology and graduated with a Master's degree in Translation and Localization of Technical texts. His interests in computers and technology led him to become a versatile author in the IT industry. At PCrisk, he's responsible for writing in-depth how-to articles for Microsoft Windows. Contact Rimvydas Iliavicius.

Our guides are free. However, if you want to support us you can send us a donation.

About PCrisk

PCrisk is a cyber security portal, informing Internet users about the latest digital threats. Our content is provided by security experts and professional malware researchers. Read more about us.

Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.