Startup Error In Valorant [FIXED]

Fix startup error in Valorant by running Valorant as an administrator, terminating unnecessary processes and applications via Task Manager, enabling VGC service, updating device drivers for optimal performance and temporarily disabling Driver Signature Enforcement and virtualization.

Many players report encountering an error preventing them from launching Valorant immediately, accompanied by a Startup Error In Valorant. Despite the issue, you do not have to worry as this guide entails some of the best possible solutions to fix Valorant startup issues.

The Valorant Startup Error says, “Your Game Requires a system Restart to play. Please restart your computer. If this issue continues, reach out to our player support team.
Valorant Starup Error (Image by eXputer)
Key Takeaways
  • Many players report encountering an error preventing them from launching Valorant immediately, accompanied by an error message “Your game requires a system restart to play.”
  • The error message “Your game requires a system restart to play”can result from multiple factors, including issues with Riot Vanguard, outdated drivers, and corrupted/missing game files.
  • Riot Vanguard, Valorant’s anti-cheat system, is essential for gaming. Without it, the game won’t run; thus, ensuring it’s functional is crucial.

Here are some ways you can try to fix the Valorant startup error:

  1. Restarting your PC.
  2. Run Valorant as an administrator.
  3. Terminating unnecessary processes and applications.
  4. Check if the VGC service is enabled, and if it’s not, enable it in the service settings.
  5. Updating device drivers.
  6. Try disabling virtualization.

If the error continues to occur, seek additional assistance from Riot Games Support.

Restart Your Computer System

Before you attempt any other fix, we advise you to do as the error message instructs.  The good old “restart your computer system” fix has worked like a charm for several players. So it’s definitely worth a shot. However, if a simple restart doesn’t solve the game restart error, you can attempt any of the steps we’ve provided below to resolve the issue.

Run Valorant As An Administrator

Permission-related issues could be a potential cause of the error message. To resolve this, you can attempt to launch the game in administrator mode. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Firstly, type Valorant in the search box.
  2. After you find the game in the results, right-click on the Valorant icon.
  3. Select Open file location.
  4. Next, right-click on the Valorant icon.
  5. Then, select the Properties option.
  6.  Click on the Compatibility option.
  7. Ensure that you check the box next to “Run this program as an administrator.”
    Running Valorant as an administrator (Image by eXputer)

8. In the next step, click on Apply and then OK.

Terminate Unnecessary Background Processes

Having too many applications running simultaneously can cause difficulties in loading the game client properly, resulting in the Valorant “Your game requires a system restart to play” error message appearing on your screen. So what you’re supposed to do is terminate all the unnecessary applications and processes running in the background from Task Manager that might be clashing with the game.

Change The Startup Type Of VGC

You can locate the VGC anti-cheat tool in the “services” application. This tool is designed to identify and block any unauthorized software or modifications that could lead to cheating or hacking in online multiplayer games. Follow the steps below to enable this service and change its startup type to “automatic“:

  1. Look up “Services” in the Windows Start Menu. 
    Services App (Image by eXputer)
  2. Once you find it, select the application and run it as an administrator for optimal results.
  3. Scroll down to look for the VGC service from the list of services appearing on your screen.
    Accessing VGC Properties (Image by eXputer)
  4. Right-click the VGC service and select the properties option.
  5. Next, click on the bar beside Startup. A dropdown menu will appear. 
  6. Click on “Automatic” and select Start.
  7. Click on OK to finish the process. 
    Starting VGC service (Image by eXputer)

Now you may close the window. The VGC service, which had previously stopped working, is now operational again. To ensure the changes you made to the VGC service take effect, it is advisable to restart your system.

Disable Driver Signature Enforcement 

Windows 10 has a driver signature enforcement feature that mandates all drivers to be signed by Microsoft with a digital signature before installation. However, you can disable driver signature enforcement if it’s causing problems for your games. This method has been successful for many Valorant players:

  1. Launch Command Prompt.
  2. Enter the command bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on. 
    Entering command in cmd (Image by eXputer)
  3. In the final step, restart your computer system.

After the restart, launch Valorant to check if the error continues to occur. If you no longer see the error message “Your game requires a system restart to play” on your screen, it means the issue has been resolved, and you can enable the driver signature enforcement on your computer systems now by entering the following command:

bcdedit set nointegritychecks off

Update Device Drivers 

To improve your gaming experience and minimize performance and bug-related issues that are related to Windows, it is important to update your device drivers. Keeping up with new Windows 10 updates can enable you to tackle critical errors.

Disable Virtualization

If you are still finding it difficult to play Valorant, even after attempting all the possible solutions mentioned above, there is a chance that disabling virtualization could be the answer. Some players have reported that enabling virtualization can cause the game to malfunction and result in a startup error. Therefore, it might be worth considering turning it off to see if it helps resolve the issue. Below are the steps to disable virtualization:

  1. Launch Command Prompt and run it as administrator for optimal results.
  2. Enter the command bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off. 
    Entering command to disable virtualization (Image by eXputer)
  3. In the final step, restart your computer system.

After the restart, check if the error still persists. If the game is running smoothly, enable the virtualization again by entering the following command in the command prompt:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

Final Words

We have provided some practical solutions for addressing the Startup error in Valorant. Nevertheless, if these solutions prove to be ineffective, we strongly advise seeking additional assistance from Riot Games Support. Their expert guidance and support can prove invaluable in helping to overcome the Startup error in Valorant, ensuring that you can enjoy a seamless and uninterrupted gaming experience.

Check out more error fixes for Valorant on eXputer:

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Haider Khan


Haider Khan is our resident error guides writer who loves to tinker around with operating systems and game files to find practical solutions to video game issues. He then crafts easy-to-follow error fix guides based on his findings for his audience on eXputer. With years of experience writing for games, his knowledge about error fixes and research on errors is reflected in his guides. He’s also a Battlefield veteran who likes to rack up some Ws in his spare time. Experience: 3+ Years || Education: Bachelor's in Journalism || Successfully Troubleshot Over 200 Games || Mainly Covers Error Fix & Game Settings 

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