5 Ways to Fix the “Valorant Failed to Launch” Error on a Windows PC

Many Valorant players have reported a “failed to launch” error message that appears when they try to start that game on Windows PCs. The error message reads: “VALORANT failed to launch. Something unusual happened while trying to launch VALORANT.” This message appears for some players when they click Play. The game doesn’t start as a result. Fortunately, players have found ways to fix this game startup issue. This is how you can resolve the “Valorant failed to launch” error message on Windows PCs.

Looking for more Valorant guides from KeenGamer?

• 4 Ways to Fix the Valorant VAN9001 Error on a Windows PC
• 5 Ways to Fix the Valorant VAN 152 Error on a Windows PC
• 5 Ways to Fix the Valorant Timeout Error on a Windows PC
• 6 Ways to Fix the Valorant VAL 51 Error on a Windows 11/10 PC
• 6 Ways to Fix the Valorant Black Screen Error on Windows PCs

Delete the Riot Vanguard Folder

First, try erasing the Riot Vanguard folder. This will reinstall the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat software for the game when you try starting Valorant again. You can delete the Riot Vanguard folder as follows.

1. Right-click the icon on the taskbar for the Start menu to select Search.
2. Input cmd into the file search box and right-click the Command Prompt result to select Run this program as an administrator.
3. Enter sc delete vgc and hit Return.
4. Input the sc delete vgk command and press the Enter button.
   
   

   The sc delete vgk command

5. Click the X on the Command Prompt window.
6. Restart Windows after executing the commands.
7. Press the Windows logo + E keyboard key combination and navigate to the C:\Program Files folder.
8. Right-click on the Riot Vanguard folder to select a Delete context menu option for erasing it.
   
   

   The Delete context menu option

Edit the DevOverrideEnable DWORD

Editing the DevOverrideEnable DWORD in the registry is one of the most widely confirmed ways to fix the “Valorant failed to launch” error. To do this, you’ll need to edit that DWORD with the Registry Editor as follows.

1. Bring up the file finder tool and input Registry Editor into the search box to locate that app.
2. Double-click Registry Editor to open its window.
3. Next, you’ll need to go to this registry location: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options. Input that path into the Registry Editor’s address bar and press Enter.
4. Double-click on the DevOverrideEnable DWORD in the Image File Execution Options key.
5. Change the number in the Value data box to 0 if set to 1, and click OK.
   
   

   The Edit DWORD window

6. Exit the Registry Editor window and select the Start menu’s Restart option.

Edit the RiotClientPrivateSettings.yaml File

1. To access Run, press that app’s Windows logo + R hotkey.
2. Next, input %localappdata% into Run and press your keyboard’s Enter key.
3. Open the Riot Games subfolder within the Local directory.
4. Click Riot Client > Data within the Riot Games subfolder.
5. Right-click the RiotClientPrivateSettings.yaml file and select Rename.
6. Change the file’s name to RiotClientPrivateSettings.yaml.1 and press Enter.
   
   

   The RiotClientPrivateSettings.yaml file

7. Click Yes to confirm the file name change.
8. Exit Explorer and restart your laptop or desktop.

Uninstall Gigabyte App Center

Some players have said on Reddit they’ve fixed the “Valorant failed to launch” error by uninstalling the Gigabyte App Center. That’s an app for Gigabyte motherboards. So, try uninstalling that software and other Gigabyte-related apps if any are installed on your PC. You can remove Gigabytes apps via Settings as instructed on this Microsoft help page for uninstalling software.

The Uninstall app option

Disable Third-Party Startup Services

Another player-confirmed method for fixing the “Valorant failed to launch” error is to disable all third-party startup services, except vgc for the Vanguard anti-cheat software. This resolution amounts to half a clean boot, but it’s not necessary to disable startup software via Task Manager. Disable third-party startup services with MSConfig like this.

1. Hold the Windows logo keyboard key and press R.
2. Type the msconfig command for opening System Configuration into Run and click OK.
3. Select Services within the System Configuration tab bar.
4. Click Hide All Microsoft services to exclude more important items.
5. Select Disable all to uncheck all the remaining checkboxes.
   
   

   The Services tab

6. Click on the vgc checkbox to select it.
7. Select Apply > OK to set the new MSConfig service settings.
8. Click Restart on the confirmation dialog that appears after exiting MSConfig.
   
   

   The Restart option

9. Try starting the game after the reboot to see if the “Valorant failed to launch” error persists.

The resolutions in this guide will usually resolve the “Valorant failed to launch” error for most players. They’re not necessarily guaranteed fixes, but they’re worth trying before submitting a support ticket to Valorant’s help service. You can contact Riot Games support about this issue by clicking Submit a Ticket on this help page.