6 Ways to Fix the Valorant VAL 5 Error on a Windows 11/10 PC

The VAL 5 error is another of those Valorant connection errors many players encounter on Windows PCs. The message for this error says, “The game has lost connection… Error Code: Val 5.” Some players report this error occurs when they try to requeue Valorant matches, but it happens all the time for others. One player posted on Reddit saying this, “I have been continuously getting this VAL 5 error for the past two days when trying to re-queue in a game.” Here are some ways you can fix the Valorant VAL 5 error on a Windows PC.

Looking for more Valorant guides from KeenGamer?

• 5 Ways to Fix the Valorant VAN 152 Error on a Windows PC
• 5 Ways to Fix the Valorant Val 43 Error on a Windows PC
• 8 Ways to Fix Valorant Not Launching on a Windows PC
• 5 Ways to Fix the Valorant Timeout Error on a Windows PC
• 4 Ways to Fix the Valorant VAN9001 Error on a Windows PC

Check the Server Status for Valorant

Check Valorant’s server status before you do anything else. Sometimes general server outages for Valorat can cause the VAL 5 error. This Valorant service status page tells you about recent issues or events. Select your continental region on the drop-down menu on that page to view server status info. If that page reports an issue, wait a few days before starting Valorant again.

The Valorant service status page

Restart Your PC and Router

Restarting your PC and internet router could feasibly work for some players since the VAL 5 error is a connection issue. Turn off your laptop and unplug your internet router’s power cable for a minute or so. Plug the router’s power cable back in and wait about five minutes for all its connection lights to go on. You can then restart your PC to see if the issue persists.

Run Valorant With Admin Rights

Some Valorant players confirm running the game with administrative rights fixed the VAL 5 error on their PCs. This is how you can set Valorant to always run as an administrator.

1. Right-click the Valorant shortcut on your desktop to start the game and select Properties. If you don’t have such a shortcut, go into the game’s installation folder and right-click the Valorant EXE file.
2. Select Compatibility within the window’s tab bar.
3. Click Run this program as an administrator to set Valorant to always start with elevated rights.
   
   

   The Compatibility tab

4. Select Apply to set the settings and OK to exit the window.

Execute Reset Winsock and Flush DNS Commands

A widely confirmed way to fix the VAL 5 error is to reset the Winsock and flush the DNS cache. This can resolve network issues causing the Valorant connectivity error to occur. You can apply this possible fix by executing some network commands via the Command Prompt like this.

1. Activate the file finder tool in Windows by pressing the taskbar button with the magnifying glass icon or clicking on the search box.
2. Enter the search term cmd, right-click Command Prompt in the search results, and select the Run as administrator.
3. First, type in netsch winsock reset and hit Enter to execute.
   
   

   The winsock reset command

4. Next, input the ipconfig /flushdns command and press the Return key.
   
   

   The ipconfig /flushdns command

5. Enter and execute the ipconfig/release command.
6. Finally, type an ipconfig/renew command into the Prompt and press Enter.
7. Close the Command Prompt and reboot your Windows 11 or 10 PC.

Start VGC

The VGC service needs to be running for the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat program. Valorant connection issues frequently arise when that service is not enabled and running. This is how you can start VGC on Windows 11/10.

1. Bring up the Windows search box and enter services.msc keyword there.
2. Select the matching Services result to access that app.
3. Double-click VGC access options for that service.
4. Select the Automatic setting on the Startup type menu.
5. Next, press Start within the VGC Properties window if the service is stopped.
6. Select Apply to set the new VGC service configuration.
7. Click on OK to exit the properties window for VGC.

Reinstall the Riot Vanguard Software

Reinstalling Riot Vanguard might fix glitches with that anti-cheat program causing the VAL 5 error to occur on your PC. You can remove that software with a standard Control Panel uninstallation method covered on this Microsoft help page for removing apps. That program will automatically reinstall when you run Valorant.

The Programs and Features Control Panel applet

Disable Background Startup Items

Disabling third-party apps and services that start with Windows will reduce the number of unnecessary background software processes. This is called clean booting, which might eliminate potential software conflicts causing the Valorant VAL 5 error on your PC. To apply this possible solution, go through the steps on this Microsoft guide page about clean booting.

The Services tab in MSConfig

Those troubleshooting methods for fixing the Valorant VAL 5 error have worked for many players who’ve needed to resolve that issue. So, maybe one will work for you as well. If not, you can always contact Valorant’s support team for further potential fixes by clicking Submit a ticket on this Riot Games webpage.