A Critical Error Has Occurred in Valorant: How to Fix It and Get Back to the Game
Valorant, Riot Games’ popular tactical shooter, has captured the hearts of millions of players worldwide with its intense gameplay and strategic depth. However, like any other online multiplayer game, Valorant is not immune to errors and bugs. One of the most frustrating issues players encounter is the “A critical error has occurred” message, which can abruptly halt your gaming session. In this article, we’ll delve into the possible causes of this error and provide practical solutions to help you resolve it quickly and get back to dominating in the game.
Understanding the Error
The “A critical error has occurred” message in Valorant typically indicates a severe issue that prevents the game from running properly. This error can manifest in various ways, such as the game crashing, freezing, or failing to launch altogether. While the exact cause can vary, common culprits include outdated graphics drivers, corrupted game files, or compatibility issues with your system.
Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Check for Game Updates

Why it matters: Riot Games frequently releases updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and enhance gameplay. An outdated version of Valorant may be the root of the critical error.
How to do it: Launch the Riot Client (formerly known as the League of Legends client), go to the Valorant section, and check if there are any available updates. Install the latest patch and restart the game.

2. Restart Your Game and Computer

Why it matters: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches or conflicts that cause the error.
How to do it: Close Valorant completely, restart your computer, and then relaunch the game. This ensures that all processes are refreshed and any background issues are cleared.

3. Verify Game Files

Why it matters: Corrupted or missing game files can lead to critical errors. Verifying the integrity of your game files can identify and repair any issues.
How to do it:
Open the Riot Client.
Navigate to the Valorant section.
Click on the gear icon next to the “Play” button and select “Verify Files.”
Wait for the process to complete and relaunch the game.

4. Adjust Graphics Settings

Why it matters: High or incorrect graphics settings can cause the game to malfunction, especially if your hardware struggles to handle them.
How to do it:
Launch Valorant and go to the settings menu.
Lower the graphics quality or disable features like anti-aliasing, shadows, or motion blur.
Test the game at lower settings to see if the error persists.

5. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Why it matters: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can lead to critical errors and performance issues.
How to do it:
Visit the official website of your GPU manufacturer (e.g., NVIDIA or AMD).
Download and install the latest drivers for your graphics card.
Restart your computer and launch Valorant again.

6. Check for System Updates

Why it matters: Operating system updates often include fixes for compatibility issues and performance improvements.
How to do it:
On Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for any available updates.
Install the updates and restart your computer.

Case Study: A Player’s Experience
One Valorant player reported encountering the critical error after installing a new GPU. After following the steps above—updating her graphics drivers and verifying game files—the issue was resolved, and she was able to play without any problems.
Conclusion
Encountering a critical error in Valorant can be frustrating, but with the right approach, you can identify and fix the issue quickly. By keeping your game and drivers updated, verifying game files, and adjusting settings, you can minimize the chances of encountering this error and enjoy a smoother gaming experience. If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to reach out to Riot Games’ support team for further assistance. Happy gaming!