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The “Graphics driver crashed” message in VALORANT is a symptom, not proof that the graphics driver alone is at fault. Start by identifying your GPU, then update its driver and Windows, reset any custom GPU profile, and check game settings and cooling in that order. These steps narrow down common causes, but no single fix is guaranteed for every PC.
1. Identify your graphics card and update its driver
- Find the GPU model: Press Windows+R, enter
dxdiag, and open the Display tab. Note the graphics card name and manufacturer. - Get the matching driver: Use the support or driver channel for the GPU manufacturer—commonly NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel—and choose a package that matches your exact GPU and Windows version. Riot notes that graphics drivers can contain fixes and optimizations for games and hardware interactions (Riot’s VALORANT crash troubleshooting guide).
Do not install a driver just because its name looks similar to your GPU’s model. If the crash began immediately after a driver update, rolling back may be worth considering, but the appropriate package and procedure depend on your computer. A third-party troubleshooting article suggests rollback in that situation; confirm the steps with your GPU manufacturer rather than assuming a particular older version will fix the problem (Driver Easy’s troubleshooting article).
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2. Install available Windows and DirectX updates
Use Windows Update and Microsoft’s supported DirectX mechanisms to check for applicable updates. Riot says outdated DirectX or Windows can contribute to problems when VALORANT interacts with hardware. The DirectX version available to you depends on your version of Windows, so do not try to force-install a version that your system does not support (Riot’s crash guide).
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3. Reset custom graphics-card profiles
If you have changed global or VALORANT-specific settings in NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Catalyst Control Center, restore those settings to their defaults as a reversible test. A control-panel profile can override application settings; resetting it can help determine whether a custom override is involved. It does not establish that the profile caused the crash. Riot specifically recommends defaults when custom GPU settings may be interfering (Riot’s crash guide).
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4. Reduce graphics load and check cooling
If the error continues, lower VALORANT’s graphics settings and test again. Riot’s suggested starting points include low material, texture, detail, and UI quality, with VSync, bloom, distortion, and other visual effects turned off. Change a group of settings, then play long enough to see whether the crash recurs.
Also consider whether the computer becomes unusually hot or has blocked ventilation. Clear obstructions around vents; if dust is blocking ventilation, compressed air may help, provided you follow the computer manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. If the PC is getting hot during play, try capping the frame rate below its usual average. These steps reduce load or improve airflow; they do not prove heat caused the driver error (Riot’s crash guide).
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5. If it still crashes, give Riot Support useful details
If the steps above do not resolve the issue, submit a ticket through Riot Support’s crash troubleshooting page, which also links to log-gathering guidance. Include the exact message, what you were doing when it appeared, your GPU model, Windows version, graphics-driver version, and the troubleshooting steps you have already tried. That information helps support assess your specific system instead of treating the message as a diagnosis.
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