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Updating your graphics driver is a reasonable step for some VALORANT startup errors, but it is not a guaranteed fix. Riot includes it among several options for system or critical errors. First note the exact message: if it contains “VAN,” use Riot’s Vanguard error-code guidance rather than assuming the graphics driver is the cause.
Check the error before changing drivers
Write down the full error message or code shown when VALORANT fails to start. Riot directs players with errors containing “VAN” to its Vanguard error-code guidance. That is a separate troubleshooting path; a VAN code alone does not establish that the graphics driver is at fault.
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Update the driver for a general system or critical error
For a general system or critical launch error, Riot lists updating the graphics-card driver as one possible troubleshooting step in its VALORANT startup troubleshooting guidance. The same guidance also covers clearing local game data, clean booting, checking firewall exceptions, and reinstalling VALORANT and Vanguard if earlier steps do not resolve the issue. The driver is one branch of troubleshooting, not a diagnosis or guaranteed repair.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute1. Identify your graphics card
Find the GPU brand and exact model installed in your computer, along with your operating-system version. The driver must match the hardware and operating system. If you are unsure which GPU the game is using, check your computer or graphics-card manufacturer’s documentation rather than choosing a driver by guesswork.
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2. Get the matching driver from an official source
Use the official support or driver channel for the GPU manufacturer, or the computer manufacturer’s support channel if it supplies drivers for your device. Confirm that the listing matches your GPU and operating system, then follow the vendor’s current installation instructions. Avoid relying on an unverified third-party driver utility: the guidance available here does not establish a particular utility as necessary or recommend one.
3. Restart and test VALORANT
After the driver installation finishes, restart the computer and try launching VALORANT again. If the same error remains, use Riot’s troubleshooting route for that specific message and contact Riot Support with the exact error rather than repeatedly reinstalling graphics drivers.
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What the old patch 10.05 notice does—and does not—mean
Riot’s historical notice about launch problems after patch 10.05 advised restarting the PC first and suggested a clean graphics-driver reinstall if that did not help while Riot worked on a fix. That recommendation applied to the patch 10.05 issue at the time; it is not evidence that the same issue is active now or that every current launch failure calls for a clean reinstall. See Riot’s patch 10.05 launch-problem notice for that historical context.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. System Requirements: Minimum 850W PSU with 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) connector required. Verify before purchasing.
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability. Compatibility: 348mm (13.7") length, 3.6 slots, 4.3 lbs. Confirm case clearance and slot spacing. GPU bracket included.
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