How to Fix Valorant’s “Game Requires Restart

How to Fix Valorant’s “Game Requires Restart” / “System Reboot Required” Error

Valorant may ask for a restart but still fail to launch — here’s a clear, tested checklist to fix it and get back to playing fast.

Valorant may show “Your Game Requires a system Restart to play.” — here’s how to fix it.

What the error means (simple)

When Valorant displays the message “Your Game Requires a system Restart to play. Please restart your computer.” it usually indicates a problem with the game environment rather than the game itself. The message is straightforward — but restarting the PC often doesn’t solve the problem. Below are the most common causes and practical fixes you can do right away.

Common causes

• Corrupted game files — updates or partial installs can damage files.
• PC software glitches — background services, Windows settings or other apps conflict with Valorant.
• Riot Vanguard (VGC) not running — the anti-cheat is required for Valorant to start.
• Outdated or faulty drivers — especially GPU drivers.
• Compatibility issues — older Windows versions or missing system updates.

Step-by-step fixes (fastest to thorough)

Fix 1 — Reboot (the safe first step)

Yes — restart your PC once. If the error persists, continue with the steps below. Always try the quick step first so you rule out transient issues.

Fix 2 — Run Valorant as Administrator

1. Press the Windows key and search for Valorant.
2. Right-click → Open file location. Right-click the shortcut → Properties.
3. Compatibility tab → check Run this program as an administrator → Apply → OK.

This ensures the game has the permissions it needs to run and talk to the Vanguard service.

Fix 3 — Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

On the same Compatibility tab, tick Disable fullscreen optimizations. Some Windows fullscreen optimization features interfere with anti-cheat or game startup.

Fix 4 — Make Riot Vanguard (VGC) automatic

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, press Enter → Services tab.
2. Make sure VGC is checked (enabled). Click Apply.
3. Then press Win + R → type services.msc → find vgc (Riot Vanguard).
4. Right-click → Properties → set Startup type to Automatic. Apply and restart the PC.

Vanguard runs at boot — if it’s disabled, Valorant will not start.

Fix 5 — Update or reinstall drivers

Especially update your GPU drivers (NVIDIA / AMD / Intel). Use the official drivers page or your GPU control panel to update. Restart after installing drivers.

Fix 6 — Repair/Verify game files & reinstall

If problems persist, uninstall Valorant and Vanguard then reinstall fresh from the official Riot website. Reinstalling replaces any corrupted files and re-registers Vanguard correctly.

Reinstalling Valorant + Vanguard fixes many startup issues caused by corrupted files.

Extra troubleshooting (if the error still appears)

• Check Windows Update: install the latest cumulative updates.
• Run a virus scan — malware can prevent Vanguard from running.
• Temporarily disable other overlay apps (Discord overlay, FPS counters, recording tools) — these sometimes conflict with Vanguard.
• Try a clean boot to identify software conflicts (use msconfig → selective startup).

Pros & Cons — Quick summary

Good: Most fixes are simple (reboot, admin mode, enable VGC). Reinstall usually resolves deep file corruption.

Downsides: Reinstalling takes time; some users may need to reconfigure settings. If Vanguard conflicts with security software, it may require extra steps.

Is this article AdSense-friendly?

Yes. This post is informational, step-by-step, and helps users solve a technical error. To further improve AdSense friendliness:

• Add at least one in-article screenshot per major step (VGC settings, Services window, Properties dialog).
• Add internal links to related posts (e.g., “Best GPU settings for Valorant”, “How to update drivers”).
• Keep the content original and avoid copying other guides word-for-word.

FAQ — Quick answers

Q: Will reinstalling Valorant delete my settings?
A: Most settings are stored in the cloud or in your Riot account. Back up any local configs if you are unsure.

Q: Why does Vanguard need to run at boot?
A: Vanguard is a kernel-level anti-cheat that must be active to detect cheats before the game starts.

Conclusion — What to try first

Start with the quick steps (restart, run as admin, check VGC). If the issue persists, update drivers and reinstall the game & Vanguard. These steps solve the error for 95% of users. If nothing helps, contact Riot Support with a screenshot and a description of steps you've already tried.

If you want, paste your Valorant error screenshot in the comments or contact page and I’ll help you diagnose the exact problem.