5 Proven Ways to Fix Lag in Valorant – A Comprehensive Guide
Are you tired of experiencing lag while playing Valorant?
We will explore the common causes of lag in Valorant, such as high ping, low FPS, network congestion, and hardware issues.
Learn practical tips on how to fix lag in Valorant, including checking your internet connection, updating your graphics drivers, and optimizing your in-game settings.
Discover how to prevent lag in Valorant by using a high-speed internet connection, keeping your graphics drivers up to date, and optimizing your in-game settings. For effective ping reduction in Valorant, follow these steps.
Enhance your gaming experience by diving in now!
Contents
Key Takeaways:
What Causes Lag in Valorant?
Lag refers to the failure of an online game like Valorant to keep in sync with the server. This desynchronization is usually a two-step process. First, the person running Valorant–the client–stops talking to the Valorant servers. This can be because of network disconnections (a dropped packet or a stopped link) or host disconnections (loss of contact with the server). These can or cannot be the player’s or Riot Game’s fault, and do or do not lead to desynchronization (what we call lag); second, If the client is not running properly, which can cause a mismatch between the server’s view of things and how the game is represented, which then results in an interruption for the player, and this issue is what we call lag.
While unstable game servers might not be in the client’s control, one may still experience lag in the game due to other issues such as playing on overly demanding settings, having hardware issues, playing at the wrong datacenter, or having network issues. The following are the general culprits of problems that can lead to lag in Valorant:
High Ping
High ping gets caused by the same things as packet loss problems including but not limited to server malfunctions, internet resource allocation issues, and congestion in your local network. High ping in and of itself usually causes little to no Valorant lag, but it might make gameplay frustrating when you see that your in-game ping metric is high.
To fix Valorant lag caused by high ping, try the following according to Nelson Brown from Proxyway (a tech website focusing on proxies).:
- Variety of devices: Use a computer or phone with a wired connection to your modem and check that your ping is normal; switch to a different device. If it is still high, the problem is local. If it is lower, the issue is with your original device’s wireless network card.
- Check your data usage: Use a service like Ookla’s Speedtest to determine if others on your network are consuming a lot of bandwidth. Try disconnecting their devices from the network and repeating the test. If this remedies the issue, make sure to discuss data usage with the other people in the home before you game again.
- Restart your Modem: Power off and unplug your modem for 30 seconds and then plug it back in and let it boot up again. Brown says this can be an easy solution for high ping.
Low FPS
Low frames per second (FPS) is usually caused by PCs lower than minimum requirements – see section `
Get a faster PC
`. The minimum and recommended PC requirements for Valorant and recommended FPS settings can be found on the `Valorant support website`. Riot’s recommended settings for 30 FPS are dual-core processors and integrated graphics. Budget or older setups fitting the category include the `Intel Core i3-370M and the `Lenovo ThinkPad X201`, both released in 2010. The minimum requirements for 60 FPS gaming are processors with 4 cores and dedicated GPUs. These were released around the same time as dual-core integrated setups. Valorant was designed to incorporate as many setups as possible, so meeting these requirements provides for a relatively optimized game experience.
There are many software and hardware factors that can be optimized to increase FPS. Some of the ValueProcessor points include upgrading hardware, running a game booster, reducing dead background processes, increasing CPU usage in high-performance mode, updating graphics drivers, lowering game settings, performing regular maintenance, eliminating hardware bottlenecks, upgrading graphics cards or CPUs, running hardware tests, checking operating temperatures, reinstalling Windows, removing software conflicts, and allocating more virtual memory. Low FPS will persist if the path to increased capacity lies in expensive hardware upgrades, which classic optimization methods can temporarily relieve.
Network Congestion
Network congestion in online computer networks is the status during which data packets arrive at a node or link in the network either faster or in greater numbers than the node or link can handle in a given timeframe. This results in a busy signal, such as lost or temporarily delayed data, rather than simply providing users with the data they seek.
Network congestion can be due to slow local networks, overloaded internet service providers, or server location restrictions among other causes.
Hardware Issues
Your hardware might need an upgrade or an update if your system lags in Valorant. Hardware issues are often the trickiest to address. Bear in mind, a simple restart of a wireless router or modem and plugging it back in might solve the issue. If not, check the following list:
- Check Firewalls
- Overheating and Lack of Ventilation
- Bandwidth Issues
- PSU, motherboard, CPU
A power supply unit (PSU) may sometimes fail in such a way that it can corrupt game data. A similarly rare issue with the motherboard is when it may fail so hard that it causes reboots. The central processing unit (CPU) can overheat and/or die without proper cooling or goes unstable and delivers bad data to the computer’s subsystems.
How to Fix Lag in Valorant?
To fix lag in Valorant, Riot recommends closing background applications that have high bandwidth consumption. If this does not work, use Valorant’s Benchmark feature in the practice range with the settings the player uses. Repeat the test with different settings and speeds until a setting that is not choppy (Remember that the display lag that comes from low frame rates is natural if you have not enabled V-sync.) is found. AsiaValorantBucketList provides suggestions from various gamers around the world on server selection to find which one works the best. For example, Juvai from Pakistan says SEA has been the most stable for me in terms of ping. Lastly, consider your ISP’s physical infrastructure to ensure there is not an issue with its physical infrastructure to find a more stable provider.
Check Your Internet Connection
Even assuming Valorant’s servers are in the right state of health, – meaning only they can solve lag spikes in their game – it won’t matter if your home network or internet connection is the issue. Being able to differentiate the two is very important. Assuming it’s the connection from your ISP, here are a few simple first steps you can take immediately to fix it. The most critical piece of this equation is the ISP’s link to the internet and the quality of that connection. Establishing a wired connection between your home router and your personal computer can determine if the lag is caused by WiFi network interference.
Lower Your Graphics Settings
Performance in Valorant can be enhanced by lowering your Graphics Quality and Display Quality settings. If you have an older computer, it’s difficult to determine the extent to which your computer is able to discern the graphics load. The only true way to find out is by running it and finding performance baselines. Display Quality (Quality Preset) should be set to Low or Medium. This will automatically set object quality and character texture quality to Medium when set on low, with settings equivalent to flickering low refresh rate on Medium and Low. This will keep a low polygon count but with shadows.
Update Your Graphics Drivers
Updating your graphics drivers is a free and easy way to fix your lag issue in Valorant. Your graphics card is what does most of the calculations that turn code into individual frames of a video game. If the program that tells your computer how to use that card is outdated or corrupted, it may not be able to keep up with that data and cause framerate stutters and other forms of lag in Valorant. Depending on your operating system, the process of updating your graphics drivers may be different. Links for Windows, Linux, and macOS installation guides are available from actors such as NVIDIA and AMD, and guidance can be found for integrated cards such as Intel UHD Graphics.
Close Unnecessary Programs
Data files on your device can be reading and writing which can slow down the latency and lead to fixed connection issues. You can close unnecessary programs in Windows via the Task Manager. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc on the keyboard to see a list of running apps letting users stop unnecessary services. On the Mac, pressing Command+Space to call for Spotlight Search and entering Activity Monitor can help you see and choose to shut down unnecessary apps using the X at the top left of an open window.
Use a Wired Connection
Instead of having Valorant lag spikes, try using a wired connection. Wi-Fi signals extend over a wide area, and the further you travel from the modem, the weaker the signal will become, affecting download and upload speeds. When multiple devices are connected simultaneously, the consumption of data transmission capacity will increase, resulting in ping rate fluctuations. In addition, data packets can be lost when multiple devices connect to a Wi-Fi connection.
Optimize In-Game Settings
Ways to fix lag include lowering your in-game settings to optimize performance and improve your connection to the server No matter what type of machine you use or how strong your internet connection is, you should always start with your in-game settings if you’re experiencing lags. There may be some settings that, if changed, can remarkably increase your system’s performance. Also, lower settings with less GPU processing can allow your system to focus on other priority functions beyond gameplay.
Use a Gaming VPN
A gaming Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows a user to hide their IP address, ensuring privacy and security while gaming online. While VPNs can sometimes have the negative result of introducing latency and lag in online multiplayer games such as Valorant, it is not a given and depends on certain factors specific to the user, such as their location relative to the location of the VPN server and the quality of the user’s internet connection.
For users who play Valorant in regions where high redundancy is necessary to combat against packet loss, a VPN might help to keep one presence of mind without secured windows, be secured with having double encrypted services for any virtual activity. If you think your current connection is the primary source of lag, a more high-quality VPN might result in a fast enough connection nevertheless.
Make use of a VPN with a free trial so you can test the service yourself without any commitment. We recommend VPNs such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark VPN, and CyberGhost VPN. Whereas they typically come with a 30-day money-back guarantee as well. As demonstrated in the Google Trends worldwide Feather search graphic below, searches for solving Valorant lag issues have been linked with high interest in the search term gaming VPN.
Upgrade Your Hardware
Upgrading your system’s hardware is probably the most expensive method to reduce lag. However, it is a good one for addressing the long term problem if none of the simpler methods previously listed work.
One of the easiest components to upgrade is your storage unit. An older model HDD will always contribute to lag. Opting for a solid-state drive (SSD) or, even better, an M.2 NVME SSD, will ensure lag-free operation caused by data transmission again.
If upgrading your PC’s storage is cost-prohibitive or only fixes lag temporarily, there might be a more significant problem with your current setup. In this case, upgrading your RAM, CPU, or GPU can solve the problem. Be sure to check the required system properties for Valorant, plus any operating software you may be running simultaneously while gaming, to make sure what you are upgrading is what is causing the lag.
For those experiencing choppy screens during gameplay, upgrading the monitor may be the solution. If it does not support the resolution and refresh rate needed for Valorant, there will be lagging from your system to the screen. In some multiple monitor setups, the system can also get bogged down trying to support them all which will contribute to lag. Increased monitor quality to the newest and best can often be a solution to this problem.
Contact Your Internet Service Provider
If lag issues persist, you may want to try contacting your ISP. According to Wired.com, many LAG (latency, jitter, and packet loss) problems can be fixed on the user end by implementing the proper software and equipment fixes. After exhausting those possibilities and finding that the problem persists, you may have to contact your ISP. Your cable modem may be a few years out of date, there may be equipment and software errors or disabled functions that could be quickly fixed by a technician, or there may be a performance bottleneck that the ISP can fix at the source.
If you live in an area with an overburdened network, you may have to find an alternative, but a phone call may reveal to you that the problem is one the ISP is aware of and that they are working to fix it. More than likely you may find out that they have no intention of fixing it, but it can’t hurt to try.
How to Prevent Lag in Valorant?
Lagging in Valorant refers to issues of poor performance when gaming which affects all aspects of the game. This includes low Frames Per Second (FPS), high ping/latency, and packet loss.
You can help prevent lag by managing your system’s background processes, reducing program files, connections, or compatibility settings, monitoring packet loss, and keeping your network equipment up to date. Proper networking setups and regular server maintenance can help prevent lag at the network level.
The majority of possible lagging issues in Valorant may be solved using your own local resources, such as hard drives and RAM or by changing graphics settings. The settings to help prevent lag in Valorant include lower shadows and detail quality, and turning on Multi-threaded optimization and Horizontal Sync to use hardware buffer.
The usual suspects of latency at the network level may be responsible for lagging issues in Valorant and still be solvable. This requires implementing hardware changes and performing maintenance such as retiring out-of-date equipment, diverting others from sharing bandwidth during gaming sessions, and reducing interference with WAN connections which may create lag due to jitter issues during play.
Antivirus software or unnecessary background tasks that consume large amounts of CPU or memory could cause network-level lag in Valorant. Although it is normal for performance to decline if you run a time-consuming task while playing a game, the reduction should not be significant if your internet or connection speeds are already low.
Use a High-Speed Internet Connection
Using a high-speed internet connection is the most important way to fix lag in Valorant. This is due to the nature of online games, as the connection between your computer and the game server is crucial for online gameplay.
If this connection is slow, data cannot be sent and received as quickly, having a noticeable effect on gaming performance. There are a number of internet connection types, and all are measured in Megabits per second (Mbps). As a general rule, download speeds around or below 5Mbps are unsuitable for most gaming.
There are a number of factors that are important for getting good internet performance, such as:
- Distance from the router: The closer you are to the router the better the internet performance. Walls, floors, and other construction materials can also negatively impact the signal.
- Other devices: Other internet-connect devices will slow down the internet connection. Disconnect devices not in use to free up more bandwidth for gaming.
- Time of day: Routers have a limited amount of bandwidth. At peak internet hours they may reach their limit causing slower connections. This is an issue for cable connections and not fiber-optic connections.
- Number of users: If a computer network has too many users bandwidth can be affected. Use a wired connection if possible.
If you suspect that your internet is too slow, contact your provider to inquire about faster service.
Keep Your Graphics Drivers Up to Date
Device drivers are a type of system-specific software that allows higher-level programs to interact with and control a hardware device. Graphics drivers translate the API from an operating system into what a graphics card is able to utilize per bootup and per application that adjusts image rendering parameters on a graphic card. In the context of first-person shooter games such as Valorant, they regulate how much graphical data is processed by the CPU and how much by the GPU. This in turn has a big impact on frame rate smoothness and lagging.
It is necessary to have up-to-date drivers as the older drivers reduce graphics performance with each new gameplay update from Riot Games which requires higher API compatibility to operate efficiently. NVIDIA graphics card users can get the latest driver updates from this download page. Users can quickly see their current driver version by right-clicking on their desktop and selecting NVIDIA Control Panel. With the new windows popping up, the driver version can be seen listed under ‘System Information’ on the bottom left. Uninstallation of older drivers is not necessary. After choosing a new driver version press, download, then choose Express Installation.
AMD users can get the latest driver updates from AMD Auto-Detect Support Page. Users can check their drivers by right-clicking on their desktop. Select AMD Radeon Settings, click on the gear icon, and select system to show the driver version. Furthermore, AMD has its recommended settings for Valorant gaming. These drivers do not need to be altered, once the newest driver is downloaded, clients should press ‘Accept and Install’.
Updating operating drivers to reduce first-person shooter lag can be effective, depending on the current driver’s state and how recent the last driver update was. This is a necessary step for the user to see improvements as it is passive and takes only a couple of minutes. It is recommended to keep drivers updated monthly although some users push that off for longer periods. Regular updates ensure that the system minimizes lag as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
Close Unnecessary Programs
Many players run multiple programs while playing, but this can reduce Valorant’s performance. If you have other programs running in the background or foreground, you should close them, especially GPU-hungry programs like Photoshop, XSplit Gamecaster, or Microsoft Teams which tends to be heavy on the game’s performance.
For players on laptops, there are some additional programs present that consume a lot of data and battery, so you must close them before playing. Live streaming while playing is also a heavy weight on network and RAM capacity.
Optimize In-Game Settings
Optimize in-game settings to fix lag in Valorant. In Valorant, press Esc to open the in-game menu. Click on the Video tab to see a full list of visual settings that can be adjusted such as resolution, aspect ratio, limit FPS (frame rates per second), anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, material quality, Detail Quality etc.
The ideal game settings for an individual player may vary, but a good starting choice for someone who wants to improve Valorant performance and eliminate lag may be the following: Resolution set to your monitor’s resolution, aspect ratio set to whatever aspect ratio you prefer, FPS limited to at least 144 frames per second (if not less), and everything else set to the lowest setting. This image demonstrates successful use of minimum settings to eliminate lag by a Valorant player with an Intel i5 8250U Laptop CPU and integrated GPU.
