Valorant Download — The complete, practical guide to downloading, installing & troubleshooting Valorant (2025)

Adam SmithNovember 18, 2025

0 2 6 minutes read

Valorant Download Guide Install, Setup & Fix Errors

If you’re here because you searched “Valorant download”, you want one thing: a clear, safe, step-by-step path to get Riot Games’ tactical shooter on your PC — plus smart fixes for the inevitable hiccups. This guide walks you through official download links, system requirements, installing Riot Vanguard (the anti-cheat), how to update, where else Valorant is available (Epic), whether it runs on Mac/Linux or consoles, download speed tips, common errors and fixes, and an FAQ that answers the exact questions players type into Bing. I’ll keep it practical and current, citing official Riot sources and reputable reports so you don’t chase sketchy sites.

Quick TL;DR (If you want to jump straight to the download)

Download Valorant from Riot’s official page (playvalorant.com) or the Epic Games Store. Valorant+1
You must use Windows 10 (build 19041+) or Windows 11, 64-bit. Valorant is officially supported only on Windows. Valorant+1
Install Riot Vanguard (required). If Vanguard fails, follow the anti-cheat reinstall steps. YouTube+1
If you run into errors, check system specs, update GPU drivers, and ensure Secure Boot/TPM and UEFI settings are compatible. PCGamesN+1

1) Where to download Valorant (official, safe sources)

Official & safest downloads:

Riot Games (official site) — Download the Riot installer for Valorant directly from Riot’s Valorant website. This is the recommended source for the game and the launcher.
Epic Games Store — Valorant is also listed on Epic’s store page; you can install through Epic if you prefer that ecosystem. (Either route still uses Riot’s installer and Vanguard.)

Tip: Avoid third-party “mirrors” or download sites. They sometimes bundle unsafe extras, outdated files, or malware. Always use Riot’s site or Epic Store.

2) Official system requirements (what your PC needs)

Valorant is surprisingly accessible, but there are absolute minimums. Riot’s published specs (minimum/recommended/high-end) are the authoritative guide.

Minimum (30 FPS target): Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11 64-bit, 4 GB RAM, basic GPU (Intel HD 4000 / AMD Radeon R5 series).
Recommended (60 FPS): Mid-range CPU (Intel i3-4150 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200), GTX 1050 Ti class GPU, 4 GB RAM.
High-End (144+ FPS): Faster CPU (Intel i5-9400F / Ryzen 5 2600X), GTX 10xx or better.
Riot lists the up-to-date specs on their site and support pages.

Storage: Plan for ~30 GB of free disk space (this can grow with patches).

3) Step-by-step: How to download and install Valorant (PC)

Go to the official download page: https://playvalorant.com → Click Download. Valorant
Run the Riot installer you downloaded — it will install the Riot Client and Valorant.
Accept the Riot Vanguard installation when prompted — Vanguard is required to run Valorant (more on Vanguard below).
Create / sign in with your Riot account (Riot ID).
Let the game download (initial full install often 20–40+ minutes depending on connection).
Launch Valorant from the Riot launcher when finished — the game will patch to the latest build automatically.

If you prefer, you can also find Valorant on Epic Games and click Install there — Epic will hand off to Riot’s installer as needed. Epic Games Store

4) Riot Vanguard — the anti-cheat: what it is and why it matters

Vanguard is Riot’s kernel-level anti-cheat that runs while Valorant is installed. It has two parts:

Vanguard driver that sits at kernel level (starts at boot) to monitor for cheats.
In-game components that work with the Valorant client.

Because Vanguard operates at a low system level, it can cause problems (failed installs, Blue Screen in rare cases, or conflicts with virtualization). Riot provides guides to reinstall Vanguard safely and remove it if needed, but the game won’t run without it.

Vanguard troubleshooting essentials:

If Vanguard fails to install, run the Riot Vanguard installer as admin or try reinstalling Vanguard via the Riot client.
Ensure Secure Boot / UEFI settings are compatible (some players need to enable Secure Boot/TPM for modern anti-cheat compatibility).
If issues persist, follow Riot Support’s step-by-step for removing and reinstalling Vanguard.

5) Valorant on Mac, Linux, Steam Deck, consoles & mobile — what’s official

Windows only (official): Valorant is officially supported on Windows 10/11 64-bit only. Riot does not support macOS or Linux natively — attempts to run Valorant on mac (Apple Silicon) or Linux typically fail due to Vanguard’s kernel-level anti-cheat and lack of native builds.
Consoles: Valorant expanded to consoles in recent roadmap announcements (and console versions have been in testing), but the primary, fully supported platform remains PC. For complete console availability and stores, check Riot’s official news.
Mobile: Valorant Mobile has been in development and regional rollouts; Riot’s announcements show mobile plans in stages (China earlier), but the main PC game is the primary release route for most regions.
Steam Deck / Linux: Because Vanguard blocks virtualized or altered kernels, Linux and Steam Deck support is unofficial at best; users often need to install Windows or dual-boot to play reliably.

6) Download size & patching — what to expect

The base install is roughly 30 GB but patches and extra files can grow usage over time. Plan to keep ~40–50 GB free for comfort.
Valorant updates frequently (weekly patches / balance tweaks). The launcher handles updates automatically. Big engine upgrades (like the announced Unreal Engine 5 migration) may trigger larger downloads around the release window.

7) Troubleshooting common Valorant download / install problems

Problem: “Vanguard failed to install” or OS blocks driver

Fixes:

Reboot PC and run the Riot installer as Administrator.
Temporarily disable other kernel-level tools (some virtualization or old anti-cheat drivers conflict).
Ensure Windows is updated (Build 19041+ for Windows 10) and Secure Boot/UEFI settings are standard.

Problem: Slow download or interrupted patch

Fixes:

Use a wired Ethernet connection or move closer to Wi-Fi router.
Pause other downloads and close bandwidth-heavy apps (cloud backup, streaming).
Try switching DNS (Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 / Google 8.8.8.8) or restart your router.

Problem: Game crashes on launch or during matches

Fixes:

Update GPU drivers (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel).
Verify game files via the Riot client or reinstall Valorant.
Check for overlays (Discord, GeForce Experience) that may conflict; try launching with overlays off.

Problem: “Anti-Cheat detected unauthorized software” and account lock

Fixes:

Uninstall or close any suspicious third-party software (trainers, hacks).
If you believe ban is false, follow Riot’s support appeals process (gather logs/screenshots).
Consider enabling multi-factor authentication and strong account protection.

8) Performance optimization tips after download

Set Windows power plan to High Performance while gaming.
Allocate GPU resources: make sure your GPU is set to the dedicated card in the vendor control panel if you have integrated + dedicated graphics.
Lower in-game settings: Valorant is designed to be competitive — lowering visual settings (shadows, particles) boosts FPS.
Use performance builds: Riot’s UE5 transition aims to improve performance and patch delivery; keep an eye on patch notes for improvements.

9) Additional official features & news to know

Unreal Engine 5 migration — Riot announced Valorant’s upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 in 2025, which is expected to bring performance and feature improvements including a replay system (rolled out in patches like 11.06). This may affect download sizes and patch cadence.
Replay system & reporting upgrades — Riot has introduced or expanded replay and reporting tools to help detect cheating and improve match review; those features download with patches or are server-side updates.

10) Is Valorant free to download and play?

Yes — Valorant is free-to-play. You download the client and can play the core game without purchase. Riot monetizes via cosmetic items (skins, battle passes) sold in-game. Epic Games listing also marks Valorant as free.

11) Security & privacy — account safety while downloading

Create a strong Riot password and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
Avoid sharing login credentials or installing “free account” packages from shady websites.
Only log in through the Riot client or official web pages.
If you use Overwolf/third-party tools (trackers, overlays), prefer well-known apps and check Riot’s third-party app policy to reduce risk.

12) FAQ — short answers to the top “Valorant download” searches

Q: Where do I download Valorant?
A: From Riot’s official Valorant download page (playvalorant.com) or from the Epic Games Store listing.

Q: Can I play Valorant on Mac or Linux?
A: Not officially. Valorant supports Windows 10/11 64-bit only due to Vanguard and anti-cheat requirements. Running on Mac/Linux requires installing Windows (dual-boot) and is not supported.

Q: Why won’t Vanguard install?
A: Vanguard requires system-level access. Ensure you’re running the installer as admin, Windows is up to date, Secure Boot/TPM settings are compatible, and no conflicting kernel drivers are present. Reinstall Vanguard via Riot’s support instructions if needed.

Q: Does Valorant require a lot of storage?
A: Base install is ~30 GB; allocate more free space for patches (aim for 40–50 GB free).

Q: Is Valorant on Steam?
A: Valorant is not primarily a Steam title — it’s available via Riot’s client and listed on Epic Games Store. Steam does not host Valorant as the official PC client.

Also Read: Valorant Crosshair — The Complete, Practical Guide to Finding Your Perfect Aim

13) Final checklist — clean steps to a successful Valorant download

Confirm you’re on Windows 10 (19041+) or Windows 11 (64-bit).
Allow ~40 GB free disk space and a stable internet connection.
Download Riot’s installer only from playvalorant.com (or Epic).
Run the installer as Administrator and accept Vanguard install.
Update GPU drivers, enable Secure Boot/UEFI if recommended, and test in the Practice Range.