Network Issue Valorant

Connection Timeout Error - Valorant Matchmaking Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 63 ⚡ Severity: 🔴 High

🎯 Quick Answer

Flush your DNS cache and configure your router to forward UDP ports 5223, 7000-7500, and 7777-7787 to resolve the Valorant connection timeout error.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The Valorant connection timeout error is a network-layer failure where the game client cannot establish a stable connection to Riot Games servers within the allotted time window. This error exclusively affects the Windows platform for both the standard and Microsoft Store versions of the game. The issue manifests primarily in game versions following major infrastructure updates, with a notable increase in occurrences post-patch 8.11. This is a common error with a high severity impact, as it is game-breaking and prevents participation in matchmaking. The exact error message presented is "Connection Error: We couldn't connect to the platform. Please restart your game. Error Code: VAL 19". The error code VAL 19 specifically indicates a failure in the initial handshake protocol with the Riot platform services.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application initiates normally and reaches the main menu. The error triggers during the matchmaking sequence after selecting "PLAY" and confirming an agent. A network timeout occurs precisely during the transition from the lobby to the match server loading screen. The user interface displays a modal dialog box containing the "VAL 19" error code. Concurrently, the client forcibly terminates the connection attempt and returns the user to the main menu. In persistent cases, repeated attempts yield the same result, effectively blocking access to competitive, unrated, and custom game modes. The practice range and deathmatch modes may remain accessible as they utilize different server connections.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Router or firewall configuration blocking the UDP ports required for Valorant's real-time game traffic (ports 5223, 7000-7500, and 7777-7787). This causes the initial connection packet handshake to fail. Why this causes the problem: The game client sends a connection request on a specific port; if the router does not forward it or a firewall intercepts it, the server's response is never received, leading to a timeout. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Third-party networking software (e.g., VPN clients, proxy services, or aggressive firewall suites like Norton or McAfee) injecting themselves into the Windows networking stack (Winsock LSP). This corrupts or intercepts packets destined for Riot's servers. Why this causes the problem: The anti-cheat system (Vanguard) or the game client itself detects modified network traffic and terminates the connection, or the middleware incorrectly routes packets, causing them to be lost. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or outdated Domain Name System (DNS) cache on the local machine providing incorrect or stale IP addresses for Riot's game servers (e.g., glz-apse-1.na.a.pvp.net). Why this causes the problem: The client attempts to connect to an invalid or non-responsive IP address, resulting in a failed connection attempt that exceeds the timeout threshold. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A corrupted RiotClientServices or VALORANT-Win64-Shipping.exe process failing to properly initialize the secure WebSocket connection to the platform backend. Why this causes the problem: The client process cannot complete the authentication and session establishment protocol with Riot's platform, forcing a disconnect. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Internet Service Provider (ISP) level packet shaping or throttling that identifies and deprioritizes gaming traffic on non-standard ports. Why this causes the problem: Game packets are delayed or dropped at the ISP level, causing the round-trip time to exceed the game's strict timeout limit, which is typically under 2 seconds. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect network adapter settings in Windows, such as IPv6 being enabled on an incompatible home network or power-saving features interrupting network activity. Why this causes the problem: The game client may attempt to use an IPv6 address where the server expects IPv4, or the network adapter may briefly suspend operation during critical connection phases.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Flush DNS and Renew Network Configuration

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator command prompt access. Steps:

Press the Windows key, type cmd, right-click "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
Execute the command ipconfig /flushdns and wait for the "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache" confirmation.
Execute the command ipconfig /release.
Execute the command ipconfig /renew.
Execute the command netsh winsock reset. A system restart will be required.
Restart your computer and launch Valorant.

Technical Explanation: This clears locally cached, potentially incorrect server IP addresses and resets the Windows Socket API to its default state, removing any software-induced corruption in the network layer. Verification: The "VAL 19" error no longer appears, and the client successfully transitions from the lobby to the character selection or map loading screen.

Solution 2: Configure Router Port Forwarding and Firewall

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Access to your router's admin interface (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Steps:

Find your computer's local IPv4 address by running ipconfig in Command Prompt and noting the "IPv4 Address."
Open a web browser, enter your router's gateway address, and log in.
Navigate to the Port Forwarding, Virtual Server, or Applications & Gaming section.
Create new rules to forward the following UDP ports to your computer's local IP address:

- 5223 - 7000-7500 - 7777-7787

Save the rules and restart your router.
In Windows, navigate to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall. Ensure both VALORANT-Win64-Shipping.exe and RiotClientServices.exe are allowed on Private and Public networks.

Technical Explanation: Port forwarding ensures unsolicited incoming traffic from Riot's servers on these specific ports is correctly routed to your gaming machine, which is essential for peer-to-peer game data in a client-server architecture. Verification: Use a website like portchecker.co to verify that port 5223 is shown as "Open" for your public IP address after applying these rules.

Solution 3: Repair Riot Client and Valorant Services

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: None. Steps:

Close the Riot Client and Valorant completely via the System Tray.
Navigate to C:\Riot Games\Riot Client in File Explorer.
Locate and run RiotClientServices.exe as an administrator.
In the client, click on your profile icon, select "Settings," then navigate to the "VALORANT" tab.
Click the "Repair" button. This process will verify all game files.
After repair, restart your computer and launch the game normally.

Technical Explanation: The repair function validates the integrity of the game's core binaries and configuration files against Riot's servers, replacing any corrupted or outdated files that may be causing the connection handshake to fail. Verification: The repair tool will display a "Repair Complete" message. Subsequent game launches should proceed without the connection timeout.

Solution 4: Disable Conflicting Networking Software

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator rights to modify installed programs. Steps:

Press Windows Key + I to open Settings, go to Apps > Installed apps.
Uninstall any third-party VPN applications (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Hamachi), proxy tools, or "gaming" network optimizers.
For security suites (McAfee, Norton, Avast), locate their respective firewall settings and add Valorant and Riot Client to the exclusion/allow list. Consider disabling the firewall temporarily for testing.
Press Windows Key, type "Network Connections," and press Enter. Right-click your active adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties. Ensure "QoS Packet Scheduler" is checked and any third-party vendor protocols are unchecked.
Reboot your system.

Technical Explanation: These applications often install network filter drivers that intercept and modify packets. Removing them eliminates a layer of potential interference between the game client and the network hardware. Verification: Launch Valorant in a clean boot state (via msconfig > Selective startup > uncheck "Load startup items") to confirm no background software is causing the conflict.

Solution 5: Manually Configure DNS Servers

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: None. Steps:

Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > More network adapter options.
Right-click your active network connection and select Properties.
Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click Properties.
Select "Use the following DNS server addresses."
Input 8.8.8.8 as the Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as the Alternate DNS server (Google DNS).
Click OK, then close all windows. Open Command Prompt as admin and run ipconfig /flushdns.

Technical Explanation: Using a reliable, public DNS service bypasses potentially unstable ISP DNS servers, ensuring faster and more accurate resolution of Riot Games' dynamic server hostnames to their current IP addresses. Verification: In Command Prompt, run nslookup glz-apse-1.na.a.pvp.net. The command should return a valid IP address without errors.

Solution 6: Disable IPv6 and Network Adapter Power Saving

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 7 minutes Success Rate: Low Prerequisites: Administrator access. Steps:

Open Network Connections, right-click your active adapter, and select Properties.
Uncheck the box for "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)." Click OK.
In the same Properties window, click "Configure."
Navigate to the Power Management tab and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
Navigate to the Advanced tab. Locate and disable any energy-efficient Ethernet or green Ethernet settings.
Click OK and restart your computer.

Technical Explanation: This prevents the network adapter from entering a low-power state during gameplay and eliminates potential protocol negotiation conflicts between IPv4 and IPv6, forcing the game to use the universally supported IPv4 stack. Verification: The connection remains stable during extended periods in the lobby and through multiple consecutive matches.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a consistent router firmware update schedule, checking the manufacturer's website quarterly. Configure static DHCP reservations for your gaming PC within your router's settings to ensure consistent local IP addressing for port forwarding rules. Perform a monthly maintenance routine: flush the DNS cache via ipconfig /flushdns and run the Riot Client repair tool after every major game patch. Monitor network stability using the in-game performance stats (Ctrl+Shift+P); persistent packet loss above 1% indicates an underlying network issue requiring ISP contact. Avoid installing third-party network optimization software, as they frequently conflict with Vanguard.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Riot Games Support if all solutions fail and the error persists across multiple days and different network environments (e.g., a different ISP). Required diagnostic information includes the full connection error log from C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\VALORANT\Saved\Logs and a screenshot of the dxdiag output. Provide your ISP name and a traceroute result to glz-apse-1.na.a.pvp.net. Official support channels are accessible via the Riot Games support website. Do not submit reports based on isolated incidents; ensure the problem is reproducible.