How do you update Valorant? If that’s the question keeping you from jumping into your next clutch match, rest easy: updating Valorant is about as painless as patching any modern online game. In short, you upgrade Valorant through the official Riot Games client, which checks for updates every time you launch it. There are also simple ways to troubleshoot or manually update if things ever get stuck. Whether you’re a new agent or a seasoned player returning after a break, let’s walk through exactly how to keep Valorant current, what you should expect during updates, and tips for seamless patching on any setup.

Your Guide to Updating Valorant: Step by Step

Valorant’s update process is designed to be seamless, but a clear understanding helps prevent headaches down the line. Here’s the most straightforward path:

  • Open the Riot Client: You’ll usually find the Riot Games launcher on your desktop or by searching “Riot Client” in your Windows Start menu.
  • Sign in (if prompted): Log in with your Riot account credentials.
  • Check for Updates: On launching, the client will automatically begin looking for any new Valorant patches. If there’s a patch ready, the “Update” button will appear. Otherwise, the “Play” button means you’re already up to date.
  • Let it Download: Click “Update” if needed. The client will download and install the patch automatically – you’ll see a progress bar so you know how close you are to jumping in.
  • Hit Play: Once the update is done, launch Valorant and enjoy the latest content, bug fixes, or balance changes.

That’s truly it. For most users, that’s all you ever need to do. Just open the Riot client regularly and let it do its thing.

Automatic Updates: Set It and Forget It

If you find yourself annoyed at manual updates, why not let the client do the work? Valorant will typically update automatically whenever the Riot Client launches, before you even reach the game menu. That said, ensure that:

  • You don’t close the client prematurely while it’s patching.
  • You have a stable internet connection.
  • Your system isn’t set to block Riot Client in your firewall or antivirus software.

If you want to be absolutely sure, you can check for an “auto update” option in the Riot Client’s settings menu under your account profile. Leaving this enabled will make everyday patching happen in the background, with little to no input from you.

Manually Updating Valorant (When the Automatic Update Doesn’t Work)

Maybe your Valorant refuses to update, gets stuck at a certain progress point, or throws strange errors. In rare cases, you’ll need to give it a gentle nudge. Here’s what you can try:

  • Restart the Riot Client: Sometimes, simply closing and reopening the launcher is enough to trigger a new update check.
  • Check Your Connection: A spotty network can leave updates hanging. Verify your internet is stable or try switching to a wired connection.
  • Run as Administrator: Right-click the Riot icon, then select “Run as administrator.” This can resolve permissions issues – especially after Windows updates.
  • Repair Game Files: From the Riot Client, head to settings, locate Valorant, and look for a “Repair” or “Verify” option. This will check your installation for any corrupted files and fix them.
  • Temporarily Disable Firewall/Antivirus: Sometimes protective software overdoes it. Temporarily disable them to see if updates start downloading, but always restore protection when finished.
  • Reinstall Vanguard: Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat can sometimes cause update problems. Uninstall it via Windows Apps, reboot, and then start Valorant again – Vanguard will reinstall itself automatically.
  • Reinstall Valorant (Last Resort): If nothing else works, uninstall both Valorant and the Riot Client completely, restart your computer, then download the installer from the official Valorant website and perform a fresh install.

Most players only ever need to use the first few steps, but it’s helpful to know your options if the client ever gets stuck.

Moving or Updating Valorant to Another Drive

Upgrading your hardware or just need to change where Valorant is installed? It’s possible to move your game files and still keep updates working, but care is needed to avoid bugs:

  • Fully exit both Valorant and Riot Client.
  • Navigate to your install location (often C:Riot Games). Move both the Valorant and Riot Client folders to your new preferred drive (for example, D:Riot Games).
  • Launch the Riot Client. It may say Valorant is missing. Choose “Locate Game” or “Already Installed?” and point to the live folder in your new Valorant directory.
  • For advanced users: If the above fails, you can manually edit RiotClientInstalls.json and valorant.live.product_settings.yaml in %ProgramData%Riot Games to update the path values. Do this only if you’re comfortable with system files.

If you move Valorant, the update process remains unchanged – the Riot Client will keep your game current at its new location.

For an in-depth tutorial on relocating Valorant, check out this comprehensive guide on moving Valorant to another drive.

What Changes During Major Updates?

Valorant does more than just fix bugs during its patches. There have been times when major game engine upgrades have required larger downloads (for example, a shift to Unreal Engine 5.3), or new features have altered file sizes and initial patch times. However, the net result is generally a smoother experience, faster load times, and sometimes even smaller install sizes overall.

After these big updates, you may notice:

  • Longer first update (as assets convert or re-download)
  • Subsequent patches return to normal size
  • Improved performance or new features after patching

No matter how big the patch, Riot continues to use its auto-updater system – so you rarely need to do anything different beyond being patient with larger downloads on occasion.

Proactive Tips: Keeping Valorant Updates Smooth

  • Maintain at least 30GB free space on your main drive to avoid “disk full” errors during major patches.
  • Pause large background downloads (like Steam, Windows Update, or cloud sync) to speed up game patching.
  • Set Valorant and Riot Client as exceptions in your antivirus/firewall if updates are slow or prone to failure.
  • Restart your PC after big patches or if Vanguard has been updated – this can prevent launch issues.
  • Follow Riot’s official patch notes for heads-ups on upcoming changes: Official Valorant Patch Notes and Updates.

Your patching experience should be mostly hands-off. However, if you ever feel updates are taking longer than they should, a quick PC restart or toggling your network may do wonders.

FAQ: Common Valorant Update Questions

Why won’t Valorant update even after restarting the Riot Client?

There are a few possible reasons. Most commonly, your firewall or antivirus is blocking the update, or the Riot Client lacks admin privileges. Try running the client as administrator, double-check protective software settings, and ensure a stable internet connection. Reboot your PC and try again; if it’s still stuck, consider repairing game files or reinstalling Vanguard.

Can I pause or resume a Valorant update?

Currently, the Riot Client does not allow you to pause updates directly within the launcher. However, you can close the client to halt the process – just remember that when you relaunch, any progress will resume from where it left off rather than starting over. Try to let updates finish uninterrupted, especially if your connection is fast or reliable.

How long do Valorant updates usually take?

For small patches, updates can finish in a matter of minutes on a decent connection. Larger updates (especially engine upgrades or feature expansions) might take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes or more, depending on your download speed and disk performance. Expect longer patching if you haven’t updated in a while.

Will I lose my settings or progress after a major update?

No need to worry – your account information, settings, and progress are stored on Riot’s servers. Updates typically only affect local files, so all your unlocked agents, skins, and matchmaking statistics remain safe regardless of patch size.

Do I need to update Vanguard separately from Valorant?

Not usually! Vanguard, Valorant’s anti-cheat, updates automatically with the game or when prompted by the launcher. If Vanguard itself is suspect (you see error prompts), uninstall it from Windows Apps, reboot your computer, and then launch Valorant to allow an automatic reinstall.

How do I know what’s new after an update?

The best way is by reading the official patch notes published on the Valorant updates page. Patch notes provide details on bug fixes, balance tweaks, new features, and any important performance changes, so you’re never in the dark about what to expect next time you load in.

Stay One Step Ahead: Enjoy a Seamless Valorant Experience

Keeping Valorant up to date ensures you don’t miss out on the latest features, agent tweaks, or critical fixes. By letting the Riot Client handle the heavy lifting – or following the simple troubleshooting steps outlined above – you’ll stay in the game and ready to ace your next clutch moment. If you ever need more help, visit the official Valorant support portal or refer to the Valorant Update Guide for community-driven insights. Happy patching, and see you in the arena!