Alex Ruben
How To Resolve Valorant Connection Errors: Error Codes 6, 52, 57, 81, and 152 in 2025
If you’re a Valorant player and keep seeing the “Valorant Has Encountered A Connection Error” message, along with various error codes like 6, 52, 57, 81, or 152, you’re not imagining it. These errors are pretty common these days, especially with how finicky gaming on Windows can be sometimes. They usually mean there’s a hiccup with your network or the Valorant client itself, and figuring out exactly what’s causing it can be a bit of trial and error. But good news — there are some tried-and-true fixes that helped before, and they often involve fixing startup services, flushing DNS, resetting network configs, or tweaking firewalls. After running through these, a lot of folks find themselves back in action, no sweat.
So, if this sounds familiar—your internet’s good, no major outages, but Valorant just refuses to connect—try these steps. They’re not complicated, but sometimes Windows or third-party apps can mess with your connection so that Riot’s servers just can’t see you. Here’s what’s helped in the past, and hopefully, it’ll work on your setup too.
How to Fix Valorant Connection Errors on Windows
Ensure the Valorant Game Client Service is Running Properly
This one can seem small, but it’s often overlooked. Valorant’s game client relies on a specific Windows service. If that service isn’t enabled or running, the game can’t communicate properly with Riot servers, throwing these errors. So, first, check that this service is active and set to start automatically.
- Press the Windows key, type services, then hit Enter.
- In the Services window, scroll down to find VGC or Valorant Game Client (sometimes called Riot Client Service). It’s sometimes tricky to spot because its name might vary slightly.
- Double-click on it. Under Startup type, choose Automatic. If it’s stopped, hit Start.
- Click Apply and OK. Easy but crucial step—on some setups, you might need to restart your PC to let changes kick in.
Flush DNS Cache and Reset Network Settings
This is a classic move. Sometimes, your local DNS cache or network stack gets corrupted or outdated, preventing Valorant from establishing a good connection. Flushing DNS and resetting winsock resets some of those underlying network configurations. Not sure why it works, but on a bunch of different machines, it really helps clear up connection errors.
- Press Windows, type cmd.
- Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. Accept UAC prompts.
- Type
ipconfig /flushdnsand hit Enter. This refreshes your DNS cache. - Next, type
netsh winsock resetand press Enter. This resets your network socket settings. - Once done, close Command Prompt and reboot your PC. Trust me, it’s worth it to see if it clears up the error.
Double-Check Your Network & Firewall Settings
If the basic steps didn’t help, then it might be your network or security software. Sometimes, firewalls or antivirus programs block Valorant or Riot’s network endpoints. It’s kinda weird, but adding Valorant and Riot Client to your firewall’s exceptions list often fixes the issue.
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
- Click on Allow an app through firewall. Find Valorant and Riot Client in the list.
- Make sure both are checked on Private and Public networks. If not, click Change settings and check them.
If you’re running another firewall or antivirus (like Norton, Avast, etc.), check their settings too. Sometimes, they block necessary Riot services without a clear warning.
Reinstall or Repair Valorant
If all else fails, there’s a chance that corrupted game files are causing the issue. Valorant has a built-in repair option, but a full reinstall isn’t a bad idea if you suspect the game files are broken. Just be aware that this takes longer and requires a re-download.
- Open the Riot Client. On the upper right, click the gear icon to access settings.
- Look for the Repair option under game options or right-click Valorant in your installed games list and check if there’s a repair or verify button.
- If repair isn’t available, simply uninstall Valorant via Apps & Features and reinstall fresh from the official website.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Worth mentioning: keep your Windows up to date—because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary—and regularly check the Riot Games server status. Sometimes the error isn’t on your end but Riot’s server infrastructure being overloaded or in maintenance, which can give that dreaded connection error despite everything else being okay.
Conclusion
Running through these steps tends to fix most connection hiccups with Valorant. The key is making sure the Riot/Valorant services are active, your network cache is fresh, and your security software isn’t blocking the game. It’s a bit of a mess sometimes, but when it finally works, you can get right back into the match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the error keeps showing after all these steps?
Sometimes, the problem isn’t on your side. If nothing changes after trying all this, reaching out to Riot Games support can help—there might be a specific issue with your account or region.
Can these steps fix other online games’ connection issues?
Absolutely. Flushing DNS, resetting network settings, and making sure your firewall isn’t blocking the game are pretty universal fixes for most online multiplayer games.
Is resetting network settings safe?
Yeah, generally. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi after, and if you’re on a wired connection, double-check your adapter settings. It’s a quick cleanup, basically.
Summary
- Check Valorant’s service status and ensure the Riot client service is enabled and running
- Flush DNS cache and reset network stack
- Review firewall/antivirus exceptions for Valorant
- Repair or reinstall the game if needed
Wrap-up
Those fixes cover the most common causes of connection errors in Valorant. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of a service not starting or a cache issue. Fingers crossed this helps get you back into your matches without constant disconnects. Good luck, and hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of troubleshooting!