Valorant, made by Riot Games, is super popular as a tactical shooter game. But, even the best games can mess up sometimes. One problem you might bump into is the “VAL 3 Error Code,” with a message saying, “The game has lost connection. Please relaunch the client to restore connectivity.” But here’s the thing, even if you try to start the game again, it might still not work. We’re going to look at why this happens, what it means, and how to fix it.
Also see: UnrealCEFSubProcess.exe by Valorant High CPU Usage
Page Contents
What could “VAL 3” error mean in Valorant and how to fix it?
The “VAL 3” error can pop up for a bunch of reasons, like issues with your account or bigger problems with the system and servers. Let’s dig into these reasons and find ways to sort them out.
1. Account logged in from another location
Getting the “VAL 3” error might mean your Valorant account is open on another device or place. Riot Games added this feature to keep your account safe. If the system sees your account being used from a new spot, it might lock you out to be safe.
What to do: If you know it’s you or a friend who logged in somewhere else, try logging out everywhere for safety. If you think someone else got into your account, change your password right away and turn on two-factor authentication (if you haven’t already).
Inside the game client, to log out of Valorant and the Riot client, hit “Settings” and click on “Sign Out & Exit”. Also, check your email for any messages from Riot Games about your account.
Related concern: How to Find a Keylogger on Your Computer
2. Connection or client-related issues
At times, “VAL 3” is about simple internet problems or bugs in the Riot client. It might not be about your account but more about trouble connecting to Riot’s servers or Valorant not linking up with the session service, which could mean a server issue or maybe even a ban on your account.
What to do: First, make sure your internet is working well. If it’s good, restart both the Valorant game and the Riot client. This can often fix any temporary problems.
If Valorant isn’t connecting to the session service, check your email for messages from Riot Games. Suspensions or bans, though not common, will be emailed to you. For server issues, look at the Valorant Discord channel or Valorant subreddit for updates.
Pro tip: How to Get Twitch Drops Without Watching the Stream
3. Firewall or network restrictions
Network troubles can be tricky, like if your firewall or network settings stop Valorant from reaching its servers. This can happen if the game isn’t allowed through or certain ports it needs are blocked.
What to do: Check your firewall settings to make sure Valorant is allowed. Go to your computer’s “Control Panel”, then “System and Security”, and hit “Windows Defender Firewall”. Click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall” and see if Valorant and the Riot client are both checked.
Learn more: How to Allow an App Through Firewall in Windows 11
If you’re using a school or work network, they might have their own rules you can’t change. In that case, talking to the network boss or IT team could help.
4. Issues with the Riot client process
Sometimes, the problem isn’t Valorant itself but the Riot client that runs the game. The “VAL 3” error could show up if the Riot client closes by mistake or has other issues.
What to do: Try restarting both Valorant and the Riot client completely, then open the Riot client first, followed by Valorant. Running both as administrator might also help get around any permission problems causing the error. Right-click on the app icon and choose “Run as administrator”.
5. System time and date mismatch
It might sound small, but having the wrong time and date on your computer can mess with online games like Valorant. These games need the right time for stuff like logging in.
What to do: Check your computer’s time and date. If they’re wrong, go to “Settings”, then “Time & Language”, and fix them. Setting them automatically based on your time zone can keep this from happening again.
Related resource: How to Manually Change Date and Time in Windows 11
6. Outdated game or client version
Valorant gets updates often to add new stuff, fix bugs, and make the game better. If your game or Riot client is old, it might not work right with the server, causing the “VAL 3” error.
What to do: Always check for updates. The Riot client usually looks for updates on its own when you start it. If there’s an update, get it before you play Valorant. If you think your version is old, click on the “Profile” icon in the Riot client, go to “Settings”, pick Valorant, and make sure “Enable auto-update” is on.
7. Account suspensions or bans
Though it’s not common, the “VAL 3” error could mean a ban or suspension on your Valorant account. Riot Games is serious about fair play. Breaking rules, like cheating or being mean, can lead to a timeout or a permanent ban.
What to do: If you think this happened, check your email linked to your Riot Games account. Riot will email you about any bans, why it happened, and for how long. If you think it’s a mistake, you can talk to Riot’s support to clear things up or appeal.
8. Server or platform issues
Sometimes, the trouble is with the game servers or the platform, not you. When servers go down or get too busy, you might see the “VAL 3” error.
What to do: If there’s a big issue, check the official Valorant Discord server for news. Riot Games will tell you what’s happening with the servers there. Also, places like Reddit and Twitter are good for hearing what other players are saying about the servers.
Useful guide: DNS Servers to Unblock Websites and Possibly Everything
Some thoughts
If you keep getting kicked off Valorant with the “VAL 3” error, it might mean someone’s trying to get into your account while you’re playing. So, changing your password right away is a smart move.
If these tips don’t solve the “VAL 3” error, talking to other players on places like the Valorant subreddit or Discord can help a lot. People often share what worked for them, making it easier to figure things out together.
