For many Valorant players, few problems are as disruptive as a black screen—whether it strikes at launch or mid-match. This frustrating error is surprisingly common but can usually be fixed with a few straightforward adjustments.
Common Causes
Black screens in Valorant often stem from technical conflicts rather than major hardware failures. Frequent culprits include:
- Outdated graphics drivers
- Fullscreen optimization conflicts in Windows
- Problems with Riot Vanguard, the game’s anti-cheat service
- Running Valorant on the wrong graphics card in dual-GPU setups
- Antivirus interference or background applications competing for resources
Understanding these causes helps narrow down the best fix for your setup.
Step-by-Step Solutions
Several proven methods can resolve black screen issues:
- Update Graphics Drivers
Most black screen errors are caused by outdated or corrupted GPU drivers. Download the latest version from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, or update via Device Manager. - Disable Fullscreen Optimization
Right-click the Valorant shortcut → Properties → Compatibility → check Disable fullscreen optimization. This tweak often solves launch-related black screens. - Run as Administrator
From the same Compatibility menu, enable Run this program as administrator to give Valorant full permissions. - Switch Display Modes
If the black screen occurs after launch, press Alt+Enter or F11 to toggle between fullscreen, windowed, and borderless windowed modes. - Ensure Riot Vanguard Is Running
If Vanguard is missing or malfunctioning, uninstall and reinstall it, then restart your PC. - Check GPU Assignment
On laptops or PCs with integrated and dedicated graphics, ensure Valorant uses the high-performance GPU in the NVIDIA/AMD control panel. - Check Advanced Fixes
- Add the system variable
OPENSSL_ia32cap=~0x200000200000000if you face compatibility issues. - Temporarily disable or uninstall third-party antivirus software, or add exceptions for Valorant and Vanguard.
- Close overlays (Discord, GeForce Experience, screen recorders) and other background apps that may conflict.
- Add the system variable
When to Seek Additional Support
If none of these steps resolve the problem, try repairing game files in the Riot client or performing a clean reinstall of Valorant. Should the issue persist, Riot Support offers direct troubleshooting for rare or hardware-specific cases.
Bottom Line:
Black screen errors in Valorant can be maddening, but they’re rarely permanent. From driver updates to Vanguard checks and display tweaks, most fixes are quick to implement. With the right steps, you can clear the screen—and get back to climbing ranks—without lengthy downtime.
Written by:
Christian