10 ways to fix VALORANT error code VAN-79
If you’ve been playing VALORANT for a while, you might be familiar with some of its more common errors—such as VAL-43—which are usually accompanied by clear steps for fixing them. But, what happens when you encounter an issue like VALORANT error code VAN-79, which doesn't even appear in the official code list? It’s frustrating, right? In this article, we’ll break down how to troubleshoot and fix this mysterious error, with easy workarounds, even though Riot Games hasn't officially acknowledged it yet.
VALORANT error code van 79 explained
While Riot Games hasn’t officially defined VAN-79, the error is believed to be a connection-related issue similar to other codes like VAN-81. It could stem from a problem with the game’s connection to Riot’s servers or an issue with Riot Vanguard, the game’s anti-cheat software.
In some cases, players reported encountering VAL-79 after moving their game installation to another drive or after updates, which hints that it may involve miscommunication between the game files and the Vanguard service.
How to fix VALORANT error code VAN-79
Following these steps should help you fix VALORANT error code VAN-79 and get back into your matches:
- Ensure Riot Vanguard (VGC) is running.
- Reset Winsock and flush DNS.
- Update Windows.
- Perform a network reset.
- Run VALORANT as administrator.
- Reinstall Riot Vanguard.
- Check your firewall and antivirus settings.
- Reinstall VALORANT.
- Update your network drivers.
- Contact Riot Support if the issue persists.
Here is how to execute them:
Ensure Riot Vanguard (VGC) is running
Since VALORANT error code VAN-79 could be related to Riot’s anti-cheat software, the first thing you should do is verify that Riot Vanguard is running correctly.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
- Scroll down and find VGC (Riot Vanguard).
- Double-click on VGC and ensure that the Startup type is set to "Automatic."
- If the Service status shows "Stopped," click Start to run it, then click Apply and OK.
Reset Winsock and flush DNS
Network issues can also cause VAN-79, so resetting your Winsock and flushing your DNS might resolve the error.
- Open Start and type "cmd."
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
- netsh winsock reset
- ipconfig /flushdns After executing both commands, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.
Update Windows
Sometimes, outdated system files can cause compatibility issues with online games like VALORANT. Ensuring your Windows is up to date can eliminate this problem.
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
- Restart your PC after the updates have been installed.
Perform a network reset
If your internet settings are misconfigured, this can lead to connection errors like VAN-79. A network reset might solve this.
- Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
- Scroll down to Advanced network settings and click on Network reset.
- Select Reset now, and restart your computer.
Run VALORANT as administrator
Sometimes, running the game with administrative privileges can help with permissions that may be blocking the connection.
- Right-click on the VALORANT shortcut and choose Properties.
- Navigate to the Compatibility tab.
- Check the box for Run this program as administrator and also check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- Click Apply and then OK.
Reinstall Riot Vanguard
You can try reinstalling Riot Vanguard. Since VALORANT error code VAN-79 is likely related to the anti-cheat system, reinstalling it could solve the problem.
- Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Find Riot Vanguard in the list and uninstall it.
- After uninstallation, restart your computer.
- Launch VALORANT, and it will automatically reinstall Riot Vanguard.
Check your firewall and antivirus settings
Your firewall or antivirus software might be blocking VALORANT or Riot Vanguard from accessing the internet properly, leading to the VAN-79 error. To fix this:
- Add VALORANT and Riot Vanguard to your firewall exceptions:
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
- Click on Allow an app through the firewall.
- Find both VALORANT and Riot Vanguard in the list, and ensure both Private and Public boxes are checked. If they’re not listed, you can manually add them using the Allow another app option.
- Check your antivirus settings: If you use a third-party antivirus, ensure that VALORANT and Riot Vanguard aren’t blocked. You may need to create an exception or temporarily disable your antivirus to test if that resolves the issue.
Update your network drivers
Outdated or incompatible network drivers can also cause connection issues in VALORANT. Updating your network drivers could help resolve the VALORANT error code VAN-79:.
- Right-click on Start and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Network adapters section.
- Right-click your network adapter and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software, and if a new version is found, install it.
- Once the update is complete, restart your computer.
Reinstall VALORANT
If the game files themselves are corrupted, reinstalling the entire game can sometimes be the most efficient way to resolve persistent errors like VAN-79.
- First, uninstall VALORANT:
- Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Find VALORANT in the list, click on it, and select Uninstall.
- Next, reinstall VALORANT:
- Go to the official VALORANT website and download the latest version of the game.
- Once the installation is complete, restart your computer and launch the game.
Contact Riot Support if the issue persists
If you’ve followed all of these steps and VALORANT error code VAN-79 still appear, you may need to contact Riot Games Support. Be sure to provide them with detailed information about the error and the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.