Fix for error code VAN 81

Ever tried diving into VALORANT and got stuck with the annoying VAN-81 error code? It's like hitting a digital pothole, keeping you from getting into the game. But don't worry, we are here to help.

We have already helped you get rid of many different VALORANT errors in the past and we are once again confident in ourselves to help you with another one. In this guide, we'll unravel what the VAN-81 error is, why it happens, and most importantly, how you can fix it and get back to gaming smoothly.

What is error code VAN 81?

Error codes in VALORANT are like digital clues pointing to what's messing up your game launch. VAN-81, in particular, is a sign that your game launcher is having a tough time starting the game. The culprit? A glitch in something called Riot Vanguard, a crucial part of the game launch process that's all about connecting you to the game.

According to Riot Games' support page, when you see the VAN-81 error, it means "VALORANT has encountered a connection error." Sounds vague, right? That's because Riot's support page lists a bunch of VAN error codes, all labeled as connection errors. It's like trying to solve a tech puzzle with missing pieces. However, that doesn’t mean that it is impossible to fix the error. Keep reading, you will find everything you need to know below! Prerequisites for a launch without the error code VAN 81

Before we dive into fixing things, let's talk about what your setup needs for VALORANT to launch smoothly:

• A Good Internet Connection: You need a solid internet connection for online gaming. No surprises there.
• Firewall Check: Make sure your firewall isn't blocking the game launcher and Riot Vanguard. You want them to have a smooth path.
• Vanguard Needs to be A-OK: The Riot Vanguard, the behind-the-scenes hero, must do its job without any hiccups for your game to launch seamlessly.

Even if the game gives you a message to call it quits, you can beat the VAN-81 error and get back to your VALORANT adventures.

How to fix error code VAN 81

Now, it is time to talk about some of the possible fixes that could eventually help you get rid of the error. Let’s start with the first one:

Restart Everything: Game, Vanguard, and Launcher

When in doubt, restart! Just closing and reopening the game solves the VAN-81 error more than half the time. If that doesn't do the trick, let's get a bit techy.

1. Open the Task Manager (press CTRL+ALT+DELETE).
2. Go to the "Processes" tab.
3. Find anything related to Riot, right-click, and choose "End Task" for each.
4. Once that's done, start the game again manually. Hopefully, that error won't bother you anymore.

Give permission on Windows Firewall

Sometimes, VAN-81 pops up because your Windows Firewall thinks the game files are trouble. To stop this, you can tell Windows Firewall to leave VALORANT and Riot alone.

1. Press the Windows key and S at the same time.
2. Search for "Firewall."
3. Select "Allow an app through Firewall."
4. Check if Riot Client and VALORANT are on the list. If not, you might need to add them manually.
5. After this, restart your computer and then launch VALORANT.

Give VALORANT and Riot Vanguard admin permissions

Think of this as giving special privileges to VALORANT. Right-click on VALORANT, find its location, click Properties, go to Compatibility, and tick the box that says "Run this program as an administrator." Do the same for RiotClientServices.exe in the Riot Client folder. This might just be the secret sauce to making VAN-81 vanish. Remember to restart your computer after this step.

Restart Riot Vanguard

If Riot Vanguard is acting up, it can stop your game from launching. The fix? Close Riot Vanguard manually through the Task Manager (like we did with Riot-related processes before), then restart your computer. After the restart, launch the game, and Riot Vanguard should wake up again. Just a heads up, once you close Riot Vanguard, you can only bring it back to life by restarting your computer.

Don't let the VAN-81 error be the boss of your gaming fun. Follow these simple steps, and you'll be back in the VALORANT action in no time. No need for frustration—just enjoy your game. These are also not very hard to execute, so it will be easy for you to try different ones in a very short amount of time.

We hope these fixes were useful for you adn you no longer have to deal with this hiccup. Below, you will find a couple of VALORANT error code guides to help you get rid of any other issue that axes your gaming experience:

• [FIXED] VALORANT: Error Retrieving Settings From Server
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• [FIXED] VALORANT Error Code 62
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• Error Code 57 VALORANT: How To Fix It