VALORANT black screen on startup is one of the most frustrating errors players may encounter. There can be many reasons behind this issue — from driver conflicts to problems on Riot Games’ side. In this guide, we’ve compiled everything known about this error and ways to resolve it.

Why Does the Black Screen Occur in VALORANT?

A black screen at launch can be caused by several factors:

• Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers
• Conflicts with antivirus software
• Riot Games server issues
• Incorrect graphics settings
• Corrupted system files

How to Fix the VALORANT Black Screen Error

Check Server Status

Before troubleshooting your PC, make sure the VALORANT servers are operating properly. You can check server status on Riot Games’ official website or on social media. If the issue is critical, it might even be mentioned in the game client under the “Play” button.

Update Your Graphics Drivers

Old drivers are a common cause of launch and display issues, which may cause VALORANT opens to black screen. Download the latest drivers from your graphics card manufacturer’s official website or use their official software like GeForce Experience (for NVIDIA) or AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition (for AMD).

Disable Fullscreen Optimization

This Windows feature can cause conflicts with the game. To disable it:

• Right-click the VALORANT shortcut and select “Properties”.
• Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
• Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations”.
• Click “Apply” and “OK”.

Run the Game as Administrator

This may fix the VALORANT black screen after loading screen by granting the necessary access:

• Right-click the game’s shortcut.
• Select “Run as administrator”.

Disable Antivirus Software

Some antivirus programs can block the game or its components. Try disabling the antivirus temporarily when launching the game. If it works, add VALORANT to the exception list in your antivirus settings.

Reinstall the Game

If none of the above helps, try completely uninstalling the game and then reinstalling it. This can remove any potentially corrupted files.

Black Screen During Gameplay

Are you getting a VALORANT black screen deathmatch before launching the match? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. Some players experience this issue and can’t load into certain matches in DM mode. It often happens due to obscure bugs, and your system may fail to load the match. Try following our recommendations listed above. Sometimes, the issue isn’t on your end but stems from a bug that may be fixed in upcoming patches. To speed up the process, it’s best to contact the developers through open support channels.

A black screen in VALORANT is an annoying but solvable problem. Use our tips to fix it yourself. If none of the methods work and VALORANT still launches with a black screen, contact Riot Games support. They’ll review your case individually and help you find a solution.

If you still haven’t found the answer to “Why is my VALORANT black screen?”, check out a video guide with more possible solutions to the issue.