After investigating this issue thoroughly, it turns out that several different scenarios might directly or indirectly cause this type of problem. Here’s a short list of culprits that might be causing this error code when the game tries to connect to the online servers: Now that we went over every potential scenario that might be causing this problem, here’s a list of confirmed methods that other affected users have successfully used to fix this problem and play Valorant online:
1. Check the server status of Riot
As it turns out, this issue may arise due to a server-side fault totally out of your control. Take some time to consider whether there is a server issue at the root that is now affecting players in your area before taking any more action. You should begin this troubleshooting approach by ensuring that Valoran’s servers are not currently down or undergoing maintenance because error code 9 is most suggestive of a widespread server issue. Fortunately, Riot maintains a directory where you can check the status of each Valorant server to see if the error code 9 is now occurring across the board or is just affecting your computer. Open your preferred browser and go to Riot Games’ status page if you think a server issue may be the root of your Valorant problem. Choose your favorite language after entering, then click on Valorant from the list of Riot games. Before selecting Continue, choose the location and language you’re connecting from while on Valorant’s status page. Next, a list of all the issues the server is experiencing should appear. Check for any indication of a connectivity problem; if so, your only option is to switch the server from which you’re connecting. The only workable solution is to wait for the developers to address the problem on their end if every server you try to connect to gets the same error code. On the other hand, proceed to the next option below if the abovementioned examination did not uncover any underlying server issues.
2. Verifying the Valorant game files
This issue might be brought on by a file corruption affecting Valorant if you first saw it right after a system interruption that resulted in a critical system crash. Tricker an integrity check on Riot to resolve this problem. To do this, launch the Riot client and click on your Profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen. From the Settings menu, select Valorant from the menu on the left, then move over to the right-hand side menu and click on Repair. Wait until the operation is complete, then restart your PC and launch the game once the next startup is done to see if the problem is now fixed.
3. Update Windows to the latest build
A missing infrastructure Windows update may cause this issue if you haven’t updated your Windows build in a while. Access the Windows Update component and install each pending Windows update until your system is up to date to resolve this problem. Before attempting any of the other likely options below, install all pending updates first and see if the problem goes away on its own. The procedures listed below should cure the problem if it results from a known defect because Microsoft has already released a hotfix for every version of Windows 11 (including the N version). Follow these instructions to install each and every impending Windows update: If the problem is not fixed yet, move down to the following method below.
4. Force-start the VGC service
You might encounter this issue because a system optimization suite has forcibly deactivated the VGC service, a crucial component that enables the game to connect online. In this situation, manually re-enabling the VGC service will resolve the problem. Several affected users have confirmed that the problem stopped occurring once they re-enabled the VGC service via the Services screen, Follow the instructions below to re-enable the VGC service via the Service screen: If you’re still experiencing the ‘Error Code Val 9‘ error, move down to the next method below.
5. Edit the VGC service
Some impacted users claim that if the primary VGC service is not properly configured and programmed to stay off even when the primary game activates, you can expect to deal with this issue. In this situation, changing the VGC service’s behavior will solve the problem. This is a frequent occurrence if you also use third-party resource optimizers like SystemCare, Piriform, WinOptimizer, etc. In most cases, the third-party utility changes the VGC service’s default behavior to conserve system resources. Although most programs don’t have this issue, Vanguard Riot works differently and has its main service set to Automatic. If this situation seems to apply to you, take the steps below to visit the Services tab and change the VGS service’s default startup type in order to resolve the Valorant launch error: Continue to the method below in the event that the issue is still not resolved.
6. Delete the Riot Vanguard folder via CMD
The Vanguard Anti-Cheat engine’s inconsistency may also be connected to this problem. Reinstalling each Riot Vanguard dependent should be the next step if this situation applies to ensure that error number 9 is not the result of file corruption. The anti-cheat engine can be uninstalled via the GUI option. However, we advise performing the task from an elevated Command Prompt to be sure you have the required permissions. Before making Valorant reload the anti-cheat engine from scratch, use the steps listed below to temporarily deactivate it from an elevated Command Prompt: Continue to the next possible Repair below if the error still appears at Valorant’s initial starting screen.
7. Delete the metadata
The metadata folder in Valorant will fill up with information over time. As the folder expands, this information may make it more difficult for the game to connect to the game server. Several people who are experiencing this issue have reported that they were able to resolve it by deleting the metadata folder of Valiant. This method will only be applicable if you are experiencing this issue because of corruption affecting the metadata folder of Valorant. If you haven’t tried fixing the ‘Error Code Val 9’ error by clearing the metadata folder yet, follow the instructions below for specific instructions on how to do this:
8. Reinstall Valorant
If none of the methods above have proven successful in your case, you should troubleshoot against a potential corruption issue that affects the local installation. Since there are a lot of moving parts that might ultimately cause this problem, our recommendation is to reinstall Valorant to get rid of any game corruption that might produce the issue. Follow the steps below for specific instructions on how to do this:
9. Install the missing DirectX dependencies
As it turns out, this specific problem is caused by a missing legacy DirectX dependency that the game still depends on. Windows 10 has this reliance, but Windows 11 makes it completely optional. Many people appear to be interested in this solution, especially those who have not yet upgraded to Windows 11. (which supports the latest DirectX version natively). Note: The most recent version of this file is available on the Microsoft page. However, before you install DirectX, it is advised that you delete the file D3DCompiler 43.dll from the system’s folder after making a backup copy of it. Inconsistencies in the file system caused by the DirectX dependencies will be resolved as a result. If you don’t know how to install DirectX, you need follow these steps: If you’re still dealing with the same ‘Error Code Val 9‘ when you launch Valorant, move down to the next method below.
10. Install the missing Visual C++ dependencies
Many customers who have encountered the problem claim that you should be prepared to cope with it if the game lacks a crucial Visual C++ redist package required for the multiplayer component to function. You can resolve this problem by adding all of the missing Visual C++ dependencies by using a one-click installer. Many people claim that the faulty or missing Visual C++ Redist packages on your system may be the root of this error. Installing all the missing Visual C++ Redist Packages is the first thing you may attempt. From the Microsoft website, you may download them. The procedures you must take are listed below in case you are unsure of how to obtain and install the Visual C++ Redist packages: If the issue persists after completing the steps above or you already have the necessary Visual C++ dependencies, consider the following possible solution below.
11. Disable unnecessary 3rd party services
Certain third-party services, especially those that employ the IPV6 protocol, are known to cause this issue. To identify the problem, do a clean boot state and check to see if the issue is resolved. You can check if this theory is accurate by launching your machine in clean boot mode and observing whether the BSOD crash still occurs. If not, you will need to carefully remove each component from third parties until you locate the problematic part. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to cautiously take each component away from other people until you locate the problematic one. If this holds true, you ought to be able to fix the issue by doing a clean boot to check for software conflicts and locate the troublesome service or process. The success of this measure was demonstrated by many of the impacted consumers. The effectiveness of this intervention was established for many of the affected Valorant players. Note: Always remember that by achieving a clean boot state, your computer will start up without any third-party services, apps, or starting things that might be to blame for the formation of this issue. To get this clean boot state, you must complete the following steps: If the problem still persists after establishing a clean boot state, move on to the next solution.
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