5 Ways to Fix the Valorant Connection Error VAN 79 on a Windows PC

Valorant has a big collection of error codes that many players need to fix, among which is VAN 79. One player said this about that PC game error: “The error code VAN-79. Whenever I launch Valorant, I get the same code.” The VAN 79 error message says, “Valorant has encountered a connection error.” This is how you can fix the Valorant connection error VAN 79 on Windows PCs.

Start Required Services

Firstly, check if the required VGC and Virtual Disk services for Valorant are running. If not, you can select to start those services. This is how you can start the VGC and Virtual Disk services.

1. Activate your Run accessory by pressing the Windows logo + R key combination.
2. Enter services.msc within the Run text box and select OK.
3. Double-click VGC to open a properties window for that service.
   
   

   The VGC Properties window

4. Click Start inside the VGC Properties to run the service if stopped.
5. Select Automatic inside the Startup settings menu.
6. Click Apply to set the options selected and OK to exit.
7. Repeat the previous four steps for the Virtual Disk service.

The Virtual Disk Properties window

Reinstall Vanguard

The most widely confirmed way to fix the Valorant connection error VAN 79 is to reinstall Vanguard. Vanguard is the anti-cheat software for the Valorant game. You can reinstall Vanguard like this:

1. Click Search (or its magnifying glass icon) on the taskbar.
2. Enter the CMD (Command Prompt) search phrase.
3. Next, select Run as administrator for the Command Prompt app.
4. Enter and execute the sc delete vgc command.
   
   

   The sc delete vgc command

5. Next, input sc delete vgk and hit Return.
6. Close the Command Prompt and restart Windows.
7. Open the Program Files folder in File Explorer and restart your PC.
8. Click the Riot Vanguard folder with the right mouse button to select Delete.
   
   

   The Riot Vanguard folder

9. Start the Riot Client software by double-clicking on its desktop shortcut.
10. Sign in to the Riot Client.
11. Click the Valorant tab.
12. Press the Update button to install Vanguard.

The Update button

Update Windows 11

A few players have fixed the Valorant connection error VAN 79 by installing Windows updates. You won’t be able to apply this potential fix for Windows 10 when Microsoft stops supporting that platform on October 14. However, you can update Windows 11 by clicking Check for Windows updates on this Microsoft page. Then, select Open Settings > Check for updates from there and select to install every patch you can.

The Check for updates button

Reset Winsock and Flush DNS Cache

This potential fix for the Valorant connection error VAN 79 error is primarily for addressing network issues. Resetting the Winsock catalog and flushing the DNS cache might work for some players, but probably not everybody. These are the steps for flushing the DNS cache and resetting Winsock:

1. Open the Command Prompt as instructed in steps one to three of resolution two above.
2. Enter netsch winsock reset and hit Return.
3. Type in the ipconfig /flushdns command and press Enter.

The ipconfig /flushdns command

Run Valorant With Admin Rights

Finally, try running your game with admin rights to fix the Valorant connection error VAN 79. Applying this possible fix might resolve permissions issues blocking Valorant’s server connection. These are the steps for running Valorant with elevated privileges:

1. Right-click your Valorant desktop shortcut to select a Properties option for it. If you don’t have a desktop shortcut for the game, you’ll need to open the Valorant installation folder and right-click the VALORANT-Win64-Shipping.exe file.
2. Click Compatibility and select Run this program as an administrator inside that tab.
   
   

   The Run this program as an administrator option

3. Select Disable fullscreen optimizations as well. 
4. Select Apply to set the selected options.
5. Press OK to close the Compatibility settings.

The troubleshooting methods above will most likely fix the Valorant connection error VAN 79 for the majority of players. Try applying all those potential fixes before contacting the Valorant help service. You can ask Valorant’s help service for more potential resolutions by clicking Submit a Ticket on this Riot Games page.

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