How to Fix Valorant TIMEOUT error

Valorant is an incredibly popular online game that brings together players from all over the world in intense, strategic battles. However, like any online game, Valorant is not immune to technical issues that can disrupt the gameplay experience. One common problem that players may encounter is the Valorant TIMEOUT error.

The Valorant TIMEOUT error occurs when there is a connection issue between the player's computer and the Valorant game servers. This can result in lag, disconnections, and overall frustration for players trying to enjoy the game. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to resolve this issue and get back to playing Valorant without any interruptions.

In this guide, we will walk you through various methods to fix the Valorant TIMEOUT error. Rest assured that these steps are beginner-friendly and easy to follow, even if you have little to no technical knowledge. Let's dive in!

Check Riot Games Service Status

Before diving into troubleshooting steps, it's essential to check the Riot Games service status. Sometimes, the issue might not be on your end but rather a problem with the game servers themselves. By checking the service status, you can quickly determine if Valorant is experiencing any widespread issues.

To check the Riot Games service status, follow these simple steps:

1. Open your preferred web browser.

2. Go to the Riot Games Service Status page (insert link here).

3. Look for the Valorant section on the page.

4. If there are any ongoing issues with the game servers, they will be listed here.

If the service status indicates that Valorant is experiencing difficulties, there is no need to worry. The developers are likely already working on a solution, and all you need to do is wait until the issue is resolved.

Verify CPU or GPU Overclocking

Overclocking your CPU or GPU can provide a performance boost in certain applications, but it can also lead to stability issues in others, including Valorant. If you have overclocked your CPU or GPU, it is worth checking if this is the cause of the TIMEOUT error.

To verify and adjust CPU or GPU overclocking settings, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer.

2. When your computer is starting up, enter the BIOS settings by pressing the designated key (typically Del, F2, or F10) on your keyboard. The key may vary depending on your motherboard manufacturer.

3. Navigate to the "Overclocking" or "Advanced Settings" section in the BIOS.

4. Look for options related to CPU or GPU overclocking.

5. If you have enabled any overclocking settings, disable them by setting the values back to default or turning off any overclocking features.

6. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

By disabling CPU or GPU overclocking, you can ensure that your hardware is running at its default settings, which are generally more stable for gaming purposes.

Run Valorant as Administrator

Running Valorant with administrative privileges can help resolve various issues, including the TIMEOUT error. When you run a program as an administrator, it has higher access privileges, which can potentially fix any conflicts with the operating system or other applications.

To run Valorant as an administrator, follow these steps:

1. Locate the Valorant shortcut on your desktop or in the Start Menu.

2. Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties" from the context menu.

3. In the Properties window, navigate to the "Compatibility" tab.

4. Check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator."

5. Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.

6. Launch Valorant using the modified shortcut and check if the TIMEOUT error persists.

Running Valorant as an administrator ensures that the game has the necessary permissions to function correctly, potentially resolving any issues related to the TIMEOUT error.

Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall

While antivirus and firewall programs are essential for maintaining the security of your computer, they can sometimes interfere with online games like Valorant. These programs may mistakenly flag game files as threats or block certain network connections, leading to the TIMEOUT error. To rule out this possibility, temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall programs.

Please note that disabling your antivirus and firewall temporarily exposes your computer to potential security risks. Therefore, it is recommended to only disable them for troubleshooting purposes and re-enable them once you have resolved the TIMEOUT error.

To disable antivirus and firewall programs, follow these steps:

1. Locate the antivirus and firewall programs running on your computer. Common antivirus software includes Windows Defender, Norton, Avast, and AVG.

2. Right-click on the antivirus program's icon in the system tray (usually located in the bottom-right corner of the screen) and look for an option to disable or exit the program.

3. If prompted, choose a temporary or time-limited disable option.

4. Repeat the same steps for any firewall programs running on your computer.

After disabling your antivirus and firewall programs, launch Valorant and check if the TIMEOUT error persists. If the issue is resolved, consider adding Valorant to your antivirus and firewall exceptions list to prevent any future conflicts.

Flush DNS Cache

The DNS (Domain Name System) cache stores information about websites you have visited, allowing your computer to access them more quickly in the future. However, if the DNS cache becomes corrupted or outdated, it can cause connectivity issues, including the TIMEOUT error in Valorant. Flushing the DNS cache can help resolve such issues.

To flush the DNS cache on Windows, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt by typing "cmd" in the Windows search bar and selecting the "Command Prompt" app.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command: "ipconfig /flushdns".

3. Press Enter on your keyboard.

4. Wait for the command to execute and for the DNS cache to be flushed.

5. Close the Command Prompt.

Flushing the DNS cache clears any outdated or corrupted DNS entries, potentially resolving any connectivity issues that were causing the TIMEOUT error in Valorant.

Reset Windows Sockets

Windows sockets, also known as Winsock, are a set of programming interfaces that allow applications to communicate over the internet. If the Winsock catalog becomes corrupted, it can lead to network-related issues, including the TIMEOUT error. Resetting the Windows sockets can help resolve these issues.

To reset Windows sockets, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click on the Command Prompt app and select "Run as administrator").

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command: "netsh winsock reset".

3. Press Enter on your keyboard.

4. Wait for the command to execute and for the Winsock catalog to be reset.

5. Restart your computer.

After resetting the Windows sockets, launch Valorant and check if the TIMEOUT error persists. If the issue is resolved, you have successfully fixed the connectivity issues caused by Winsock corruption.

Change DNS Server

The DNS server translates domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers can understand. Sometimes, using a different DNS server can improve your internet connection's stability and resolve network-related issues that may cause the TIMEOUT error in Valorant. Popular public DNS servers include Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1).

To change the DNS server on Windows, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows search bar.

2. In the Control Panel, navigate to the "Network and Internet" section.

3. Click on "Network and Sharing Center."

4. In the left sidebar, click on "Change adapter settings."

5. Right-click on the network adapter you are currently using (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select "Properties."

6. In the Properties window, scroll down and double-click on "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)."

7. In the next window, select the option "Use the following DNS server addresses."

8. Enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses. For example, you can enter Google DNS as follows: Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8, Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4.

9. Click "OK" to save the changes.

10. Restart your computer.

Changing the DNS server can provide a more stable connection and potentially resolve the TIMEOUT error in Valorant. If the issue persists, you can try using a different public DNS server, such as Cloudflare DNS.

The Valorant TIMEOUT error can be frustrating, especially when it interrupts your gameplay experience. However, with this friendly guide, you can easily troubleshoot and fix the issue without needing extensive technical knowledge. By following the steps outlined above, including checking the Riot Games service status, verifying CPU or GPU overclocking, running Valorant as an administrator, temporarily disabling antivirus and firewall, flushing the DNS cache, resetting Windows sockets, and changing the DNS server, you have a range of potential solutions to explore.