Every game at this point contains bugs and errors. We can see this, especially in new popular releases nowadays. Riot Games’ tactical shooter Valorant is not any different, meeting the players with errors and bugs in Valorant Error Code VAN bugs, or simple error codes.
One of these error codes is the Valorant Error Code 81. If you have encountered this error code, no worries because here you will learn why you are getting it and how to fix Error Code 81 Valorant.
The Reason behind Valorant Error Code 81
Valorant Error Code 81 is a connection error in the game. On the official Riot Games support site banner for error codes, it is stated that Error Code 81 appears due to “Service Start Failed”, appearing in the game with the error message “VALORANT has encountered a connection error”. The Valorant game depends on its running on background services, meaning that if a service fails to start, Error Code 81 and other Valorant Error Code VAN bugs can appear.
One reason for this connection error to appear may be due to a faulty start of the Riot Client. The Riot Client is an integral part of starting up Valorant, meaning that if it does not properly load up the Valorant services, Error Code 81 can appear.
Another reason may be due to the VGC Service that Riot Vanguard runs in the background. The Riot Vanguard has been known to cause problems with Windows Firewall and Windows Defender Firewall, so no wonder its VGC Service can cause problems for Valorant. The VGC Service runs deep into your PC, and if it does not properly process the Valorant game content, Error Code 81 may appear.
Knowing why you are getting Error Code 81 is key, because next up you will learn how you can fix it!
How to Fix Valorant Error Code 81
Restart the Riot Client and PC
The first solution that you as a player can try out, which even Riot Games recommends you try first, is to restart the Riot Client and your PC. The Riot Client has been known to cause tons of error codes, especially on low-end PCs.
To fully restart the Riot Client, open up Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Then in the Task Manager select the Processes tab above. Locate the Riot Client, select it and click on End task to close off the Riot Client process. You can also close off other related processes to Valorant which can increase the chances of fixing Error Code 81 and other Valorant Error Code VAN bugs.
You should also restart your PC with a click on the Windows Key, right-click the Power option, and press on Restart.
If restarting the Valorant client did not fix the connection error with Error Code 81, just follow up on the next solution because you may have problems with the Riot Vanguard and VGC Service.
Change VGC Service Startup Type
The next solution to fix the issue with Error Code 81 is to change the startup type of the VGC Service. This is an integral part of the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system, and if it does not function properly from the beginning, it can cause a connection error for the player like the Error Code 81.
To change the VGC Service startup type, you will press Windows Key+R to open the Run Dialog window. Type in “services.msc” and hit Enter. This will open up tons of services, where you will have to locate the “vgc” service. Once you do, right-click it and click on Properties. Here, at the Startup type option select Automatic, click on Start, and click on Apply.
After you change the VGC Startup type, you should restart your PC and try to play Valorant again. Though if Error Code 81 still persists, then the last solution you can try out is to
Reinstall Riot Vanguard and Valorant
This last solution is also recommended as a last resort by Riot Games for every player, and it is to reinstall Riot Vanguard and Valorant. When new updates and patches come to Valorant, they know to sometimes mess up the Valorant files, which can cause a connection error or two, thus why you may be getting Error Code 81. Here’s how you can uninstall and reinstall them both step-by-step:
Uninstall Riot Vanguard
- Make sure you have closed off Valorant, the Riot Client, and Riot Vanguard in Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) or System Tray option (arrow pointing upwards below on Windows Taskbar). If you see the Riot Vanguard, Valorant, or the Valorant client in System Tray, right-click them and close them off
- In the Search Bar below, search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and run it as an Administrator
- Type in the following commands:
- “sc delete vgc”, press Enter and
- “sc delete vgk”, press Enter
- Restart your Windows PC
- When your PC boots up again, on the Search Bar below search for This PC, select it, and locate the Riot Vanguard folder, its most probable location should be in Program Files on the C partition (“C:\Program Files”)
- Once you find it, right-click it and Delete it
Uninstall and Reinstall Valorant
- In the Search Bar below, search for Control Panel, open it up, find the “Uninstall a program” option and select it
- Locate VALORANT here, and once you do, right-click it and click on Uninstall
- Go on the official Riot Games site for Valorant and reinstall it anew. Make sure you are on the official site for the installation of Valorant, as to not get scammed of your account and Riot ID
Contact Riot Support
The Riot Support team is great, helping out every player with any error codes. If your Error Code 81 still persists, you can submit a ticket to the support team here.
Error codes in Valorant have always angered every player, and they always will. If you have encountered the Valorant Error Code 128, you can check it out here. Though if you want to see other related articles for error codes, you can visit the Valorant Error Code Hub.