How to download VALORANT
Riot Games created and released VALORANT, a free-to-play 5v5 character-based tactical shooter. Since its June 2020 debut, the game has grown to become one of the most well-received competitive shooters in the world.
Riot Games' VALORANT delivers a unique combination of skilled gunplay, smart team-based gameplay, and varied agent abilities. This post will walk you through the process of downloading VALORANT and getting immersed in its exciting gameplay if you're ready to enter this action-packed universe. Let's look at how to download VALORANT while answering some important questions, including “How big is VALORANT,” and “How long does VALORANT take to download?”
How to download VALORANT
You must download the game client if you want to test out VALORANT. The client may be downloaded through the Epic Games Store and the Riot Games website. Let's look at where you may start your gaming journey now that you are aware of VALORANT's small size.
The game's official website is where you can download VALORANT directly. To boot up the game, you first must go to the official VALORANT website, where a conspicuous download button will be waiting for you. You may start the process of getting the VALORANT client and preparing for endless hours of intensive gameplay by clicking this button.
As there are two different ways to your “how to download VALORANT” question, we will be explaining them separately.
Related: Is VALORANT free?
Riot Games
The first and official way to download VALORANT is by visiting the Riot Games website. There you will see the download button; completing the steps is pretty easy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to download VALORANT using the official Riot Games website:
- Launch your web browser.
- Go to the official Riot Games VALORANT page.
- Hit “Download.”
- Launch the “VALORANT Installer.”
- Hit “Install.”
Epic Games
Luckily, you can also download VALORANT using the Epic Games launcher.
- Open your browser if you don’t have Epic Games installed on your PC.
- Download Epic Games on your PC.
- Alternatively, you can also go to the Epic Games VALORANT page.
- Click “Download.”
- Use your current account to log in when asked, or create an Epic account if you don't already have one. If you don't want to use your console or first-party account credentials, there are other ways to log in.
- The launcher installation file should begin downloading automatically. If it doesn't, start the download manually by clicking the button corresponding to your platform.
- Click the .exe file to launch the installation when the file has been downloaded.
- Select the desired installation location, then keep clicking "Next" to finish the installation.
Here are some additional tips for downloading VALORANT:
- Make sure you have enough free space on your hard drive. The VALORANT client is about 30GB in size.
- If you're having trouble downloading the game, try restarting your computer.
- If you're still having trouble, contact Riot Games support for help.
How big is VALORANT?
With a download size of only 31.3 GB, VALORANT is one of the smaller competitive shooters. The installation (67.5 MB) and Vanguard anti-cheat (about 200 MB) must also be downloaded.
Even though this is the very minimum, you may anticipate a rise in the overall amount of disk space that VALORANT uses when new updates become available. New maps, agents, and game modes are constantly being added to the game so make sure to account for that by having more space on your drive.
How big are VALORANT updates?
VALORANT updates come in a variety of sizes based on the content they contain. The average size of a small update, such as one that fixes a bug or modifies the game slightly, is 100MB. The size of larger upgrades, like those that include additional agents or maps, can reach 2GB.
Updates to VALORANT occur at varying intervals. Larger upgrades are released monthly, while smaller ones are released every week. Riot Games has, however, a reputation for releasing unexpected upgrades in between these routine ones.
How long does VALORANT take to download?
Your internet speed is the primary factor influencing download speed, so it differs for every household. If you have an internet speed of 10 Mbps, it means that it will take around 7 hours and 30 minutes for you to download VALORANT, as the game size is around 31 GB. You can calculate yours according to your internet speed.
There are other ways to learn the answer to the “how long does VALORANT take to download” question. Depending on your internet speed, download times will vary from person to person. If you know your internet speed, you should have an idea of how many hours you should be waiting to play VALORANT.
How to make VALORANT download faster
In this part of the guide, we will show you how to make VALORANT download faster.
Check your internet speed
Slow internet speed is one of the most common issues that causes a slow download for VALORANT. Check your internet connection and if there is anything wrong, contact your ISP. Here is the way to check your internet connection, one of the most important and basic tips on how to make VALORANT download faster:
- Open your web browser.
- Search “Speedtest” on Google.
- Go to the website.
- Click “Go” in the middle.
- Wait for the results.
- See if there is anything wrong with your internet speed.
Reset your network settings
Slow downloads in several programs, including VALORANT, might occasionally be caused by your current network settings. Resetting the network settings will reinstall the network adapters and adjust other network services to their default settings, which will resolve the issue.
To reset the network settings, follow these steps:
- Go to Network & Internet> Advanced network settings > Network reset in the Settings menu after opening it.
- Next to Network reset, select “Reset.”
- Click “Yes.”
Use Google’s DNS server
Although several public DNS servers are available, Google's servers are one of the most often used options. In light of this, our course will cover using Google's DNS. Change the IP addresses in the instructions below with your preferred server if you'd like a different one by looking at the finest DNS servers for increased online security.
- Use the Win + I hotkeys to access Settings.
- From the left panel, select Network & Internet.
- Go to Hardware Properties by selecting Wi-Fi.
- Next to the DNS server assignment, click Edit.
- Select Manual from the context menu by selecting the drop-down arrow next to Edit DNS settings.
- Choose IPv4 or IPv6 according to your DNS provider.
- If you select IPv4, put 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 in the corresponding fields for Preferred and Alternate DNS servers.
- Enter 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844 in the Preferred and Alternate DNS servers fields if you use IPv6.
How to fix VALORANT download stuck at 0
The most frequent causes of the VALORANT download being stuck at 0% are an anti-virus application or an out-of-date version of Windows. Third-party applications like MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, or Discord may also be to blame.
Software like MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, and Discord can slow down downloads, while antivirus products like AVG and Avast can interfere with downloading or upgrading.
Here is how to fix VALORANT download stuck at 0 error:
- Update your Windows version.
- Disable your antivirus program.
- Disable any third-party apps that coil interfere with Vanguard or VALORANT
How to download VALORANT without the Riot client
You can use the Epic Games launcher to download VALORANT without the Riot Client. Epic Games also offers the game for free, and you can also keep it in your Epic library.
VALORANT and other Riot games are now accessible on the Epic Games Store thanks to Riot Games. Here is how to do it:
- Search for VALORANT on the Epic Games shop.
- Download the app from the official Epic Games store if necessary.
- To start downloading VALORANT and Vanguard anti-cheat, click the "Get" button.
- After downloading the game, you can launch it from the start menu or the desktop shortcut.
How to change download location of VALORANT
VALORANT is automatically downloaded wherever the Riot Games folder is found. The C: drive would typically be the default place for it. This may be modified by selecting the advanced settings during installation. Here is how to “how to change download location of VALORANT”:
- Run the installation folder that you had already downloaded from Riot’s official website.
- Under the red “Install” button, click “Advanced Settings.”
- Select the location you want to install VALORANT.
- Hit “Apply.”
Should I download VALORANT from Epic Games?
If you are already a die-hard Epic Games user then yes, you can download VALORANT from Epic Games. However, a huge majority of the players are using the official Riot Client to play the game. Ultimately, the decision of whether to download VALORANT from Epic Games is up to you. Both platforms have pros and cons, so you'll need to decide which is right for you.
Is VALORANT safe to download?
Yes, it is totally safe to download VALORANT. Riot Games, the creator of VALORANT, is well-known and respected for its flagship title, League of Legends too. Riot Games has a solid reputation for putting player security and safety first, thanks to its extensive player base and over a decade of expertise.
Like many online games, VALORANT gathers and saves player information required for proper operation and a flawless gameplay experience. Riot Games takes player privacy seriously and has put safeguards in place to guard user information. They follow strict privacy rules and adhere to all data protection laws.
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