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Error Could Not Enter Matchmaking Valorant

You’ve probably clicked on the “Play” button in Valorant, excited for your next match, only to be greeted with the dreaded “Could Not Enter Matchmaking” error. This means that, for some reason, you were unable to join the matchmaking queue. While this error doesn’t always have a clear, singular cause, it’s often related to a few common issues, such as problems with your internet connection, the game’s servers, or even specific account-related settings.

This error is particularly frustrating because it stops you from progressing into a match entirely, leaving you wondering what went wrong. It can even happen in the middle of a session when you’re about to queue for your next game, ruining your flow. In the next sections, I’ll go over what causes this error in detail and how to fix it.

Common Causes Behind the Matchmaking Error

Server Issues

One of the most common reasons for getting the “Could Not Enter Matchmaking” error is an issue with the Valorant servers. Riot Games, like any game developer, occasionally experiences server outages, maintenance periods, or technical issues that can cause matchmaking to fail.

You might think that this is only an issue during major updates, but even small hiccups in the server system can cause connection failures. When this happens, there’s very little you can do on your end just wait it out until Riot resolves the issue. Checking Riot’s official social media channels or websites like Downdetector can help you verify whether the problem is on their end.

Network Problems

Another major culprit behind this error is your own internet connection. Whether it’s a slow connection or intermittent Wi-Fi drops, a weak or unstable network can make it impossible to enter matchmaking. If Valorant can’t connect properly to the game’s servers, it will result in an error like this one.

Your internet speed should be at least 3 Mbps for smooth gameplay, but if you’re experiencing frequent lag or packet loss, that’s a sign that your network might be the issue. Try troubleshooting your Wi-Fi or switching to a wired connection to see if it improves matchmaking.

Game Files Corruption

Sometimes, the game itself can become corrupted. Valorant, being a resource-intensive game, relies heavily on files being intact. If any of these files get corrupted, it can prevent you from accessing matchmaking. Missing or corrupt files often lead to unexpected crashes or errors.

This can occur after an update or patch, especially if the download process was interrupted. Thankfully, this is usually something that can be fixed by verifying or repairing the game files.

Account or Region-Related Issues

Your account settings or region selection might also play a role in this error. If you’ve recently moved to a different region or changed your settings, Valorant might have trouble finding a suitable server for you. Similarly, issues related to account verification or bans can sometimes prevent you from accessing matchmaking.

In rare cases, there might be a bug with your Riot account preventing you from entering matchmaking. To rule this out, you may need to check if your account is in good standing or even try switching regions in your settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the “Could Not Enter Matchmaking” Error

Now that we’ve covered the causes, let’s dive into how you can fix this annoying problem. Here are some quick and simple steps to get you back into your match as soon as possible.

Checking Your Internet Connection

The first thing to check is your internet connection. A stable connection is crucial for playing online games like Valorant.

Here’s what you can do:

Test your speed: Use a service like Speedtest.net to see if your connection is fast enough.
Switch to a wired connection: If you’re on Wi-Fi, consider switching to Ethernet. This can significantly reduce lag and connection issues.
Reboot your router: Sometimes, simply restarting your router can fix connection issues.
Close bandwidth-heavy apps: Make sure no one else in your household is streaming video or downloading large files, as this can eat up your bandwidth.

Restarting the Game and PC

If you’ve checked your network and it’s fine, try restarting both the game and your computer. Sometimes, simple glitches or processes that are stuck can cause matchmaking errors. A fresh start often clears up these issues.

Here’s what you can do:

Restart Valorant: Close the game completely, restart it, and try again.
Reboot your PC: A full restart might be necessary if other applications are interfering with the game.

Verifying Game Files via Riot Client

As mentioned earlier, corrupted files can also cause matchmaking issues. Luckily, Riot Games provides an easy way to verify the integrity of your game files.

Open the Riot Client.
Click on the Settings icon in the top-right corner.
Under General, select Repair to check for any missing or corrupted files.
This process might take some time, but it’s worth it to ensure your game files are in good condition.

Changing Your Region in Valorant

Sometimes the issue is related to your region settings, especially if there’s a regional server outage or issue. Valorant allows you to manually switch regions in the game.

Here’s how to do it:

Open the Riot Client and go to Settings.
Under the Region tab, select a different region to try matchmaking.
Note that matchmaking may take longer if you switch to a server farther away.

Checking for Server Outages

If none of the above solutions worked, it might be time to check if there are any server outages. Sometimes Riot Games performs maintenance, which can lead to matchmaking problems.

You can check:

Riot Games Service Status: Visit Riot’s official status page for real-time updates.
Downdetector: A third-party website that tracks server issues with various games, including Valorant.

Advanced Solutions for Persistent Errors

If you’ve tried all the basic fixes and the error persists, it’s time to take more advanced measures. These solutions are more technical but can help resolve the issue if nothing else works.

Reinstalling Valorant

Sometimes, the only way to fix persistent errors is to reinstall the game. This ensures that any corrupted files or installation issues are completely wiped out.

Steps to reinstall:

Uninstall Valorant from your computer.
Restart your PC.
Download the latest version of Valorant from Riot’s official website and install it.
Launch the game and try matchmaking again.

Clearing Cache and DNS

Clearing your DNS cache can help resolve issues with your network and prevent matchmaking errors. Follow these steps:

Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.
Restart your PC and try again.

Contacting Riot Support

If you’ve gone through all the solutions and still can’t get into matchmaking, it may be time to reach out to Riot Games’ support team. They can provide personalized help and might identify issues that you can’t fix on your own.

Preventing Future Matchmaking Errors

Now that you know how to fix the error, let’s talk about preventing it. There are a few things you can do to reduce the chances of encountering this issue again in the future.

Keep Your Game Updated: Always make sure that you’re running the latest version of Valorant to avoid compatibility issues.
Maintain a Stable Internet Connection: Invest in a stable internet connection or a wired setup for better reliability.
Monitor Server Status: Keep an eye on Valorant’s server status to be aware of when the server is down.

FAQs

Can’t enter matchmaking in Valorant?

Yep, it sucks when this happens. The main reasons are usually network problems, corrupted game files, server outages, or even region-related issues. Try checking your internet, verifying game files, or switching regions in your settings. If all else fails, reinstalling Valorant or contacting Riot Support can help.

What causes a Valorant glitch?

Glitches in Valorant can be caused by many things unstable internet connections, outdated drivers, corrupted game files, or even bugs introduced by recent updates. Riot typically patches most bugs quickly, but keeping your game updated and your PC clean from junk files can prevent a lot of issues.

Why is my Valorant server not working?

This is often tied to Riot’s servers being down for maintenance or facing temporary issues. It could also be due to your own internet routing problems. Check Valorant’s official server status page or a site like Downdetector. If servers are fine, try flushing your DNS or restarting your router.

Is Valorant matchmaking down right now?

Could be! The quickest way to find out is by visiting status.riotgames.com or checking community reports on Reddit and Twitter. Players usually flood these platforms when matchmaking goes down.

How do I reset matchmaking in Valorant?

There’s no official “reset matchmaking” button, but you can indirectly reset your queue attempts by restarting your client, changing your region, or even restarting your PC. This forces a fresh handshake with the matchmaking servers, which often resolves stuck queues.

Conclusion

If you’ve stuck with me this far, you now have a complete roadmap to tackle the infamous “Could Not Enter Matchmaking Valorant” error. This problem might seem like a massive headache at first trust me, I’ve been there, staring at my monitor in frustration while my squad waited on Discord. But usually, it boils down to either your network, server hiccups, or some local file issues.

The next time you can’t jump into a game, take a breath and run through these steps. Start simple by checking your internet and restarting your setup. Then verify your game files or even reinstall if things still look grim. Most importantly, keep your game and drivers updated, maintain a steady connection, and be patient with Riot’s servers (they’re not perfect either).

So, whether you’re prepping to dominate in competitive or just want some chill unrated matches, these tips should keep that dreaded error at bay.