VALORANT Friends List Issues: Troubleshooting and Solutions to Get You Back in the Game

Table of Contents

• Fixes for VALORANT Friend List Not Working or Missing¶
• How do I add friends in VALORANT?¶
• Why is VALORANT not connecting?¶

Experiencing issues with your friend list in VALORANT can be frustrating, especially when you’re eager to team up with friends for a match. Many players have reported encountering problems where their friend list either fails to load or appears completely empty. This issue prevents players from seeing who’s online, inviting friends to parties, or even knowing if their friends are available to play. Social media platforms are filled with reports from VALORANT users expressing their frustration with this persistent problem, highlighting how it disrupts the social and cooperative aspects of the game. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting these friend list issues and offer effective solutions to get you back to enjoying VALORANT with your friends.

Fixes for VALORANT Friend List Not Working or Missing¶

If you are facing the issue of a non-functional or missing friend list in VALORANT, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take. These solutions range from simple checks to more technical adjustments, designed to address various potential causes of the problem. Below are seven effective fixes to resolve the friend list issue on your Windows PC, allowing you to reconnect with your VALORANT friends and get back into the game seamlessly.

1] Check VALORANT’s Server Status¶

Before diving into more complex solutions, it’s crucial to verify the VALORANT server status. Game servers can occasionally experience outages due to maintenance, unexpected technical issues, or high traffic volume. These server-side problems can directly impact in-game features, including the friend list functionality. If the VALORANT servers are down, features like the friend list might become unavailable until the servers are back online.

To check the server status, you can utilize various online server status detector websites. These websites provide real-time information on the status of game servers and other online services. Alternatively, you can check VALORANT’s official social media channels, such as Twitter or their official website, for any announcements regarding server outages or maintenance. Riot Games, the developer of VALORANT, usually provides updates on server status through these channels.

If a server outage is confirmed, the only course of action is to wait for Riot Games to resolve the issue. Server-side problems are beyond your control and require intervention from the game developers. Once the servers are back online and stable, the friend list issue should automatically resolve itself. If the server status is normal, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to identify and fix the problem.

2] Relaunch VALORANT¶

Often, a simple restart can resolve a multitude of technical glitches, and the same applies to game applications like VALORANT. Relaunching the VALORANT game client is a quick and easy troubleshooting step that can effectively address temporary glitches or connectivity hiccups that might be causing the friend list issue. When you restart the game, it establishes a fresh connection with the game servers, potentially resolving any disrupted connections that were interfering with the friend list functionality.

To ensure a clean restart, it is advisable to close the VALORANT client completely, including the Riot Vanguard system tray icon if it’s running. After closing the application, wait for a few seconds before relaunching it. For an even more thorough approach, consider restarting VALORANT with administrator privileges. This can be done by right-clicking on the VALORANT shortcut icon and selecting “Run as administrator”. Running the game with administrator rights can sometimes resolve permission-related issues that might be contributing to the problem.

If simply relaunching the game client doesn’t resolve the friend list issue, it indicates that the problem might be more persistent and requires further troubleshooting. In such cases, proceed with the subsequent fixes outlined in this guide to explore other potential solutions.

3] Log Out, Then Log In to Your Account¶

Similar to restarting the game client, logging out and then logging back into your VALORANT account can often resolve account-specific glitches that might be affecting the friend list. This process refreshes your account session and can clear any temporary data corruption or authentication issues that might be preventing the friend list from loading correctly. It is a straightforward solution that has proven effective for many users experiencing this problem.

To log out, navigate to the settings menu within the VALORANT client. Look for the logout option, usually located in the account or general settings section. Once you have logged out, wait for a brief moment before logging back in using your Riot Games account credentials. Ensure you enter your username and password correctly to avoid any login failures.

After successfully logging back in, check if the friend list is now functioning as expected. This method is particularly effective if the issue is related to a temporary glitch or a corrupted account session. If logging out and back in doesn’t resolve the problem, continue to the next troubleshooting steps to explore other potential causes and solutions for the friend list issue.

4] Reboot Your Router¶

Your home router plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining your internet connection, which is essential for online gaming like VALORANT. Routers can accumulate cached data over time, and occasionally, this cached data can become corrupted or outdated, leading to various network connectivity issues. These issues can manifest as problems with in-game features, including the friend list not loading or functioning correctly in VALORANT.

Rebooting your router is a simple yet effective way to clear the router’s cache and refresh its network connections. This process can resolve network-related problems that might be interfering with VALORANT’s ability to connect to its servers and retrieve your friend list information. To reboot your router, locate the power button on the back or side of the device and turn it off. Alternatively, you can unplug the power cable from the router.

Wait for approximately 30 seconds to a minute to allow the router to completely power down and clear its memory. After waiting, plug the power cable back in or turn the power button back on. Allow the router a few minutes to restart and re-establish your internet connection. Once your internet connection is restored, relaunch VALORANT and check if the friend list issue has been resolved. Rebooting your router is a general network troubleshooting step that can often resolve a wide range of connectivity problems, including issues with online games.

5] Try Connecting to a Different Internet Connection¶

The stability and speed of your internet connection are paramount for a smooth online gaming experience in VALORANT. If your current internet connection is experiencing issues, such as slow speeds, packet loss, or intermittent disconnections, it can directly impact the functionality of online games and features like the friend list. Trying a different internet connection can help determine if the problem lies with your primary internet service.

If you have access to an alternative internet connection, such as a mobile hotspot, a different Wi-Fi network, or a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi, try switching to it. Connecting through a different network can help isolate whether the issue is specific to your primary internet connection or a more general problem with your system or VALORANT itself.

After switching to a different internet connection, relaunch VALORANT and check if the friend list is now working. If the friend list functions correctly on the alternative connection, it indicates that the problem is likely related to your original internet service. In this case, you might need to contact your internet service provider (ISP) to inquire about potential issues with your connection or consider upgrading to a more stable and faster internet plan.

6] Change Your DNS Server¶

The Domain Name System (DNS) server translates website names and domain names into IP addresses, allowing your computer to connect to online servers. By default, you typically use the DNS servers provided by your internet service provider (ISP). However, these default DNS servers can sometimes experience issues, such as slow response times or outages, which can affect your internet connectivity and online gaming experience.

Switching to a public DNS server, like Google Public DNS, can sometimes improve your internet speed and reliability. Google Public DNS servers are known for their speed, security, and stability, making them a popular alternative to ISP-provided DNS servers. Changing your DNS server settings is a relatively straightforward process that can potentially resolve DNS-related connectivity issues that might be causing the friend list problem in VALORANT.

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To change your DNS server to Google Public DNS on Windows, follow these steps:

1. Open Network & Internet settings: Right-click on the network icon in your taskbar (usually in the bottom right corner of your screen) and select “Open Network & Internet settings”.
2. Change adapter options: In the Network & Internet settings window, find and click on “Change adapter options”. This will open the Network Connections window.
3. Properties of your network: Right-click on your active network connection (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select “Properties” from the context menu.
4. Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4): In the network connection properties window, scroll down and find “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” in the list. Double-click on it to open its properties.
5. Use the following DNS server addresses: In the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window, select the radio button labeled “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
6. Enter Google DNS server addresses: Enter the following DNS server addresses:
   • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
7. Save changes: Click the “OK” button in both the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties and the network connection properties windows to save your changes.

After changing your DNS server settings, relaunch VALORANT and check if the friend list issue has been resolved. Using Google Public DNS can often improve your overall internet performance and resolve DNS-related connectivity problems that might be affecting your game.

7] Contact Riot Support Team¶

If you have exhausted all the troubleshooting steps outlined above and the friend list issue in VALORANT persists, the final resort is to contact the Riot Support Team. Riot Games provides dedicated support for VALORANT players who encounter technical issues or bugs within the game. Reaching out to their support team can provide personalized assistance and potentially uncover solutions that are specific to your account or situation.

To contact Riot Support, visit the official VALORANT support website. Look for the “Submit a ticket” or “Contact us” option. You will typically need to create a support ticket or submit a request detailing the issue you are experiencing. Provide as much relevant information as possible in your support ticket, including:

• Your VALORANT username and region.
• A detailed description of the friend list issue.
• The troubleshooting steps you have already tried.
• Any error messages or screenshots you have encountered.

The Riot Support team will review your ticket and may request additional information or suggest specific troubleshooting steps tailored to your problem. They might also be aware of server-side issues or bugs that are causing the friend list problem and can provide updates on when a fix is expected. Contacting support ensures that your issue is brought to the attention of the game developers, and they can assist you in resolving the problem or provide further guidance.

How do I add friends in VALORANT?¶

Adding friends in VALORANT is a straightforward process that allows you to connect with other players and team up for matches. To add friends, follow these simple steps within the game client:

1. Open the Friend List: Launch VALORANT and look for the friend list panel, typically located at the bottom right corner of the game client interface. Click on the “Friend List” icon to open it.
2. Click “Add Friends”: Within the friend list panel, you will find an “Add Friends” button, usually represented by a plus (+) icon or labeled “Add Friend”. Click on this button to initiate the friend request process.
3. Enter Riot ID and Tag: A pop-up window will appear prompting you to enter the Riot ID and Tag of the friend you want to add. A Riot ID is the username your friend uses across Riot Games titles, and the Tag is a unique four or five-digit number following a hashtag (#) after their username (e.g., ExampleName#1234). Ensure you enter both the Riot ID and Tag correctly, as they are case-sensitive.
4. Send Friend Request: After entering the Riot ID and Tag, click the “Send Request” or “Add Friend” button. This will send a friend request to the specified player.
5. Friend Acceptance: Your friend will receive a notification of your friend request in their VALORANT client. Once they accept your request, you will both be added to each other’s friend lists, and you can start playing together.

After successfully adding friends, you can invite them to parties, see their online status, chat with them, and enjoy playing VALORANT together. If you encounter issues adding friends, ensure you are entering their Riot ID and Tag correctly and that both of you have stable internet connections.

Why is VALORANT not connecting?¶

Encountering connection errors in VALORANT can be frustrating, preventing you from logging in or joining matches. Various factors can contribute to VALORANT connection issues, ranging from server-side problems to local network configurations. Common VALORANT connection error codes like VAN 135, 68, and 8 often indicate issues that can be related to server outages or client-side problems.

Common causes of VALORANT connection errors:

• Server Outages: As mentioned earlier, VALORANT servers can sometimes experience outages due to maintenance or technical issues. Server problems are a common cause of connection errors, and in such cases, the issue is usually on Riot Games’ end, requiring them to resolve it.
• Internet Connection Issues: Unstable or slow internet connections can also lead to connection errors in VALORANT. Problems like packet loss, high latency, or intermittent disconnections can disrupt the game’s ability to communicate with servers.
• Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Security software like firewalls or antivirus programs can sometimes mistakenly block VALORANT’s connection to the internet. This can occur if VALORANT is not properly whitelisted in your firewall or antivirus settings.
• Proxy Server Issues: If you are using a proxy server, it might be interfering with VALORANT’s connection. Incorrect proxy settings or problems with the proxy server itself can cause connection errors.
• TCP/IP Configuration Problems: Issues with your computer’s TCP/IP configuration, which manages network communication, can also lead to connection problems.

Troubleshooting steps for VALORANT connection errors:

• Check VALORANT Server Status: Verify if there are any known server outages or maintenance periods affecting VALORANT.
• Restart Networking Devices: Reboot your modem and router to refresh your network connection and resolve any temporary network glitches.
• Disable Proxy Server: If you are using a proxy server, try disabling it temporarily to see if it resolves the connection error.
• Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings: Ensure that VALORANT is allowed through your firewall and antivirus programs. Add VALORANT as an exception or whitelist in your security software settings.
• Reset TCP/IP: Resetting your computer’s TCP/IP configuration can resolve network-related issues. You can do this through the command prompt using the netsh winsock reset command.

By systematically troubleshooting these potential causes, you can often identify and resolve VALORANT connection errors, allowing you to get back into the game. If the errors persist, contacting Riot Support is recommended for further assistance.

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Having trouble with your VALORANT friend list is definitely a buzzkill, but hopefully, these solutions help you get back to gaming with your squad! Have you experienced this issue before? What fixes have worked for you? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!