Another day and a completely new error code in Valorant. The errors causes the game to crash with a fatal error. The error message reads “Valorant encountered a connection error. It is necessary to restart the client. Error code 138.” If you go on the official website of Valorant, the error code is not listed, which makes the situation worst. The Valorant Error code 138 is a connection error as the message states; however, users have reported the error even when they network and internet is working desirably. Stick around and we will share all the solutions for the error and possible causes.
Fix Valorant Error Code 138 – “Valorant encountered a connection error, restart client.”
From what it appears on the Valorant Subreddit and answers from the developers, the error is associated with the AMD’s A series processors, but users who have other processor also encounter the problem. So, the error code 138 in Valorant cannot be isolated to the AMD processor series. Sometimes the problem also arises when there is an internet problem.
Here are some fix that have resolved the error for users.
Fix 1: Switch your Internet Connection
Since the error message states this to be a connection error, you must first try and troubleshot that. If you are using a mobile hotspot, switch to Wi-Fi or LAN and vice versa. If the error still occurs, which is likely in most cases if you are using AMD Series A processors, the problem is not with your internet. Try the other fixes to resolve the error.
Fix 2: Reinstall Vanguard
Vanguard is the anti-cheat software of Riot used in Valorant. If the software does not launch or there is a problem with the installation, Valorant will not start. As most problems with the game start with the anticheat. It’s worth a try to reinstall the software. To do this, you have to fist uninstall Vanguard. Press Windows Key + I and select Apps. Locate Riot Vanguard from the list of programs and click on Uninstall. Wait for the process to complete and relaunch Valorant. Vanguard will be downloaded and installed automatically when you launch the game. Restart the system when prompted and the error should have disappeared.
Fix 3: Switch to Windows 8.1
For some reasons, people who encountered the Valorant error code 138 were able to fix it when playing on Windows 8.1. You could try and run the game on Compatibility mode, but that does not work. You need to make the switch to Windows 8.1 if that’s a possibility for you. Remember to update the driver and other software accordingly when you switch the Windows. In order to play the game in compatibility mode > right-click on Valorant and select Properties > go to the Compatibility tab > check Run this program in compatibility mode for and select Windows 8.
Fix 4: Change Boot Configuration Data Configuration
The BCD (Boot Configuration Data) describe boot applications and boot application settings. We will try to change some configuration in an attempt to resolve the Valorant error code 138. For this you need to open the Command Prompt in admin mode. Here are the steps:
- Press Windows Key + R and type cmd, not hit Shift + Ctrl + Enter simultaneously
- Type bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx OptIn and hit enter
- Type bcdedit.exe /set testsigning off and hit enter
- Type bcdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks off and hit enter
If you get the message “The value is protected by Secure Boot policy and cannot be modified or deleted”, then, you need to turn off secure boot option in the BIOS before you attempt the above fix. Once the process is complete, restart the system and launch Valorant. The error should be resolved.
Fix 5: Change the Vanguard Priority
You can change the priority from the Task Manager. Open Task Manager by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting it from the list. Locate the process ‘Vanguard tray notification’. Right-click and select Details. Right-click on process and set the priority to Normal. Restart the system and attempt to play the game.
If the Valorant error code 138 is still not resolved, you may want to seek the support of Riot.
