How to Open Ports for Valorant on Windows

Learn how to open the necessary ports for Valorant on your Windows PC to reduce lag and improve connection stability. Follow this simple guide to set up port forwarding effectively and boost your gameplay experience.

Having trouble connecting or experiencing lag in Valorant? Learn how to open the required ports on Windows to improve network performance and enjoy smoother gameplay.

Steps to Open Ports for Valorant

Follow these steps to configure Windows Firewall for Valorant:

1: Identify Required Ports

• TCP Ports: 2099, 5223, 5222, 80, 443
• UDP Ports: 7000-8000, 8180-8181

These ports are based on the latest official information to ensure smooth gameplay and connectivity.

2: Access Windows Firewall Settings

1. Press Windows + S and type “Windows Defender Firewall.”
2. Click on Advanced Settings.
3. Select Inbound Rules from the left pane.
4. Click New Rule on the right.

3: Create Inbound Rules

1. Select Port, then click Next.
2. For TCP, enter: 2099, 5223, 5222, 80, 443

• Click Next, allow the connection, and name the rule “Valorant TCP.”

1. Repeat for UDP, using ports: 7000-8000,8180-8181

• Click Next, allow the connection, and name the rule “Valorant UDP.”

4: Restart and Test

• Restart your PC and launch Valorant. You should notice improved connectivity and fewer errors.
• If issues persist, check your router settings or ISP restrictions for further troubleshooting.

Additional Notes

While opening these ports can help, the official VALORANT support recommends allowing the VALORANT executable (found at C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exe) through Windows Firewall for a simpler setup. This approach may suffice for most users, but manually opening ports can be an additional step for advanced users facing connectivity issues.

Detailed Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of Opening Ports for Valorant on Windows

This note provides an in-depth exploration of the process of opening ports for Valorant on Windows, ensuring all relevant details are covered for users seeking to optimize their gaming experience. The analysis is based on official sources, community feedback, and technical considerations, offering a thorough understanding for both novice and advanced users.

Background and Context

Valorant, developed by Riot Games, is a popular tactical first-person shooter that requires stable network connectivity for optimal performance. Users may experience lag or connection issues due to firewall settings, prompting the need to open specific ports in Windows Firewall. The process involves creating inbound rules to allow traffic on ports used by Valorant, potentially improving network performance. However, the official recommendation from VALORANT support emphasizes allowing the game executable through the firewall, which may conflict with manual port-based configurations.

Verification of Port Requirements

To ensure accuracy, the port requirements were verified using official VALORANT support documentation and community sources. The official support page for port forwarding (VALORANT Support – How to Set Up Port Forwarding) lists the following ports:

However, the user’s provided post initially listed TCP ports as 2099, 5223, 5222, 80, 443 and UDP ports as 7000-7500, which was found to be incomplete. The UDP range 7000-7500 only covers part of the official 7000-8000 range and omits 8180-8181, indicating a need for correction.

Analysis of Windows Firewall Configuration

The process of opening ports in Windows Firewall involves creating inbound rules, as detailed in the user’s post. This is distinct from port forwarding, which is typically configured on the router to direct incoming internet traffic to a specific local device. For Windows Firewall, inbound rules allow the local machine to accept traffic on specified ports, which can be necessary if the game requires incoming connections for certain features.

The official VALORANT support page for firewall issues (VALORANT Support – Your Firewall VS. VALORANT) recommends allowing the VALORANT executable (C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exe) and related processes through the firewall, rather than opening specific ports. This approach simplifies configuration by allowing all traffic from the game, regardless of port, which may suffice for most users. However, community feedback, such as from Reddit discussions, suggests that opening specific ports can resolve connectivity issues in some cases, particularly for UDP ports in the 7000-8000 range and additional ports like 8181 UDP.

Corrected Port Configuration

Given the discrepancies, the UDP port range in the user’s post was updated to align with official documentation. The corrected configuration is as follows:

• TCP Ports: 2099, 5223, 5222, 80, 443 (matching PVP.Net, HTTP, and HTTPS, with potential additions like 8393-8400 and 8088 for Installer and Spectator Mode, respectively).
• UDP Ports: 7000-8000, 8180-8181 (covering VALORANT Game Client and additional ranges).

In Windows Firewall, users can create separate rules for TCP and UDP, specifying ranges like “7000-8000,8180-8181” for UDP, which is supported in the port input field. This ensures comprehensive coverage of the ports Valorant uses, potentially improving connectivity.

Additional Considerations and Controversy

There is some controversy regarding the necessity of opening all listed ports. Some sources, like community forums, suggest additional ports (e.g., 8443 TCP, as mentioned in Reddit discussions), while others, like generationesports.com, list different ranges (e.g., UDP 5000-5500,8088), which may reflect outdated or region-specific requirements. The official support leans toward executable-based firewall rules, suggesting that manual port opening might be redundant for many users. However, for advanced users or those with restrictive network settings, opening ports can be a troubleshooting step, especially for UDP traffic critical to game client communication.

Unexpected Detail: Regional Voice Ports

An unexpected detail is the inclusion of regional voice port ranges (UDP 27016-27024 for NA/EU, 54000-54012 for AP/SE), which were not mentioned in the user’s post but appear in official documentation. These may be relevant for users in specific regions experiencing voice chat issues, adding complexity to the configuration.

Conclusion

This analysis confirms that while opening ports in Windows Firewall can aid Valorant connectivity, the official approach is to allow the executable through the firewall. The corrected UDP range (7000-8000, 8180-8181) ensures comprehensive coverage, and users should consider additional ports like 8393-8400 and 8088 for a complete setup. For most users, following the executable-based method may suffice, but advanced troubleshooting can involve port-based rules, especially for UDP traffic.

Key Citations

• VALORANT Support How to Set Up Port Forwarding
• VALORANT Support Your Firewall VS. VALORANT

Tags: valorant, open ports, port forwarding, windows gaming, fix valorant lag, router settings, riot games, network tips, gaming tutorial, valorant guide