VALORANT Update Stuck at 0 Fix 2026
If VALORANT is stuck at 0%, 0.1 KB/s, preparing download or cannot finish a patch, treat it as a Riot Client update problem first. This guide gives you the safest fix order before you reinstall the whole game or start deleting Vanguard files.
Sources: Riot’s Cannot update and launch VALORANT guide, Riot’s firewall guide, Riot’s Vanguard uninstall guide, and Riot Service Status.
How do you fix VALORANT update stuck at 0?
The safest VALORANT update stuck at 0 fix is to close Riot Client completely, restart the PC, run Riot Client as administrator, pause and resume the download, then check firewall, antivirus, storage space, install drive and network settings before touching Vanguard.
A stuck update is not the same as a game crash. Start with the patcher, then move outward to security software, network and Vanguard only when the symptoms point there.
Restart the PC, restart Riot Client, pause and resume the update, run as administrator, check antivirus/firewall and storage, then use Vanguard repair only if the updater is stuck on Vanguard files.
What “VALORANT update stuck” means
VALORANT not updating usually means Riot Client cannot download, verify, write or finish the patch. The visible symptom can be 0%, 0.1 KB/s, preparing download, VALORANT patch stuck, install stuck or a client that says it cannot update VALORANT.
This is the patch and download path: Riot Client update flow, security software, network path, storage path and only then Vanguard repair.
Update stuck vs not opening vs server issue
Before changing settings, identify where the problem happens. If Riot Client cannot finish downloading, stay on this page. If the game is fully updated but will not start, use the launch guide. If many players cannot update after a fresh patch, check Riot Service Status before rebuilding your local install.
| Symptom | Likely intent | Best next move |
|---|---|---|
| Update stuck at 0 | Patch flow | Use this guide first, especially for VALORANT update stuck 0 percent searches. |
| 0.1 KB/s | Download stalled | Check client, network and security software. |
| Preparing download | Patch verification | Restart client, check disk and firewall. |
| Won’t launch | Launch flow | Use the VALORANT not opening guide. |
| Riot outage | Service issue | Check Riot Service Status. |
Close Riot Client fully and restart the PC
Start by closing Riot Client completely. Use Task Manager if the window is gone but RiotClientServices is still running. Then restart Windows from the power menu. This clears stuck patcher sessions, file locks and Vanguard restart requirements that can hold an update at 0%.
Do not only click the X on the Riot Client window. The updater can keep background services active. A full restart is especially important when the update touched Vanguard, drivers or game files that cannot be replaced while they are loaded.
Pause, resume and run Riot Client as administrator
If the download stays frozen, pause and resume the update once. Then close Riot Client and reopen it as administrator. This can help when Riot Client stuck downloading is really a permission or patcher state problem.
Do not spam pause and resume for ten minutes. If one clean pause/resume and one administrator launch do not move the patch, the blocker is probably outside the basic client state: security software, disk, network, service status or Vanguard files.
Understand the 0.1 KB/s download problem
VALORANT stuck at 0.1 KB/s means Riot Client is technically connected, but the patch is not flowing normally. It can happen during CDN routing, disk verification, background app conflicts, security scanning or a frozen patcher stage. It is annoying, but it does not automatically mean your internet is broken.
Close bandwidth-heavy launchers like Steam, Epic Games, cloud sync apps and recording upload tools while testing. If you use a VPN, proxy, gaming network booster or custom DNS tool, test once without it. Keep the test simple so you can tell what actually changed.
Check firewall, antivirus and passive mode
Riot’s support guidance says antivirus software can interfere when VALORANT is unable to update or launch. That does not mean you should leave protection disabled. It means you should use trusted allowlists, passive mode options when your product supports them, or temporary testing in a controlled way.
Use Riot’s firewall guide to make sure Riot Client, VALORANT and Vanguard are not blocked. If the update began working only after changing security settings, turn protection back on and keep the allowlist specific to Riot files rather than weakening the whole system.
Update stays at 0%, patch files fail, Riot Client cannot write or verify files.
Download speed jumps between normal speed and 0.1 KB/s without a clear file error.
Check storage space and install path
A patch can stall when the install drive is nearly full, the drive is slow, the Riot Client lacks write permission, or the game is installed on a drive that disconnects or sleeps. Check free space on the drive where Riot Client and VALORANT are installed.
If VALORANT install stuck behavior appears on an external drive, network drive or unstable secondary drive, test whether the Riot Client can write normally to that location. Do not move folders manually unless Riot Client supports the move or you are prepared to reinstall cleanly.
Check network, DNS, VPN and proxy settings
If the patcher moves but crawls, check your network path. Restart your router if other downloads also behave strangely. Test wired Ethernet if Wi-Fi is unstable. Disable VPN, proxy, routing boosters or filtering DNS once for a clean comparison.
If only Riot Client is slow while everything else is fast, the issue can still be routing between your PC and Riot’s patch servers. After major patch drops, check service status and wait briefly before rebuilding a working install.
Reinstall Vanguard only when the update points there
Do not uninstall Riot Vanguard as the first response to every stuck update. Use Vanguard repair only if the Riot Client clearly hangs on Vanguard installation, requests a Vanguard restart, or leads into a Vanguard error after the patch. In that case, follow Riot’s official Vanguard uninstall path, restart, let Riot Client reinstall it, then restart again if requested.
If the error is more specific, use the correct article: VALORANT VAL 57 fix for Vanguard not initialized, VALORANT VAN 1067 fix for deeper service issues, VALORANT VAN9005 fix for VBS/UEFI/TPM, and the Secure Boot/TPM guide when the message says VAN9003.
What not to do when the update is stuck
A stuck patch does not justify random CMD packs, deleting driver files, disabling security permanently, editing registry keys or reinstalling Windows. Move one step at a time so you know what helped.
When to check Riot Service Status
Check Riot Service Status when the update problem starts right after a new patch, after maintenance, or when many players report the same stuck download. If Riot has an active incident, local reinstalling is usually wasted effort.
If the status page is clean and the problem only happens on your PC, return to the local path: Riot Client, firewall, antivirus, storage, network and Vanguard only when the updater points there.
When to use another ALVIRAN guide
If VALORANT is fully updated but will not start, use the VALORANT not opening and not launching fix. If the game opens but hangs later, use the stuck loading screen and login fix. If many players are affected at once, use the VALORANT server status and maintenance guide.
If a Vanguard-specific code appears after the update, move to the exact code guide. If the warning says incompatible software component detected, use the VALORANT incompatible software fix. If the patch speed drops to 0.1 KB/s because the whole connection is unstable, compare it with the VALORANT high ping and packet loss fix.
What to send Riot Support if the update still fails
If the patch remains stuck after the safe checks, collect useful details before opening a ticket. Include the exact percentage, whether it says preparing download, whether the speed shows 0.1 KB/s, install drive, free space, antivirus or firewall product, VPN/proxy use and whether Riot Service Status showed an incident.
Also note what changed before the update failed: Windows update, security-suite update, new network tool, VPN change, motherboard utility, new drive or a major VALORANT patch. That timeline is more useful than saying the download is broken.
Fix the patcher before reinstalling the game.
A stuck VALORANT update is usually a Riot Client, security software, storage or network issue. Once the game is patched and stable, then it makes sense to focus on rank, skins, region or a fresh VALORANT setup.
VALORANT Update Stuck FAQ
Why is my VALORANT update stuck at 0?
A VALORANT update can stay stuck at 0 because Riot Client is frozen, an antivirus or firewall is blocking patch files, the update is waiting for disk access, the network path is unstable, or Vanguard-related files need a restart before the patch can continue.
How do I fix VALORANT update stuck at 0?
Close Riot Client completely, restart the PC, run Riot Client as administrator, pause and resume the update, check firewall or antivirus blocks, verify storage space, avoid VPN or proxy conflicts, and only reinstall Vanguard if the update is clearly stuck on Vanguard components.
What does VALORANT stuck at 0.1 KB/s mean?
0.1 KB/s usually means the Riot Client is connected but not downloading normally. It can be caused by background apps, security software, routing problems, stalled patch verification or disk write delays.
Is VALORANT preparing download stuck a server issue?
Sometimes. Check Riot Service Status if a patch just launched or many players report the same issue. If the service is normal, troubleshoot Riot Client, firewall, antivirus, network and storage locally.
Should I uninstall Vanguard for a stuck VALORANT update?
Do not uninstall Vanguard first. Restart, repair the Riot Client update flow and check security software first. Reinstall Vanguard only when Riot Client appears stuck on Vanguard installation or a Vanguard-specific message appears.
Can antivirus software stop VALORANT from updating?
Yes. Riot’s support guidance notes that antivirus software can interfere with updating and launching VALORANT. Use safe allowlist or passive-mode options from your security tool instead of leaving protection disabled permanently.
Does reinstalling VALORANT fix update stuck at 0?
It can, but it should not be the first step. Reinstall only after Riot Client restart, PC restart, firewall, antivirus, storage, network and Vanguard checks fail.
When should I contact Riot Support?
Contact Riot Support if the update remains stuck after the safe checks. Include the percentage or speed shown, whether it says preparing download, your antivirus or firewall, install drive, Windows version and whether Riot Service Status showed an incident.