Fix Valorant Error Code VAL 43 (System Timed Out)

Updated: 11/29/2025

You launch Valorant, waiting to queue up for Ranked, but the game never loads. Instead, you get a black screen with the text: 'There was an error connecting to the platform. Error Code: VAL 43'. This is a connectivity handshake failure. Basically, the Riot Client on your PC tried to 'shake hands' with the Riot Servers, but the timer ran out before the server responded.

Table of Contents

The 'WASD' Spam Trick

It sounds ridiculous, but thousands of players on Reddit confirm this works. It prevents the client from going 'idle' during the load process.

How to do it: As soon as you launch the game and see the Riot logo, start mashing your W, A, S, D keys and clicking your mouse. Keep doing it until the main menu loads. It forces the client to stay active.

Method 1: Restart the Vanguard Service (VGC)

If the anti-cheat service (Vanguard) didn't start correctly, the game server will reject your connection.

Step 1: Open Services

Press the Windows Key, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

Step 2: Find VGC

Scroll down until you find a service named vgc. Right-click it and select Start (or Restart if it is already running).

Note: You should also right-click it, go to Properties, and set 'Startup type' to Automatic to prevent this in the future.

Method 2: Flush DNS

A stale IP cache can cause the timeout.

ipconfig /flushdns

After running this in CMD, restart your computer and launch the Riot Client as Administrator.