Alex Ruben
How To Switch Region in Valorant with a VPN
If you’ve ever tried switching regions in Valorant, you probably noticed Riot kinda makes that hard—or impossible, unless you do it the tricky way. Riot locks your account’s region when you first set it up, so even if you change your IP or move to a different country, the game keeps thinking you’re somewhere else. That’s where a VPN comes in—use one to mask your location and trick Riot into thinking you’re in a different country. Not always perfect, but it works if you do it right.
Step 1: Close Valorant and the Riot Client
First off, make sure Valorant and the Riot Client are totally closed. You can’t just minimize or hide them, they gotta be completely out of the way. Right-click the Riot icon in your system tray and choose Exit. If you leave these running, Riot might randomly reconnect or flag your account when you try to switch stuff later. Sometimes, this step feels silly—because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary—but it’s gotta be done.
Step 2: Pick a Reliable VPN
This part’s kinda critical. A lame VPN can mean lag spikes or worse—scams, slow speeds, or VPN blacklists. Pick one that’s good for gaming, like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark. Download, install, and make sure it’s running smoothly. Sometimes, a free VPN can work, but honestly, they often come with speed issues or worse—ads, slow servers, or even security risks. So yeah, better go paid if you want to avoid headaches later.
Step 3: Connect to the Desired Server
Fire up your VPN and pick a server in the country you want to appear in. For example, wanna play with folks in Singapore? Connect to a Singaporean server. UK buddies? London server. It’s kind of weird, but how Riot’s system is set up, your IP needs to match the region you want in the game. Make sure the VPN is active and connected before moving forward.
Step 4: Create a New Riot Account
This step’s kinda weird, but you gotta do it if you want your region to really change. Head over to the Riot sign-up page while your VPN is still connected. Fill in all the usual info—name, email, birthday, whatever—and choose a username. Use your VPN’s IP to set your new region, then keep that VPN connection live during registration. Tried creating an account without VPN? Riot’s system can detect that and might block it or assign the wrong region.
Step 5: Download and Log Into Valorant
Once your new account is set, grab Valorant and log in. If everything went right, the launcher will show the server region matching your VPN’s location. Not sure why it works, but on some setups, connecting through a VPN and setting up the new account like this actually tricks Riot into thinking you’re in that new country. On other setups, it’s more hit or miss—so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work on the first try.
Step 6: Play Smart & Manage Your VPN
After all that, your account is technically region-changed. But if you disconnect the VPN, Riot might revert to your original setup. So, for local lobbies and quick matches, you might not need it anymore. However, if you wanna access region-specific deals or storefronts, fire up that VPN again. Just keep in mind: switching regions mid-game might cause lag, so plan accordingly.
Step 7: Beware of Limitations
Important note—your skins, progress, and friends don’t transfer between accounts. So, starting fresh means losing all your shiny skins. Also, Riot’s security system might flag unusual account activity, especially if you keep switching regions or VPNs. Keep your login info and VPN usage consistent, or risk account verification prompts or temporary bans. Kind of annoying, but that’s Riot’s way of trying to prevent cheating or account abuse.
Extra Tips & Common Problems
Some quick tips that might save trouble:
- Use the VPN only when needed—constant VPN use can make your game laggy or flaky.
- Beware of free VPNs—they often sabotage your speed or security. Paid ones usually work better, especially for gaming.
If Riot throws a verification prompt or locks your account temporarily, follow their instructions—usually verifying via email or security questions will do the trick. Sometimes, just toggling the VPN off/on or restarting your router helps clear things up.
When to Try Different Approaches
If that didn’t help, here’s what might:
- Try connecting to different VPN servers in your target country—sometimes, Riot’s blocking specific IP ranges.
- Clear cache or restart your PC—sometimes, the game holds onto old data that confuses the region detection.
- Check if your VPN has a special mode for gaming or stability—turn that on for better connection consistency.
Summary
- Close Valorant and Riot Client before starting.
- Pick a reliable VPN and connect to the right country.
- Create a new Riot account using that VPN connection.
- Download Valorant, log in, and enjoy the new region.
- Remember, skins and progress don’t transfer, and account security might be a bit finicky.
Fingers crossed this helps. It’s kinda of a hack, but at least it’s better than lying about your location or messing around with complicated settings. Good luck out there!