The VAN 185 error in VALORANT appears when the game loses its secure connection to Riot’s servers. This can happen for a ton of different reasons, but the main one is usually an Internet dropout. But if you're pretty sure that isn't the case, follow along as we guide you through quite a few different steps you can take to solve this problem.

Takeaways:

  1. Learn how to fix VALORANT error code VAN 185 on Windows
  2. What is causing VALORANT to constantly drop out of games and show error code VAN 185

What are the Common Causes of VAN 185 Error in Valorant?

As we mentioned earlier, the main reason is an Internet connection issue, which will instantly and automatically drop you from any match that you are in. Even if the connection issue is only a minor one, you will still be dropped 99% of the time. So the first set of steps is going to check your connection status.

  • Unstable routing, packet loss or failing Ethernet cables can break the continuous authentication stream required by Vanguard.
  • Overlays, VPNs, monitoring tools and some USB device drivers may interrupt essential Vanguard traffic.
  • Damaged VALORANT components or problematic driver updates can prevent the service from refreshing its secure session.

How to Fix VALORANT Error Code VAN 185 | VAN 185 error

A weak or damaged Ethernet cable can cause brief packet interruptions that drop the Vanguard session. Switching to a newer, high-quality cable improves the stability between your PC and router and reduces authentication failures.

Reset Network Configuration

Incorrect adapter settings and corrupt DNS entries can prevent a successful secure handshake with Riot servers. A full network reset restores default parameters and eliminates hidden configuration issues.

Open the Start search bar and type Network Reset.
Select Reset Now, confirm the action, then restart your PC.
Launch VALORANT and test the connection.

No VPNs, Proxies, or Overlays Please!

VPNs, Proxies, firewalls, game overlays or monitoring tools may block or delay Vanguard traffic. Temporarily disabling them removes interference and restores a clean communication path.

  • You can open Task Manager with CTRL SHIFT ESC and close unnecessary processes.
  • If you use overlays, consult the relevant guide for disabling them.

Disconnect External USB Controllers

Some controllers install auxiliary drivers that conflict with Vanguard’s protection systems. Disconnect any non-essential USB controllers before starting VALORANT to avoid unexpected driver-based interruptions.

Clean Install Your Graphics Drivers with DDU

Clean install your GPU drivers. This isn't a highly likely fix, but it is worth doing just in case.

  • Download Display Driver Uninstaller.
  • Grab the latest driver for your graphics card.
  • Disconnect from the internet.
  • Run DDU and fully remove your existing drivers.
  • Restart your system.
  • Install the fresh driver you downloaded.
  • Restart again and reconnect to the internet.

Set the VGC Service to Automatic

VGC is the core service behind Riot Vanguard. If it does not start properly with Windows, the game fails the authentication check. If this isn't working, you will have quite a few problems with the game, not just this error message.

  • Open the Run dialogue with Windows R and type services.msc.
  • Find the entry named vgc and open its Properties panel.
  • Set the Startup Type to Automatic, then select Start.
  • Click Apply and OK, restart your PC, and launch VALORANT again.