How to fix ‘could not enter matchmaking’ error in VALORANT

Encountering problems when trying to load into a VALORANT match is never fun. Sometimes, it’s an issue with the servers or it’s an issue with Riot Games’ anti-cheat acting up.

A common issue players might encounter is the “could not enter matchmaking” error, meaning you can’t connect to VALORANT’s multiplayer servers.

While there isn’t a guaranteed fix for this annoying issue, there are a few things you can try to help you get back into the game.

What is the “could not enter matchmaking” error in VALORANT?

The “could not enter matchmaking” error appears when players are unable to connect to the official VALORANT servers. There are several issues that could cause the error to appear, including your internet service or server-side problems.

Related: Is VALORANT down? How to check VALORANT’s server status

All potential fixes for “could not enter matchmaking” error in VALORANT

1) Check your local connection

The “could not enter matchmaking” error can appear if there is an issue with your computer’s internet connection. The best way to ensure the issue isn’t on your end is to double-check that your system is connected to the internet, whether that’s over Wi-Fi or with a wired connection.

You can also restart your computer, modem, and VALORANT to see if the issue is resolved. But this issue is likely caused by internet connection problems, so these steps might not be necessary.

2) Check VALORANT‘s server status

The VALORANT Service Status page is constantly updated when significant issues are occurring, letting players know the developers are aware of the problem. If VALORANT is down, then the server outage will be the sole reason behind the “could not enter matchmaking” error in VALORANT.

The official VALORANT Twitter page will also update players if there are any issues they need to be aware of when trying to play.

Finally, players can check the third-party website Down Detector. This site allows users to share the issues their experiencing and see what other players are reporting. The website includes a useful map and timeline of reported issues that can help indicate how long and where the problems are occurring. Just remember that Down Detector is a third-party website and is not guaranteed to be correct.

3) Restart Riot Client and your computer

In some cases, the VALORANT “could not enter matchmaking” error may pop up due to an anomaly in game files. When that’s the case, a simple client reset combined with a computer reboot should be enough to fix the error for the time being.

4) Check your antivirus and firewall settings

If your antivirus or Windows Firewall is falsely quarantining VALORANT‘s in-game files, the “could not enter matchmaking” error could show up out of the blue. You should either disable these two while playing VALORANT or set the game’s files as exceptions.

5) Change your DNS

There will be times when you’ll experience network outages due to DNS server outages. Most players generally use the default DNS addresses set by their ISPs, and changing that address to a commercially available one, like Google DNS, can help fix the “could not enter matchmaking” error in VALORANT.