Valorant Error Code 29, network issue, firewall blocking the game

Error code 29 is a network issue, and Riot's guidance is to make sure the firewall allows Valorant through. In practice it means something on the PC or the home network is blocking the game's connection, most often Windows Firewall, antivirus software, or a router setting.

The fix, in order

  1. Restart the router and the PC. A temporary network fault can cause this code, and a restart is the fastest way to clear it.
  2. Allow Valorant through Windows Firewall. Open Windows Security, go to Firewall and network protection, then Allow an app through firewall, and make sure VALORANT, the Riot Client, and Riot Vanguard are all allowed on private and public networks.
  3. Check antivirus software. Some antivirus programs block the game or Vanguard, so add Valorant and Vanguard as exceptions, or test with the antivirus paused briefly.
  4. Run Valorant as administrator. Right-click the Valorant shortcut and choose Run as administrator, which rules out a permissions block on the connection.
  5. Flush the DNS and reset the network stack. In an admin Command Prompt, run ipconfig /flushdns, then restart the PC and try again.
  6. Try a wired connection. If you are on Wi-Fi, a cable rules out wireless interference dropping the game's connection.

If it still happens

If error 29 only appears on one network, such as school, work, or public Wi-Fi, that network is likely blocking game traffic, and the game will only work on a network that allows it. If it appears on a home network after the firewall steps, check the router for game-blocking features or parental controls, and try a different DNS.

Common questions

Is error code 29 caused by Riot's servers? No, it is a local network issue. Riot describes it as a network problem on the player's side, usually a firewall, which is different from server errors such as code 43 or 46.

Why did error 29 start suddenly when Valorant worked before? A Windows update, a firewall rule change, or an antivirus update can newly block the game even though nothing in Valorant changed. Re-allowing the game through the firewall is the usual fix.

Do I need to open ports for Valorant? Usually not. Allowing the game through the firewall is normally enough, since the game opens its own outbound connections. Port forwarding is only a last resort if the router is unusually strict.

Related errors

Valorant Error Code 43 · Valorant Error Code 1 · Valorant Error Code 57

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