Error 29 and Error 43 need different fixes. For Error 29, rebuild the Windows Firewall exceptions for VALORANT, Riot Vanguard, and Riot Client. For Error 43, fully close and reopen Riot Client because Riot defines it as a system timeout. Do not change firewall rules for Error 43 unless the message changes to Error 29.
Continue only if the dialog shows Error 29 or Error 43. Error 29 means VALORANT is being blocked at the firewall; Error 43 means a Riot system timed out. Take a screenshot before closing the message so you do not apply the wrong branch.
2
For Error 29, open Windows Firewall
Press the Windows key, type Windows Defender Firewall, and open it. Select Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall, then select Change settings. Remove existing VALORANT and Riot Client entries so stale paths do not remain beside the new exceptions.
3
Add Riot's three Error 29 exceptions
Select Allow another app and add C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exe. Repeat for C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgc.exe and C:\Riot Games\Riot Client\RiotClientServices.exe. If you installed Riot software elsewhere, browse to those actual folders instead of creating the default paths.
4
Allow each entry and test Error 29
Tick every network box shown for each of the three Riot entries, select OK, then right-click Riot Client and select Run as administrator for this test. Error 29 is cleared when VALORANT reaches the home screen and opens the Practice Range without showing the code again.
5
For Error 43, restart Riot Client only
Close VALORANT. In the notification area beside the Windows clock, right-click Riot Client and select Exit; if it remains in Task Manager, select Riot Client and End task. Reopen Riot Client, sign in, and start VALORANT. Riot's current instruction for Error 43 is a client restart, not a firewall reset.
6
Verify Error 43 at the home screen
Leave the VALORANT home screen open for five minutes, then open the Practice Range. The timeout is cleared when the client remains connected and Error 43 does not return.
7
Send Riot the code that still returns
If the same code returns, check Riot's Support Site banner and regional service status. When no incident is listed, attach the screenshot, local time, region, and Riot Repair Tool zip to a technical-support ticket.
If it does not work
If Windows says you cannot change firewall settings, sign in with an administrator account; do not turn the firewall off for the test.
If the Riot executables are installed on another drive, open their actual folders and add those files. A firewall exception pointing to a missing default path does nothing.
If the number changes after relaunch, stop this sequence and follow the new code in Riot's current error-code list.
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: VALORANT on Windows PC.
Source-checked against Riot's current error-code and firewall articles. Neither error was reproduced during review.
