Valorant · Windows 11
Fix Valorant’s “Failed to open descriptor file” error
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Clear the Run this program as an administrator compatibility option on the Valorant executable. If the error remains, close Riot Client, uninstall Valorant and Riot Vanguard, restart Windows, and reinstall Valorant from Riot.
Protect game data and identify the exact failure
Confirm the exact game, launcher, account, platform, current version and full symptom before changing files or settings. Preserve local and cloud saves where the publisher documents them, record graphics and network state, and check the publisher's service status first. Avoid executors, modified clients, copied DLL files, unofficial code lists, account recovery services and disabling security controls merely to remove an error.
Open the executable properties
Find the Valorant executable, right-click it, and select Properties. Open the Compatibility tab.
Clear administrator mode
Clear Run this program as an administrator, select Apply, then select OK and try Valorant again.
Uninstall Valorant and Vanguard
If the error remains, exit Riot Client. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps, then uninstall Valorant and Riot Vanguard.
Restart and reinstall
Restart Windows, download Valorant from Riot's official site, install it, and launch the clean copy.
Verify a clean launch
Launch VALORANT from Riot Client and confirm the descriptor-file error no longer appears. If a clean reinstall still fails, preserve Riot Client logs and the exact path shown in the error for Riot Support.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If VALORANT still reports the descriptor-file error, preserve the exact path and Riot Client logs, verify Windows and game requirements, and use Riot's supported repair or clean reinstall. Do not download descriptor files, copy another installation, change drive permissions broadly or disable Vanguard and security controls without Riot guidance.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Valorant on Windows 11.
Riot documents these checks for Windows access and game-launch failures. Stop after the compatibility check if Valorant opens normally.