While starting up the Valorant on your computer, you may have got the following error message “Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file” on your screen. The users who have seen this error message seems to fail to load up the game on their system. This error message shows up only if you have moved the Valorant package files from their installed location.
Fix 1 – Modify the target of the shortcut file
The discrepancy between the actual location of the Valorant executable and the specified target path of the shortcut file on the desktop triggers this issue.
Step 1 – What you need to do is to detect the actual path of the game files. You have to find the location manually. So, look for the “Riot Games” folder in all the drives on your computer.
Step 2 – Once you have reached the Riot Games folder, follow this path to reach the main executable file address-
Riot Games\VALORANT\live
Step 3 – Copy the path of the file from the address bar.
Example – In our case, the path is –
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\valorant.exe
Step 4 – Now, return to the desktop shortcut where you were having this problem.
Step 5 – Right-click the “Valorant” game and click “Properties“.
Step 6 – Go to the “Target:” location and change it to the path that we have copied before.
Step 7 – Change the “Start in:” path as well.
Step 7 – Save the changes.
Step 8 – After this, try to launch Valorant directly from the shortcut. Soon you will see the Riot Client launcher on your screen.
Step 9 – Tap the “Install” button.
Step 10 – It will show up an error message. Tap ‘Okay‘ to proceed.
Step 11 – Finally, when the installation page opens up, tap the folder icon and reach the folder location where you have existing Valorant files.
In the next few minutes, Riot Client will recognize the existing files, repair any corruptions in them and the game will be ready-to-play in no time.
Fix 2 – Restart the VGC service
The VGC service is essential for you to play Valorant.
Step 1 – Search for “services” and open up the “Services” utility.
Step 2 – After opening Services page, find and double-tap the “vgc” service.
Step 3 – This service needs to be run in ‘Automatic‘ mode. So, set the ‘Startup type:’ to that mode.
Step 4 – Tap the “Start” to start the service, if it is not running.
Step 5 – Save the changes for the vgc service.
Later, restart the computer once. Now, you can enjoy Valorant just like before.
Fix 3 – Uninstall and reinstall Valorant
The final fix that you may try is to uninstall Valorant from your system and reinstall the game on the device.
Step 1 – Press the Win+R keys together.
Step 2 – Next, enter this there and tap “OK“.
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Step 3 – In the following page, find “Valorant“.
Step 4 – Right-click the game and tap “Uninstall“.
Follow the next few steps to uninstall the game completely.
Step 5 – Go to the Riot’s Valorant official game page.
Step 6 – Tap “Play for free” to download the installer.
Step 7 – Run this installer and follow commands to install Valorant on your computer.
You can enjoy Valorant once again. This time, you won’t get the same problem.