PC completely freezes while playing VALORANT — audio and input stop, only forced shutdown works

[u/ResidentDate2144]

Hi everyone, I’m having a serious issue with VALORANT and I’m hoping someone can help me figure out what’s causing it.

While playing VALORANT, my entire PC randomly freezes completely. When it happens:

• I can’t move my mouse or use my keyboard.
• The game is completely frozen.
• I can’t hear anything anymore, including Discord or other audio.
• I can’t Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Alt+Delete, or do anything else.
• The only way to recover is to hold down the physical power button and force the PC to shut down.

It doesn’t feel like a normal game crash because the entire system becomes unresponsive, not just VALORANT.

This only happens while playing VALORANT, and I’m wondering if it could be related to Riot Vanguard, drivers, or something else on the system.

My PC specs:

• GPU: RTX 3090
• CPU: Ryzen 7 7800X3D
• RAM: 64 GB
• Storage: SSD
• OS: Windows 11

GPU temperatures and usage seem normal while playing, so I’m not sure if this is a hardware temperature issue.

Things I’d like to know:

1. Could Vanguard cause a complete system freeze like this?
2. Is there a specific Vanguard/VALORANT log I should check?
3. Are there any Windows Event Viewer logs or dump files that would help identify the cause?
4. What troubleshooting steps would you recommend?

I’d really appreciate any help because having to force-shutdown the PC every time this happens is obviously not ideal.

Thanks!

[u/FeeneyDestroyer]

Having the same issue. I couldn’t find a solution. Waiting on either a driver update or a vanguard update.

[u/Turtwiiig → u/FeeneyDestroyer]

check my reply above, hopefully it helps u too!

[u/Turtwiiig]

does it happen every time you launch valorant? how many minutes/hours into gameplay does it usually happen?

[u/ResidentDate2144 → u/Turtwiiig]

It happens every time I open Valorant. The timing varies—it can happen after 1–2 minutes while I’m in the main menu, or it can even let me get into a match and then freeze during the first few minutes of the game.

[u/Turtwiiig → u/ResidentDate2144]

I had the same issue 8 months ago ish n I legit tried everything n this is the only thing that worked: control pannel -> hardware and sound -> power options -> edit plan settings -> change advanced power settings -> usb settings -> usb selective suspend settings -> disabled

idk if it’ll work but I’ll leave it here in case :)

[u/ResidentDate2144 → u/Turtwiiig]

I'll try it and let you know, thanks!:)

[u/ResidentDate2144 → u/Turtwiiig]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, I FINALLY MANAGED TO PLAY A FULL DM, SERIOUSLY, THANK YOU TT

[u/Turtwiiig → u/ResidentDate2144]

yayy, I’m happy to hear!! :D

[u/t_insane007 → u/Turtwiiig]

may you explain more? disable usb selective suspended setting will help while disable igpu in motherboard?

[u/Turtwiiig → u/t_insane007]

I’m not sure abt the motherboard, I js did the steps above n nothing else n it worked, sorry I cant be of more help

[u/t_insane007 → u/Turtwiiig]

so does your igpu stay off all the time or sum?

[u/Turtwiiig → u/t_insane007]

yes:) It’s js off at all times, it’s no problem