How to Stop Valorant from Minimizing?
Valorant is an exciting new tactical first-person shooter from Riot Games, but for some players, the game has a pesky habit of minimizing suddenly, disrupting their gaming experience. This issue can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of a crucial match or strategy session. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to stop Valorant from minimizing and troubleshoot common issues.
Why Does Valorant Minimize?
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s essential to understand why Valorant minimizes in the first place. Here are some common reasons:
• Background applications: Running too many background applications or programs can consume system resources, causing Valorant to minimize or freeze.
• Graphics settings: Improper graphics settings or low graphics quality can lead to performance issues, causing Valorant to minimize.
• Updates and patches: Valorant, like any other game, requires updates and patches to function smoothly. If your game is not updated or corrupted, it may minimize.
• Driver issues: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can cause performance issues, resulting in Valorant minimizing.
Solutions to Stop Valorant from Minimizing
Here are some steps you can take to stop Valorant from minimizing:
Close Background Applications
Close any unnecessary background applications or programs that may be consuming system resources. You can do this by:
- Pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager
- Going to the Performance tab
- Closing any unnecessary programs or applications
Best Practice: Close all unnecessary applications when playing Valorant to ensure smooth performance.
Adjust Graphics Settings
Adjust your graphics settings to optimize performance:
- Graphics Quality: Lowering the graphics quality can improve performance, but it may affect visual fidelity.
- Resolution: Lowering the resolution can improve performance, but it may affect visual clarity.
- VSync: Disabling VSync can help improve performance, but it may cause screen tearing.
Best Practice: Experiment with different graphics settings to find the optimal balance between performance and visual quality.
Update Valorant and Graphics Drivers
Ensure you’re running the latest version of Valorant and graphics drivers:
- Valorant Updates: Check for updates and patch notes on the Valorant website
- Graphics Drivers: Visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA or AMD) to download and install the latest drivers
Best Practice: Keep your game and graphics drivers up to date to ensure smooth performance.
Check for Conflicting Programs
Some programs may conflict with Valorant, causing it to minimize. Try closing any programs that may be causing issues:
- Anti-Virus Software: Temporarily disable anti-virus software to see if it’s causing conflicts
- Other Games: Close other games or applications that may be consuming system resources
Best Practice: Be mindful of other programs running in the background and close any unnecessary applications when playing Valorant.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
If the above solutions don’t work, try the following:
- System Restore: Restore your system to a previous point when Valorant was functioning correctly
- Reinstall Valorant: Reinstall the game and check for updates
- Reset Graphics Settings: Reset your graphics settings to default
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs and their answers:
Q: Why does Valorant minimize when I’m playing online?
A: Valorant minimizes when playing online due to various reasons such as background applications, poor internet connection, or updates. Try closing unnecessary applications, checking your internet connection, and updating Valorant to resolve the issue.
Q: How can I prevent Valorant from minimizing when I’m playing in windowed mode?
A: To prevent Valorant from minimizing when playing in windowed mode, try setting the game to Borderless Windowed Mode. You can do this by going to the Game Settings > Video > Windowed Mode and selecting Borderless Windowed Mode.
Q: Why does Valorant minimize when I’m using a particular graphics card?
A: Valorant minimizes when using a particular graphics card due to driver issues or incompatible graphics settings. Try updating your graphics drivers and adjusting your graphics settings to resolve the issue.
Q: Can I play Valorant on a low-end computer?
A: Valorant is a system-intensive game, and it may not run smoothly on low-end computers. However, you can try adjusting your graphics settings and closing unnecessary applications to improve performance.
Q: How do I reset my Valorant graphics settings?
A: To reset your Valorant graphics settings, go to the Game Settings > Video > Graphics Settings and click on the Reset to Default button.
Q: Why does Valorant minimize when I’m playing with a friend?
A: Valorant minimizes when playing with a friend due to various reasons such as network issues or conflicting programs. Try checking your network connection, closing unnecessary applications, and adjusting your graphics settings to resolve the issue.
Q: Can I play Valorant in full-screen mode?
A: Yes, you can play Valorant in full-screen mode. To do this, go to the Game Settings > Video > Windowed Mode and select Full-Screen Mode.
Q: How do I report a Valorant issue?
A: To report a Valorant issue, go to the Game Settings > Help > Report an Issue and describe the issue you’re experiencing. This will help the developers to identify and resolve the issue.
By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to stop Valorant from minimizing and enjoy a smoother gaming experience. Remember to keep your game and graphics drivers up to date, close unnecessary applications, and adjust your graphics settings to optimize performance.