How to Completely Uninstall Valorant on PC: Fix Won’t Uninstall Error

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Learn how to completely uninstall Valorant from Riot or Epic Games, including how to remove Riot Vanguard and fix common uninstallation issues.

If you’re trying to uninstall Valorant and keep running into stubborn issues, you’re not alone. Whether you’re switching games, troubleshooting performance, or deciding to say goodbye to Valorant for good, uninstalling the game can sometimes be a difficult process. Many users encounter issues with stuck uninstallers, blocked Riot Client processes, or leftover Riot Vanguard files.

How To Uninstall Valorant on PC

In this guide, we’ll walk you through every method available to completely remove Valorant and its associated software from your PC. From fixing Riot Client issues to manually deleting Vanguard, we’ve got you covered with step-by-step instructions for each solution. Let’s get started!

Can’t Uninstall Valorant? Here’s Why

Uninstalling Valorant isn’t as simple as dragging the icon to the recycle bin. The game uses a kernel-level anti-cheat system called Riot Vanguard, which installs deeply into your system. Even if you remove Valorant from your PC, Vanguard may still be running in the background and may interfere with the uninstallation process.

Common issues that block the uninstallation of Valorant include:

  1. Riot Client still running in the background.
  2. Riot Vanguard not being removed alongside the game.
  3. Valorant missing from Windows Apps & Features.
  4. Uninstall buttons greyed out or unresponsive.

To fully remove Valorant, you need to uninstall both the Riot Client and Riot Vanguard. This can be a bit tricky, but follow the steps outlined below to get the job done.

Why Does It Say Riot Client Is Running When I Try to Uninstall Valorant?

One of the most common errors you’ll encounter when trying to uninstall Valorant is the message: “Riot Client is still running.” Even if you have completely closed the application, background processes associated with the Riot Client may still be running and blocking the uninstallation.

Here’s how you can fix this issue:

Step-by-Step to Fully Exit Riot Client:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Scroll through the list of running processes and look for RiotClientServices.exe or any process that contains “Riot” or “Valorant” in its name.
  3. Right-click each related process and click End Task to forcefully close them.

After ending all processes associated with the Riot Client, attempt to uninstall Valorant again. If the error persists, a reboot might be necessary before retrying the uninstallation.

We Could Not Uninstall Because Riot Client Is Still Running

Sometimes, the Riot Client is configured to launch automatically on startup, meaning that it may reopen automatically after a reboot, even if you close it manually. This could prevent the uninstallation process from proceeding.

Disable Riot Client from Auto-Starting:

  1. Open Task Manager (you can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
  2. Go to the Startup tab.
  3. Look for Riot Client in the list of programs set to launch automatically.
  4. Right-click Riot Client and select Disable to prevent it from running when you start your PC.

Once you disable Riot Client from auto-starting, reboot your system and try uninstalling Valorant again. This should eliminate the problem of the Riot Client interfering with the uninstallation.

If the issue persists, you may need to move on to more advanced force-uninstall methods.

How to Force Uninstall a Program That Won’t Uninstall

When standard uninstallation methods fail, the next best step is a forced uninstall. A forced uninstall will help you remove Valorant and all of its associated files even if the built-in uninstaller isn’t working properly. Here’s how you can force uninstall Valorant and Riot Vanguard.

Method 1: Use Windows PowerShell

One of the easiest ways to force uninstall Valorant is through Windows PowerShell, especially when the regular uninstall process fails or is blocked by background services. PowerShell allows you to interact directly with system-level package management and is a reliable method for removing stubborn software.

Here’s how you can use PowerShell to remove Valorant or related Riot software:

  1. Press Win + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) to open PowerShell with administrative privileges.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage *riot* | Remove-AppxPackage

This command searches for all Riot-related applications and attempts to remove them from your system. It works best for apps installed through modern package management systems.

For advanced usage of the Uninstall-Package command and PowerShell package management features, you can refer to the official Microsoft documentation here: Uninstall-Package – PowerShell Documentation

This resource offers deeper insights if you want to understand what’s happening under the hood or troubleshoot more complex package-related issues.ng Valorant and Riot Vanguard.

Method 2: Manually Delete Valorant Files

In case all else fails, you can manually remove Valorant and Riot Vanguard files from your PC.

  1. Navigate to C:\Riot Games and delete the Valorant folder.
  2. Go to C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard and delete that folder as well (if it exists).
  3. Don’t forget to check the AppData folders:
    • Go to C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local.
    • Go to C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming.
  4. Delete any Riot-related files or folders.

Important: Riot Vanguard is separate from Valorant, so make sure you remove the Riot Vanguard files manually, which we cover next.

How to Uninstall Valorant from Riot Client

If you originally installed Valorant using the Riot Client, the recommended way to uninstall it is through the client itself. This method is usually straightforward, but you’ll still need to take care of Riot Vanguard, which is not removed automatically when you uninstall Valorant.

Uninstall via Riot Client:

  1. Open the Riot Client and log into your account.
  2. Navigate to the Library or home screen.
  3. Find Valorant in your list of installed games.
  4. Click the gear icon (Settings) next to Valorant.
  5. Select Uninstall from the dropdown menu.

Once complete, Valorant will be removed from your system—but Riot Vanguard will remain.

To properly remove or disable Riot Vanguard after uninstalling the game, refer to Riot’s official guide: Uninstalling and Disabling Riot Vanguard – Riot Support

How to Uninstall Valorant from Epic Games Launcher

How to Uninstall Valorant from Epic Games Launcher

If you installed Valorant through the Epic Games Launcher, the process to uninstall the game is slightly different from using the Riot Client. While the Epic Launcher manages game installation and uninstallation, it doesn’t automatically remove additional components like Riot Vanguard or the Riot Client itself.

Uninstall via Epic Games Launcher:

  1. Launch the Epic Games Launcher.
  2. Navigate to your Library.
  3. Locate Valorant in the list of installed games.
  4. Click the three dots (···) next to the game title.
  5. Select Uninstall.
  6. Confirm your decision in the pop-up dialog.

Once the process is complete, Valorant will be removed from your Epic Games library and drive. However, just like with the Riot Client version, Riot Vanguard and the Riot Client will still remain installed on your system.

For a complete walkthrough on uninstalling games via Epic, check out their official help article here: How do I uninstall a game in the Epic Games Launcher? – Epic Games Support

Final Tips: Clean Up Riot Vanguard

The most important part of uninstalling Valorant is making sure you also remove Riot Vanguard, as this anti-cheat software is a core component of the game that doesn’t get removed with a simple uninstallation of the game itself. Here’s how you can fully remove Riot Vanguard.

Method 1: Through Add or Remove Programs

  1. Press Windows Key and type Add or remove programs.
  2. Locate Riot Vanguard in the list of installed programs.
  3. Click Uninstall and confirm again in the pop-up window.

Method 2: Control Panel (Older Windows Versions)

If you’re using an older version of Windows, you may need to uninstall Riot Vanguard via the Control Panel:

  1. Press Windows Key and type Control Panel.
  2. Go to Programs > Uninstall a Program.
  3. Find Riot Vanguard, then click Uninstall.

Method 3: Manual Uninstall (Advanced)

If Riot Vanguard refuses to uninstall using the above methods, try a manual uninstall:

  1. Press Windows Key, type CMD.
  2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
  3. Enter these commands one by one:
sc delete vgc
sc delete vgk
  1. Reboot your PC.
  2. Go to C:\Program Files\ and delete the Riot Vanguard folder.

This process ensures that Riot Vanguard, a kernel-mode anti-cheat system, is fully removed from your system.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Valorant can be tricky because it involves more than just deleting a game. Riot Vanguard’s deep integration into your system and the Riot Client’s background processes often prevent a smooth uninstall.

Once you follow the steps above, your system should be clean of Valorant and all Riot-related files. If you continue to experience problems, consider contacting Riot Support for further assistance.

Bonus Tip: If you’re planning to reinstall Valorant in the future, ensure your system meets updated requirements and that no anti-virus or driver conflicts interfere with Riot Vanguard.

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