How to Change Servers in Valorant — Switch Regions in 2024

When you create a Valorant account, Riot Games automatically locks it to the region you created your account in, which limits the servers you can use. This can be frustrating if you want to play with international friends or on servers in other regions. Valorant support can help you change your region, but only if it was assigned to you by mistake. However, there’s a quick solution that’ll help you to change your location manually.

The easiest way to change your Valorant region is with a VPN. It’s a simple app that replaces your IP address with a new one from a VPN server. So, for example, if you connect to a VPN’s UK  server and create a new account, you’ll be able to play Valorant on its EU servers.

After testing 60+ VPNs, I found ExpressVPN to be the most reliable for Valorant. It has a huge server network that allows you to make a new Valorant account in a different region and play with your friends from abroad. Plus, it offers strong security and consistently low ping. You can try it risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can get a full refund.

Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.Play Valorant With ExpressVPN >>

Why You Need a VPN to Play Valorant in Different Regions

Valorant's geo-restrictions prevent you from playing with gamers from other countries. You can only play in the region you created your account in, and that region is identified from the IP address you used when you first created your account. However, a VPN can help you make a Valorant account in a different region and play with friends from anywhere.

A VPN is a simple app that makes you appear as if you’re gaming in a different country when you connect to one of its servers. It routes your internet traffic through a server location of your choosing while masking your real IP. As a result, you can change your Valorant location by setting up a new account in any of the 6 regions.

Furthermore, some networks prohibit VoIP (the game’s primary communication method), putting you at a severe disadvantage. VPNs have additional security features that allow you to use VoIP services and protect you from online attacks so you can play Valorant safely.

It’s worth noting, however, that you can only change your Valorant region with a VPN by setting up a new account for that region. My Valorant account is locked to the EU region, and I couldn’t temporarily change to another region by using non-EU VPN servers.

If you want to permanently change your Valorant region, Riot Games does support this. However, there are restrictions based on your physical location. If you want to play with friends without the risk of losing your current season’s rank, then using a VPN is your best bet.

How to Change Valorant Region: The Ultimate Guide

1. Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because it offers the fastest speeds and lowest ping of any other VPN I’ve tried, so you won’t suffer any lag when playing Valorant.
   Once you sign up, downloading the app for your preferred device takes only a minute
2. Connect to a VPN server. Once you’ve signed in to the app, press the server list button and select the All Locations tab. Pick a server in the region where you’d like to play Valorant.
   Connecting to a nearby server will also give you a lower ping for smooth gameplay
3. Create a new Riot Games/Valorant account. Visit Valorant’s website, click on the Play Free button, and then Make One. Fill out the details to complete your registration, and make sure to use a valid email to verify your account.
   Make sure you have a spare email that hasn’t been used to create another Riot Games account
4. Download Valorant. Your VPN can remain connected the first time you access your new account. Log in using the credentials you used when creating it.
   To be safe, I remained connected to the same India (via Singapore) server I used for signup
5. Check your Valorant region. Once you've created your new account and logged in, head over to the Party menu to verify your assigned region. You can also check this in the Personal Information menu of your Riot Games account. If your country is the same as the VPN server you chose when you created your account, you have successfully changed your Valorant region.
   I could choose between 5 Asia Pacific servers since my account was locked to this region
6. Enjoy playing Valorant in your new region. Remember to remain connected to your VPN to secure your gameplay.

Best VPNs for Valorant — Full Analysis (2024 Update)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best VPN to Change Valorant Region and Play With Low Ping

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested April 2024

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.ExpressVPN.com

Of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds and lowest ping. This makes it an excellent choice for playing Valorant without slowdowns in your new region. During my tests on its long-distance Asian servers, my ping was considerably lower compared to other VPNs on this list. For instance, its India (via Singapore) server gave me an average ping of 60ms — I could play Valorant lag-free with my international friends.

On its nearby UK servers, I recorded an average download speed of 121Mbps (only a 4% drop), and my ping remained below 8ms. Its splendid performance is largely thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol, which is optimized to provide fast speeds and stable connections. Plus, it’s just as secure as OpenVPN, making it a solid choice for protecting your online gaming sessions, too.

My speeds remained consistent throughout my gaming session

ExpressVPN offers servers in 105 countries, including in regions where Valorant servers are located. This means that, no matter which region you make an account in, you’re less likely to experience any significant latency issues. Plus, my connection was always reliable — I never experienced any slowdowns or connectivity issues while playing Valorant.

Admittedly, ExpressVPN is one of the pricier VPN options out there. However, it often provides generous discounts and offers throughout the year to make its plans more affordable. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not fully satisfied with the service, getting a full refund is easy.

Useful Features

• Robust DNS/IP leak protection. This ensures that your IP address is not exposed while playing Valorant. In all my tests, ExpressVPN never revealed my real IP address, keeping me safe from potential DDoS attacks. Plus, it further protects your connection with its military-grade encryption and a kill switch.
• Automatic obfuscation. ExpressVPN offers obfuscation on all its servers. This disguises your VPN traffic as regular traffic and automatically kicks in when you're connected to a restrictive network. So, you can play Valorant in different regions, even if your network or firewall has a VPN block.
• Split tunneling. By only using ExpressVPN with certain apps (like Valorant) and routing the rest of your traffic through your standard network, you could increase your connection speeds. You can have a secure Valorant gaming session with the VPN while the rest of your online apps and sites use your regular unencrypted connection.

2. CyberGhost — Gaming-Optimized Servers to Play Valorant in Different Regions

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

Amongst many other reasons, I repeatedly come back to CyberGhost for its specialized gaming servers. These servers are clearly marked, making it super easy to find the ideal connection for changing your Valorant region. So, you’ll spend less time trying to find a server that works and more time playing with your friends.

You ideally want a ping below 60ms for competitive online games like Valorant

As someone who has been using these servers for years, I can confirm that they offer great performance, too. On its long-distance US gaming servers, I recorded a speed loss of only 18%, and my ping never rose above 70ms. In my tests, I only experienced minimal lag while playing against a new player base. On its German gaming servers, the ping remained well below 50ms.

The only downside is that its regular long-distance servers can be a bit slow. On its Melbourne server, I experienced a speed loss of 39% (vs. 20% with ExpressVPN). However, this won’t be a problem if you have a fast baseline connection.

CyberGhost offers discounts of up to 84% throughout the year, so you can secure your Valorant gameplay without breaking the bank. Plus, its 45-day money-back guarantee lets you put CyberGhost through its paces with Valorant for free. Just ask for a refund if you’re not impressed.

Useful Features

• Dedicated IP address. CyberGhost gives you the option to get a dedicated IP address for a small fee. This unique IP address is only accessible to you, so you won't have to worry about server overcrowding, meaning you can play Valorant without any interruptions.
• Smart rules. This lets you customize certain rules on how and when to connect to the VPN. For instance, you can set it up to automatically connect to a server of your choice as soon as you launch Valorant, streamlining your experience and saving you time.
• Built-in NAT firewall. This assigns each user a unique private IP address and filters out any suspicious data packets. This is helpful while playing Valorant, as it blocks any unwanted communication that may lead to DDoS attacks and other malicious activities.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Customizable Security to Optimize Your Connection for Valorant

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.PrivateInternetAccess.com

What sets PIA apart from other VPN providers is its customizable security features. This lets you optimize your connection for Valorant based on your needs. For instance, you can choose between AES 128-bit and 256-bit encryption. The lower encryption level provides faster speeds for your Valorant sessions, but it’s slightly less secure.

I used PIA’s Tokyo servers to play Valorant safely with my international friends

You also have the option to choose between OpenVPN and WireGuard. In my tests, WireGuard provided faster speeds than OpenVPN, with an average 8% increase. I only lost 8% speed on PIA’s nearby UK servers using WireGuard, and my ping was also below 40ms.

On the downside, PIA isn’t the easiest app to navigate for beginners since it has so many customization options. However, it comes pre-configured, so you don’t have to customize anything if you don’t want to.

PIA’s subscription plans are cheaper than a lot of other VPNs, which is great if you’re looking to play Valorant securely on a budget. You can get a subscription for just $2.03/month with its long-term plan. Plus, you can try it for free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not impressed, you can get a refund.

Useful Features

• Huge server network. This means you can change your Valorant region to anywhere you like, including Turkey, Brazil, South Korea, and the US. Plus, thanks to the sheer number of servers available in different countries, you don’t have to worry about server congestion.
• Displays server latency. I liked that PIA shows the ping on each server. This makes it easy to find the server with the lowest latency, resulting in smoother gameplay. That said, I found that the ping was above 80ms on servers that are more than 5,000 miles away. This meant I had lag issues on long-distance connections.

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Additional Benefits of Using a VPN for Valorant

While using a VPN for Valorant helps you change your region and play with your friends from abroad, there are other benefits as well. Here are some of the additional advantages:

• DDoS protection. VPNs can protect you from DDoS attacks by hiding your real IP address and routing your traffic through an encrypted VPN server. This makes it difficult for attackers to pinpoint your device and launch an attack, even more so if the VPN you choose regularly rotates its IPs, like ExpressVPN.
• Get around IP bans. While it's not clear if Riot Games bans accounts based on IP addresses, some Valorant players have reported facing these bans. You can create a new account with a VPN since it replaces your IP.
• Play on restrictive networks. Some public networks, such as those in libraries or schools, may restrict access to certain websites or online games like Valorant. A VPN can help you play Valorant and enjoy your downtime, even when you’re on the go.
• Lower ping. While it's rare, a VPN can potentially improve your connection speeds and ping if your internet service provider throttles your connection or if the network is congested. By routing your traffic through a less congested and more direct path, a VPN can help reduce your latency and improve your gaming experience.
• Improved matchmaking times. Another benefit of using a VPN with Valorant is the potential for reduced matchmaking times. When you connect to a server in a region with a higher player population, you're more likely to find matches quickly. This is especially useful during off-peak hours in your local region or if you're playing from a location with a smaller player base.

FAQs on Changing Your Valorant Region With a VPN

Is it possible to change my Riot Games region once I've already created an account?

Yes, but only Riot Games support can change your region on an existing account — and only if you meet certain criteria. Riot Games will then check your account region and see whether it matches your IP address. If it does, then you can change region, but you’ll lose your current season’s rank and the skins, and you’ll have to wait 90 days before you can change again.

But if you just want to change your region to play with your friends from abroad, there’s an easy solution. You can change your Valorant region by creating a new account with a VPN. Just select a server in your preferred region while you’re signing up for the new account. This lets you play with friends in another region without losing your progress on your old account.

Am I allowed to have multiple Riot Games accounts to play Valorant?

Yes, you can have multiple Riot Games accounts to play Valorant. Because it’s a free-to-play game, you can create as many accounts for Valorant as you like without breaking its terms of service. You’ll just need a new email address for every new Riot Games account. If you want to create a new account in a different region, you need a reliable gaming VPN so you can connect to a server in that particular region.

Otherwise, Riot Games will assign you a region in accordance with your actual location. If you create your account in Germany, for example, you’ll only have access to Valorant’s EU servers.

Does using a VPN to play Valorant in different regions increase ping?

Yes, using a VPN to change your Valorant server can increase your ping. This happens because your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through an additional server, so it has to travel further, which can result in a slight delay in data transmission. However, this increase in ping is usually minimal if you choose a reliable VPN with a large server network and fast servers.

In some cases, a VPN may actually improve your ping by bypassing ISP throttling and redirecting your traffic through a less congested route. This can result in a more direct and faster connection to Valorant’s game servers.

Will Valorant ban me for using a VPN?

Using a VPN to play Valorant is fine and won't result in a ban as long as you use it for legitimate reasons and play the game fairly. However, it's important to note that if you use a VPN to cheat or violate the game's terms of service, you risk being banned.

While Riot Games has not explicitly stated its stance on VPN use for Valorant, it's always a good idea to read the game's terms of service to ensure that you're not violating any rules by using a VPN.

Which Valorant server region is best to play Valorant?

The best region to play Valorant is typically the one closest to your actual location. Choosing a nearby server region minimizes the distance data has to travel, resulting in lower ping and a smoother experience. Valorant servers are available in several regions, including North America, Europe, Korea, Asia Pacific, and Brazil. It’s important to choose a VPN that has servers in these regions so you can create a new Valorant account to play with friends.

That said, if you're looking to play with friends who are located in a different region, you might choose a server that is closer to them or centrally located to balance the ping for all players. Similarly, if you're interested in playing against a variety of players from different skill levels or backgrounds, you might opt for a server in a region known for its competitive scene or high player population.

How fast does my VPN have to be to play Valorant lag-free?

To play Valorant lag-free with a VPN, your chosen service should provide a minimum speed of 5 Mbps, and the ping should ideally be below 60 ms. However, the actual speeds and latency depend a lot on your baseline connection. As a general rule, you should look for a VPN that has a speed drop of no more than 30% on nearby servers. All the VPNs on this list are fast enough for lag-free Valorant gameplay.

Can I play Valorant with a free VPN?

Yes, but I don’t recommend using a free VPN to play Valorant. It’s always a better option to get a low-cost premium VPN with a money-back guarantee instead.

Most free VPNs come with limited speeds, which will make your Valorant experience laggy. They usually have a small server network which limits your options to change your Valorant region and reduces your speeds due to network congestion. Additionally, their poor security will make your game susceptible to DDoS attacks.

On top of that, you can’t be 100% sure that your data isn’t being logged or sold to third-party advertisers since these free VPNs have to make money somehow.

Change Your Valorant Region

Valorant is available worldwide, but it still doesn’t let you play with gamers outside your assigned region. However, you can easily change your Valorant server region using a VPN.

My top pick for Valorant is ExpressVPN. It has plenty of servers that you can use to change your region. Furthermore, its fast speeds, low ping, and top-tier security features make it a great choice for gaming. Since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test ExpressVPN with Valorant risk-free.

To summarize, the best VPNs for changing your Valorant region are…

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