How to Fix Error Code 46 in Valorant

As a hardcore Valorant player, few things are more annoying than sitting down to play during some rare free time only to be greeted by a mysterious error code 46.

This confusing message is the bane of Valorant gamers worldwide who just want to play a few competitive matches. But before you hurl your keyboard in frustration, take a deep breath. I‘ve got you covered.

In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, I‘ll explain exactly what error code 46 means, why you might see it, and how to quickly resolve it so you can get back in the game.

What Does Error Code 46 Mean in Valorant?

Let‘s start by decoding what error code 46 signifies when it pops up in big bold letters across your monitor.

In essence, error code 46 means the Valorant game servers are temporarily offline for scheduled maintenance.

So when you get this error message, you‘ll see a notification stating:

"VALORANT is currently offline for scheduled maintenance. Please come back later once service resumes."

This maintenance downtime is purposefully built into the schedule by Riot Games to deploy patches, hotfixes, and general system upgrades.

As a competitive multiplayer shooter, Valorant requires constant maintenance and updates behind the scenes to keep the game fair, fast, and fun.

Why Does Valorant Go Offline So Frequently?

You might be wondering why a game needs so much maintenance downtime when all you want to do is play. Here are some of the major reasons Valorant developers take the game offline on a regular basis:

Deploying major game patches – These larger patches can introduce new agents, maps, modes, cosmetics, and other goodies into the game. Patches also balance agents and weapons and squash pesky bugs.
Pushing emergency hotfixes – If an exploit or bug appears suddenly, Riot can quickly take servers down to patch the issue before it impacts competitive integrity.
Upgrading server infrastructure – The developers periodically upgrade their server hardware and data centers to improve performance and capacity.
Implementing anti-cheat measures – Staying ahead of new hacks and cheats requires constant diligence and server-side tweaks. Maintenance periods often coincide with anti-cheat updates.
Preparing for special in-game events – Before launching a new agent or mode, the team needs time to make behind-the-scenes preparations.
General system optimizations – There‘s always room for improvement when managing complex systems. Maintenance windows allow cleaning, refreshing, and optimizing databases, services, and other infrastructure.

As you can see, maintenance periods are critical to keeping Valorant fair and performing at the cutting edge as an esport. The constant work going on behind the scenes is part of what makes Valorant such an engaging and competitive tactical shooter.

How Often Does Valorant Go Down for Maintenance?

So just how often should you expect Valorant to be unavailable? The frequency of downtime varies based on the needs of the game, but here are some averages:

Major patches – Deployed every 2-3 weeks, with ~3 hours of downtime
Minor patches – Deployed 1-2 times between major patches, with ~1 hour downtime
Hotfixes – As needed, usually 30 minutes to 1 hour
Infrastructure upgrades – Every few months, ranging from 2-6 hours
Pre-planned events – coincidence with events like new agent releases or mode launches

Most scheduled maintenance lasts between 30 minutes and 3 hours. For massive patches or infrastructure upgrades, Valorant can remain offline for up to 6 hours in rare cases.

Unplanned emergency maintenance is less predictable but generally lasts 1 hour or less.

Tracking Valorant‘s Server Status

Wondering when the next maintenance window is scheduled?

The best way to see upcoming maintenance events is to check Valorant‘s official status page. This page shows:

Any active issues or maintenance
Scheduled maintenance windows
Maintenance history
Server ping times
Player support site status

You can even subscribe to email alerts so you get notified whenever new maintenance windows are posted.

Third-party sites like Downdetector also show Valorant‘s current status. If the site shows a spike in user reports, it likely means widespread server issues.

And of course, the Valorant Twitter account will post updates leading up to and during significant maintenance events. So it never hurts to check for @PlayVALORANT tweets about server status.

How to Fix Error Code 46 in Valorant

Alright, enough background. Let‘s get to the good stuff – how do you actually fix error code 46 and get back to your match?

Here are the steps I recommend any time you see the dreaded "VALORANT is currently offline" message:

Confirm Ongoing Maintenance

First, check Valorant‘s status page or Downdetector to confirm active maintenance. Know how long maintenance is expected to last.

If you don‘t see any maintenance notifications, the issue may be on your end. Skip down to the troubleshooting steps below.

Wait Patiently for Maintenance to Complete

Once you‘ve confirmed scheduled maintenance is in progress, all you can do is wait it out. I know, easier said than done, right?

But server updates usually take no more than 1-3 hours. For major patches allowing new agents or game modes, downtime might last up to 6 hours.

Check the status page for updates if maintenance seems to be taking longer than expected. Complications can arise, forcing the team to extend maintenance.

Consider it a blessing in disguise – take that forced break to stretch, grab a snack, or touch some grass outside. Your performance will be better for it once Valorant is back online!

Restart Your Game Client

Once maintenance finishes, you may need to fully restart your Valorant game client for changes to take effect.

Check the play button – if it‘s illuminated, you should be good to go. If not, restarting your client will refresh all connections.

Still seeing error 46? Restart your computer as well to fully reset your system.

Update Your Game Client

Major Valorant patches require manually updating to the newest game client version.

If you‘re stuck on an old client during maintenance, you‘ll keep seeing error 46 until you update.

Open the Valorant client and check for an update prompt. Download the latest patch – it normally only takes a few minutes.

Once updated, try launching Valorant again.

Reinstall Valorant

In rare cases, a full Valorant reinstall may be needed if error 46 persists through maintenance.

Before reinstalling, double check Valorant‘s status page to ensure maintenance is complete.

To uninstall, head to Settings > Apps and find Valorant. Select Uninstall.

Next, visit PlayValorant.com and redownload the game client.

Run through the installation, then launch the client and let it fully update itself. This should resolve any issues.

Contact Riot Support

If error 46 continues even after maintenance and reinstalling Valorant, it‘s time to contact Riot Support.

Start a ticket at https://support-valorant.riotgames.com/ explaining your situation and troubleshooting steps you‘ve tried.

Provide relevant details like your region, account name, and computer specs. The support team can investigate further and help pinpoint any lingering connection issues.

Check Your Internet Connection

If you aren‘t seeing maintenance notifications, error 46 may be on your end.

Try resetting your router and modem – unplug them for 1 minute, then restart. This clears any stuck connections.

Run an internet speed test to check for connectivity issues or slow speeds. Valorant requires a reliable, low-latency internet connection.

If your internet is working fine, the next step is ensuring your network ports are open. Valorant uses TCP ports 8393-8400. Check your firewall and router settings to ensure these ports are open.

As a last resort, contact your ISP. There could be an outage or other issues in your area.

Waiting for Maintenance Isn‘t Fun, but It Keeps Valorant Running Smoothly

Look, I get it – joining your friends for some Valorant matches only to get halted by error code 46 is frustrating.

But this downtime is essential for keeping the game fair, fresh, and performing at the cutting edge. The constant work going into updates and infrastructure is part of what makes Valorant so competitive and fun.

So next time maintenance interferes with your gaming time, take a deep breath and remind yourself it‘s for the greater good. Stay updated on the server status and consider it forced time to eat, stretch, or touch some grass.

Before you know it, the servers will be back online and you‘ll be fragging out! Just don‘t let your skills get too rusty during the break.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help fellow Valorant gamers keep their skills sharp.