Keep friends and servers in view
Before testing a connection, confirm the party’s account region and the server choices available to its leader. A route change cannot create a server option the account is not offered.
YOUR CONNECTION, YOUR POSSIBILITIES
VALORANT VPN: test the route to your shard
Use HorizonVPN to compare a route to your existing VALORANT shard after choosing an available game server in Riot’s own selector.
Features and device limits depend on your plan. Choose the setup that fits your device.
The short answer
A VALORANT account has a Region of Residence and shard; its available game servers sit within that account context. Horizon changes the supported device’s network route, not those account properties. Keep the chosen game server fixed and use the game’s connection readings to decide whether another path is useful.
Valorant
Make more of your connection
Measure the same endpoint
Select the same available VALORANT server for each comparison. Record in-game latency and interruptions rather than comparing unrelated locations or relying on an internet speed-test score.
Separate launch and network faults
Note whether the problem is Riot sign-in, Vanguard startup, joining or an in-match disconnect. This prevents a client security requirement being mistaken for a routing problem.
KNOW YOUR SERVICE
The details that make a difference
Server Select stays within available choices
Riot’s Server Select lets eligible solo players or party leaders choose available regional servers. It does not move an existing account into any shard simply because the IP location changes.
Transfers follow Riot’s process
Region of Residence and shard changes have official eligibility rules tied to residence. Consult Riot’s current transfer guidance rather than creating a new account history around a VPN endpoint.
DNS is not a matchmaking selector
Resolving a service hostname and selecting a game server are different steps. A DNS change alone does not demonstrate a new shard, better match latency or working voice traffic.
See the setup
Get connected, step by step
Confirm account and server context
Check Riot service status, update the official client and note platform, shard, selected server and exact error. Verify the party can use the same offered server before testing routes.
Compare one supported device route
Connect the native Horizon app on the supported gaming device before opening VALORANT. Keep the same game server and network, then try a permitted session and watch the game’s connection indicators.
Choose from repeatable results
Compare several similar sessions with Horizon connected and disconnected. If it cannot connect, try one visible protocol or Connection Compatibility setting; record Vanguard or account messages separately for Riot support.
What to check
Find the right next step
| What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|
| A friend’s server is missing | Check account shard and the party’s available server choices. A VPN endpoint cannot add another shard to Server Select. |
| Latency rises after connecting | Keep the VALORANT server unchanged and try a suitable available Horizon location. Compare on the same network without background downloads. |
| Vanguard or an account error prevents launch | Follow Riot’s exact error guidance. A successful VPN connection is not proof that the anti-cheat or account requirement has been satisfied. |
Need help with your connection?
Tell our team the service, device, network and exact error. We can help you find the right connection method without sharing passwords.
Get connection supportYour questions, answered
Can Horizon change my VALORANT shard?
No. The VPN changes the network path; Riot controls account shard and Region of Residence. If you have moved, consult the official transfer process and its current eligibility rules rather than relying on a country selection in Horizon.
Can I play with a friend in another shard?
First check Riot’s account and party requirements. Selecting a VPN country does not move an existing account into a friend’s shard. Use the legitimate transfer options Riot provides where eligible, and confirm the effects before proceeding.
Do I need a dedicated IP for VALORANT?
Do not assume that. Diagnose the actual error and compare available routes first. This guide makes no dedicated-IP requirement or anti-cheat approval claim; acceptance and enforcement decisions remain with Riot.
Will changing DNS lower my ping?
Not necessarily. DNS resolves names; match responsiveness depends on the actual game route and server. Keep the same selected server and compare in-game readings before attributing a result to a DNS or VPN change.
Does the browser extension cover VALORANT?
No. It routes supported browser traffic, not the native game or Vanguard. Use a supported native device app for a device route, and check console connection requirements separately before assuming another device’s VPN carries them.
Sources and service information
Service features and availability can change. These references inform this guide; they are separate from a live compatibility test.