How to Change Servers on Valorant?

How to Change Servers or Region on Valorant

Players ask this when they want to play with friends in another part of the world, move to a new country, or get lower ping. The answer depends on what you mean by "server". Valorant separates your account's region from the game server (game pod) your match is played on. This guide explains the difference, what you can change yourself, and which common workarounds you should avoid.

Account Region vs Game Server

• Account region (shard). Your Valorant account belongs to one region, such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Korea, Brazil or Latin America. Your rank, match history and friends list are tied to it. Players on different regions cannot queue together in the same party.
• Game server (game pod). Within your region, Valorant plays your match on a data center chosen for the best connection for your group. In some versions of the game you can see the server name in the party screen, and sometimes you can choose between servers in your region. Whether you can choose depends on the current client, so check your party screen.

In short, changing a server inside your region is a setting. Changing your account region is not.

Can You Change Your Account Region?

There is no region switch in the game settings. Riot offers a Region of Residence change request through its support site. You sign in, and the support tool checks whether your account is eligible for a change. If the automated tool does not apply to your case, you can open a support ticket and explain which region you have and which one you need. Riot decides each request, may set conditions such as waiting periods, and can refuse it, so read the current rules on the Riot support page before you start.

A region change also affects what you keep. Skins and purchases are generally handled by Riot's support rules, so read what the request says about your progress before you confirm.

Playing With Friends in Another Region

To play in the same party, both players need accounts in the same region. The straightforward options are:

1. Ask Riot support for a Region of Residence change if you are moving or your account was created in the wrong region.
2. Create a separate account for the friend's region if you only want to play together occasionally and are willing to start from level one on that account.

Both options have a cost. A new account starts without your rank or unlocks, and a transfer request depends on Riot's approval.

About VPN Workarounds

You will see advice that suggests connecting through a VPN to create an account in another region. This is not an official method. Riot can see account activity, and the rules of any region you misrepresent are your responsibility. A VPN also adds latency, so your ping to the actual game server often gets worse rather than better. We recommend using the official support route instead.

Valorant Server Locations

Riot hosts game servers in several parts of the world, grouped by region: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Korea, Brazil and Latin America. The list of data centers changes as Riot adds locations, so we do not list individual cities here. Your party screen shows the current server for your match.

Dealing With High Ping

If your ping is high, a region change may not be the right fix. Try these first:

• Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.
• Close background downloads and streaming while you play.
• Restart your router if the connection is unstable.
• Check the server shown in your party screen to see whether another one in your region is closer.
• Check for stutter that is not network related. Our guide on Valorant micro-stutters and FPS drops explains how to tell network lag from PC performance.

Buying an Account in Another Region

Some players look at the marketplace to start on a different region. If you consider this, read the listing carefully and see our Valorant purchased accounts ban guide first. You can browse the Valorant marketplace for current listings, but no account purchase is completely risk-free.

Checklist Before You Ask for a Region Change

1. Confirm your current region. Sign in at account.riotgames.com and look at the region shown for your account.
2. Decide which region you actually need. Pick the one where most of your friends play or where you live.
3. Read what happens to your progress. Riot's page explains the conditions for the request, so read them before you confirm.
4. Use only official channels. The Riot support site is the only place to request the change. Do not pay a third party who offers to do it.
5. Keep your account details private. Never give your password to anyone who offers help with a transfer.

If you only want to play with a friend once or twice, borrowing an account is not a good idea. Account sharing can cause access problems and may break Riot's rules. Making your own account in the friend's region is the cleaner option for occasional play.

FAQ

Can I change my Valorant region in the settings?

No. The account region is not a game setting. Use Riot's Region of Residence request on the support site.

Can I play with friends from another region?

Only if you are on the same account region. Otherwise one of you needs a region change or a second account.

Does a VPN lower my ping?

Usually not. It adds a hop to your connection and is not an approved way to change your account region.

Will I keep my skins if I change region?

That depends on Riot's current rules for the request. Read the conditions on the support page before you confirm.