How to change servers and switch regions in Valorant 2026

Valorant locks you to a specific region when you first start playing. For example, if you’re in the US, you won’t be able to play with friends from the UK, Brazil, Japan, or other regions where Valorant is popular. Plus, Valorant’s support team will only change your location if you were region-locked in error.

Thankfully, there’s an alternative way to change your region in Valorant, and it involves using a reliable VPN. All you have to do is connect to a server in another country and you’re good to go.

In this article, I’ll explain all the steps you need to take to change your Valorant region. I’ll also recommend a few VPN services that worked well during my tests.

How to change servers in Valorant with a VPN

A VPN is the easiest way to change servers in Valorant, as it effectively unblocks foreign servers you can play on without physically changing your location. With a VPN, you can change servers in a few simple steps:

1. Get a VPN with a network of global servers. NordVPN is the top recommendation, now with 75% OFF
2. Install the VPN on the device you use to play Valorant
3. Connect to a server in the region you want to play Valorant, like North America
4. Create a new Valorant account and reinstall the game, all while still connected to the new VPN server
5. Now you can play Valorant in a completely different region

Why do you need a VPN to change servers in Valorant?

Riot Games, the maker of Valorant, has region-locked the game. When you register, you must set your region (called a shard). Once that’s done, it can no longer be changed. This is to maintain server efficiency and keep competitors on similar ping rates, but it has left many gamers frustrated.

Luckily, you can switch regions by changing your IP address and virtual location with a VPN. A VPN can mask your identity in a way Valorant wouldn’t detect, allowing you to choose which region you want to play in. Not only is this great for playing against gamers in different countries, but it can also help you play Valorant in countries where the game is blocked and get around ISP throttling.

If you’re unsure how to use a VPN to change Valorant servers successfully, we created this guide explaining how to create an account in a different region or country. We also tested and selected the best VPN providers that can effectively change Valorant servers.

The best VPNs to change servers in Valorant

• NordVPN – ideal VPN for changing servers in Valorant
• Surfshark – best combo of speed and value-for-money
• IPVanish – Valorant VPN with reliable speed and security

There are many considerations when picking a VPN for Valorant. If you want to learn more about each provider and its compatibility with the game, read our Best Valorant VPNs article for more information.

Why should I change my server region on Valorant?

Using a VPN to change your Valorant server can improve your game in the following ways:

• Open up greater collaboration opportunities by allowing you to play with players in different regions
• Prevent geo-restrictions if Valorant is unavailable in your country or your region’s servers are too crowded to function properly
• Increase privacy, especially if you use a public Wi-Fi while playing

Play Valorant with NordVPN

How do you create a Valorant account in a different region?

The only way to change your region in Valorant is to create a Riot account in the region where you want to play. Valorant is free to download, and you will automatically get assigned a server in the region in which the game detects your IP upon creating an account. That’s why, as you are setting up your account, it’s worth selecting a new region that you want to play in using a VPN, as for each location, you would need a new account.

Follow these quick instructions to change your Valorant account region:

1. Download a quality VPN. NordVPN gives you over 9,500 servers for Valorant
2. Complete the VPN installation process on your device
3. Pick a region you want to play in and connect to a server in that location
4. Now create a Riot Games account. Your shard will represent your new IP address
5. Go to account settings and make sure your Region of Residence matches your new VPN location
6. Download Valorant and start playing in a new region

Change Valorant regions with NordVPN

How do you change server regions in Valorant?

Changing your server in Valorant is simple. All you need to do is connect a VPN to the location you want to play in and then create your Valorant account. These guides will show you how to connect to several regions you might want to access:

How to change your server to the EU region in Valorant

Want to play Valorant in an EU location? No problem, follow these steps:

1. Get a VPN with EU servers. NordVPN has 2500+ servers throughout Europe
2. Download the VPN and follow the installation instructions
3. Connect to a server in an EU location, like Germany
4. Make a Riot Games account to switch your Region of Residence to the EU
5. Now you’re set to play Valorant in the EU region

Play Valorant in EU

Where are Valorant servers located?

Valorant has multiple server locations across the world. The specific locations of these servers are as follows:

• North America: Oregon, North California, North Virginia, Texas, Illinois, and Georgia
• South America: Santiago and Mexico City
• Europe: Frankfurt, Paris, Stockholm, Istanbul, London, Tokyo, Warsaw, Madrid, and Bahrain
• Asia Pacific: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, and Mumbai

Connecting to a nearby Valorant server location can help reduce high ping, improving your gameplay experience.

It’s crucial to note that Valorant servers are constantly being updated and expanded. If you are experiencing high ping or other server issues, a VPN can solve the problem. Alternatively, you can contact Riot Games support for assistance.

Valorant VPN not working: a troubleshooting guide

If you have a VPN and have already attempted to change regions in Valorant, but it doesn’t work, there could be several reasons why.

• Cookies or cache. The reason the game might detect your true location even with a VPN might be existing cookies or cache. Clearing those, or even switching browsers, could help.
• Your IP address is leaking. Using an unreliable VPN, especially if it’s not known to effectively mask your identity, could lead to IP address leaks, so the game might detect not only where you actually are but also that you’re using a VPN. Using a more trustworthy VPN service, like NordVPN, could solve this problem.
• You connected to the game before using a VPN. If you created an account and then logged into the game before you selected a different VPN server, the game would automatically assume that you are in the region where it detected your account originally. So, remember to switch regions first and then create an account.

If none of these solutions work, try contacting your VPN service's customer support. Perhaps routine maintenance is happening, and the VPN is not working properly.

Can Valorant ban me for using a VPN?

There are no rules against using a VPN in Valorant’s terms of use. However, your IP address may be blocked if you use the VPN to cheat, bully, or intimidate other gamers. That said, if you do end up with a ban for any reason, you can use a VPN to spoof a new IP address. That will get you around any restrictions placed on your Valorant account.

Conclusion

A VPN for Valorant has many benefits beyond just changing your gaming region. You can use a VPN to circumvent IP bans that prohibit you from playing. Secondly, you can mask your online identity to prevent DDoS attacks and other cyberthreats. Furthermore, these perks extend well beyond gaming, so long as you pick a reliable VPN. I recommend getting a top-tier VPN to enhance your online experience in Valorant and elsewhere.

FAQ