If you’re stuck with a cringey username you picked when you first downloaded Valorant as a new player, a meme name that stopped being funny six months ago, or a handle that no longer fits your streamer rebrand, you’re not alone. Thousands of players go through the same problem every month, and many waste time clicking through in-game settings trying to find a name change option that doesn’t exist. Whatever the reason, knowing how to change username on Valorant can save you a lot of frustration, especially if you’ve run into confusing error messages or unexpected fees in the past. This guide breaks down every part of the process, from official steps to hidden rules most players don’t know about.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Username on Valorant
First, you need to know one critical detail: you can’t change your Valorant username directly through the game client. I made this mistake myself a few years back, clicking through every settings tab for 20 minutes before I realized all Riot ID changes happen through the official Riot Games account website. The process is straightforward once you know where to go, though.
Start by heading to the Riot Games account login page, and sign in with the same credentials you use to access Valorant. Once you’re logged in, navigate to the “Riot ID” tab on the left-hand menu. You’ll see your current display name and tagline (the 3-5 characters after the # symbol) listed here. Click the “Edit” button next to your Riot ID, and you’ll be able to type in your new desired username and custom tagline.
Before you hit confirm, double check that you’re 100% happy with your new name. You only get one free Riot ID change every 12 months, so if you change your mind a week later, you’ll have to pay to swap it again. Once you confirm the change, you’ll be asked to enter your account password to verify the request, and the change will go into effect immediately the next time you launch Valorant. Any additional changes before the 12 month window will cost 1300 Valorant Points (around $10), charged to your linked payment method or existing VP balance.
You can also change your tagline for free as part of the same process, even if you’ve already used your annual name change. That’s a great option if you want a custom tag that matches your brand, instead of the random numbers Riot assigns when you first make your account.
Key Rules to Follow When Picking Your New Valorant Username
Riot has strict naming policies across all its games, and picking a name that violates these rules can lead to a forced name change or even a temporary account ban if you repeat the offense. You don’t have to stick to boring, generic names, but there are a few guidelines to keep in mind to avoid headaches later.
First, usernames can be between 3 and 16 characters long, and can include letters, numbers, underscores, and periods. Fancy special characters like emojis or non-Latin script that’s not supported by Riot’s system will be rejected immediately. Your username doesn't have to be unique across all of Riot's games, because the tagline is what differentiates your account from others with the same display name. That means you can grab your dream username even if someone else already uses it, as long as you pick a different tagline.
When brainstorming your new name, avoid these common mistakes that lead to rejected changes or forced renames:
- Slurs, hate speech, or references to violence, self-harm, or illegal activities
- Names that impersonate Riot employees, pro players, or public figures to deceive others
- Excessively long strings of random characters that make it hard for teammates to add you
- Names that include personal information like your full name, address, or phone number
A friend of mine once tried to use a name with a fancy unicode heart symbol, and he spent three days going back and forth with support because the name kept getting rejected. Save yourself the hassle and stick to supported characters if you want your change to go through right away.
Common Errors When Changing Your Valorant Username (And How to Fix Them)
Even if you follow all the steps, you might run into a few common errors that stop your name change from going through. Most of these are easy to fix once you know what’s causing the problem, so you don’t have to panic if you see an error message pop up.
The most common error is “This Riot ID is not available”. Most players assume this means the username they want is taken, but that’s rarely the case. It usually means the exact combination of username and tagline you picked is already in use, so all you have to do is pick a different custom tagline to make it work. If the error still pops up after changing the tagline, it’s likely the name you picked is either reserved for Riot staff or violates naming policies, even if you don’t think it does.
Another common issue is the Riot account settings page failing to load or not saving your changes. This is almost always caused by ad blockers or browser extensions interfering with the site. Try clearing your browser cache, switching to incognito mode, or using a different browser to complete the change, and it should work. If you get a forced name change notification, you have 30 days to pick a new name for free before Riot assigns a random one to your account, so don’t put that off if you get an alert in your inbox.
If you think your name was wrongly flagged for violating policies, you can submit a support ticket to Riot to appeal the decision. Response times can take 3-5 business days during peak periods, so be patient if you go this route.
Is It Worth Paying to Change Your Valorant Username Early?
If you already used your free annual name change and want to swap your handle again before the 12 month window is up, you’ll have to pay the 1300 VP fee. Whether that cost is worth it depends entirely on your situation, so don’t rush into paying if you don’t have to.
If you’re a content creator rebranding your channel, or you’re getting harassed by other players because of your current username, the fee is absolutely worth paying. You don’t want a bad username to ruin your streaming brand or make your time playing the game less enjoyable, so the $10 cost is a small price to pay for a better experience. If you recently transferred your account to a different region, you might also be eligible for a free early name change, so reach out to support first before you pay the fee.
On the other hand, if you’re just bored of your current name and don’t have any urgent reason to change it, it’s better to wait for your free annual change to come up. 1300 VP is enough to buy a full skin tier for most weapon skins, so you might as well save that currency for cosmetics you’ll get more use out of if you can wait a few months. You can't transfer a name change credit between accounts, so make sure you're 100% happy with your new name before you confirm the change, even if you’re paying for it. There are no refunds for name changes you regret later.
Your Valorant username is part of how you show up in lobbies, with friends, and in competitive matches, so it makes sense to want one that feels like you. You don’t have to be stuck with a name you hate, and the process is a lot simpler than most players realize once you know where to look. Whether you're using your free annual change or paying for an early swap, taking a few extra minutes to follow the steps we outlined will make the whole process smooth, and you won't have to deal with annoying errors down the line. Now that you know how to change username on Valorant, you can ditch that old cringey name and pick something you'll be proud to show off in your next ranked match.
