Riot has asked every VALORANT Champions Shanghai player to use a wired mouse while it replaces the tournament’s custom metal desks. Riot traced repeated mouse and input problems to interference caused by the desk materials. The request is a temporary tournament fix, not a new VALORANT setting or a rule for ranked play.
The update came after more equipment trouble during 100 Thieves’ 2-0 win over FUT Esports. Riot later said FUT should have received a round rollback when Doğan “xeus” Gözgen’s mouse stopped working, but the series result still stands.
What caused the mouse problems at Champions Shanghai?
Riot first identified conductivity problems from the stage desks on September 26. Its tournament account said a fix had stopped the disruption during checks and matches that day. Problems returned later in the group stage, including the mouse failure during FUT’s match against 100 Thieves.
Riot’s October 1 update went further. The custom metal desks will be replaced with desks made from a different material. Until that work is complete and tested, players have been asked to connect their mice by cable.
| Date | What happened | Riot’s response |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 24-25 | Players reported mouse and PC problems during the opening matches. | Technical teams investigated the stage setup. |
| Sept. 26 | Riot linked the input trouble to conductivity issues from the desks. | A first fix was applied and monitoring continued. |
| Sept. 30 | xeus could not fire during FUT vs. 100 Thieves. | The round stood during the match; Riot later said a rollback should have been allowed. |
| Oct. 1 | Riot acknowledged that the event had not met its standards. | Players were asked to use wired connections while the desks were replaced. |
Why would a wired mouse help?
A cable removes the wireless link between the mouse and its receiver. That makes it a sensible stopgap when the stage itself is interfering with wireless signals. It does not fix the desk, which is why Riot also committed to replacing the metal units.
This does not automatically mean every player has to learn a completely different mouse shape. Many wireless gaming mice can send input over their charging cable, though the exact tournament setup still depends on the mouse and event officials. The tradeoff is cable drag and a different feel during wide swipes and small corrections.
Riot acknowledged that peripheral settings and muscle memory matter. At this level, even routing a cable differently can be noticeable when a player has spent thousands of hours on a wireless setup.
What changes for Champions players?
- Players should use a wired mouse connection until Riot clears the replacement desks.
- Their DPI, in-game sensitivity, crosshair and keybinds do not need to change because of the cable.
- Players using a wireless mouse in wired mode may need a clean cable path or bungee so the cord does not catch on the desk.
- Riot plans to let players return to wireless use after the new desks are tested, according to tournament reporting on its follow-up statement.
The important distinction is connection versus sensitivity. A mouse at 800 DPI and 0.3 sensitivity remains 240 eDPI whether it sends data through a cable or a wireless receiver. The cable can change how the mouse feels in the hand, but it does not rewrite the player’s VALORANT settings.
Why did Riot say the FUT round should have been replayed?
xeus was unable to shoot during an early anti-eco round on Split. Officials paused the game after the play but allowed the result to stand. Riot’s post-match review concluded that a round rollback should have been granted.
The correction did not change the series. 100 Thieves’ 2-0 win remains official, and FUT moved to the Group A decider. That leaves two separate issues: the desk interference that Riot is trying to remove and the officiating decision that could not be undone cleanly after the match.
Do VALORANT players at home need to switch to wired mice?
No. Riot’s request applies to the Champions Shanghai stage while those desks are being replaced. It is not evidence that wireless gaming mice are generally unreliable, and it does not change VALORANT’s mouse settings.
If your own mouse disconnects, test the receiver closer to the mouse, move it away from crowded USB devices, update the mouse firmware and try the supplied cable. Do not change your sensitivity at the same time. Keeping one variable fixed makes the real problem easier to find.
For current pro gear examples, see setup.gg’s 2026 VALORANT pro mouse guide. The VALORANT sensitivity guide explains DPI and eDPI, while the Champions Shanghai ticket and venue guide covers the live event.
