Here's a very lengthy and detailed guide to help you fix Vanguard Error 68. Let's get started and get you back into the game!
Facing Vanguard Error 68? Let's Fix It Together!
Is Valorant giving you a hard time with the pesky "Vanguard has encountered an unexpected error (VAN 68)" message? Don't worry, you're not alone. This error can be incredibly frustrating as it prevents you from even launching the game, but the good news is that it's often a fixable issue related to network connectivity or Vanguard itself. Let's go through the steps, one by one, to troubleshoot and solve this problem.
Ready to jump back into the action? Let's begin!
Step 1: The Essential First Aid - Restart Everything
Before we dive into more technical solutions, let's start with the simplest and often most effective fixes. You'd be surprised how many issues, especially network-related ones, can be resolved with a simple reboot.
Restart your PC. The first thing you should do is perform a full restart of your computer. This can clear temporary files, refresh network connections, and resolve any software conflicts that might be causing the error.
Restart your router/modem. Since Error 68 is strongly tied to network connectivity, power cycling your router and modem is a crucial step. Unplug both devices from the power outlet, wait for at least 30 seconds, and then plug them back in. Wait for all the lights to stabilize before trying to launch the game again.
Restart the Riot Client. After restarting your PC and network equipment, close the Riot Client completely (make sure it's not running in the background) and then launch it again. This can force a fresh connection to the servers.
Step 2: Addressing Network and DNS Issues
If a simple restart didn't do the trick, it's time to look at your network configuration. Vanguard Error 68 often points to problems with your internet connection's stability or how it's communicating with the game's servers.
Sub-heading: Flush Your DNS Cache
Your computer stores a cache of DNS (Domain Name System) information, which can sometimes become corrupted or outdated, leading to connection problems. Flushing the DNS cache forces your computer to get fresh information from the DNS server.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Search for "CMD" in the Windows search bar, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
ipconfig /flushdnsipconfig /registerdnsnetsh winsock resetnetsh int ip reset
Close the Command Prompt and restart your PC.
Sub-heading: Change Your DNS Server
Sometimes, your Internet Service Provider's (ISP) default DNS servers might be slow or unreliable. Switching to a public DNS server like Google's or Cloudflare's can improve connectivity and resolve the error.
Open the Network & Internet settings in Windows. You can do this by searching for it in the Start Menu.
Go to the "Change adapter options" under advanced network settings.
Right-click on your active network adapter (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.
Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click Properties.
Check the box that says "Use the following DNS server addresses."
Enter a new DNS server. Here are two popular and reliable options:
Cloudflare DNS: Preferred: 1.1.1.1, Alternate: 1.0.0.1
Google DNS: Preferred: 8.8.8.8, Alternate: 8.8.4.4
Click OK and then Close. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Sub-heading: Disable IPv6 Protocol
While IPv6 is the future of the internet, sometimes it can cause conflicts with older software or network configurations. Since Valorant primarily uses IPv4, disabling IPv6 can sometimes help.
Follow steps 1-3 from the "Change Your DNS Server" guide above to get to your network adapter's properties.
In the "Networking" tab, uncheck the box next to "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)."
Click OK and restart your PC.
Step 3: Verifying and Reinstalling Vanguard
If the network solutions haven't worked, the issue might be directly with Riot's anti-cheat software, Vanguard. It could be corrupted or a setting might be misconfigured.
Sub-heading: Allow Vanguard and Valorant Through Your Firewall
Your firewall might be blocking the necessary connections for Vanguard and Valorant to work correctly.
Open the Windows Defender Firewall settings.
Click on "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall."
Click "Change settings" and then "Allow another app..."
Browse to the location where Valorant is installed (usually
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live) and select theVALORANT.exeandVALORANT-Win64-Shipping.exefiles. Also, add the Riot Client service (RiotClientServices.exe) fromC:\Riot Games\Riot Client.Make sure the checkboxes under Private and Public are checked for all the added applications.
Click OK and then restart your computer.
Sub-heading: Reinstall Riot Vanguard
This is a very effective solution if Vanguard itself is the problem. It will force a clean installation of the anti-cheat software.
Go to Apps & features in your Windows Settings (you can search for it in the Start Menu).
Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list of installed applications.
Click on it and select Uninstall. Confirm the uninstallation.
Once uninstalled, restart your computer.
Launch the Riot Client and Valorant. The client should automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to reinstall it. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 4: Deeper Troubleshooting and Last Resorts
If you've gone through all the steps above and are still facing Error 68, it's time for some more advanced troubleshooting.
Check for conflicting software. Other anti-cheat programs (like Easy Anti-Cheat or BattlEye), VPNs, or proxy servers can sometimes interfere with Vanguard. Temporarily disable or uninstall any such software to see if it resolves the issue.
Run as an Administrator. Right-click on the Valorant and Riot Client shortcuts and select "Run as administrator." You can also set this as a default by right-clicking the shortcut, going to "Properties," then "Compatibility," and checking the box for "Run this program as an administrator."
Contact Riot Support. If all else fails, the best course of action is to contact Riot Games' Player Support. They can analyze your logs and provide personalized assistance. Be sure to provide them with a detailed description of the problem and the troubleshooting steps you've already taken.
We know this is a lot, but by following these steps, you are giving yourself the best chance of getting back into your favorite game. Keep your head up, Agent!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Vanguard Error 68.
How to check if my DNS is the problem?
You can check your current DNS settings and test their performance using online tools or by running a simple ping test in Command Prompt. Ping popular servers like ping 8.8.8.8 or ping 1.1.1.1 to see the response time.
How to know if my firewall is blocking Vanguard?
If disabling your firewall temporarily resolves the error, it's a strong indicator that the firewall is the cause. You should then add exceptions for Valorant and Vanguard as instructed in the guide.
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard without reinstalling Valorant?
You can uninstall Riot Vanguard from your computer's "Apps & features" list. When you next launch the Valorant client, it will automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard, and you won't need to download the entire game again.
How to run the game as an administrator?
Right-click on the Valorant desktop shortcut or executable file, then select "Run as administrator" from the context menu.
How to change proxy settings to automatic?
Open the "Internet Properties" control panel, go to the "Connections" tab, click "LAN settings," and make sure "Automatically detect settings" is checked and "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is unchecked.
How to check for conflicting software?
Go to your computer's "Apps & features" list and look for any other anti-cheat software, VPNs, or security programs that might be running in the background. Temporarily disable them and see if the error persists.
How to know if my IP is blacklisted?
Some websites, like Project Honeypot, allow you to check if your IP address is flagged as a source of malicious activity. A blacklisted IP could be blocked by the game's servers.
How to submit a ticket to Riot Support?
Visit the official Riot Games support website, select the game (Valorant), and follow the instructions to "Submit a ticket." Provide as much detail as possible about your issue and the steps you've tried.
How to fix Vanguard error on Windows 11?
The steps outlined in this guide are applicable to both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The menus and options might look slightly different, but the core steps remain the same.
How to troubleshoot Vanguard connectivity issues on a laptop?
If you're on a laptop, try switching from Wi-Fi to a wired Ethernet connection to rule out wireless instability. The other troubleshooting steps in this guide are also relevant for laptops.