Greetings, gamer! Are you facing the dreaded "Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled" error when trying to play VALORANT? Don't worry, you're not alone. This is a very common issue, especially for those who have recently upgraded to Windows 11 or have a custom PC build. Riot's anti-cheat software, Vanguard, has become more stringent to combat cheating, and a key requirement is having both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled.
While the anti-cheat system's intentions are good, this requirement can be a real headache if your system isn't configured correctly or if you have a legacy setup. So, let's dive into this guide and get you back into the action.
Step 1: The Initial Check-Up - Is it really a Secure Boot issue?
Before you start messing with your PC's settings, let's first confirm that Secure Boot is indeed the culprit. It's a quick and easy check.
Engage with the user: So, is your PC giving you the VAN9001 or VAN9003 error code? Does the Vanguard notification tray show a message about Secure Boot? If so, you're in the right place!
First, let's see your current Secure Boot status.
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Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
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Type
msinfo32and press Enter. This will open the System Information window. -
In the left-hand panel, navigate to "System Summary."
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In the right-hand panel, look for "BIOS Mode" and "Secure Boot State."
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If your BIOS Mode is listed as "UEFI" and Secure Boot State as "On", then congratulations, you're good to go! The issue might be something else, like TPM 2.0 or another software conflict.
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If your BIOS Mode is listed as "Legacy" or Secure Boot State is "Off" or "Unsupported", then you've found the problem. Proceed to the next step.
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| How To Run Vanguard Without Secure Boot |
Step 2: Entering the BIOS/UEFI - The Digital Control Center
This is where the magic happens. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a firmware that controls your computer's hardware. You need to access it to change the boot settings.
2.1: Restart your PC and access the BIOS.
The key you need to press to enter the BIOS is different for every manufacturer. It's usually a key like F2, F10, F12, DEL, or ESC.
QuickTip: Reading regularly builds stronger recall.
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Restart your computer.
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As your computer is booting up, repeatedly press the designated key (e.g., DEL) until you enter the BIOS setup. You'll often see a message on the screen like "Press DEL to enter Setup" or "Press F2 to enter BIOS."
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If you miss it the first time, don't worry, just restart and try again.
Pro-Tip: If you're unsure which key to press, a quick Google search for "[Your Motherboard Brand/Model] BIOS key" will give you the answer.
Step 3: Enabling Secure Boot and UEFI Mode - The Core Configuration
Once you're in the BIOS, the interface can look different depending on your motherboard manufacturer (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, etc.). However, the core settings you need to change are usually found under similar headings.
3.1: Find and Enable Secure Boot.
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Use the arrow keys and Enter key to navigate through the menus, as your mouse may not work in this environment.
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Look for a section related to "Boot," "Security," or "Advanced."
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Within this section, find the "Secure Boot" option. It might be under a sub-menu like "Boot Configuration" or "Windows OS Configuration."
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If Secure Boot is currently set to "Disabled" or "Other OS," change it to "Enabled" or "Windows UEFI Mode."
3.2: Ensure UEFI Mode is active.
Secure Boot requires your system to be in UEFI mode. If your BIOS Mode was "Legacy" in Step 1, you'll need to change this as well.
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In the same "Boot" or "Advanced" section, look for an option like "Boot Mode," "BIOS Mode," or "Boot Priority."
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Make sure it is set to "UEFI" and not "Legacy" or "CSM (Compatibility Support Module)."
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Note: Changing from Legacy to UEFI might require you to convert your disk from MBR to GPT. If your system is already on a GPT partition table, this will be seamless. If not, you might need to do a conversion, which is beyond the scope of this guide but is often possible without data loss using tools like
mbr2gpt.exein Windows.
3.3: Enable TPM 2.0 (if not already enabled).
Vanguard also requires TPM 2.0. This is often found under the "Security" or "Trusted Computing" section.
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Look for options like "TPM State," "Security Device Support," "AMD fTPM switch," or "Intel PTT."
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Enable this setting.
3.4: Save and Exit.
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After making all the necessary changes, navigate to the "Save & Exit" or "Exit" tab.
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Select "Save Changes and Exit" or press the key indicated on the screen (usually F10).
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Confirm the changes when prompted. Your PC will now restart.
Tip: Keep your attention on the main thread.
Step 4: The Final Test - Relaunching VALORANT
After your PC restarts, it should be in UEFI mode with Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled. Now, it's time to see if your efforts paid off.
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Launch VALORANT.
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The game should now launch without the Secure Boot error.
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If you're still facing issues, try running the game as an administrator (right-click the VALORANT shortcut and select "Run as administrator").
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Another helpful tip: Check for any pending Windows updates. Keeping your system up-to-date can resolve compatibility issues.
If you're still struggling, you might have a more complex issue. It's always a good idea to check your motherboard's manual or visit the manufacturer's website for specific instructions, as BIOS interfaces can differ greatly.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my BIOS mode?
You can check your BIOS mode by opening the System Information window. Press Windows Key + R, type msinfo32, and look for "BIOS Mode" under the System Summary.
How to find my motherboard's BIOS key?
The key to enter BIOS is displayed on the screen during the initial boot-up. If you miss it, you can find it by searching online for "[your motherboard brand] BIOS key." Common keys are F2, F10, F12, DEL, and ESC.
QuickTip: Pay attention to first and last sentences.
How to enable Secure Boot in the BIOS?
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS. Navigate to the "Boot" or "Security" section, find "Secure Boot," and change its status from "Disabled" to "Enabled" or "Windows UEFI Mode."
How to enable TPM 2.0?
In your BIOS, look for a "Security" or "Trusted Computing" tab. Find options like "TPM State," "AMD fTPM switch," or "Intel PTT" and enable it.
How to convert MBR to GPT without data loss?
You can use the built-in Windows tool mbr2gpt.exe. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS. If the validation is successful, run mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS.
How to fix VAN9001 or VAN9003 error?
Tip: Use this post as a starting point for exploration.
These errors are directly related to Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. The most reliable fix is to enable both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in your BIOS settings, as detailed in this guide.
How to check if my PC supports Secure Boot?
In the System Information window (msinfo32), look for "Secure Boot State." If it says "Unsupported," your hardware does not support it.
How to run VALORANT in compatibility mode?
Right-click on the VALORANT shortcut, go to "Properties," click on the "Compatibility" tab, and check the box for "Run this program in compatibility mode for." You can then select a previous version of Windows, like Windows 8.
How to run VALORANT as an administrator?
Right-click the VALORANT shortcut and select "Run as administrator." You can also set it to always run as an administrator in the Compatibility tab of the shortcut's properties.
How to update my BIOS?
Updating your BIOS is a more advanced procedure. You should visit your motherboard manufacturer's website, download the latest BIOS version for your specific model, and follow their provided instructions carefully. This can be risky, so proceed with caution.
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