Hello there! Are you tired of your game crashing right in the middle of a clutch moment, all thanks to Riot Vanguard? You're not alone. This kernel-level anti-cheat system, while a powerful tool against cheaters, can sometimes be a bit too aggressive, leading to frustrating crashes, blue screens of death (BSOD), and other system instabilities.
But don't worry, we're going to tackle this head-on, step by step. Let's get your system running smoothly and get you back in the game!
Step 1: The First and Most Important Step - A Simple Restart
Before you dive into the technical details, let's start with the most basic yet surprisingly effective solution. Have you tried turning it off and on again?
I know, I know, it sounds clich�, but a simple restart can resolve a multitude of issues by clearing temporary files and resetting system processes.
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Restart your PC: This is the most crucial part. A full system reboot can often fix temporary conflicts that are causing Vanguard to crash.
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Restart the Riot Client: Close the Riot Client completely from your system tray (the little arrow in the bottom right of your taskbar) and then reopen it. This can sometimes force Vanguard to re-authenticate and start correctly.
If that didn't work, don't fret! Let's move on to the more in-depth solutions.
QuickTip: Repetition reinforces learning.
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| How To Fix Riot Vanguard Crash |
Step 2: Check for Software Conflicts
Riot Vanguard is a deep-seated anti-cheat, and it can sometimes conflict with other software on your system, especially those that also operate at a low level.
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Disable or Temporarily Uninstall Antivirus and Security Software: Many antivirus programs, firewalls, and security suites can flag Vanguard as a threat due to its deep system access. Temporarily disabling your antivirus before launching the game is a good first step. If that works, you might need to add an exception for Riot Vanguard and the game's executable files in your antivirus settings.
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Close Unnecessary Background Programs: Programs that use overlays, monitor system performance, or manage hardware (like fan control software, RGB lighting apps, or overclocking tools) can sometimes interfere with Vanguard. Try closing all unnecessary background applications before you launch your game.
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Look for Suspicious Software: Vanguard can also crash if it detects unusual software that could be used for cheating. If you've recently installed any new programs, especially ones from untrusted sources, consider uninstalling them to see if the issue is resolved.
Step 3: Update and Repair
Outdated or corrupted files are a frequent cause of crashes. Keeping your system and game files up to date is essential.
QuickTip: Read a little, pause, then continue.
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Update Your Graphics Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers are a very common reason for game crashes. Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your specific model. A clean installation is often recommended to avoid any leftover files from previous drivers.
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Run a System File Check (SFC) and DISM Scan: These built-in Windows tools can check for and repair corrupted system files.
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Open the Start menu and search for "Command Prompt."
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Right-click on it and select "Run as administrator."
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In the Command Prompt window, type
sfc /scannowand press Enter. This will scan and repair corrupted system files. -
After the SFC scan is complete, run the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
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DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth -
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
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Repair the Riot Vanguard Installation: If you're using the Riot Client, you can try repairing the game's installation.
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Open the Riot Client.
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Click on the profile icon in the top right corner.
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Go to Settings.
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Look for the Repair Client option and initiate the process.
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Step 4: A Deeper Dive into System Settings
For Windows 11 users, especially, there are specific security features that Vanguard interacts with. Incorrect settings here can lead to crashes.
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Check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot (Windows 11): Vanguard requires these security features to be enabled on Windows 11.
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To check TPM status, press Windows Key + R, type
tpm.msc, and press Enter. The status should say "The TPM is ready for use" and the Specification Version should be 2.0. -
To check Secure Boot, press Windows Key + R, type
msinfo32, and press Enter. In the System Summary, find "BIOS Mode" (should be UEFI) and "Secure Boot State" (should be On). -
If these are not enabled, you'll need to go into your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings to enable them. Be extremely careful when making changes in the BIOS. Incorrect settings can cause your computer to fail to start. If you're not comfortable, it's best to seek professional assistance or consult your motherboard's manual.
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Check for Overheating: When your computer overheats, it can cause the hardware to struggle and lead to crashes.
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Monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing using a monitoring tool like MSI Afterburner or HWiNFO64.
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Ensure your PC has proper ventilation.
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Clean out any dust that may be blocking the fans and vents.
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Consider setting a framerate cap in your game's settings to reduce the strain on your GPU.
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Step 5: The Last Resort - Reinstallation
If you've tried everything else and the crashes persist, a clean reinstallation of Riot Vanguard and your game might be the only way to go.
Tip: A slow skim is better than a rushed read.
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Uninstall Riot Vanguard First:
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Go to Control Panel -> Programs and Features (or Settings -> Apps -> Apps & features in Windows 10/11).
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Find "Riot Vanguard" and click Uninstall.
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Uninstall the Game:
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Do the same for the game you are playing (e.g., VALORANT or League of Legends).
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Manually Delete Remaining Files: After uninstalling, navigate to the program files directory (usually
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard) and delete any remaining folders. -
Reinstall the Game: Download the game client from the official Riot Games website and install it. This will automatically reinstall Riot Vanguard as well.
FAQs: Your Quick Guide to Fixing Vanguard Crashes
Here are 10 related questions that start with 'How to' with quick and helpful answers.
How to check if my graphics drivers are outdated? You can check for updates directly through your graphics card's control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Software, or Intel Graphics Command Center) or by visiting the manufacturer's website.
How to find and close background programs that might conflict with Vanguard? Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and go to the "Processes" tab. Look for any unfamiliar applications or programs that are using a lot of system resources and close them before launching your game.
How to run a game as an administrator? Right-click on the game's shortcut or executable file, go to Properties, navigate to the Compatibility tab, and check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator."
QuickTip: Don’t just scroll — process what you see.
How to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot? You need to enter your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI settings. The key to enter BIOS varies by manufacturer (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del during startup). Once in the BIOS, look for sections related to "Boot," "Security," or "Advanced" to find these settings.
How to fix a "Vanguard not running" error (VAN 57)? Restart your PC and the Riot Client. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall Riot Vanguard and the game.
How to find and remove corrupted game files? You can use the repair feature in the Riot Client as described in Step 3. If that fails, a clean reinstallation (Step 5) is the best way to ensure all files are fresh.
How to deal with the VAN 9001 or VAN 9003 error on Windows 11? These errors are almost always related to disabled Secure Boot or TPM 2.0. Follow the steps in Step 4 to check and enable these settings in your BIOS.
How to prevent my PC from overheating during gaming? Clean the dust from your PC, ensure proper airflow, and consider setting a frame rate cap in your game's settings to reduce the load on your GPU and CPU.
How to run SFC and DISM scans to check for system file corruption? Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the commands sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
How to contact Riot Support for persistent issues? If none of these steps work, the best course of action is to submit a support ticket to Riot Games. Provide them with as much detail as possible, including the exact error message, what you've tried, and any relevant logs.
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