Are you ready to dive back into the thrilling world of Valorant? If you've been met with the frustrating error message, "This version of Vanguard requires UEFI Secure Boot to be enabled in order to play," don't worry, you're not alone. This is a common issue for many Windows 11 users and is a direct result of Riot Games' commitment to a cheat-free environment.
Valorant's anti-cheat software, Riot Vanguard, works at a deep system level to ensure fair play. To do so effectively, it requires a secure and trusted system environment, which is where UEFI Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 come into play. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of enabling these features and getting you back into the game.
Step 1: Let's Check Your System's Status
Before we start tinkering with BIOS settings, let's confirm if your system has these features enabled. It's a quick and easy check.
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Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
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Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
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In the System Information window that appears, look for "BIOS Mode" and "Secure Boot State" under the "System Summary" section.
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If BIOS Mode is "UEFI" and Secure Boot State is "On," you're good to go. The error might be due to a different issue, and you can skip to Step 4.
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If BIOS Mode is "Legacy" or Secure Boot State is "Off" or "Unsupported," you need to proceed with the next steps.
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While you're here, you can also check for "TPM 2.0". To do this, press Windows key + R again, type tpm.msc, and hit Enter. If the status says "The TPM is ready for use," it is enabled. If not, you may need to enable it as well.
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| How To Fix Valorant This Version Of Vanguard Requires Uefi Secure Boot |
Step 2: Entering the BIOS/UEFI Settings
This is where we need to be careful. The BIOS/UEFI is the firmware that controls your computer's hardware. Incorrect changes can cause your system to fail to boot.
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Restart your computer.
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As your computer starts to boot up, you need to press a specific key repeatedly to enter the BIOS. This key varies depending on your motherboard or PC manufacturer. Common keys include: F2, F10, F12, Delete, or Esc. You can often see a message on the screen during startup that says "Press [key] to enter Setup" or something similar.
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If you can't figure out the key, a quick online search for "BIOS key for [your computer/motherboard model]" will give you the answer.
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Alternatively, you can access the BIOS from within Windows 11:
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Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
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Under "Recovery options," find "Advanced startup" and click "Restart now."
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Your PC will restart into a blue menu. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
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Step 3: Enabling Secure Boot and UEFI Mode
QuickTip: Scan the start and end of paragraphs.
Now that you are in the BIOS, be prepared to use your keyboard's arrow keys and Enter key to navigate, as the mouse may not work.
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Switch Boot Mode to UEFI: Secure Boot only works with UEFI mode. Look for a section like "Boot," "Boot Configuration," or "Boot Options." Find the option for "Boot Mode" and ensure it is set to "UEFI" and not "Legacy" or "CSM."
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Enable Secure Boot: Navigate to the "Security" or "Boot" tab. Look for an option called "Secure Boot" or "Secure Boot Control."
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Change the setting from "Disabled" to "Enabled."
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In some cases, you may need to go into a sub-menu called "Key Management" and choose to restore or install factory default keys.
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Enable TPM 2.0 (if needed): If you found that TPM was disabled in Step 1, you'll need to enable it here as well. Look for settings related to TPM under the "Security" or "Advanced" tab. You might see options like "Security Device Support," "TPM Device Selection," or "AMD fTPM switch." Enable the relevant setting.
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Save and Exit: Once you have made all the necessary changes, find the "Save and Exit" or "Exit" tab. Press the designated key (often F10) to save your changes and exit the BIOS.
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Your computer will restart.
Step 4: Verifying and Troubleshooting
After your computer restarts, it's time to check if everything is working correctly.
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Repeat the steps from Step 1 to check the "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode" in
msinfo32. -
If it now says "On" and "UEFI" respectively, congratulations! You have successfully enabled Secure Boot. You should now be able to launch Valorant without the error.
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If the issue persists, you may need to take some additional troubleshooting steps:
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Update your BIOS/UEFI Firmware: If your firmware is outdated, it may not support these features. Visit your motherboard or PC manufacturer's website to download the latest update.
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Convert your disk partition style from MBR to GPT: Secure Boot requires your Windows installation to be on a GPT (GUID Partition Table) disk. You can check this in Disk Management. If your disk is MBR, you will need to convert it. Be aware that this can be a complex process and may require you to back up your data and reinstall Windows.
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Reinstall Riot Vanguard: A corrupted Vanguard installation can sometimes cause issues. Uninstall Vanguard from the "Apps & features" menu in Windows settings, restart your PC, and then launch Valorant to trigger a fresh installation.
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Check for corrupted system files: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command
sfc /scannow. This will scan and repair corrupted system files.
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By following these steps, you will not only be able to play Valorant but also enhance your system's overall security. Secure Boot is an important feature that helps protect your PC from malware and rootkits during the boot process.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my PC supports UEFI Secure Boot?
Tip: Watch for summary phrases — they give the gist.
You can check if your PC supports Secure Boot by opening the System Information window (msinfo32) and looking at the "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode." If BIOS Mode is UEFI and Secure Boot State is Off, your PC supports it. If Secure Boot State is Unsupported, your hardware does not support it.
How to find my motherboard's BIOS key?
Restart your computer and watch the screen during the initial boot-up. The BIOS key is often displayed as a message like "Press F2 to enter setup." If not, you can check your motherboard's manual or perform a quick online search for your motherboard/PC model.
How to convert my disk from MBR to GPT?
You can use a built-in Windows tool called mbr2gpt.exe from the Command Prompt. However, this is a technical process and it is highly recommended to back up your data before attempting it, as it can lead to data loss if not done correctly.
How to know if my TPM is enabled?
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
Press the Windows key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. A window will pop up, and if the status says "The TPM is ready for use," it is enabled.
How to update my BIOS/UEFI firmware?
Visit your motherboard or PC manufacturer's official support website. Find your specific model and download the latest BIOS update file. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, as a failed BIOS update can render your motherboard unusable.
How to disable CSM in BIOS?
In your BIOS settings, under the "Boot" or "Boot Configuration" tab, you will often find an option for "CSM (Compatibility Support Module)." Set this to "Disabled" to ensure your system is booting in pure UEFI mode.
How to reset Secure Boot keys?
QuickTip: Don’t just consume — reflect.
In your BIOS, under the "Security" or "Secure Boot" section, you may find an option for "Key Management." You can typically choose to "Restore Factory Keys" or "Reset Secure Boot Keys" from this menu.
How to fix the error if I can't find Secure Boot in my BIOS?
First, ensure your Boot Mode is set to "UEFI." If you still can't find it, check for a CSM setting and disable it. If it's still not there, your motherboard may not support Secure Boot.
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard?
You can uninstall Riot Vanguard from the "Apps & features" menu in Windows settings. After uninstalling, restart your PC. When you launch Valorant, the Riot client will automatically detect the missing Vanguard and prompt you to reinstall it.
How to prevent this issue from happening again?
Once you have enabled Secure Boot and TPM, these settings should remain enabled. The error is typically a one-time fix. To ensure stability, avoid changing BIOS settings unless necessary and keep your Windows operating system and drivers up to date.
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