Welcome, Agent! It looks like you're having trouble with Vanguard, VALORANT's powerful anti-cheat system. Don't worry, you're not alone. Many players encounter issues with Vanguard, but the good news is that most of them are fixable. Let's get you back into the game and climbing the ranks.
Step 1: The First Line of Defense - The Quick Restart
Before we dive into any complex solutions, let's start with the simplest and often most effective fix. Have you tried turning it off and on again? Yes, I know it sounds clich�, but for Vanguard issues, it's a legitimate starting point.
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Restart VALORANT and the Riot Client: Close both the game and the Riot Client completely. Make sure they are not running in the background by checking your Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
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Restart your computer: A full system restart can often resolve temporary glitches and conflicts that prevent Vanguard from launching correctly. This will also restart the Vanguard service, which is essential for the game to run.
Did that work? If so, great! If not, let's move on to the next step.
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| How To Fix Vanguard Valorant |
Step 2: Checking the Vanguard Service
Sometimes, the Vanguard service, named 'vgc', doesn't start automatically or is set to a disabled state. We need to check and make sure it's running.
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Access the Services menu: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type
services.mscand press Enter. This will open the Services window. -
Locate the 'vgc' service: Scroll down the list of services until you find vgc.
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Adjust the startup type: Right-click on vgc and select Properties. In the 'General' tab, find the 'Startup type' dropdown menu and set it to Automatic.
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Start the service: Below the dropdown, check the 'Service status'. If it's 'Stopped', click the Start button.
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Apply and restart: Click Apply and then OK. Now, restart your computer and try launching VALORANT again.
Step 3: A Clean Slate - Reinstalling Vanguard
If the service is running correctly and you're still facing issues, the Vanguard files themselves might be corrupted. A fresh installation is often the best solution.
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Uninstall Vanguard:
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Find the Vanguard icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your taskbar). It's a red shield icon.
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Right-click the icon and select Uninstall Vanguard.
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Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
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Manually remove leftover files (Advanced):
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Even after uninstalling, some files can be left behind. To ensure a clean slate, open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
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Type
sc delete vgcand press Enter. -
Type
sc delete vgkand press Enter. -
Restart your PC.
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Navigate to your
C:\Program Filesfolder and manually delete the Riot Vanguard folder if it's still there.
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Reinstall Vanguard:
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Now, launch the Riot Client. It should automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to reinstall it.
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Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
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Restart your PC again. This is a crucial step to let Vanguard load correctly.
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Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
Step 4: Checking for Conflicts with Other Software
Vanguard is a powerful anti-cheat that runs at the kernel level, which can sometimes conflict with other programs.
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Check your antivirus and firewall: Make sure your antivirus or firewall software isn't blocking VALORANT or Vanguard. You might need to add them to your exclusion or allow list.
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Disable conflicting software: Temporarily disable any software that could interfere, such as VPNs, system cleaners, or macro programs. Try running the game after disabling them to see if the issue is resolved.
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Run as administrator: Right-click the VALORANT shortcut and select Run as administrator. This can help resolve permission-related issues.
Step 5: Updating Your System and Drivers
An outdated operating system or drivers can also cause compatibility problems with Vanguard.
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Update Windows: Make sure your Windows operating system is up-to-date. Vanguard has specific requirements, especially for Windows 11 (Secure Boot and TPM 2.0).
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Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
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Update your graphics drivers: Outdated GPU drivers can sometimes cause issues. Visit your graphics card manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download and install the latest drivers.
Step 6: BIOS and System Security Settings (For Windows 11 Users)
If you're on Windows 11 and getting error codes like VAN 9001, VAN 9003, or VAN 9090, it's likely a BIOS setting issue.
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Check Secure Boot and TPM 2.0:
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Press the Windows key, type
msinfo32, and press Enter. -
In the System Information window, check the 'Secure Boot State' (should be 'On') and 'BIOS Mode' (should be 'UEFI').
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Press the Windows key, type
tpm.msc, and press Enter. Check that the 'Status' says 'The TPM is ready for use' and the 'Specification Version' is 2.0.
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Enable in BIOS: If these settings are not enabled, you'll need to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings and enable them.
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Warning: Be careful when making changes in the BIOS. Incorrect settings can cause system instability. If you are unsure, it is best to consult a professional or your motherboard's manual.
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Restart your computer and press the key to enter BIOS (usually Del, F2, F10, or F12) as your computer boots up.
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Navigate to the Security or Boot settings and find options for Secure Boot and TPM (it might be listed as 'PTT' or 'fTPM').
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Enable these features, save your changes, and exit the BIOS.
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Step 7: The Final Stand - Reinstalling VALORANT and Vanguard
If all else fails, a complete reinstall of both the game and Vanguard can resolve deeply rooted issues.
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
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Uninstall VALORANT:
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Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or 'Apps & features' on older Windows versions).
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Find VALORANT in the list and click Uninstall.
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Uninstall Vanguard (if not already done): Follow the steps in Step 3 to completely remove Vanguard.
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Delete leftover files: Check the
C:\Riot Gamesfolder and delete any remaining files. -
Reinstall VALORANT: Go to the official VALORANT website, download the installer, and follow the steps for a fresh installation. This will automatically reinstall Vanguard as well.
10 Related FAQ Subheadings with Quick Answers
How to check if Vanguard is running?
You can check if Vanguard is running by looking for the small red shield icon in your system tray (the area on the bottom-right of your taskbar, next to the clock). If it's there, Vanguard is active. You can also check the 'vgc' service in the Services menu as described in Step 2.
How to fix Vanguard error VAN 0, 1, 6, 84?
These are all general connection errors. The quickest fix is to restart your game, the Riot Client, and your computer. Ensure your internet connection is stable and that your firewall or antivirus isn't blocking the connection.
How to fix Vanguard error VAN 57?
This error means Vanguard is not running. Restart your PC to ensure the vgc service starts. If the problem persists, you may need to manually start the vgc service in the Services menu (Step 2) or reinstall Vanguard (Step 3).
Tip: Take notes for easier recall later.
How to fix Vanguard error VAN 81, 102, 104, 128?
These are also connection-related. A simple PC restart often helps. If not, a clean reinstall of Vanguard and VALORANT is recommended.
How to fix Vanguard error VAN 9001, 9003, 9090 on Windows 11?
These errors are almost always related to disabled Secure Boot or TPM 2.0. You need to enable both of these features in your computer's BIOS settings. Refer to Step 6 for a detailed guide.
How to fix Vanguard error VAN 138?
This error occurs if you are trying to run VALORANT or Vanguard from a virtual machine. VALORANT and Vanguard are only supported on native Windows installations. You need to install and play the game on a standard Windows machine.
How to manually end Vanguard processes?
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the 'Details' tab, and look for any processes related to 'VALORANT', 'Riot Client', or 'Vanguard' (vgc, vgk). Right-click on them and select 'End task'.
How to set the vgc service to automatic?
Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, find 'vgc', right-click on it, select 'Properties', and change the 'Startup type' to 'Automatic'.
How to check if my system supports TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot?
For TPM, press Windows key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. For Secure Boot, press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and check 'System Information'.
How to contact Riot Games Support for more help?
If none of these steps work, it's time to submit a ticket to Riot Games Support. You can visit their official support website and submit a detailed ticket with your error code and the troubleshooting steps you have already tried.
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