Of course! Here is a very detailed, step-by-step guide on how to enable Secure Boot for Valorant's Vanguard anti-cheat.
How to Secure Boot for Vanguard in Valorant: A Comprehensive Guide
Have you ever been on the verge of jumping into a clutch game of Valorant, only to be stopped dead in your tracks by a pesky error message like "VAN9001" or "VAN9003" telling you that you need to enable Secure Boot? It's a frustrating experience, especially when all you want to do is play. But don't worry, you're not alone! This is a common issue for many Windows 11 users, and it's a security measure put in place by Riot Games' anti-cheat system, Vanguard, to ensure a fair and secure gaming environment.
Are you ready to fix this once and for all and get back to climbing the ranks? Let's dive in!
Step 1: The Initial Check-Up - Is Secure Boot Really Disabled?
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
Before you start messing with your PC's settings, the first and most important step is to verify that Secure Boot is indeed disabled. You might be surprised to find out it's already enabled, and the issue lies elsewhere. So, let's start with a quick diagnostic check.
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Method A: Using System Information
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Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
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Type
msinfo32and press Enter. This will open the System Information window. -
In the System Information window, look for the line that says "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode".
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If "Secure Boot State" says "On" and "BIOS Mode" says "UEFI", then you're good to go on this front! The problem might be a different Vanguard requirement, like TPM 2.0. If "Secure Boot State" says "Off" or "Unsupported", then you'll need to continue to the next steps.
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It is crucial that your "BIOS Mode" is set to "UEFI". Secure Boot will not work in "Legacy" or "CSM" mode.
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Method B: Using PowerShell (for the tech-savvy)
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Open the Start Menu, type "PowerShell", and right-click on it to "Run as administrator".
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In the PowerShell window, type
Confirm-SecureBootUEFIand press Enter. -
If the result is
True, Secure Boot is enabled. If it isFalse, it's disabled. If it says the cmdlet is not supported, your PC doesn't support Secure Boot.
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Step 2: Checking Your TPM 2.0 Status
Vanguard requires both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 on Windows 11. While this guide is focused on Secure Boot, it's a good idea to check your TPM status as well, since you'll be in the BIOS anyway.
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Using the TPM Management Console
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Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
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Type
tpm.mscand press Enter. -
A new window will pop up. If you see a message that says "The TPM is ready for use", you're all set.
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Under the "TPM Manufacturer Information" section, check the "Specification Version". It should be 2.0.
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If you get an error that a compatible TPM cannot be found, you will need to enable it in the BIOS as well.
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Step 3: Entering the BIOS/UEFI Settings
QuickTip: Scan quickly, then go deeper where needed.
This is where you'll be making the necessary changes. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the firmware that controls your computer's hardware.
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The Easiest Way: From Windows Recovery
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Save and close all your work and open applications, as your computer will restart.
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Open Windows Settings (Windows Key + I).
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Go to System > Recovery.
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Under "Advanced startup", click "Restart now".
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Your computer will restart and show a blue screen with options.
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Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
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Click "Restart". This will take you directly into your BIOS/UEFI settings.
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The Traditional Way: Using a BIOS Key
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Restart your computer.
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As your computer is booting up, repeatedly press the BIOS key to enter the BIOS menu.
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The BIOS key varies depending on your motherboard or laptop manufacturer. Common keys include F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc. You may see a message on your screen during boot-up that says "Press [key] to enter Setup."
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You'll need to be quick! If you miss it, just restart and try again.
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Step 4: Enabling UEFI Mode and Secure Boot
Once you are in the BIOS/UEFI menu, use your keyboard's arrow keys and the Enter key to navigate, as your mouse may not work.
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Switch to UEFI Mode (if necessary):
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Find the "Boot" or "Boot Configuration" tab.
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Look for an option like "Boot Mode", "BIOS Mode", or "OS Type".
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Ensure this is set to "UEFI" and not "Legacy" or "CSM (Compatibility Support Module)".
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Important Note: If your Windows installation is on an MBR (Master Boot Record) partition, switching to UEFI will prevent your system from booting. You will need to convert your drive from MBR to GPT (GUID Partition Table) first. We'll touch on this in the FAQ section.
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Enable Secure Boot:
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Now, look for the "Secure Boot" option. It's often located under the "Security", "Boot", or "Authentication" tab.
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Set the "Secure Boot" option to "Enabled".
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Some motherboards may have a "Secure Boot Mode" that needs to be set to "Standard" instead of "Custom" or "Setup".
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Enable TPM 2.0 (if necessary):
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This setting is often found under the "Security", "Advanced", or "Trusted Computing" tab.
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Look for options like "Security Device Support", "Trusted Platform Module (TPM)", "AMD fTPM switch", or "Intel PTT".
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Enable the relevant setting.
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Save and Exit:
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After making all the changes, find the "Save and Exit" option. It's usually the F10 key.
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Confirm that you want to save the changes and exit. Your computer will then restart.
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Step 5: Final Verification and Launching Valorant
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.
After your computer restarts, it's a good idea to perform the check from Step 1 again to ensure everything is enabled correctly. If "Secure Boot State" now says "On" and "BIOS Mode" is "UEFI", you've successfully enabled Secure Boot!
Now, launch Valorant, and Vanguard should no longer throw the Secure Boot error. You should be able to get into the game and play without any issues.
If you are still facing issues, do not worry! The FAQ section below addresses some common problems you might encounter.
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| How To Secure Boot Vanguard Valorant |
10 Related FAQs: How to...
How to check if my OS Drive is MBR or GPT? Open Disk Management by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting "Disk Management". Right-click on your OS drive (usually C:), go to "Properties", and then the "Volumes" tab. Look for "Partition style". If it says "Master Boot Record (MBR)", you need to convert it to GPT before enabling UEFI/Secure Boot.
Tip: Use this post as a starting point for exploration.
How to convert my MBR drive to GPT without losing data? You can use the built-in Windows tool, MBR2GPT. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS. If the validation passes, run mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS. After the conversion, restart and enter the BIOS to switch to UEFI mode.
How to find the BIOS key for my computer? The BIOS key is specific to your motherboard or laptop brand. You can typically find it in your motherboard's manual or by searching online for "BIOS key for [Your Motherboard/Laptop Model]".
How to enable TPM 2.0 if the option is missing in my BIOS? First, ensure your motherboard and CPU support TPM 2.0. If they do, check for a BIOS update on your motherboard manufacturer's website. Outdated BIOS firmware can sometimes hide or not support these features.
How to fix the "Secure Boot is in Setup Mode" error? In your BIOS, you might see an option to change the Secure Boot mode from "Setup" to "User" or "Standard". You may also need to restore factory Secure Boot keys or reset them to their default settings within the BIOS.
How to run Valorant as an administrator? Right-click on the Valorant shortcut and select "Run as administrator". To make it permanent, right-click the shortcut, go to "Properties", select the "Compatibility" tab, and check the box for "Run this program as an administrator".
How to update my BIOS? Updating your BIOS is a delicate process. Visit your motherboard manufacturer's website, find the support page for your specific model, download the latest BIOS firmware, and follow their provided instructions very carefully. Improperly updating the BIOS can damage your motherboard.
How to check if my Windows is up-to-date? Open Windows Settings (Windows Key + I), go to "Windows Update", and click "Check for updates". Install any pending updates.
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard? You can uninstall Riot Vanguard just like any other program through "Add or remove programs" in Windows Settings. After uninstalling, restart your computer and then launch Valorant, which will prompt you to reinstall Vanguard.
How to check if my CPU and motherboard are compatible with TPM 2.0? Check your motherboard's and CPU's official specifications on the manufacturer's website. Most modern CPUs and motherboards support TPM 2.0, but it's always best to verify.
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