Of course! Here is a lengthy and detailed guide on how to update Vanguard in Valorant, designed to be engaging and helpful.
Ready to Get Back in the Game? Let's Update Vanguard!
We've all been there. You're hyped to jump into a ranked match, but then you're hit with that dreaded message: "Vanguard requires an update." It's a small hurdle, but a necessary one to ensure a fair and secure gaming environment. Don't worry, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step so you can get back to clutching those rounds. Let's dive in!
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| How To Update Vanguard Valorant |
Step 1: The First Check-in - A Simple Restart
Before you dive into anything complex, let's start with the most basic and often most effective solution. This is where we engage you directly.
Have you tried turning it off and on again? Seriously, a simple restart of your computer can often trigger the Vanguard update automatically. It's like a gentle nudge to your system to check for new files.
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First, completely close Valorant and the Riot Client. Make sure they aren't running in the background. You can check this by opening your Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). If you see any Valorant or Riot-related processes, right-click and select "End task."
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Next, restart your PC. This allows all the necessary services, including Vanguard, to shut down and then restart cleanly.
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Once your computer is back up, re-launch the Riot Client. If there's a pending update for Vanguard, it should automatically download and install it before you can launch the game.
If this simple restart does the trick, you'll see a small download bar on the Riot Client. Let it finish, and you're good to go! But if it's still giving you trouble, move on to the next step.
Step 2: The Manual Check - For When It's Stubborn
Sometimes, Vanguard can be a bit stubborn and needs a manual push. Here's how you can manually check for and trigger the update.
Sub-heading: Using the Riot Client to Force a Repair
QuickTip: Repeat difficult lines until they’re clear.
The Riot Client has a built-in repair feature that can often fix corrupted or outdated files, including those related to Vanguard.
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Open the Riot Client.
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Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
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Select "Settings."
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Navigate to the Valorant section within the settings.
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Look for a "Repair" button or similar option. Click on it.
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The client will now scan your game files for any issues and attempt to repair them. This process might take some time, so be patient.
After the repair is complete, restart your computer again and try launching Valorant. This often resolves many common update issues.
Sub-heading: Reinstalling Vanguard Separately
If the repair doesn't work, we'll need to get a bit more hands-on. The good news is that you can uninstall and reinstall Vanguard without touching your Valorant game files.
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Find the Vanguard icon in your system tray. It's the little shield icon, usually near the clock in your taskbar.
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Right-click on the icon and select "Exit Vanguard." You might need to confirm this action.
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Now, open the Control Panel on your PC. You can find it by searching for "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar.
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Go to "Programs" and then "Programs and Features" (or "Apps" in Windows 11).
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Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list of installed programs.
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Right-click on it and select "Uninstall." Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
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Restart your computer. This is a crucial step to ensure all related files are cleared from memory.
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After the restart, open the Riot Client and launch Valorant. The client will detect that Vanguard is missing and automatically prompt you to reinstall it.
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Click the "Install" button and let the process complete.
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Once the installation is finished, you'll likely be asked to restart your PC one more time. Do it!
After this restart, you should be able to launch Valorant without any issues, as a fresh version of Vanguard will be installed and updated.
Step 3: The Deep Dive - Troubleshooting and Advanced Fixes
If you're still facing issues, it might be due to a deeper system conflict. Here are some more advanced troubleshooting steps.
Sub-heading: Check for Windows Updates
Vanguard, especially with newer versions, often requires your Windows operating system to be up to date. This is particularly true for Windows 11, which has strict requirements like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0.
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Open your Windows Settings (Windows key + I).
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Go to "Windows Update" and click on "Check for updates."
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Download and install any available updates.
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Restart your PC after the updates are installed.
Sub-heading: Verify Secure Boot and TPM 2.0
If you are on Windows 11 and getting a Vanguard error related to "TPM version 2.0 and Secure Boot," you need to enable these features in your computer's BIOS.
Tip: Use this post as a starting point for exploration.
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Restart your computer and enter your BIOS/UEFI settings. The key to do this is usually displayed on the screen during startup (e.g., F2, F10, F12, or Delete).
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Look for a "Security" or "Boot" tab in your BIOS.
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Find the "Secure Boot" and "TPM 2.0" settings and ensure they are Enabled. The names might vary slightly depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
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Save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your computer will restart.
Sub-heading: Run as Administrator
Sometimes, a simple permission issue can prevent Vanguard from updating.
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Right-click on the Riot Client shortcut on your desktop.
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Select "Run as administrator."
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This can sometimes give the program the necessary permissions to download and install updates without any hassle.
Step 4: The Last Resort - Contacting Riot Support
If you've followed all the steps above and are still stuck in an update loop or getting error messages, it's time to reach out to the experts.
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Visit the official Riot Games Support website.
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Submit a detailed ticket, explaining the steps you have already taken.
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Be sure to include any error codes you've received, as this will help them diagnose the problem much faster.
The Riot Support team is well-versed in Vanguard issues and can provide personalized assistance to get you back in the game.
10 Related FAQs
How to fix Vanguard update loop?
Uninstall Riot Vanguard from your PC, restart your computer, and then relaunch the Riot Client to trigger a fresh installation. This often breaks the update loop.
QuickTip: Read in order — context builds meaning.
How to check my Vanguard version?
You can't directly check the version through a user interface. Vanguard updates automatically with Valorant patches. The best way to ensure you have the latest version is to keep your game and Windows updated and restart your PC after every game update.
How to manually install Vanguard?
You don't need a separate installer for Vanguard. It's automatically installed when you install a Riot Games title like Valorant. If you need to reinstall it, the easiest way is to uninstall it from your PC's Control Panel and then relaunch the Riot Client.
How to enable Secure Boot for Valorant?
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. Navigate to the Security or Boot section and enable the "Secure Boot" option. Remember to save and exit the BIOS.
How to fix the "VAN 9001" error?
This error indicates that TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are not enabled. Follow the steps in this guide to enable them in your BIOS.
Tip: Don’t overthink — just keep reading.
How to run Vanguard as an administrator?
Navigate to the Riot Vanguard installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard), find the vgtray.exe or vanguard.exe file, right-click, and select "Run as administrator."
How to uninstall Vanguard?
Go to the Control Panel > Programs and Features (or Apps) > Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list and click "Uninstall."
How to update Windows for Valorant?
Open Windows Settings, go to "Windows Update," and click "Check for updates." Install all available updates and restart your computer.
How to fix Vanguard not running?
Restart your computer. If the issue persists, try running the Riot Client as an administrator or reinstalling Vanguard as described in this guide.
How to check if Vanguard is running?
Look for the Riot Vanguard shield icon in your system tray (the area near the clock on your taskbar). If you see the icon, it is running.
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