Are you wondering if Riot Vanguard is actively protecting your game? Let's find out together!
Knowing whether Riot Vanguard is running is crucial for a seamless gaming experience, especially with titles like VALORANT and League of Legends. If it's not active, you won't be able to play. This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through multiple methods to confirm its status and troubleshoot common issues.
Step 1: Check the System Tray - The Easiest Method
This is the most direct and visual way to check if Riot Vanguard is running. Don't worry, it's super simple!
Look for the shield icon. In the bottom right corner of your taskbar, next to the clock, you'll find a small arrow (the "System Tray" or "Notification Area"). Click on it to expand the hidden icons.
Find the Riot Vanguard icon. You should see a distinctive red-and-black shield icon with the Riot Games logo. If you see this icon, it means Vanguard is active and running in the background.
What if I don't see it? If the icon isn't there, it might mean Vanguard is not running. Sometimes, the icon can be hidden, so be sure to click the arrow to show all icons. If it's still missing, proceed to the next steps.
Right-click for options. You can right-click the icon to see options like "Exit Vanguard" or "Uninstall Vanguard". Remember, exiting Vanguard will prevent you from playing Riot Games titles that require it, and you'll need to restart your PC to run it again.
Step 2: Use the Task Manager - A Deeper Dive
The Task Manager provides a detailed view of all running processes on your computer. This method is great for confirming if the Vanguard services are active.
Open Task Manager. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously, right-clicking the taskbar and selecting "Task Manager," or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del and choosing "Task Manager."
Go to the 'Details' tab. In the Task Manager window, navigate to the "Details" tab. This tab lists all processes with their names and descriptions.
Look for Vanguard processes. In the list, you should look for the following processes:
vgc.exe (Vanguard user-mode service)
vgtray.exe (The tray icon application)
You might also see a process named vgk.sys, which is the kernel-mode driver. This is the core part of Vanguard and is what makes it so effective at preventing cheating.
Check the 'Status' column. If the status for these processes is "Running," it confirms that Riot Vanguard is actively functioning on your system. If they are not running or are not listed, it's a clear sign that Vanguard is not active.
Step 3: Check the Services App - The Ultimate Confirmation
This is the most technical but definitive way to check if the Vanguard service is running and configured to start automatically.
Open the Services app. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type services.msc and press Enter.
Find the 'vgc' service. In the list of services, scroll down until you find a service named "vgc" (Vanguard client).
Check the 'Status' and 'Startup Type' columns.
The 'Status' column should say "Running". If it's anything else (e.g., "Stopped"), Vanguard is not currently active.
The 'Startup Type' should be set to "Automatic". This ensures that Vanguard starts automatically when you boot your computer, which is required for VALORANT and other Riot Games titles.
Right-click for properties. If the service is not running, you can right-click it, go to "Properties," and click "Start." You can also change the Startup Type to "Automatic" if it's set to "Manual" or "Disabled." Remember, a restart may be required for changes to take effect.
Step 4: Launch a Riot Game - The Final Test
If all else fails, simply try to launch a game that requires Vanguard, like VALORANT or League of Legends.
Open the Riot Client. Launch the Riot Client from your desktop or start menu.
Start the game. Click on the game you want to play.
Observe the client's behavior.
If Riot Vanguard is not running or is not initialized, you will likely encounter an error code, such as VAN 57 (Vanguard Not Running), VAN 68, or others. The client will usually tell you to restart your PC to enable Vanguard.
If the game launches without any issues and you can get into a match, congratulations! Riot Vanguard is working perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about Riot Vanguard and its status:
How to check if Riot Vanguard is enabled on startup?
Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the 'Startup' tab, and look for "Vanguard tray notification." Make sure its status is "Enabled." This ensures the Vanguard icon appears in your system tray upon booting.
How to restart Riot Vanguard?
The simplest way is to restart your PC. Alternatively, you can open the Services app (services.msc), find the 'vgc' service, right-click it, and select "Restart."
How to fix the 'Vanguard not initialized' error?
First, restart your PC. If that doesn't work, try restarting the Vanguard service from the Services app as described in Step 3. If the issue persists, you might need to uninstall and reinstall Riot Vanguard from the 'Add or remove programs' in Windows Settings.
How to tell if Riot Vanguard is causing high CPU usage?
Open Task Manager, go to the 'Details' tab, and look for vgc.exe and vgk.sys. If their CPU usage is consistently high (e.g., over 10-15%) while not in a game, they might be the cause. You can try restarting the service or even setting its process priority to "Low" in the Task Manager.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & features. Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, click on it, and select "Uninstall." Remember, you will not be able to play Riot Games titles like VALORANT without it.
How to stop Riot Vanguard from running in the background?
Right-click the Riot Vanguard shield icon in your system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." You will need to restart your PC to re-enable it for gameplay.
How to know if my antivirus is blocking Riot Vanguard?
Temporarily disable your third-party antivirus software and firewall, then try to launch a Riot game. If the game launches without issues, your antivirus is likely interfering. You will need to add an exception for Riot Vanguard in your antivirus settings.
How to check if my PC meets the requirements for Riot Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard requires certain security features to be enabled, such as Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 on Windows 11. You can check their status by typing tpm.msc and msinfo32 in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R).
How to re-install Riot Vanguard?
If you uninstall Vanguard, simply launch any Riot game that requires it (e.g., VALORANT). The client will automatically prompt you to reinstall the software. Follow the on-screen instructions.
How to fix Vanguard if it won't start after a PC restart?
Try running the Riot Client as an administrator. If that doesn't work, you may need to use Command Prompt to manually delete the Vanguard services and then re-install it by launching a Riot game. (e.g., sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk in an elevated Command Prompt).