Of course! Let's get you sorted out. It can be a little confusing trying to figure out if Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software for games like VALORANT and League of Legends, is properly installed and running. Don't worry, we'll walk through this step-by-step.
How to Check if Riot Vanguard is Installed and Running
Are you trying to jump into a game of VALORANT and getting an error message? Or are you simply curious about what’s running on your system? Whatever the reason, knowing how to verify Vanguard's status is crucial for a smooth gaming experience. Let's dive in and see what's going on under the hood of your PC.
Step 1: Check Your System Tray
Let's start with the easiest and most direct method. Have you ever noticed a new icon in your system tray after installing a Riot Games title?
The system tray is that small area on the right side of your Windows taskbar, next to the clock and date. It's where you'll find icons for applications running in the background.
Locate the Riot Vanguard Icon: Look for a small, red "V" shaped icon. It's a stylized shield with a white line through it. If you see this icon, congratulations! Riot Vanguard is installed and actively running on your system.
Check the Hidden Icons: Sometimes, Windows hides icons to keep the taskbar clean. Click the small up-arrow or caret (
^) to reveal hidden icons. If you find the Vanguard icon there, it's still running.Right-Click the Icon: If you find the icon, you can right-click it. This will usually give you options to "Exit Vanguard" or "Uninstall Vanguard". This is a great way to confirm its presence and control its status.
Step 2: Verify Through Services
If you can't find the icon in your system tray, don't panic! It might be there, just not running. We can check the Windows Services to see if the Vanguard anti-cheat service is installed and set to run automatically.
Sub-heading: Finding the Services Window
Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the "Run" dialog box.
In the box, type
services.mscand press Enter. This will open the Services window, which lists all the services installed on your computer.
Sub-heading: Locating and Checking the Vanguard Service
In the Services window, scroll down the list to find a service named "vgc" (this is the Riot Vanguard service). The list is usually in alphabetical order, so it should be easy to spot.
Check the Status column. If it says "Running" and the Startup Type is "Automatic", then Vanguard is installed and configured to start with your computer. This is the ideal state for playing Riot Games.
If the Status is "Stopped", you can try right-clicking the service and selecting "Start". If it starts without any errors, you're good to go.
If the Startup Type is "Manual" or "Disabled", you should double-click on the "vgc" service to open its properties. Change the "Startup type" to "Automatic" and click Apply and then OK. You'll need to restart your computer for this change to take effect.
Step 3: Look for the Installation Folder
Another sure-fire way to confirm the installation is to check for the Riot Vanguard folder on your hard drive.
Sub-heading: Default Installation Path
Open File Explorer (you can do this by pressing Windows Key + E).
Navigate to your C: drive, which is typically your main system drive.
The default installation location is usually:
C:\Program Files\Riot VanguardIf you find this folder and it contains files like
vgtray.exe,vanguard.exe, and other files, then Riot Vanguard has been installed on your system.
Please note: If you installed your Riot Games title on a different drive, the Vanguard folder will be in the Program Files directory on that drive. For example, D:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.
Step 4: Check Your Installed Programs
You can also check the list of installed applications on your Windows PC. This is a reliable method to see if the software is present, even if it's not currently running.
Open the Windows Start Menu.
Go to Settings (the gear icon).
Click on Apps and then Apps & features.
In the list of installed applications, search for "Riot Vanguard". If you see it listed, it's installed.
This method is useful if you want to uninstall Vanguard, but remember, you can't play VALORANT or League of Legends without it!
Step 5: Launch the Game
Finally, the most practical test: Launch a Riot Games title that requires Vanguard, such as VALORANT or League of Legends.
If the game launches without any error messages and you can enter a match, it's a very strong indicator that Vanguard is installed, running, and functioning correctly.
If you receive an error message upon launching the game that mentions Vanguard, such as "Vanguard is not initialized" or "Vanguard not installed", then you've confirmed that it's not running or not installed correctly. In this case, you may need to troubleshoot or reinstall it.
10 Related FAQs: Quick Answers
How to uninstall Vanguard?
You can uninstall Vanguard from the "Apps & features" menu in Windows Settings. Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, click on it, and select "Uninstall". Keep in mind that you will need to reinstall it to play Riot Games again.
How to re-install Vanguard?
Simply launch a Riot Games title like VALORANT or League of Legends. If Vanguard is not detected, the Riot client will automatically prompt you to download and install it. You may need to restart your PC after the installation is complete.
How to check the Vanguard version?
You can find the version number in the properties of the vanguard.exe file in the C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard folder. Right-click the file, go to "Properties", and then the "Details" tab.
How to fix Vanguard not initializing?
This can often be fixed by setting the 'vgc' service to "Automatic" in the Windows Services (as described in Step 2). You may also need to disable test mode in Windows or update your drivers.
How to run Vanguard as an administrator?
You can navigate to the installation folder (C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard), right-click on vanguard.exe or vgtray.exe, and select "Run as administrator". For a permanent solution, you can go to the file's properties and set it to always run as an administrator under the "Compatibility" tab.
How to fix Vanguard conflicting with other programs?
Temporarily disable other background programs, especially those that might affect system security, such as some antivirus software or monitoring tools. If you find a conflict, you might need to add Vanguard to your antivirus's whitelist or adjust settings for the conflicting program.
How to enable the vgc service?
Follow the steps in "Step 2: Verify Through Services" to open the Services window. Locate the 'vgc' service, right-click it, go to Properties, and change the "Startup type" to "Automatic".
How to check if my PC meets Vanguard's requirements?
Vanguard has system requirements related to Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. You can check your system information by typing msinfo32 in the Run dialog box (Windows Key + R). Look for "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode". You might need to enable these in your motherboard's BIOS settings.
How to tell if Vanguard is preventing me from playing?
If you launch a Riot Games title and receive an error message that explicitly mentions Vanguard and a specific error code (e.g., VAN 135, VAN 9001), it's a clear sign that Vanguard is preventing the game from launching due to a detected issue or missing security features.
How to contact Riot Games support for Vanguard issues?
If you've tried everything and are still having issues, the best course of action is to submit a ticket to Riot Games Support. Provide them with as much detail as possible, including screenshots of any error messages you receive.
