Of course, here is a lengthy blog post about the error "this build of vanguard is out of compliance" with a step-by-step guide and FAQs, written in an engaging and comprehensive style.
How to Fix "This Build of Vanguard is Out of Compliance"
Hey there, fellow gamer! Have you ever been all hyped up to jump into a Valorant match, only to be hit with that frustrating error message: "This build of Vanguard is out of compliance with the current anti-cheat policy. Please reinstall the game and restart your system."?
If so, you're not alone. This is a surprisingly common issue that can be a real roadblock to getting your game on. But don't worry, we're going to break down exactly what this message means and, more importantly, give you a detailed, step-by-step guide to fixing it. Let's get you back in the game!
What is Vanguard and Why is it So Strict?
Before we dive into the fix, let's understand the root of the problem. Valorant uses a kernel-level anti-cheat system called Vanguard. It's designed to be extremely strict and intrusive to prevent cheating in real-time. This is why it runs in the background and has a high level of access to your system.
The "out of compliance" error essentially means that Vanguard has detected something on your system that it deems a potential security risk or a conflict. This could be a driver, a program, or even a system setting that it doesn't like. Think of it as Vanguard's way of saying, "Your system isn't 'clean' enough for me to trust it."
Step 1: The First and Easiest Fix: A Simple Restart and Game Repair
Ready to start troubleshooting? Let's kick things off with the simplest solution, because sometimes, it's all you need.
A Simple Restart: Have you tried turning it off and on again? Seriously. A simple restart of your computer can resolve many temporary glitches. Give it a shot.
Repair the Game: If a restart doesn't work, let's try repairing the game files. This can fix any corrupted or missing files that might be causing the issue.
Open the Riot Client.
Go to the Valorant game page.
Click on the gear icon (Settings).
Select "Repair". This will check your game files for integrity and download any necessary replacements.
If you're lucky, this is all you'll need to do. If not, let's move on to the more in-depth solutions.
Step 2: Reinstalling Vanguard the Right Way
The error message itself suggests reinstalling the game, but often, just reinstalling Vanguard is enough. Here's how to do it properly.
Sub-heading: Uninstalling Vanguard
Go to the Windows Control Panel. (You can search for it in the Start menu).
Select "Programs and Features" or "Add or Remove Programs."
Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list.
Right-click on it and select "Uninstall."
Restart your computer. This is a crucial step. Don't skip it!
Sub-heading: Reinstalling Vanguard
Launch the Riot Client and Valorant.
The client should automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard.
Click "Install" and let the process complete.
Once again, restart your computer after the installation is complete.
This process ensures that Vanguard is completely removed and then reinstalled with a fresh, clean copy.
Step 3: Checking for Driver and Software Conflicts
This is where things can get a bit more technical. The "out of compliance" error is often caused by a conflict with other software or drivers on your system.
Sub-heading: Update Your Drivers
Outdated drivers can be a common source of conflict. Make sure your graphics drivers and motherboard drivers are up to date.
Graphics Drivers: Use the official software from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel to check for and install the latest drivers.
Motherboard Drivers: Visit the manufacturer's website (e.g., ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte) and download the latest chipset and BIOS drivers for your specific motherboard model.
Sub-heading: Disable Conflicting Software
Some programs are known to conflict with Vanguard. While you shouldn't have to uninstall them permanently, it's a good idea to disable them before launching Valorant.
RGB Software: Programs like iCUE, Razer Synapse, and others that control your RGB lighting can sometimes cause issues. Try closing them from the system tray before launching the game.
Overclocking Software: MSI Afterburner, EVGA Precision, and similar tools can be flagged by Vanguard.
Virtualization Software: Programs like VirtualBox or VMware can conflict with Vanguard's kernel-level access.
Third-party Antivirus: Sometimes, your antivirus software can be a little too zealous and interfere with Vanguard. Try temporarily disabling it to see if that resolves the issue.
Step 4: Advanced Troubleshooting and System Integrity
If you're still facing the error, we need to dig a little deeper.
Sub-heading: Run System File Checker (SFC)
Corrupted system files can cause a variety of problems, including conflicts with Vanguard.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator. (Search for 'cmd' in the Start menu, right-click, and select "Run as administrator").
Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannowThis process will scan your system for corrupted files and attempt to repair them. It may take some time.
Sub-heading: Check for Windows Updates
An outdated version of Windows can sometimes be the culprit.
Go to Windows Settings.
Select "Update & Security" or "Windows Update."
Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates.
Step 5: When All Else Fails: Reinstall the Entire Game
If you've tried everything above and you're still seeing the error, it's time to follow the error message's advice and reinstall the entire game.
Uninstall Valorant and Riot Vanguard from the Control Panel.
Delete the Riot Games folder from your Program Files directory.
Restart your computer.
Download the game installer from the official Valorant website and reinstall the game from scratch.
This is a last resort, but it ensures a completely clean installation of both the game and Vanguard.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my drivers are up to date?
You can use the software from your hardware manufacturer (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software) or go to the device manager in Windows to check for driver updates.
How to disable software that conflicts with Vanguard?
You can close the software from the system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner of your screen) or by ending the process in Task Manager.
How to run Command Prompt as an administrator?
Click the Start menu, type 'cmd', right-click on 'Command Prompt' from the search results, and select 'Run as administrator'.
How to check for Windows Updates?
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click 'Check for updates'.
How to completely uninstall Valorant and Vanguard?
Go to the Control Panel > Programs and Features, and uninstall both 'Valorant' and 'Riot Vanguard'. Then, manually delete any remaining game files from your Program Files directory.
How to check if my BIOS is up to date?
Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for your specific model. You will find the latest BIOS version and installation instructions there.
How to fix the error without reinstalling the entire game?
First, try restarting your PC and repairing the game. If that doesn't work, follow the steps to reinstall Vanguard only.
How to prevent the error from happening again?
Keep your drivers and Windows updated, and avoid running unnecessary or conflicting software in the background while playing Valorant.
How to find the Riot Games folder to delete it?
It's usually located in C:\Riot Games.
How to contact Riot Games support for further help?
You can visit the official Riot Games Support website and submit a ticket. Provide them with as much detail about your issue and the steps you've already taken as possible.