Of course! Let's dive into the world of TPM 2.0 and Valorant's Vanguard. It can seem a bit technical, but don't worry, we'll go through it step-by-step.
How to Get Vanguard TPM 2.0: A Complete Guide
Hey there, fellow gamer! Ever tried to jump into a Valorant match, only to be hit with a frustrating error message about a missing or disabled TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot? It's a common roadblock, especially for players on Windows 11. But don't let it keep you from the action! This guide will walk you through the entire process of checking, enabling, and troubleshooting TPM 2.0 for Vanguard.
Ready to get your game back on? Let's start by checking if you even need to do this.
Step 1: The Initial Check - Do You Have TPM 2.0?
Before you dive into your computer's settings, let's confirm if you have a TPM 2.0 chip and if it's enabled. It's like checking if you have the key before you try to open the lock.
Sub-heading: Using Windows Security
Click the Start Menu or press the Windows key.
Type "Windows Security" and open the application.
In the left-hand menu, select Device security.
Look for a section called "Security processor".
If you see it, great! Click on Security processor details.
Under Specification version, you should see "2.0". If it says "2.0" and the status is "The TPM is ready for use," you're all set! You probably don't need to do anything else.
Sub-heading: Using the TPM Management Console
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
tpm.mscand press Enter.A window titled "TPM Management on Local Computer" will open.
If the status says "The TPM is ready for use" and the Specification Version is 2.0, you are in the clear.
If you see a message that says "Compatible TPM cannot be found," don't panic! This likely means it's disabled in your BIOS, and we'll fix that in the next step.
Step 2: Accessing Your BIOS/UEFI Settings
Okay, so your TPM is not enabled. This is where things get a little technical, but follow the steps carefully and you'll be fine. We need to access your motherboard's firmware settings, also known as the BIOS or UEFI.
Restart your PC.
As your PC boots up, repeatedly press the key to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. This key varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer. It's usually one of the following:
Del (most common for desktops)
F2 (common for laptops and some desktops)
F10
Esc
If you're not sure, check your motherboard's manual or look up "BIOS key for [Your Motherboard Brand/Model]" online.
Once you're in the BIOS, you'll likely be in an "EZ Mode" or a simplified interface. Look for an option to switch to Advanced Mode, which is usually triggered by pressing the F7 key.
Step 3: Enabling TPM 2.0 in the BIOS
Now that you're in the advanced BIOS settings, it's time to enable the TPM. The exact location and name of the setting can be different depending on whether you have an Intel or AMD CPU and your motherboard manufacturer (e.g., ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, etc.).
Sub-heading: Common Locations for TPM Settings
Look for a tab or menu labeled Security, Advanced, or Trusted Computing.
Within that menu, search for a setting with one of these names:
TPM State
Security Device
Security Device Support
Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT) (for Intel CPUs)
AMD fTPM switch or AMD PSP fTPM (for AMD CPUs)
Sub-heading: The Enabling Process
Navigate to the correct menu using your keyboard's arrow keys.
Find the TPM setting and use the Enter key to change its value.
Change the setting from Disabled to Enabled.
Remember, it might be labeled as Intel PTT or AMD fTPM, so keep an eye out for those specific names.
Step 4: Enabling Secure Boot
Vanguard often requires both TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot to be enabled. Secure Boot is a security feature that helps prevent malicious software from loading when your computer starts.
In your BIOS, navigate to the Boot or Security tab.
Look for a setting named Secure Boot.
If it's disabled, change the setting to Enabled.
You may need to change the OS Type to Windows UEFI Mode for the Secure Boot option to be available.
Important: Ensure your Windows installation is on a GPT partition. If it's on an MBR partition, you'll need to convert it before enabling Secure Boot. We'll cover that in the FAQ.
Step 5: Save and Exit
You've done the hard part! Now, you just need to save your changes and let the computer restart.
Look for an option to Save and Exit or a hotkey for it (usually F10).
Select Yes to save the configuration changes and exit the BIOS.
Your computer will now reboot.
Step 6: Verifying Your Changes
After your computer restarts, it's a good idea to confirm that your changes worked.
Press Windows Key + R and type
tpm.mscagain. The status should now say "The TPM is ready for use".Press Windows Key + R and type
msinfo32to open System Information. Look for the "Secure Boot State". It should now say "On".If both of these checks pass, you have successfully enabled Vanguard's required security features!
Now, go ahead and launch Valorant. Vanguard should recognize the enabled features, and you should be able to play without any error messages!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Vanguard and TPM 2.0.
1. How to check if my motherboard supports TPM 2.0? You can check your motherboard's specifications on the manufacturer's website. Most motherboards from the last 5-7 years have a TPM chip, even if it's disabled by default.
2. How to fix the "VAN9001" error in Valorant? The VAN9001 error is directly related to a disabled TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot. Following the steps in this guide to enable both features will resolve this error.
3. How to check if my Windows is installed with UEFI and GPT?
Open the Run dialog (Windows Key + R), type msinfo32, and press Enter. In the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode" (it should be UEFI) and "Partition Style" (it should be GPT).
4. How to convert my MBR disk to GPT without losing data?
You can use the built-in Windows utility mbr2gpt.exe. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS. It's always a good idea to back up your data before running this command.
5. How to update my BIOS? Visit your motherboard manufacturer's website, find your specific model, and download the latest BIOS update file. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for the update process, which usually involves a USB drive. Be extremely careful during this process, as a power outage can brick your motherboard.
6. How to troubleshoot if I can't find the TPM settings in my BIOS?
The setting might be under a different name. Look for PTT, fTPM, Trusted Computing, or Security Device. If you still can't find it, your motherboard may not support TPM 2.0, or you might need a BIOS update.
7. How to fix "Vanguard has encountered an error" after enabling TPM? Sometimes, after enabling TPM, you may need to reinstall Vanguard. To do this, uninstall Riot Vanguard from the Control Panel, restart your PC, and then launch Valorant, which will prompt you to reinstall it.
8. How to play Valorant without Secure Boot and TPM 2.0? Unfortunately, with the latest updates from Riot Games, this is no longer possible on Windows 11. Vanguard requires these security features to be enabled for the game to run.
9. How to fix Valorant error code "VAL 5" or "VAL 43"? These errors are generally related to connection issues or file corruption, not TPM. To fix them, try restarting your PC, checking your internet connection, repairing the game files, or reinstalling Vanguard.
10. How to check if my CPU has an integrated TPM (fTPM/PTT)? Most modern Intel CPUs (from the 6th gen onwards) have Intel PTT, and AMD Ryzen CPUs have AMD fTPM. You can confirm this on your CPU's specification page on the manufacturer's website.