Of course! Here is a very lengthy and detailed step-by-step guide on how to fix the "Vanguard requires Secure Boot" error, designed to be engaging and helpful for the user.
Don't Let Vanguard Stop You! A Comprehensive Guide to Fixing the Secure Boot Error
Frustrated? Just wanted to jump into a game of VALORANT, but instead, you're greeted with that pesky message: "This version of Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled in order to play." You're not alone! This is a super common issue, especially for Windows 11 users, and it can be confusing. But don't worry, we're going to fix it together, step-by-step. Let's get your game back up and running. Are you ready? Let's dive in!
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| How To Fix Vanguard Requires Secure Boot |
Step 1: The Initial Check - Is Secure Boot Really Disabled?
Before you start messing around with your computer's settings, let's confirm the problem. It's like a doctor's first check-up – we need to diagnose before we prescribe the cure.
Engage: Let's start with a simple question: Do you know what Secure Boot is? Think of it as a security guard for your computer's boot process. It ensures that only trusted software and drivers are loaded when your PC starts up. Vanguard, Riot Games' anti-cheat system, relies on this security feature to function correctly and keep games like VALORANT fair. If it's turned off, Vanguard can't trust your system, and it won't let you play.
Here's how to check the status:
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
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Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the "Run" dialog box.
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In the box, type
msinfo32and press Enter. This will open the System Information window. -
In the System Information window, look for the "System Summary" section on the left.
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Now, on the right-hand side, scroll down and find the line that says "Secure Boot State."
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What does it say?
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If it says "On", Secure Boot is enabled. If you're still getting the error, there might be another issue (like TPM 2.0).
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If it says "Off", this is your problem! You need to enable it.
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If it says "Unsupported", unfortunately, your hardware doesn't support Secure Boot. You might be out of luck with playing VALORANT on this specific machine unless you upgrade your motherboard or PC.
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If your Secure Boot state is "Off," proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Preparing Your System for the Change
Before you enter the BIOS, there are a few things you need to do to ensure a smooth process. This is a crucial step!
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Back up your important files. While the process is generally safe, it's always wise to have a backup in case something goes wrong.
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Plug in your PC or ensure your laptop has enough battery. You don't want your computer to shut down in the middle of a BIOS change.
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Close all running programs. This will prevent any conflicts when you restart.
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Check if your BIOS mode is UEFI. Secure Boot requires your system to be in UEFI mode, not Legacy BIOS (also known as CSM - Compatibility Support Module).
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In the same System Information window from Step 1, look for "BIOS Mode." It should say "UEFI."
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If it says "Legacy" or "CSM," you'll need to convert your disk from MBR to GPT format. This is a bit more advanced, and if you're not comfortable, it's best to seek professional help. However, here's a quick rundown of the conversion:
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Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
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Run
mbr2gpt /validate /disk:0 /allowFullOS(replace 0 with your disk number if needed). -
If it validates successfully, run
mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0 /allowFullOS. -
Remember, this step is for a specific scenario and should be approached with caution.
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Step 3: Entering the BIOS/UEFI Firmware Settings
This is where things get a little different depending on your PC's manufacturer (Dell, HP, ASUS, Lenovo, etc.). The key you need to press to enter the BIOS varies.
Here's the most reliable way to enter BIOS from Windows:
QuickTip: Break down long paragraphs into main ideas.
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Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
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Under "Advanced startup," click on "Restart now."
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Your PC will restart and show a blue recovery screen.
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On this screen, select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "UEFI Firmware Settings."
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Finally, click "Restart."
Your computer will now reboot and take you directly into the BIOS/UEFI interface.
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Alternatively, you can try this method:
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Restart your PC.
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As soon as it starts booting up, you need to repeatedly press a specific key on your keyboard to enter the BIOS. The common keys are F2, F10, F12, DEL, or ESC. Look for a message on your screen like "Press F2 to enter setup" or "Press DEL to enter BIOS."
Step 4: Navigating the BIOS and Enabling Secure Boot
Now you're in the BIOS! This is a different environment than Windows, and you'll most likely need to use your keyboard to navigate with arrow keys and Enter.
Sub-heading: Disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module) first!
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Look for a tab or menu named "Boot," "Security," or "Advanced."
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Within the boot or advanced settings, look for an option called "CSM" or "Launch CSM."
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If this is enabled, you must disable it. Secure Boot cannot be enabled while CSM is active. Set it to "Disabled."
Sub-heading: Enable Secure Boot and Set the OS Type
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Now, navigate to the "Security" or "Boot" section again.
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Find the "Secure Boot" option. It might be in a sub-menu like "Secure Boot Mode" or "Secure Boot State."
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Change the setting from "Disabled" to "Enabled."
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You might also see an option for "OS Type." Make sure this is set to "Windows UEFI mode" and not "Other OS."
Sub-heading: Save and Exit
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
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Once you have enabled Secure Boot and disabled CSM (if necessary), you need to save your changes.
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Look for an "Exit" tab or a similar option.
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Select "Save Changes and Exit" or "Save & Reset."
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Confirm your choice to restart the computer.
Your PC will now reboot with Secure Boot enabled!
Step 5: Verifying the Fix and Launching VALORANT
Once your computer has restarted and you're back in Windows, let's confirm that Secure Boot is indeed enabled.
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Repeat the steps from Step 1 by opening
msinfo32. -
Check the "Secure Boot State" value again. It should now say "On."
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If it does, congratulations! You've successfully enabled Secure Boot.
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Now, launch VALORANT. You should no longer see the error message, and you can jump straight into the action.
Related FAQ: 10 "How to" Questions & Quick Answers
How to check my BIOS mode? Open the System Information tool (msinfo32) and look for the "BIOS Mode" line. It should say "UEFI" for Secure Boot to be enabled.
How to find my BIOS key? Restart your computer and watch for a message on the screen during startup. Common keys are F2, F10, F12, DEL, or ESC. The key varies by motherboard manufacturer (e.g., ASUS, Dell, HP).
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
How to disable CSM in BIOS? In your BIOS settings, navigate to the "Boot" or "Advanced" tab and find the "CSM" or "Launch CSM" option. Set it to "Disabled."
How to enable TPM 2.0? In your BIOS, look for a setting related to "Trusted Platform Module," "fTPM," or "PTT" in the "Security" or "Advanced" tab. Enable it. You can check its status in Windows by typing tpm.msc in the Run dialog.
How to convert a disk from MBR to GPT? Use the mbr2gpt command in Command Prompt (Admin). Be sure to back up your data first, as an incorrect conversion can cause data loss.
How to reset Secure Boot keys? In the Secure Boot section of your BIOS, there might be a "Key Management" option. You can use this to reset or clear the Secure Boot keys. This can sometimes fix issues where Secure Boot is enabled but still not recognized.
How to fix the Secure Boot option being grayed out in BIOS? This often happens if CSM is enabled. Disable CSM first, and the Secure Boot option should become available. You may also need to check if your BIOS is in UEFI mode.
How to access BIOS from Windows 10? Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. Then, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
How to fix "Secure Boot State: Unsupported"? This means your hardware does not support Secure Boot. You cannot enable it on this system and will need to upgrade your motherboard or PC to play games that require it.
How to check if my motherboard supports Secure Boot? Check your motherboard's manual or the manufacturer's website. If it is a modern board with a UEFI BIOS, it most likely supports it.
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