Experiencing the "You need Vanguard to play" error can be frustrating, especially when you're all set to jump into a game of Valorant or League of Legends. But don't worry, you're not alone, and there are many steps you can take to fix this issue. Let's get you back in the game!
Step 1: Engage with the basics! Is Vanguard really running?
Before we dive into any technical fixes, let's start with a simple question: Have you checked your system tray? It might sound obvious, but many times, the solution is right there in front of us.
Look for the Riot Vanguard icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock. It looks like a shield with a red V.
Is it there? Great!
Is it not there? Uh oh! That's our first clue. It means Vanguard isn't running.
Why might it not be running? It could be because you manually closed it, it failed to start on boot, or another program is interfering. Now, let's get into the step-by-step solutions to fix this.
Step 2: The "Restart & Re-enable" Method
This is the most common and often the easiest fix. Vanguard is designed to run automatically when you start your PC, so restarting is a good first step.
Sub-heading: A. Restart Your PC
Close your Riot Games client (Valorant, League of Legends, etc.) completely.
Click on the Start Menu, then the Power icon, and select Restart.
Why restart and not shut down? Restart performs a full system reboot, which is more likely to clear any temporary issues and allow Vanguard to start correctly.
Sub-heading: B. Check the Vanguard Service
If restarting your PC didn't work, let's manually check and start the Vanguard service.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type services.msc and press Enter. This will open the Services window.
In the list of services, find vgc.
Right-click on vgc and select Properties.
Under the "General" tab, check the "Startup type". It should be set to Automatic.
If the "Service status" says "Stopped," click on the Start button.
Click Apply and then OK.
Now, try launching your game again.
Step 3: The "Uninstall and Reinstall" Method
If the simple fixes don't work, a fresh install of Vanguard is often the next best bet. Corrupted files or a bad installation can cause all sorts of issues.
Sub-heading: A. Uninstall Riot Vanguard
Press the Windows key, type "Add or remove programs," and open the settings.
In the list of installed apps, find Riot Vanguard.
Click on the three dots (or right-click) and select Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm and complete the uninstallation.
Important: Make sure to restart your computer after uninstalling. This is a crucial step to ensure all related files are cleared from memory.
Sub-heading: B. Reinstall Vanguard
After the restart, simply launch the Riot Games client.
The client will detect that Vanguard is missing and automatically begin downloading and installing it.
Once the installation is complete, the client will prompt you to restart your PC again. Do it! This is necessary for Vanguard to integrate with your system properly.
After the second restart, launch the game. This should have fixed the issue.
Step 4: Advanced Troubleshooting (The "Dig Deeper" Method)
If you're still stuck, it's time to check for more underlying system issues. This is where things can get a bit more technical, but don't be intimidated!
Sub-heading: A. Check for Conflicting Software
Sometimes, other programs like your antivirus, firewall, or even certain security software can block Vanguard from running.
Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall, and then try launching the game.
If that works, you'll need to add an exception for Riot Vanguard in your security software's settings. Look for the folder where Vanguard is installed (typically C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard).
Sub-heading: B. Check for System Updates
An outdated operating system can sometimes cause compatibility issues with anti-cheat software.
Go to Windows Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
Install any available updates, and then restart your PC.
Sub-heading: C. Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 (for Windows 11 users)
On Windows 11, Riot Vanguard requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled. This is a common source of the "You need Vanguard to play" error, especially if you have a new PC or recently upgraded.
Check your system info: Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
In the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode" and "Secure Boot State".
"BIOS Mode" should say UEFI, and "Secure Boot State" should say On.
If they don't, you'll need to enable them in your BIOS settings. Accessing BIOS varies by motherboard manufacturer, but it's usually done by pressing a key like F2, F10, F12, or Delete right as your computer starts up.
Once in the BIOS, navigate to the Boot or Security tab and look for settings related to UEFI, Secure Boot, and TPM. Enable them.
Save the changes and exit the BIOS. Your PC will restart, and you can then try the game again.
Step 5: The Final Resort: Contact Riot Support
If you have gone through all these steps and the issue persists, it's time to seek professional help. The Riot Games support team is well-equipped to handle these kinds of issues.
Go to the official Riot Games support website.
Submit a ticket explaining your issue in detail. Include all the steps you have already taken and any error codes you've received. This will help them troubleshoot more effectively.
10 Related FAQ Questions and Quick Answers
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
Look for the Riot Vanguard icon (a shield with a red V) in your system tray on the taskbar.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Riot Vanguard in the list, and click on 'Uninstall'.
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard?
After uninstalling, simply launch your Riot Games client (e.g., Valorant or League of Legends), and it will automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard.
How to set the vgc service to start automatically?
Open the Services app (by typing services.msc in the Run dialog), find 'vgc', right-click it to go to 'Properties', and set the Startup type to 'Automatic'.
How to check if my PC has Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled?
Open the System Information window by typing msinfo32 in the Run dialog. Check the 'BIOS Mode' and 'Secure Boot State' entries.
How to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0?
You need to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings on startup (usually by pressing F2, F10, F12, or Delete) and enable these settings under the 'Boot' or 'Security' tabs.
How to check for conflicting software with Vanguard?
Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall, and if the issue resolves, add an exception for the Riot Vanguard installation folder in your security software's settings.
How to run the Riot Client as an administrator?
Right-click on the Riot Client shortcut on your desktop and select 'Run as administrator'.
How to repair the Riot Client?
Some Riot clients have a repair option in their settings. If not, reinstalling the client is the best way to repair any corrupted files.
How to fix Vanguard if it crashes after a game?
Restarting your PC is the most effective solution for this issue. You might also want to check for conflicting software that could be causing the crash.
