Hey Summoner! So, you're looking to update Vanguard for League of Legends? It can be a little tricky when a new system is introduced, but don't worry, we'll get you back on the Rift in no time. Riot's anti-cheat system, Vanguard, is now a crucial part of the League of Legends experience, so keeping it updated is essential for fair play and a smooth gaming session. Let's dive in and get this sorted out, step by step.
Step 1: The Automatic Update – The First and Easiest Way
The good news is that for most players, updating Riot Vanguard is a seamless process. It's designed to be a background task that happens automatically when you update or launch your League of Legends client.
Launch the Riot Client: Your journey to a updated Vanguard begins here. Open the Riot Client from your desktop or start menu. This is the central hub for all your Riot games, including League of Legends.
Check for Game Updates: When you launch the client, it will automatically check for any available updates for League of Legends. If there is a new patch for the game, the client will begin downloading it.
Vanguard Installs Alongside the Game: Here's the key: Vanguard doesn't have a separate update button. When a new game patch requires a Vanguard update, the anti-cheat software is automatically downloaded and installed alongside the game. You'll see a progress bar for the game download and install, and Vanguard will be taken care of in the background.
A Crucial Restart: After the update is complete, you'll likely be prompted to restart your computer. This is a critical step. Vanguard operates at a low level of your operating system (the "kernel level"), and a restart is necessary for the new files to integrate properly and for the service to start running correctly. Don't skip this!
Step 2: Troubleshooting When Things Get Sticky
Sometimes, the automatic update process can get stuck or fail. This is frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. Let's go through some common issues and how to fix them.
Sub-heading: If the Update is Stuck or Not Starting
Close Everything and Restart: The simplest fix is often the best. Close both the Riot Client and the League of Legends game completely. Check your Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to ensure no Riot-related processes are still running in the background. Then, try launching the client again.
Run as Administrator: Sometimes, a lack of administrative permissions can prevent Vanguard from updating or installing properly. Right-click on the Riot Client icon and select "Run as administrator." This gives the client the necessary permissions to make changes to your system.
Check Your Network Connection: A weak or unstable internet connection can interrupt the download. Make sure your connection is stable. If you're on Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired connection for a more reliable download.
Disable Full-Screen Optimizations (A Common Fix for VALORANT, but Worth a Try): This fix is more commonly associated with VALORANT, but it can sometimes resolve update issues. Navigate to your League of Legends installation folder (default is C:\Riot Games\League of Legends). Right-click on the game's executable file (LeagueClient.exe), go to 'Properties', then the 'Compatibility' tab, and check the box that says "Disable fullscreen optimizations".
Sub-heading: The "Vanguard Build Doesn't Meet Requirements" Error
This is a common error that can pop up after a Vanguard update, especially on Windows 11. It's usually related to your system's security settings.
Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows operating system is fully up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any available updates. Vanguard often requires the latest security patches to function correctly.
Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0: This is the most frequent culprit. Vanguard requires certain security features to be enabled in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings.
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. The key to press is usually F2, F10, F12, or DEL, depending on your motherboard. You'll see a prompt on your screen during the boot process.
Once in the BIOS, navigate to the Security or Boot settings.
Look for "Secure Boot" and "TPM (Trusted Platform Module)" or "fTPM" (for AMD CPUs) or "PTT" (for Intel CPUs).
Enable both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. You may need to change your Boot Mode from "Legacy" or "CSM" to "UEFI" first.
Save the changes and exit the BIOS. Your PC will restart, and Vanguard should now be able to run.
Step 3: The Reinstallation Method – The Ultimate Solution
If all else fails, a fresh reinstallation of Vanguard is the most reliable way to get it working again.
Uninstall Riot Vanguard: You can't just uninstall it like a regular program from the Control Panel.
Right-click on the Start Menu and select "Apps and Features" or "Installed apps."
In the search bar, type "Riot Vanguard."
Select it and click "Uninstall."
Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the uninstallation.
Restart your computer after the uninstall is complete.
Launch League of Legends: Now, open the Riot Client and launch League of Legends. The client will detect that Vanguard is missing and will automatically begin the reinstallation process.
Final Restart: Once the installation is finished, you'll be prompted to restart your computer one more time. This is crucial to finalize the installation of the Vanguard kernel driver.
Step 4: Contact Riot Support
If you've followed all the steps and are still facing issues, it's time to reach out to the experts. Riot Games has a dedicated support team for these kinds of technical issues.
Visit the Riot Games Support Website: Go to the official League of Legends support page.
Submit a Ticket: Provide as much detail as you can about the problem, including any error codes you see (like VAN -1, VAN 57, VAN 9001, etc.), the steps you've already taken, and a screenshot of the error if possible. This will help them diagnose your issue faster.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common questions players have about updating Vanguard and their quick answers.
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can see the Vanguard icon (a small red shield) in your system tray on the Windows taskbar, which indicates that the service is running. You can also check in the Task Manager under the "Services" tab for "vgc."
How to fix the 'Vanguard Not Running' error (VAN 57)?
Restart your PC and the Riot Client. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall Riot Vanguard and League of Legends completely.
How to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot for Vanguard?
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. Navigate to the Security or Boot section and enable the "Secure Boot" and "TPM 2.0" options. Remember to set the Boot Mode to "UEFI" if it's not already.
How to fix Vanguard update stuck at 0%?
Close all Riot processes in the Task Manager, run the Riot Client as an administrator, and check your internet connection. A full reinstallation of Vanguard is also a reliable fix.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to "Apps and Features" in your Windows settings, find "Riot Vanguard," and click uninstall. After the uninstall is complete, restart your computer.
How to prevent Vanguard from causing a blue screen (BSOD)?
Ensure your system drivers, especially your graphics drivers, are up to date. Make sure your Windows OS is fully updated. In rare cases, a fresh Windows installation may be required if there is a deep-seated system conflict.
How to fix connection errors like VAN 0 or VAN 68?
Restart your Riot Client and your computer. Check your network connection for stability. If the issue persists, a clean reinstallation might be necessary.
How to check if my PC meets the requirements for Vanguard?
Vanguard requires Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11 with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled. You can check your system information to see if you meet these requirements.
How to fix the 'Uninstall Failure' error (VAN -1)?
If the standard uninstall process fails, you may need to submit a support ticket to Riot Games for further assistance. They may provide you with a specific tool to remove the files.
How to update my graphics drivers to avoid conflicts with Vanguard?
Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your specific GPU model. Run the installer and restart your computer when prompted.
