Knowing whether Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software for games like Valorant and League of Legends, is properly installed and running on your system is crucial for a smooth gaming experience. Without it, you simply won't be able to play these games. This lengthy guide will walk you through the various ways to confirm Vanguard's presence and functionality, step-by-step, engaging you right from the start!
How Do I Know If I Have Vanguard Installed? A Comprehensive Guide
Are you ready to dive into the world of competitive gaming with Valorant or League of Legends, only to be met with an error message saying Vanguard isn't installed or initialized? Don't worry, you're not alone! This guide will help you confirm Vanguard's installation and troubleshoot common issues. Let's get started!
Step 1: The Easiest Check - Your System Tray Icon
The absolute quickest and most common way to tell if Riot Vanguard is running is by checking your system tray.
Sub-heading: Locating the System Tray
- On Windows 10/11: Look for the small upward-pointing arrow (^) on the right side of your taskbar, near the clock. This is your "Show hidden icons" arrow. Click it.
Sub-heading: Identifying the Vanguard Icon
- Once you click the arrow, a small pop-up window will appear displaying various background application icons.
- Look for a distinct red shield icon with a "V" or the Riot Games logo. This is the Riot Vanguard icon.
- If you see this icon, congratulations! Riot Vanguard is actively running on your system.
What if I don't see it? Don't panic! It might not be running or could be hidden. Proceed to the next steps.
Step 2: Checking via Windows Services
Riot Vanguard operates as a Windows service, meaning it runs in the background even when you're not playing a Riot game. Checking its service status can provide a definitive answer.
Sub-heading: Opening Services Manager
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type services.msc and press Enter, or click "OK."
- This will open the "Services" window, which lists all services running on your computer.
Sub-heading: Finding the Vanguard Service
- In the Services window, scroll down the list until you find a service named "VGC" (which stands for Vanguard Client).
- Look at the "Status" column for VGC.
- If it says ***"Running"***, Vanguard is active.
- If it's blank or says "Stopped," Vanguard is not currently running.
- Also, check the "Startup type" column. It should ideally be set to ***"Automatic"***. If it's set to "Manual" or "Disabled," Vanguard might not launch correctly on startup.
Sub-heading: Troubleshooting the VGC Service
- If VGC is not running:
- Right-click on "VGC" and select "Start."
- If it fails to start, you might see an error message. Note this message down for further troubleshooting.
- If Startup type is not Automatic:
- Double-click on "VGC" to open its properties.
- In the "General" tab, change the "Startup type" to ***"Automatic"***.
- Click "Apply" and then "OK."
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. This is crucial for Vanguard to initialize properly.
Step 3: Verifying Installation through Apps & Features
Even if Vanguard isn't actively running, it might still be installed on your system. This step confirms its presence as an installed program.
Sub-heading: Accessing Apps & Features
- Right-click on the Start Menu icon (the Windows logo) in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Select "Apps and Features" (or "Installed Apps" on Windows 11). This will open a list of all programs installed on your computer.
Sub-heading: Locating Riot Vanguard in the List
- In the "Apps & Features" window, use the search bar at the top (or simply scroll down) and type ***"Riot Vanguard"***.
- If "Riot Vanguard" appears in the list, it means the software is installed on your computer.
- If you don't see it, it's highly likely that Vanguard is not installed. You'll need to reinstall your Riot game (like Valorant or League of Legends) to trigger its installation.
Step 4: Checking the Installation Directory
For a more technical confirmation, you can directly check the folder where Riot Vanguard is installed.
Sub-heading: Navigating to the Program Files Directory
- Open File Explorer (you can do this by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar or pressing Windows Key + E).
- Navigate to your C: drive (usually labeled "Local Disk (C:)").
- Open the "Program Files" folder.
Sub-heading: Looking for the Riot Vanguard Folder
- Inside "Program Files," look for a folder named ***"Riot Vanguard"***.
- If this folder exists, it signifies that Vanguard's files are present on your system.
- Inside this folder, you might find executable files like
vgc.exeorvgtray.exe, which are core components of Vanguard.
Step 5: In-Game Confirmation
Ultimately, the most direct confirmation of Vanguard's proper functioning is within the game itself.
Sub-heading: Launching Your Riot Game
- Open your Riot Games client (e.g., Valorant or League of Legends client).
- Attempt to launch the game.
Sub-heading: Observing In-Game Prompts and Messages
- If Vanguard is correctly installed and running, the game should launch without any issues related to anti-cheat.
- If Vanguard is not installed, or if there's a problem with its initialization, you will typically receive an error message upon launching the game, such as:
- "Vanguard Not Initialized"
- "We couldn't install a required dependency"
- "VALORANT requires a system restart to play" (This often happens after Vanguard has just been installed or updated, and a restart is needed for it to fully integrate).
If you receive any of these errors, it indicates that while Vanguard might be present, it's not functioning as required, and further troubleshooting (like restarting your PC or reinstalling Vanguard) is necessary.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Riot Vanguard, all starting with "How to," along with their quick answers:
How to install Riot Vanguard?
- Riot Vanguard is automatically installed when you install a Riot game that requires it (like Valorant or League of Legends). There isn't a separate installer.
How to update Riot Vanguard?
- Vanguard updates automatically with game patches. Ensure your game client is up to date, and Vanguard will update itself in the background, often requiring a system restart.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
- Go to "Apps & Features" (or "Installed Apps" on Windows 11), find "Riot Vanguard," and click "Uninstall." Remember, uninstalling the game does not uninstall Vanguard.
How to restart Riot Vanguard?
- You can restart Vanguard by restarting your computer. Alternatively, you can open "Services" (type
services.mscin Run), find "VGC," right-click it, and select "Restart."
How to enable Riot Vanguard?
- Vanguard is designed to run automatically when your system boots. If it's not enabled, check the "VGC" service in "Services" and set its startup type to "Automatic." A restart is usually required after.
How to fix "Vanguard Not Initialized" error?
- Common fixes include restarting your PC, ensuring the "VGC" service is running and set to automatic, temporarily disabling antivirus/firewall, or reinstalling Riot Vanguard.
How to check Vanguard version?
- While there isn't a direct "check version" option, Vanguard updates with game patches. Ensuring your game is updated means Vanguard is also on its latest version. You can sometimes see version details in Task Manager for
vgc.exe.
How to troubleshoot Vanguard installation issues?
- Ensure you have administrator privileges, temporarily disable antivirus/firewall, clear temporary files, run a clean boot, and consider reinstalling the game if all else fails.
How to allow Vanguard through firewall?
- Vanguard usually configures itself, but if you have issues, manually add exceptions for
vgc.exeand your Riot game executable in your Windows Firewall or third-party firewall settings.
How to ensure Vanguard doesn't conflict with other software?
- Keep your operating system and drivers updated. If you encounter conflicts, temporarily disable other background applications, especially other anti-cheat software, and consult Riot Games support if issues persist.
