Of course! Here is a detailed guide on how to install Vanguard, the anti-cheat software by Riot Games.
A Comprehensive Guide: How to Install Riot Vanguard
Hello, Valorant and League of Legends players! Are you ready to dive into the action but facing an issue with installing Riot Vanguard? Don't worry, you're not alone. This is a common question, and we're here to walk you through the process, step by step, to get you back in the game. Let's get started!
Step 1: Understand What Riot Vanguard Is
Before we jump into the technical steps, let's clarify what Riot Vanguard is and why it's necessary.
What is it? Riot Vanguard is a proprietary anti-cheat software developed by Riot Games. It's designed to detect and prevent cheating in their games, such as Valorant and League of Legends.
Why is it required? It's a kernel-mode driver, meaning it runs with high-level access to your system to monitor for any unauthorized programs or modifications that could be used for cheating. This level of access is crucial for its effectiveness, but it also means it needs to be installed correctly and run properly for you to play the game.
Important Note: You cannot play Valorant or League of Legends without Riot Vanguard being installed and running. It is not a separate application you download; it's installed automatically alongside the game.
Step 2: The Easiest Way to Install Vanguard
Believe it or not, the simplest way to install Vanguard is by simply installing the game itself!
Download and Install the Riot Client: If you don't already have it, go to the official Valorant or League of Legends website and download the game client.
Launch the Game: Run the game installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
Automatic Installation: When you launch the game for the first time, the Riot client will automatically detect that Riot Vanguard is not installed and will begin the installation process.
Restart Your PC: This is a crucial step! After the installation is complete, a prompt will appear on your screen, instructing you to restart your computer. You must restart your PC for Vanguard to be properly enabled and loaded into the system.
Verify the Installation: After the restart, you should see the Riot Vanguard icon (a red shield with a V) in your system tray (the bottom right corner of your taskbar). This indicates that Vanguard is active and running.
If you've followed these steps and the icon is there, you're good to go! Launch the game and enjoy.
Step 3: Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues
Sometimes, things don't go as smoothly as planned. If you're running into errors like "We couldn't install a required dependency" or "Vanguard not initialized," here's a detailed troubleshooting guide.
Sub-heading: Uninstalling and Reinstalling Vanguard
This is often the most effective solution for installation errors. It's a bit like giving your system a fresh start.
Exit Vanguard: Look for the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray. Right-click on it and select "Exit Vanguard." Confirm by clicking "Yes."
Go to Apps & Features:
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
appwiz.cpland press Enter. This will open the "Programs and Features" window. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Find and Uninstall Riot Vanguard: In the list of installed programs, locate "Riot Vanguard." Click on it and select "Uninstall." Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Reboot your PC: Again, a mandatory step. Restart your computer to ensure all components of Vanguard are removed.
Re-launch the game: After your PC has restarted, launch Valorant or League of Legends again. The Riot client will detect that Vanguard is missing and automatically initiate a fresh installation.
Restart a second time: Once the new installation is complete, you will be prompted to restart your PC once more. Do this to finalize the process.
Sub-heading: Running as Administrator and Disabling Security Software
Sometimes, permissions or other software can interfere with the installation.
Run as Administrator: Right-click on the Riot Client shortcut and select "Run as administrator." This can often resolve issues related to insufficient permissions.
Disable Antivirus/Firewall: Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall software. While they are crucial for security, they can sometimes block the installation of a kernel-level driver like Vanguard. Remember to re-enable them after the installation is complete!
Clear Temp Files: Accumulated temporary files can sometimes cause conflicts.
Press Windows key + R.
Type
%temp%and press Enter.Select all the files and folders (Ctrl+A) and delete them. Skip any files that are currently in use.
Sub-heading: Checking for System Requirements and Compatibility
Vanguard has specific requirements, especially for Windows 11 users.
Windows 11: If you're on Windows 11, you must have Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. If these are not enabled, you will likely encounter a VAN9001, VAN9003, or VAN9090 error.
How to Check: Press Windows key + R, type
msinfo32and press Enter. In the System Information window, check for "BIOS Mode" (should be UEFI) and "Secure Boot State" (should be On).How to Enable: This process is unique to each motherboard manufacturer. You'll need to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings at startup (usually by pressing a key like F2, F10, or DEL). Look for "Secure Boot" and "TPM" settings under the "Boot" or "Security" tabs and enable them. Be cautious when changing BIOS settings, and consult your motherboard's manual if you're unsure.
Update your OS: Ensure your Windows operating system and graphics drivers are up to date. Outdated software can cause compatibility issues.
Step 4: The Final Check and Post-Installation Tips
Once you've successfully installed Vanguard, it's good practice to know how to manage it.
System Tray Icon: The Riot Vanguard icon should be in your system tray. You can right-click it to see its status or exit it. Remember, exiting it will prevent you from playing the game until you restart your PC.
Reboot: As mentioned, rebooting is a simple yet extremely important step. It ensures that the Vanguard kernel-mode driver is loaded correctly at startup.
Contact Support: If all else fails, don't hesitate to reach out to Riot Games Support. They have dedicated teams to help with these technical issues. Be sure to provide them with screenshots of the error, any logs you can find, and a description of the steps you've already taken.
Related FAQ
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
Look for the Riot Vanguard icon (a red shield with a "V") in your system tray on the bottom right of your taskbar. If you see it, it is running.
How to restart Riot Vanguard?
You cannot restart Vanguard directly. The easiest way to "restart" it is to exit it from the system tray, then restart your entire computer. It will automatically load on boot-up.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to your computer's "Apps & features" (or "Add or Remove Programs" in older Windows versions), find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, and select "Uninstall."
How to fix the 'Vanguard not initialized' error?
This error is usually fixed by uninstalling Riot Vanguard, restarting your PC, and then launching the game again to trigger a fresh installation.
How to fix Vanguard errors like VAN9001 or VAN9003?
These errors often relate to Windows 11 security features. Ensure that both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are enabled in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings.
How to manually install Vanguard?
Vanguard is designed to be installed automatically by the Riot Client. There is no unique, standalone installer you can download. Your best bet for a "manual" install is to fully uninstall it and then re-launch the game.
How to find the Vanguard installation folder?
The default installation path is usually C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.
How to fix "We couldn't install a required dependency" error?
This is a common error that can often be fixed by uninstalling Vanguard, restarting your PC, and letting the Riot Client reinstall it automatically. Temporarily disabling your antivirus can also help.
How to run Riot Vanguard as an administrator?
While you don't typically run Vanguard as a standalone program, you can run the Riot Client as an administrator, which will ensure that Vanguard has the necessary permissions to install and run correctly.
How to know if my PC meets the Vanguard requirements?
For Vanguard to work, your PC must meet the minimum system requirements for the game you are playing (e.g., Valorant) and, for Windows 11, have Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled.
