Hey there! So, you're ready to dive into the competitive world of Riot Games and need to get Riot Vanguard up and running? Excellent! Let's get you set up. Riot Vanguard is an essential anti-cheat software that ensures fair play in games like VALORANT and League of Legends. Think of it as a vigilant bouncer for your favorite games, making sure no cheaters crash the party.
If you've been getting error messages about Vanguard, you're in the right place. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of activating it and troubleshooting common issues. Let's get started, shall we?
Step 1: The First Time is the Charm
Did you just install a Riot Games title like VALORANT or League of Legends? If so, you're in for a smooth ride. Riot Vanguard is not a separate application you need to download and install manually. It's bundled with the game itself!
Your game is the key: When you install a Vanguard-compatible game, the Vanguard client is automatically downloaded alongside it. The magic happens upon your next PC reboot.
A simple restart is the solution: After installing your game, you will be prompted to restart your computer. This is a crucial step. Upon restarting, Riot Vanguard will install and activate itself automatically. You will see a Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (the area near your clock in the bottom right corner of your screen) to confirm it's running.
Congratulations! For many users, that's all it takes. But what if you're still facing issues? Don't worry, we'll troubleshoot that next.
Step 2: Checking Your System's Status
Sometimes, even with the automatic installation, Vanguard might run into a roadblock. This often happens because of system settings that need to be configured for a secure environment. Riot Vanguard, being a kernel-level anti-cheat, requires specific security features to be enabled on your PC, primarily Secure Boot and TPM 2.0.
Sub-heading: Verify Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 Status
Let's check your Secure Boot status:
Press
Win + Rto open the Run dialog box.Type
msinfo32and press Enter.In the System Information window, select System Summary on the left.
On the right side, look for Secure Boot State.
If it says 'On', you're good to go. If it says 'Off', you'll need to enable it.
Now, let's check your TPM 2.0 status:
Press
Win + Rto open the Run dialog box.Type
tpm.mscand press Enter.A new window will pop up. If it says "The TPM is ready for use", your TPM is enabled.
Under "TPM Manufacturer Information", check the Specification Version. It should be 2.0 for the latest requirements.
If either of these is not enabled, you've found the most likely culprit!
Step 3: Enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 from BIOS
This step requires you to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings, which can seem a bit intimidating, but we'll break it down for you.
Sub-heading: Accessing Your BIOS/UEFI
Restart your PC: The first step is to restart your computer.
Press the BIOS key: As your PC starts to boot, immediately and repeatedly press the key to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings. This key varies by motherboard manufacturer but is commonly
Delete,F2,F10, orEsc. You might see a message on the screen during boot-up that says something like "Press F2 to enter setup." If not, a quick search for your motherboard or PC model's BIOS key will help.Navigate the BIOS: Once in the BIOS, you'll likely be using your keyboard's arrow keys and the Enter key to navigate, as the mouse may not work.
Sub-heading: The Activation Process in BIOS
Switch to UEFI Mode (if necessary): In the BIOS menu, find the Boot or Boot Configuration tab. Secure Boot only works with UEFI Mode. Ensure your boot mode is set to UEFI and not 'Legacy' or 'CSM'.
Enable Secure Boot:
Navigate to the Boot or Security section.
Find the Secure Boot option and set it to Enabled.
Note: On some systems, you may need to first set the Secure Boot Mode to 'Standard' instead of 'Custom' before you can enable it.
Enable TPM 2.0:
In the BIOS menu, look for a Security or Advanced tab.
Find a setting related to TPM, PTT (Platform Trust Technology), or fTPM (Firmware TPM).
Enable this setting. It might be a simple toggle or a dropdown menu.
Save and Exit: Find the Save and Exit option (often mapped to the
F10key). Confirm your changes and let your PC restart.
After your PC reboots, Riot Vanguard should now activate without any issues, and you should be able to launch your game!
Step 4: Troubleshooting Common Vanguard Errors
Even after following the steps above, you might encounter specific error codes. Here's a quick guide to some common ones:
VAN 57: Vanguard Not Running. This is a common one. Restart your PC and the Riot Client. If that doesn't work, uninstall Riot Vanguard from your Apps & Features and reinstall it by launching a Riot game client.
VAN 9001, VAN 9003: TPM 2.0 and/or Secure Boot is not enabled. This means your BIOS configuration isn't correct. Revisit Step 3 and double-check your settings.
Connection Errors (e.g., VAN -1, VAN 0, VAN 6, VAN 128): These can be related to your network connection or the Vanguard service not starting correctly.
Restart the Riot Client and your PC.
You can also try manually starting the Vanguard service:
Press
Win + R, typeservices.msc, and hit Enter.Find the
vgcservice in the list.Right-click it and select Start.
Right-click it again, go to Properties, and set the Startup type to Automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can see the Riot Vanguard icon (a small shield with a "V" on it) in your system tray on the bottom right corner of your Windows desktop. You can also check in your Task Manager's "Processes" tab for vgc or vgtray.exe.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to your Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features. Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, click on the three dots, and select "Uninstall". Remember, you must uninstall all Riot Games that require Vanguard to fully remove it.
How to fix the "Vanguard not initialized" error?
Often, this error (VAN 57) can be fixed by simply restarting your PC. If that fails, manually start the vgc service in services.msc and set its startup type to 'Automatic'. A full reinstall of Vanguard is the next step if the issue persists.
How to enable Secure Boot in BIOS?
Restart your computer, enter the BIOS using your designated key (e.g., F2, Delete), navigate to the Boot or Security section, and enable the Secure Boot option. Make sure your BIOS mode is set to UEFI.
How to enable TPM 2.0?
Enter your BIOS/UEFI settings, go to the Security or Advanced settings, and find the option for TPM, PTT, or fTPM. Enable it and save your changes.
How to update my BIOS/UEFI?
This is a more advanced step. You'll need to visit your motherboard or PC manufacturer's website, find the latest BIOS firmware for your specific model, and follow their instructions carefully. Be extremely cautious when updating BIOS, as a failed update can cause serious issues.
How to fix Vanguard crashing or causing blue screens?
If Vanguard is causing system instability, it could be a driver conflict. Ensure all your drivers, especially graphics and chipset drivers, are up to date. You can also try a fresh reinstall of Vanguard.
How to know if my PC supports Secure Boot and TPM 2.0?
You can check this in the System Information (msinfo32) and TPM Management (tpm.msc) windows as described in Step 2. If the options are not available in your BIOS or the status is 'Unsupported', your hardware may not meet the requirements.
How to check my BIOS mode?
In the System Information window (msinfo32), look for BIOS Mode. It should say 'UEFI' for Secure Boot to be enabled.
How to manually start the Vanguard service?
Open the Run dialog box with Win + R, type services.msc, find the vgc service, right-click, and select "Start".
