How To Activate Vanguard Valorant

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Are you ready to dive into the world of VALORANT, but your system is throwing a curveball with Vanguard? Don't worry, you're not alone! This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to activate Vanguard and get back into the action.

Step 1: The First Reboot - A Simple Start

Let's begin with the simplest and often most effective fix. Have you tried turning it off and on again? Seriously, it's not a joke!

Why does this work? Riot Vanguard is a kernel-mode anti-cheat system that needs to initialize properly on startup. Sometimes, a simple glitch or conflict can prevent it from doing so. A fresh reboot can clear up these temporary issues and allow Vanguard to start correctly.

Action: Simply restart your computer. Make sure to do a full shutdown and restart, not just a sleep or hibernate.
Check: After your PC reboots, launch the VALORANT client. Does the game launch without an error? If so, congratulations! You're good to go. If not, don't worry, we're just getting started.

Step 2: Checking and Reinstalling Vanguard

If a simple restart didn't work, the next logical step is to ensure Vanguard is installed correctly. Sometimes, the installation can get corrupted or an update can fail, leading to activation issues.

Sub-heading: Uninstalling Riot Vanguard

It's easier than you think! You'll be uninstalling Vanguard, but not the entire game. The Riot client is smart enough to detect a missing Vanguard and will automatically reinstall it the next time you launch the game.

Access the Control Panel: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Run the 'Appwiz.cpl' command: Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter. This will open the 'Programs and Features' window.
Find and Uninstall: Scroll through the list of installed programs and locate Riot Vanguard. Double-click on it or right-click and select 'Uninstall'.
Confirm Uninstallation: A confirmation window will pop up. Click Yes to proceed.

Sub-heading: Reinstalling Vanguard Automatically

Now that you've uninstalled Vanguard, the magic happens.

Launch VALORANT: Open your Riot Client and launch the VALORANT game.
Automatic Installation: The client will detect that Vanguard is missing and will begin a new installation. You'll see a progress bar.
Restart is Required: Once the installation is complete, the client will prompt you to restart your computer. This step is crucial, as Vanguard needs to load with your system's boot process.

Step 3: Addressing Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 (For Windows 11 Users)

If you're on Windows 11, there's a high chance your activation issue is related to Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. VALORANT's anti-cheat system, Vanguard, requires these security features to be enabled for a secure and trusted gaming environment. You might encounter an error message like, "This version of Vanguard requires secure boot to be enabled in order to play Valorant." or a VAN 1067 error.

Sub-heading: Checking Secure Boot and TPM Status

Before you dive into your BIOS, let's check your current status.

Open System Information: Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
Check BIOS and Secure Boot: In the 'System Summary' section, look for the following entries:
- BIOS Mode: It should say UEFI. If it says 'Legacy', you will need to convert your OS drive from MBR to GPT.
- Secure Boot State: It should say On. If it says 'Off' or 'Disabled', you'll need to enable it.
Check TPM 2.0 Status:
- Press Windows key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter.
- The 'TPM Management' window will open. Look at the 'Status' section. It should say "The TPM is ready for use." If not, you'll need to enable it.

Sub-heading: Enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 from BIOS

This step requires you to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI firmware settings. The exact steps and menu names can vary depending on your motherboard manufacturer (e.g., ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, etc.).

Restart and Enter BIOS: Restart your computer. As soon as the system starts, repeatedly press the BIOS key (usually F2, F10, F12, DEL, or ESC).
Navigate to Security/Boot Options: Once in the BIOS, use your keyboard's arrow keys to navigate the menus.
- Look for a tab or section labeled 'Security', 'Boot', or 'Authentication'.
Enable Secure Boot:
- Find the 'Secure Boot' option.
- Set it to 'Enabled'.
- You might also need to ensure the 'Boot Mode' is set to 'UEFI' and not 'Legacy'.
Enable TPM 2.0:
- Look for an option related to 'Trusted Platform Module (TPM)' or 'fTPM' (for AMD processors) or 'PTT' (for Intel processors). This is often found under the 'Security' tab.
- Set it to 'Enabled'.
Save and Exit: After making the changes, find the 'Save & Exit' or 'Exit Saving Changes' option. Your PC will restart.

After the reboot, launch VALORANT again. With Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled, Vanguard should now activate properly.

Step 4: Managing the VGC Service

Vanguard has a related service called vgc. If this service isn't running, Vanguard won't work. Let's make sure it's set to start automatically.

Open Services: Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Find VGC: In the list of services, find 'vgc'.
Check Startup Type: Right-click on 'vgc' and select 'Properties'.
Set to 'Automatic': In the 'Startup type' dropdown menu, select 'Automatic'.
Start the Service: Under 'Service status', if it's not running, click the 'Start' button.
Apply and OK: Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save the changes.
Restart: Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

Step 5: When All Else Fails - The Final Fixes

If you've tried everything above and are still facing issues, it's time for some more advanced troubleshooting.

Sub-heading: Update Your Windows and Drivers

An outdated operating system or drivers can cause conflicts.

Windows Update: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for any available updates. Install them all.
Driver Update: Make sure your graphics card drivers, chipset drivers, and other crucial drivers are up-to-date. You can use the manufacturer's software (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin Software) or visit their official websites.

Sub-heading: Disable Conflicting Software

Some programs, especially those that interact with your system at a low level, can conflict with Vanguard. This includes certain antivirus software, RGB lighting control apps, or overclocking utilities.

Temporarily Disable: Try temporarily disabling your antivirus or other background programs before launching VALORANT.
Check for Unsigned Drivers: Use the sigverif tool (press Windows key + R, type sigverif) to check for unsigned drivers that might be causing a conflict.

10 Related FAQs

How to restart Vanguard?

You can restart Vanguard by restarting your computer after uninstalling and reinstalling it, or by going to the 'Services' window (services.msc), right-clicking on the 'vgc' service, and selecting 'Restart'.

How to check if Vanguard is running?

When Vanguard is active, you will see its icon (a red and white 'V') in your system tray on the taskbar.

How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?

Open 'Programs and Features' by running appwiz.cpl from the Run dialog, find 'Riot Vanguard' in the list, and select 'Uninstall'.

How to enable Secure Boot for Vanguard?

You need to restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. Navigate to the 'Boot' or 'Security' tab, find 'Secure Boot', and set it to 'Enabled'.

How to enable TPM 2.0 for Vanguard?

In your BIOS/UEFI settings, look for a 'Security' or 'Advanced' tab. Find the 'TPM', 'fTPM', or 'PTT' setting and enable it.

How to fix Vanguard not initialized error?

The most common fixes are restarting your PC, reinstalling Vanguard, or ensuring the 'vgc' service is set to 'Automatic' in the 'Services' window.

How to fix VALORANT VAN 1067 error?

This error is primarily linked to disabled Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. Follow the steps in this guide to enable them in your BIOS.

How to check if my PC supports TPM 2.0?

Press Windows key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. The status will tell you if a compatible TPM is found and ready for use.

How to fix Vanguard if it keeps crashing my PC?

Ensure your drivers and Windows are up to date. Disable any conflicting software, such as certain antivirus programs. If the issue persists, consider reinstalling both VALORANT and Vanguard.

How to update Vanguard?

Vanguard updates automatically when you launch the Riot Client and VALORANT. If you're missing an update, the client will prompt you to download and install it.

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