Having trouble launching your favorite game? Are you getting an error message that mentions a firewall or connectivity issue, and you're pretty sure it's related to Riot Vanguard? Don't worry, you're not alone. This is a common problem, and we're here to help you solve it. Let's get that game running smoothly!
What is Vanguard and Why Does Your Firewall Care?
First, let's understand what we're dealing with. Riot Vanguard is a kernel-level anti-cheat system developed by Riot Games for games like Valorant. It's designed to detect and prevent cheating by running deep within your operating system. Because of its deep access, it can sometimes be flagged by your firewall or antivirus software as a potential threat.
A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Think of it as a bouncer for your computer's network connections, deciding who gets in and who doesn't. When Vanguard tries to communicate with Riot's servers, your firewall might see it as an unrecognized program trying to access the internet and block it. This guide will show you how to give Vanguard the VIP access it needs.
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| How To Add Vanguard To Firewall |
Step 1: Check the Basics and Engage the System
Before you dive into the more technical steps, let's start with the simplest solution. Have you tried restarting your computer? Seriously. A simple reboot can often resolve temporary conflicts between programs and your firewall. It's the first and most important troubleshooting step. If that doesn't work, let's move on.
Step 2: Allowing Vanguard and Valorant Through Windows Defender Firewall
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
This is the most common and effective solution. You need to explicitly tell your Windows Firewall that Vanguard and the game itself are safe and should be allowed to communicate.
Sub-heading 2.1: Find the Firewall Settings
Open the Windows search bar. You can do this by clicking the Start menu icon or pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
Type "Windows Defender Firewall" and click on the result that appears. This will open the Windows Defender Firewall control panel.
Sub-heading 2.2: Allow an App
In the Windows Defender Firewall window, on the left-hand side, click on "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall."
You will see a list of applications. Click the "Change settings" button in the top right. You may need administrator privileges to do this.
Scroll through the list and see if you can find Valorant or Riot Vanguard. If they are listed, make sure the boxes under both 'Private' and 'Public' are checked.
Sub-heading 2.3: Add the Programs Manually
If you don't see Valorant or Vanguard in the list, you need to add them manually.
Click on the "Allow another app..." button.
In the new window that pops up, click "Browse..."
Now, you need to find the executable files for both Vanguard and Valorant. The default installation paths are typically:
For Valorant:
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exeFor Riot Vanguard:
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgc.exe
Navigate to these folders, select the executable file, and click "Open."
After adding each one, make sure to check the boxes for both 'Private' and 'Public' networks.
Click "OK" to save your changes.
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
Step 3: Creating Advanced Firewall Rules
If the simple 'allow an app' method doesn't work, you can create a more specific rule using the advanced security settings. This is useful if a particular port is being blocked.
Sub-heading 3.1: Open Advanced Security
Open the Windows search bar and type "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security".
Click on the result to open the advanced console.
Sub-heading 3.2: Create a New Inbound Rule
This rule will allow incoming connections.
In the left pane, select "Inbound Rules."
In the right-hand 'Actions' pane, click on "New Rule..."
The New Inbound Rule Wizard will open. Select "Program" and click Next.
Select "This program path" and browse for the Valorant executable (
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exe). Click Next.Select "Allow the connection" and click Next.
Ensure all three profiles are checked ('Domain', 'Private', 'Public'). Click Next.
Give the rule a name, like "'Valorant Inbound'" and a description if you wish. Click "Finish."
Repeat these steps for the Vanguard executable (
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgc.exe).
Sub-heading 3.3: Create a New Outbound Rule
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This rule will allow outgoing connections.
In the left pane, select "Outbound Rules."
In the right-hand 'Actions' pane, click on "New Rule..."
Follow the same steps as you did for the inbound rule, selecting "Program" and then Browse for the executable files for both Valorant and Vanguard.
Make sure to select "Allow the connection" in the 'Action' step.
Give the rule a name, like "'Valorant Outbound'" and a description. Click "Finish."
Step 4: Check Your Antivirus Software
Many third-party antivirus programs have their own firewalls that can override Windows Defender Firewall settings. If you have an antivirus installed, it's crucial to check its settings.
Open your antivirus software (e.g., Avast, McAfee, Norton, etc.).
Look for a section called "Firewall," "Exceptions," or "Whitelist."
Add both the Valorant and Vanguard executable files to the list of allowed applications or exceptions. The process is similar to adding an app in Windows Defender Firewall.
Temporarily disabling your antivirus can also help you diagnose if it is the source of the issue. If the game launches after disabling it, you know for sure that your antivirus is the problem and you need to adjust its settings. Remember to re-enable it after testing!
Step 5: Reinstall Riot Vanguard (if all else fails)
If none of the above steps work, it's possible that the Vanguard installation is corrupted. Reinstalling it can fix this.
Open the Control Panel or Settings menu.
Go to "Programs" or "Apps & features."
Find and uninstall "Riot Vanguard."
Relaunching Valorant will automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard. Follow the on-screen instructions.
After the reinstallation is complete, restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Here are some quick answers to common questions about Vanguard and firewalls.
How to find the Vanguard program folder?
The default installation location for Riot Vanguard is typically C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.
How to know if my firewall is blocking Vanguard? You might see error codes in Valorant like VAN 79 or a notification from Vanguard in your system tray stating that it is being blocked.
How to temporarily disable my Windows Firewall? You can do this in the "Windows Defender Firewall" control panel by clicking "Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off" and selecting the 'off' option for both private and public networks. Remember to turn it back on after testing!
How to add a port to my firewall? In "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security," you can create a new 'Port' rule instead of a 'Program' rule. However, this is less secure and generally not recommended unless a specific port is known to be required.
How to check if my antivirus has a firewall? Most modern antivirus suites have a built-in firewall. Check your antivirus application's dashboard or settings for a section named "Firewall" or "Network Protection."
How to check for corrupted Vanguard files? The easiest way is to reinstall Vanguard as described in Step 5. If the files are corrupted, this will replace them with a fresh installation.
How to update my Windows operating system? Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click "Check for updates." Keeping your system up-to-date can solve many compatibility issues.
How to run a program as an administrator? Right-click on the program's shortcut or executable file and select "Run as administrator." This can sometimes help with permission-related issues.
How to create a rule for a specific port range? In the advanced firewall settings, when creating a new rule, select 'Port' and then you can specify a range of ports (e.g., 60000-60100) instead of a single one.
How to see a log of what my firewall is blocking? In "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security," you can go to 'Monitoring' and then 'Firewall' to see a log of blocked connections. This can help you identify exactly what is being blocked.
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