Of course, here is a detailed post on how to allow Vanguard through a firewall.
How to Allow Vanguard Through a Firewall: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hey there, fellow gamer and investor! Have you ever tried to access your Vanguard account or play a game like Valorant and been met with that frustrating "connection failed" message? Chances are, your firewall is blocking it. Don't worry, this is a common issue and one that's easily fixed. Let's get you back in the game and managing your investments without a hitch!
Step 1: Identify Your Firewall
Before we dive in, let's figure out what kind of firewall you're dealing with. It could be your Windows Defender Firewall, a third-party antivirus suite (like Norton, McAfee, or Bitdefender), or even your router's built-in firewall.
Are you using the default Windows security? Then we'll be focusing on Windows Defender Firewall.
Do you have another security program installed? If so, you'll need to check its settings.
Have you tried everything and it's still not working? It might be your router.
Let's start with the most common one: Windows Defender Firewall.
Step 2: Allow an App Through Windows Defender Firewall
This is the most direct way to get Vanguard (and its associated programs) the access it needs.
Sub-heading 2.1: Opening the Firewall Settings
Click the Start button and type "Control Panel" in the search bar.
In the Control Panel, navigate to System and Security.
Click on Windows Defender Firewall.
On the left-hand side, click on "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall".
Sub-heading 2.2: Finding and Allowing Vanguard
You'll see a list of applications. Now, let's add Vanguard to this list.
Click the "Change settings" button at the top right. You may need to provide administrator privileges.
Click the "Allow another app..." button at the bottom.
A new window will pop up. Click "Browse..." and navigate to the installation directory of the program you want to allow.
For Vanguard, the investment service, the main executable file is usually in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Vanguard.For Vanguard, the anti-cheat for games like Valorant, the executable is often located in
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard. You'll need to find thevgc.exefile.
Once you find the correct executable file (e.g.,
vgc.exe), select it and click Open.Now, the application will be listed in the "Add an app" window. Make sure to select it and click Add.
Sub-heading 2.3: Granting Permissions
Back in the main list of allowed applications, you will now see Vanguard or Riot Vanguard listed. Make sure the checkboxes for both "Private" and "Public" networks are checked. This will ensure it can connect on both your home network and public Wi-Fi.
Step 3: Creating a New Inbound/Outbound Rule
If the previous step doesn't work, you can create a more specific rule. This is a bit more advanced but gives you granular control.
Sub-heading 3.1: Accessing Advanced Settings
Follow the first three steps from Step 2.1 to get to the Windows Defender Firewall window.
On the left-hand side, click on "Advanced settings". This will open the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security window.
Sub-heading 3.2: Creating an Outbound Rule
An outbound rule allows a program to send data out.
In the left pane, select "Outbound Rules".
In the right pane, click on "New Rule...".
A "New Outbound Rule Wizard" will appear. Choose "Program" and click Next.
Select "This program path:" and click Browse to find the Vanguard executable file again (as you did in Step 2.2).
Click Next.
Select "Allow the connection" and click Next.
Make sure all three checkboxes are ticked: Domain, Private, and Public. Click Next.
Give the rule a name (e.g., "Vanguard Outbound Rule") and a description (e.g., "Allows Vanguard to connect to the internet"). Click Finish.
Sub-heading 3.3: Creating an Inbound Rule
An inbound rule allows a program to receive data.
In the left pane, select "Inbound Rules".
In the right pane, click on "New Rule...".
Follow the same steps as you did for the outbound rule, but this time, you're creating an inbound rule.
Make sure the rule is set to "Allow the connection".
Step 4: Checking Your Third-Party Antivirus/Firewall
If you're using a program like Norton, McAfee, or Avast, their firewalls may be the culprit.
Sub-heading 4.1: How to find the settings
Norton: Open Norton, go to Settings > Firewall > Program Control. Find Vanguard and ensure its access is set to "Allow".
McAfee: Open McAfee, go to PC Security > Firewall > Internet Connections for Programs. Look for Vanguard and set its access to "Allow".
Bitdefender: Open Bitdefender, go to Protection > Firewall > Settings. Add a new rule for Vanguard and set it to "Allow".
The specific steps will vary slightly depending on your software, but the general principle is the same: find the program control or application rules section and grant Vanguard access.
Step 5: Port Forwarding (For Advanced Users)
If you are a gamer, especially with Valorant, you might need to forward specific ports. This is a bit more complex and involves your router. Proceed with caution.
Find the ports: Riot Games provides a list of ports needed for Valorant and Vanguard. As of now, these are typically TCP ports 80, 443, 2099, 5223, and 8393-8400.
Access your router: Open a web browser and type in your router's IP address (usually
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1). You'll need the username and password, which are often on a sticker on the router itself.Find Port Forwarding: Look for a section called "Port Forwarding", "Virtual Servers", or "Gaming".
Create rules: Create a new rule for each port/port range, specifying the TCP protocol and the IP address of your computer.
After completing these steps, reboot your computer and try to run Vanguard again. You should be good to go!
10 Related FAQs
How to find my program's executable file path?
Right-click on the program's shortcut on your desktop, go to Properties, and you'll find the "Target" path which is the executable file path.
How to check if my firewall is enabled?
You can check if your firewall is enabled by going to the Windows Defender Firewall settings in the Control Panel. It will show a green checkmark if it's on.
How to temporarily disable my firewall to test the connection?
In the Windows Defender Firewall settings, you can click on "Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off" and temporarily turn it off for a quick test. Remember to turn it back on immediately after!
How to find my computer's local IP address?
Open the Command Prompt and type ipconfig. Your local IP address will be listed next to "IPv4 Address".
How to fix "Vanguard anti-cheat requires a restart"?
This often happens if Vanguard is blocked from starting with Windows. Allowing it through the firewall and then restarting your computer should fix it.
How to check which process is using a specific port?
You can use the Command Prompt with the command netstat -ano. This will list all active connections and the Process ID (PID) of the program using them.
How to allow a different game's anti-cheat through the firewall?
The steps are the same! Just replace "Vanguard" with the name of your game's anti-cheat or executable file (e.g., EAC.exe for Easy Anti-Cheat).
How to troubleshoot a firewall that is still blocking a program?
Double-check all your firewall settings, disable any third-party antivirus for a moment (if you have one), and try creating both inbound and outbound rules for the program.
How to reset my Windows Firewall settings to default?
In the Windows Defender Firewall window, click on "Restore Defaults" on the left-hand side. This will erase all your custom rules.
How to update my router's firmware for better security and performance?
Access your router's administration page (usually 192.168.1.1), find the "Firmware Update" or "System" section, and follow the instructions to download and install the latest firmware from the manufacturer's website.
