Hello there, future gaming champion! Ever wonder if that little sentinel of fair play, Riot Vanguard, is actually doing its job on your PC? Or perhaps you're having trouble launching your favorite Riot game and suspect Vanguard might be the culprit? Well, you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to check if Riot Vanguard is installed, running, and ready to protect your gaming experience. Let's dive in!
How to Check if Riot Vanguard is Installed and Running
Riot Vanguard is Riot Games' custom game security software, designed to maintain the highest levels of competitive integrity in games like VALORANT and League of Legends. It operates with a client that runs while the game is active and a kernel-mode driver, ensuring a cheat-free environment. Understanding its presence and status on your system is key to troubleshooting any game launch issues or simply verifying its proper function.
Step 1: The Quick Visual Check - Your System Tray
Let's start with the easiest and most common way to identify if Riot Vanguard is active. This is often the first place you should look!
Sub-heading: Spotting the Shield Icon
Are you ready to see if Vanguard is lurking in your background?
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Locate your System Tray: Look at the bottom-right corner of your screen, near your clock and network icons. This area is known as the System Tray (or Notification Area).
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Expand Hidden Icons (if necessary): Sometimes, icons are hidden to keep your taskbar tidy. Click the small upward-pointing arrow (^) to reveal any hidden icons.
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Search for the Riot Vanguard Icon: You're looking for a red shield icon with a white "V" (for Vanguard) or sometimes just the Riot Games logo. If you see it, congratulations! Riot Vanguard is installed and currently running on your system.
If you don't see the icon here, don't worry! It doesn't automatically mean it's not installed. It might not be running at the moment, or there could be other factors. Proceed to the next steps for a more in-depth check.
Step 2: Verifying Installation via "Apps & Features"
This method confirms whether the Riot Vanguard software is actually installed on your computer, regardless of whether it's currently running.
Sub-heading: The Windows Settings Route
Let's peek into your installed programs to confirm Vanguard's presence.
- Open Windows Settings:
- Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard. This is a quick shortcut to open the Settings app.
- Alternatively, click the Start Menu and then click on the gear icon (Settings).
- Navigate to "Apps": In the Settings window, click on "Apps."
- Go to "Apps & features": In the left-hand menu, select "Apps & features."
- Search for "Riot Vanguard": In the "Search this list" box, type "Riot Vanguard."
- Check for its listing:
- If "Riot Vanguard" appears in the list, then it is indeed installed on your computer.
- If it's not listed, it means Riot Vanguard is not installed. In this scenario, you'll need to launch a Riot game that requires Vanguard (like VALORANT or League of Legends), and it should prompt you to install it automatically.
Step 3: Confirming Service Status via Task Manager
Riot Vanguard operates as a Windows service, which means it runs in the background. Checking its service status can tell you if it's currently active.
Sub-heading: Peeking into Background Processes
Time to see if Vanguard is diligently working behind the scenes!
- Open Task Manager:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard. This is the fastest way.
- Alternatively, right-click on your Taskbar and select "Task Manager."
- Go to the "Services" Tab: In the Task Manager window, click on the "Services" tab at the top.
- Look for "vgc": Click on any column header (like "Name") to sort the list alphabetically, then scroll down to find "vgc" (Vanguard Game Controller) and "vgk" (Vanguard Kernel).
- Check the Status:
- If the "Status" for "vgc" is "Running," then Riot Vanguard is currently active.
- The "vgk" service is the kernel-mode driver, and its status might not always explicitly show "Running" in the same way as "vgc," but if "vgc" is running, the driver is almost certainly loaded.
- If "vgc" is Stopped, it means Vanguard is not currently running. You might need to launch a Riot game to activate it, or restart your computer.
Step 4: Exploring the Installation Directory
While not a direct check for "running" status, knowing the installation directory can confirm its presence and provide a pathway for advanced troubleshooting.
Sub-heading: The File Explorer Journey
Let's pinpoint where Vanguard resides on your hard drive.
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Open File Explorer: Click on the folder icon in your Taskbar or press Windows key + E.
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Navigate to the Program Files Directory:
- Go to This PC -> Local Disk (C:) (or whichever drive Windows is installed on).
- Open the "Program Files" folder.
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Locate "Riot Vanguard": Inside "Program Files," you should find a folder named "Riot Vanguard."
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Confirm its Existence: If this folder is present, it's definitive proof that Riot Vanguard is installed. Inside this folder, you'll typically find files like
vanguard.exeorvgtray.exe.If you don't see this folder, and you've checked all previous steps, then Riot Vanguard is genuinely not installed on your system.
Step 5: Checking for Vanguard Error Codes (If You Can't Play)
If you're trying to play a Riot game and encountering error messages, these messages often provide direct clues about Vanguard's status.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Error Message
Is Vanguard telling you something directly?
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Launch your Riot Game: Start VALORANT, League of Legends, or any other Riot game that requires Vanguard.
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Observe Error Messages: If Vanguard isn't installed or isn't running correctly, you might see error codes like:
- VAN 57: Vanguard Not Running - This clearly indicates Vanguard isn't active.
- VAN 68, VAN -81, VAN -104: These often indicate connection issues or problems with Vanguard starting up.
- VAN 9001/9003: On Windows 11, these errors specifically point to issues with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which Vanguard requires.
Understanding these error codes can directly tell you that Vanguard is either not installed, not running, or encountering a specific issue.
Step 6: Riot Client Behavior
The Riot Client itself will often indicate the status of Vanguard, especially if it's needed for a game.
Sub-heading: The Client's Cues
What is the Riot Client telling you?
- Open the Riot Client: Launch the Riot Games client from your desktop shortcut or Start Menu.
- Select a Game Requiring Vanguard: Choose VALORANT or League of Legends (if it's already updated to require Vanguard).
- Observe Download/Installation Prompts: If Vanguard is not installed, the client will often automatically detect this and prompt you to install it, or it will download and install it in the background before allowing you to play. If you see such a prompt or a progress bar for Vanguard, it's a good sign it wasn't there or wasn't up to date.
Conclusion
By following these step-by-step methods, you should be able to definitively determine if Riot Vanguard is installed and running on your system. Remember, a properly functioning Riot Vanguard is essential for a fair and secure gaming experience in Riot Games titles. If you find that it's not installed or not running, simply launching a Vanguard-compatible Riot game will usually initiate its automatic installation or prompt you to do so. If you encounter persistent issues, the FAQ section below and Riot Games' official support are your best friends!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Reinstall Riot Vanguard?
To reinstall Riot Vanguard, first uninstall it via "Apps & features" in Windows Settings (search for "Riot Vanguard" and click Uninstall). Then, restart your computer. After the restart, simply launch any Riot game that requires Vanguard (like VALORANT or League of Legends), and the Riot Client will automatically detect its absence and prompt you to reinstall it.
How to Know if Riot Vanguard is Blocking a Program?
Riot Vanguard can sometimes conflict with other programs due to its deep system access. If a program is being blocked, you might see a Windows notification from Vanguard indicating a "vulnerable vector" or an error message within the Riot game client when you try to launch. Temporarily disabling other security software or overlays can help diagnose conflicts.
How to Troubleshoot Riot Vanguard Installation Errors?
Common troubleshooting steps include running the Riot Client and game installers as administrator, temporarily disabling antivirus/firewall, clearing temporary files (%temp% in Run), manually running the vgk.msi installer from the Vanguard folder within your game directory, ensuring your OS and drivers are up to date, and performing a clean boot of Windows.
How to Enable TPM 2.0 for Riot Vanguard?
To enable TPM 2.0, you typically need to access your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. Restart your PC and repeatedly press the key to enter BIOS (often F2, Del, F10, or F12, depending on your motherboard). Look for "Security" or "Boot" options, then find "TPM," "Intel PTT," or "AMD fTPM" and enable it. Save and exit BIOS.
How to Enable Secure Boot for Riot Vanguard?
Similar to TPM 2.0, Secure Boot is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Enter BIOS/UEFI on startup, navigate to "Boot" or "Security" settings, and look for "Secure Boot." Ensure your "BIOS Mode" is set to "UEFI" before enabling Secure Boot, as it usually requires UEFI. Save changes and exit.
How to Stop Riot Vanguard from Running?
You can temporarily exit Riot Vanguard by right-clicking its icon in the System Tray (the red shield with a "V") and selecting "Exit Vanguard." However, note that Riot games requiring Vanguard will not launch until Vanguard is running again, which often requires a system restart after exiting it.
How to Check Riot Vanguard Version?
The Riot Vanguard version isn't typically displayed directly to the user. However, when the Riot Client updates Vanguard, it will ensure you have the latest compatible version required to play Riot games. You can check the properties of the vgc.exe or vgtray.exe files in the "Riot Vanguard" installation directory for file version details, but this is usually not necessary.
How to Fix VAN Error Codes Related to Riot Vanguard?
VAN error codes often point to specific issues. For common errors like VAN 57 (Vanguard Not Running), VAN 68, VAN -81, or VAN -104, restarting your PC and the Riot Client is the first step. For VAN 9001/9003, enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in your BIOS. If problems persist, a clean reinstall of Vanguard and the game can help.
How to Completely Remove Riot Vanguard?
To completely remove Riot Vanguard, first uninstall it through "Apps & features." After that, open Command Prompt as Administrator (search "CMD" in Start, right-click, "Run as administrator") and run the commands sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk. Finally, navigate to C:\Program Files\ and manually delete the "Riot Vanguard" folder if it still exists. A restart is recommended afterward.
How to Report a Riot Vanguard Issue to Riot Support?
If you're experiencing persistent issues with Riot Vanguard that you can't resolve, the best course of action is to contact Riot Games Player Support. Visit their official support website (support.riotgames.com), select the relevant game (e.g., VALORANT or League of Legends), and submit a ticket describing your problem in detail, including any error codes and steps you've already tried.
