Are you wondering if Vanguard, the essential anti-cheat system for Valorant, is actively protecting your game? You've come to the right place! It's a common concern, especially when you encounter error messages or suspect performance issues. Let's dive in and make sure your Vanguard is up and running smoothly so you can enjoy a fair and secure gaming experience.
Step 1: Let's See if Vanguard is Even Installed! (And Where It Lives)
Before we check if it's running, we need to confirm Vanguard is actually on your system! This might seem obvious, but sometimes installation issues can prevent it from being present.
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| How To Check If Vanguard Is Running |
Sub-heading: The Quick Check for Vanguard's Home
- Open File Explorer: You can do this by pressing the
Windows key + Eon your keyboard, or by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar. - Navigate to the C: Drive: In the left-hand pane of File Explorer, click on "This PC" and then double-click on your local disk (usually labeled
C:). - Look for 'Riot Vanguard': Within your
C:drive, you should see a folder namedRiot Vanguard. If it's there, great! If not, it's possible Vanguard wasn't installed correctly or was uninstalled. You might need to reinstall Valorant to ensure Vanguard is properly set up.
Sub-heading: Why is this important?
Vanguard is a low-level kernel driver, meaning it operates deep within your operating system. It needs its dedicated installation directory to function. Without it, Valorant simply won't launch.
Step 2: Checking the Vanguard Service Status – The Heartbeat of Anti-Cheat
Vanguard runs as a Windows service. This means it operates in the background, even when Valorant isn't open, to proactively prevent cheating. Checking its service status is a key indicator of its operational health.
Sub-heading: Accessing the Services Manager
There are a couple of ways to get here:
- Method A (The Quick Search):
- Press the
Windows key + Sto open the search bar. - Type
services.mscand pressEnter.
- Press the
- Method B (Through Administrative Tools):
- Right-click on the
Startbutton (the Windows logo in your taskbar). - Select
Computer Management. - In the left-hand pane, expand
Services and Applications, then click onServices.
- Right-click on the
Sub-heading: Locating and Inspecting the Vanguard Service
Once the Services window is open:
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
- Scroll Down: Find the service named
vgc. It should be listed alphabetically. - Examine the Status: Look at the "Status" column next to
vgc.- If it says "Running": Excellent! This indicates the Vanguard service is active and operational.
- If it's blank or says anything else (e.g., "Stopped"): This is a red flag. It means the service isn't running.
- Check the Startup Type: Look at the "Startup Type" column. It should ideally be set to
Automatic. If it'sManualorDisabled, it might not start correctly when you launch Valorant.
Sub-heading: Troubleshooting a Non-Running Service
If vgc is not running or not set to Automatic:
- Right-click on
vgc: SelectProperties. - Set Startup Type to
Automatic: In the "General" tab, find the "Startup type" dropdown and selectAutomatic. - Click
Start: If the service is stopped, click theStartbutton under "Service status." - Click
ApplyandOK: To save your changes. - Important Note: Sometimes, a simple restart of your computer after making these changes can help solidify them.
Step 3: Verifying the Vanguard System Tray Icon – A Visual Confirmation
When Vanguard is running correctly, you should see its icon in your system tray (the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock).
Sub-heading: Finding the Vanguard Shield Icon
- Look in the System Tray: Scan the icons near your clock.
- Expand Hidden Icons: If you don't see it, click the small upward-pointing arrow (usually called "Show hidden icons") to reveal more icons.
- Identify the Vanguard Icon: The Vanguard icon is typically a small, white shield with a red "V" on it.
Sub-heading: What the Icon Tells You
- Icon Present and White: This is a good sign that Vanguard is active.
- Icon Missing: If the icon isn't there, it strongly suggests Vanguard is not running.
- Right-Click Options: Right-clicking the icon often gives you options like "Exit Vanguard" (which you should generally avoid unless troubleshooting) or "More Info."
Step 4: Task Manager Examination – Processes and Performance
The Task Manager can provide a deeper look into active processes, including those related to Vanguard.
Sub-heading: Opening Task Manager
- Keyboard Shortcut: Press
Ctrl + Shift + Esc. - Right-Click Taskbar: Right-click on an empty area of your taskbar and select
Task Manager.
Sub-heading: Searching for Vanguard Processes
Once in Task Manager:
- Go to the 'Details' Tab: This tab provides a comprehensive list of all running processes.
- Sort by Name: Click on the "Name" column header to sort processes alphabetically.
- Look for Vanguard Processes: You should typically see processes related to Vanguard, such as:
vgtray.exe(this is the system tray icon process)vgc.exe(the main Vanguard service process)- You might also see
RiotClientServices.exeandValorant.exeif Valorant is running.
Sub-heading: Interpreting Task Manager Results
vgtray.exeandvgc.exeare present: This is a strong indicator that Vanguard is running.- Only
vgc.exeis present (andvgtray.exeis missing): The core service might be running, but the tray icon isn't. This is less common but can happen. - Neither are present: Vanguard is likely not running at all.
Step 5: Launching Valorant – The Ultimate Test
The most definitive way to know if Vanguard is running is to try launching Valorant itself. Valorant requires Vanguard to be active to launch and play.
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
Sub-heading: What to Expect When Launching Valorant
- Successful Launch: If Valorant launches without any error messages and allows you to queue for a game, Vanguard is almost certainly running correctly.
- Error Messages: If you receive error messages, particularly those related to "VAN" codes (e.g., VAN 1067, VAN 128, VAN 68, etc.), it's a strong indication that Vanguard is either not running, or there's an issue with its communication with Valorant. These error codes often specifically point to Vanguard problems.
- Valorant Fails to Launch Entirely: This is another sign that Vanguard might be preventing it from starting.
Sub-heading: Common Vanguard-Related Error Messages in Valorant
If you encounter these, it's a clear sign Vanguard isn't happy:
- VAN 1067, VAN 128: Often indicate a problem with Vanguard not being enabled or started.
- VAN 68: Could mean a connection issue or Vanguard being blocked.
- VAN 5: Often a general connectivity issue that can sometimes be related to Vanguard.
- "Vanguard Not Initialized": A direct message that Vanguard isn't running.
Step 6: Reviewing Your System Configuration for Conflicts
Sometimes, other software or system settings can interfere with Vanguard's operation.
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Sub-heading: Antivirus and Firewall Settings
- Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall (Caution!): As a temporary troubleshooting step, try disabling your third-party antivirus or firewall. If Valorant then launches, you've found your culprit.
- Add Exceptions: If your security software is blocking Vanguard, you'll need to add exceptions for the
Riot Vanguardfolder and thevgc.exeprocess. Refer to your antivirus software's documentation for how to do this. - Windows Defender/Firewall: Ensure Windows Defender Firewall isn't blocking Valorant or Vanguard. You can check "Allow an app through Windows Firewall" in Windows settings.
Sub-heading: Other Potentially Conflicting Software
- Virtual Machines/Hypervisors: Vanguard is known to conflict with virtualization software (like VirtualBox, VMware, Hyper-V) as it sees them as potential ways to bypass anti-cheat. Disable these if you use them.
- Debugger Software: Any software that inspects or modifies system processes can trigger Vanguard's anti-cheat measures.
- Overclocking Software: While less common, some aggressive overclocking utilities can sometimes cause system instability that indirectly affects Vanguard.
Step 7: Reinstalling Vanguard (When All Else Fails)
If you've gone through all the steps and Vanguard still isn't running, a clean reinstall is often the most effective solution.
Sub-heading: How to Perform a Clean Vanguard Reinstallation
- Uninstall Vanguard:
- Press
Windows key + Ito open Settings. - Go to
Apps>Apps & features. - Find
Riot Vanguardin the list, click on it, and selectUninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts.
- Press
- Restart Your PC: This is crucial to ensure all Vanguard components are removed from memory.
- Launch Valorant: When you launch Valorant after uninstalling Vanguard, the Riot Client should automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to install it. Follow the prompts to reinstall.
- Restart Again: After the reinstallation, another restart is often required for Vanguard to properly integrate with your system.
By systematically going through these steps, you should be able to confidently determine if Vanguard is running and troubleshoot any issues preventing it from doing so.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check Vanguard status in Task Manager?
You can check Vanguard status in Task Manager by opening it (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), navigating to the Details tab, and looking for vgtray.exe and vgc.exe processes. If they are listed, Vanguard is likely running.
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
How to restart Vanguard service?
To restart the Vanguard service, open Services (services.msc), find vgc, right-click on it, and select Restart. If it's stopped, select Start.
How to fix Vanguard not initialized error?
The "Vanguard not initialized" error often means the vgc service isn't running. Check the service status in services.msc and ensure it's set to Automatic and is Running. A PC restart after checking can also help.
How to uninstall Vanguard?
You can uninstall Vanguard via Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Find Riot Vanguard, click Uninstall, and follow the prompts. Remember to restart your PC afterward.
How to update Vanguard?
Vanguard is typically updated automatically with Valorant patches. You don't usually need to manually update it. Ensure your Valorant game client is up to date, and Vanguard will update alongside it.
How to allow Vanguard through firewall?
To allow Vanguard through your firewall, go to your Windows Firewall settings (Allow an app through Windows Firewall) or your third-party antivirus/firewall software and add an exception for the Riot Vanguard folder (usually C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard) and the vgc.exe executable.
QuickTip: Reading carefully once is better than rushing twice.
How to fix Vanguard conflicting with virtual machine software?
To fix Vanguard conflicting with virtual machine software, you need to disable or uninstall any virtualization software (like Hyper-V, VirtualBox, VMware) on your system. Vanguard cannot run when these are active.
How to prevent Vanguard from starting automatically?
It is not recommended to prevent Vanguard from starting automatically as it is required for Valorant to run. If you still wish to, you can set the vgc service's "Startup type" to Manual or Disabled in services.msc, but Valorant will not launch until you manually start it or revert the setting.
How to check Vanguard logs for errors?
Vanguard logs are typically located within the Riot Vanguard installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\Logs). These log files can provide detailed error information, but interpreting them often requires technical knowledge.
How to contact Riot Games support for Vanguard issues?
If you've tried all troubleshooting steps and still have issues with Vanguard, you can contact Riot Games Player Support through their official website. They have dedicated support for Vanguard and Valorant-related problems.
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