Greetings, fellow gamer! Are you ready to dive into the world of fair and competitive gaming in Riot Games' titles like VALORANT or League of Legends? The first step is ensuring you have the necessary security software, and for Riot Games, that's Riot Vanguard.
Here's a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to get Vanguard up and running, with all the information you need to ensure a smooth installation and a secure gaming experience.
Step 1: Understand the Core Principle
First things first, let's clear up a common misconception: you cannot download Riot Vanguard as a standalone application. It is not a separate program you find on a website and download. Instead, it's an anti-cheat system that is automatically installed alongside any Riot Games title that requires it, such as VALORANT or League of Legends.
So, if you're trying to find a "Vanguard download" button, you're looking in the wrong place. The key is to download and install the game itself.
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| How To Download Vanguard Anti Cheat |
Step 2: Install the Vanguard-Compatible Game
This is the most crucial step. To get Riot Vanguard, you need to download a game that uses it. The most popular one is VALORANT.
Download the Riot Games Client: Head to the official VALORANT website or another Riot Games title you wish to play. You'll need to download and install the Riot Games client first. This client is your gateway to all of Riot's games.
Install the Game: Once the Riot Client is installed, log in with your Riot account (or create one if you don't have one). From within the client, select the game you want to play, for example, VALORANT, and click on the "Install" or "Download" button.
Wait for the Installation: The client will now download and install the game files. This can take a while depending on your internet connection.
Step 3: The Automatic Vanguard Installation
Once the game installation is complete, you'll be prompted to restart your computer. This is a critical step. Riot Vanguard's installation is not complete until you reboot your PC.
The First Reboot: As you restart your computer, Riot Vanguard will automatically begin its installation process. This is a kernel-mode driver, which means it operates at a very low level of your operating system to effectively detect cheats.
Look for the Icon: After the reboot, you should see a small red and black shield icon for Riot Vanguard in your system tray (the area next to your clock). This icon indicates that Vanguard is running and protecting your system.
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, the installation process doesn't go as smoothly as planned. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
Sub-heading 4.1: "Vanguard Reboot Required" Error
This is a very common error. If you see a message asking you to reboot your system, don't ignore it.
Solution: Simply restart your computer. If the problem persists, try restarting the Riot Client and the game as well.
Sub-heading 4.2: Vanguard Not Running (Error VAN 57)
If you see this error code, it means Vanguard isn't running in the background.
Solution: First, try restarting your PC and the Riot Client. If that doesn't work, you may need to reinstall Vanguard and the game.
Sub-heading 4.3: Compatibility Issues (Errors VAN 9001, VAN 9003, VAN 9006)
These errors often relate to system requirements, particularly on Windows 11. They are usually caused by disabled security features like Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot.
Solution for VAN 9001/9003: You'll likely need to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. The process varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer (e.g., ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte). Be careful when changing BIOS settings, as incorrect changes can cause issues with your PC.
Solution for VAN 9006: This means your Windows version is outdated and no longer supported. You'll need to update to at least Windows 10, build number 19041 or higher.
QuickTip: Let each idea sink in before moving on.
Sub-heading 4.4: Corrupted Installation
If you suspect your Vanguard installation is corrupted, you can try reinstalling it.
How to Reinstall:
Open Apps & features in Windows Settings.
Find Riot Vanguard in the list and click Uninstall.
Restart your computer.
Open the Riot Games client and launch the game (e.g., VALORANT). The client will automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to install it again. Follow the on-screen instructions and reboot your PC once more.
Step 5: Verify Everything is Working
After a successful installation and reboot, you should see the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray. You can right-click on it to see its status and make sure it's active. You should now be able to launch and play your Riot game without any anti-cheat errors.
Congratulations! You've successfully installed Riot Vanguard and are now ready to jump into the game with the confidence that you're playing on a level playing field.
10 Related FAQs
How to know if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can check for the small red and black shield icon in your Windows system tray (near the clock). If it's there, it means Vanguard is active.
Tip: Scroll slowly when the content gets detailed.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to "Apps & features" in Windows Settings, find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, and click on "Uninstall." You will be prompted to restart your computer to complete the process.
How to update Riot Vanguard?
Vanguard is automatically updated when you update your Riot Games client and game. There is no separate update process for Vanguard.
How to fix Vanguard error VAN 6?
This is a general connection error. Try restarting your game and the Riot Client. If the issue persists, check your network connection.
How to fix Vanguard error VAN -1?
This error indicates an uninstall failure. You should try to reinstall Riot Vanguard by uninstalling it through "Apps & features" and then restarting your game client to trigger a fresh installation.
QuickTip: Read with curiosity — ask ‘why’ often.
How to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot for Vanguard?
You need to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings and enable these features. The specific steps vary by motherboard manufacturer, so you may need to consult your motherboard's manual or support website.
How to fix "Vanguard has encountered an error. Please relaunch client" message?
This message can be a result of a variety of issues. The first step is always to restart your PC and the Riot Client. If that doesn't work, consider reinstalling Vanguard.
How to run Riot Vanguard as an administrator?
You can navigate to the Vanguard installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard), right-click on vgc.exe or vgtray.exe, and select "Run as administrator."
How to know if my PC meets Vanguard's system requirements?
Vanguard has minimal requirements, but for Windows 11, it requires TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot. The game itself has specific minimum and recommended specs, which you can check on the official Riot Games website.
How to fix a hardware ban (HWID ban) from Vanguard?
A hardware ban is a serious issue that typically lasts for a set duration. If you believe it's a mistake, you should submit a support ticket to Riot Games.
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