Of course! Here is a very lengthy, step-by-step guide on how to download and install Riot Vanguard for League of Legends.
How to Download and Install Riot Vanguard for League of Legends: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you ready to take your League of Legends experience to the next level and ensure fair play for everyone? Riot Vanguard, Riot Games' custom anti-cheat software, is an essential part of that. It's designed to stop cheaters and bots, making your games more competitive and enjoyable. You might have heard about it with VALORANT, and now it's a mandatory part of playing League of Legends on PC.
So, let's get you set up!
Step 1: Get Ready for the Installation!
Before we dive into the technicalities, let's make sure your system is ready. The great news is that you don't need to go hunting for a separate download file for Vanguard! Riot Games has integrated it directly into the League of Legends client. So, if you're already a League player, the process is mostly automatic.
But first, let's check a few things:
Are you on Windows 10 or 11? Vanguard requires a compatible version of Windows. While older versions of Windows might have worked in the past, Riot is now enforcing stricter requirements to combat cheating effectively. Make sure your operating system is up-to-date.
Do you have the latest League of Legends client? This is key. The Vanguard installation is triggered by a client update. If you haven't updated your game in a while, you'll need to do so first.
Have you enabled TPM 2.0 and UEFI on Windows 11? This is a crucial requirement for some Windows 11 users, especially if you have Virtualization-based Security (VBS) enabled. Don't worry if this sounds complicated; we'll cover how to check and enable it if needed.
Ready? Let's begin!
Step 2: The Automatic Installation Process
This is the most straightforward step because, as we mentioned, it's designed to be automatic.
2.1: Launch the League of Legends Client
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
Open your Riot Client or the League of Legends client on your PC. The client will automatically check for updates. If there's a pending update that includes Vanguard, it will begin downloading it. You'll likely see a progress bar and a notification about the new anti-cheat software.
2.2: The Vanguard Download and Installation
The client will download the necessary files for Vanguard alongside your regular game update. This process is seamless and requires no manual input from you.
2.3: A Crucial Reboot
This is the most important part of the installation process. After the download and initial installation are complete, the client will prompt you to restart your computer. You absolutely must reboot your PC for Vanguard to be fully installed and operational. Vanguard is a kernel-mode driver, which means it operates at a low level of your operating system, and a reboot is required to integrate it properly.
2.4: Verify the Installation
After your PC restarts, you should see a small Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (the area on the bottom right of your taskbar, near the clock). If you see this icon, congratulations! Riot Vanguard is running and protecting your game. You can right-click the icon to see its status or exit it, though remember that exiting it will prevent you from launching League of Legends.
Step 3: Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues
Sometimes, things don't go as planned. If you're having trouble, don't panic! Here are some common issues and their solutions.
3.1: "Vanguard Not Running" (VAN 57) or Connection Errors
This is a common error code. It usually means Vanguard didn't start properly.
Solution A: Simple Restart. The first and best step is to simply restart your PC and the Riot Client. This often resolves minor glitches.
Solution B: Reinstall Vanguard. If a restart doesn't work, you might need to reinstall Vanguard. You can do this by uninstalling it and then launching the League of Legends client again. The client will detect the missing software and prompt you to reinstall it.
Solution C: A Complete Reinstallation. If all else fails, a fresh installation of both League of Legends and Riot Vanguard is the most effective solution. This ensures all files are fresh and properly installed.
3.2: TPM and UEFI Requirements (VAN9001/VAN9002)
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
This is a specific issue for Windows 11 users. Vanguard requires a secure boot environment to function properly.
Check Your System:
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type
tpm.mscand press Enter. This will open the TPM Management console. If it says "The TPM is ready for use," you're good to go.To check for UEFI, press the Windows Key + R, type
msinfo32and press Enter. Look for "BIOS Mode" in the System Summary. It should say "UEFI". If it says "Legacy," you'll need to change it in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
Enable TPM/UEFI in BIOS:
Restart your computer and enter your BIOS/UEFI settings. The key to press is often F2, F10, F12, or Delete, depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
Navigate to the "Security" or "Boot" tab.
Look for settings related to "TPM," "Trusted Platform Module," "Secure Boot," and "UEFI."
Enable TPM and Secure Boot, and change the boot mode to UEFI if it's set to Legacy.
Save and exit the BIOS. Your PC will restart, and you should be able to run League of Legends with Vanguard.
3.3: Manual Uninstall Guide (If all else fails)
If the standard uninstall process fails, you can manually remove Vanguard to ensure a clean slate for reinstallation.
Open Command Prompt as an Administrator:
Press the Windows Key and type
cmd.Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator."
Run Commands:
In the Command Prompt window, type
sc delete vgcand press Enter.Then, type
sc delete vgkand press Enter.
Reboot Your PC: This is a mandatory step after running these commands.
Delete the Folder: After rebooting, navigate to
C:\Program Files\. Right-click on the "Riot Vanguard" folder and delete it.Now, launch the League of Legends client again, and it will prompt you to reinstall Vanguard.
Step 4: Ensuring a Smooth Gameplay Experience
Once Vanguard is installed, there are a few things to keep in mind for a smooth experience.
Keep Your Drivers Updated: Make sure your graphics card drivers and other system drivers are up to date. This can prevent compatibility issues.
Close Unnecessary Programs: Vanguard runs in the background. While it's designed to have a minimal performance impact, closing unnecessary background applications can help, especially on older systems.
Contact Riot Support: If you've tried everything and are still facing issues, don't hesitate to submit a ticket to Riot Games Support. They have dedicated teams to help with these technical problems and can guide you with more specific solutions for your system.
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| How To Download Vanguard For League |
10 Related FAQs
How to know if Riot Vanguard is running?
Look for the Riot Vanguard icon in your Windows System Tray (the arrow on the right side of your taskbar). A small red V icon indicates that it is active and running in the background.
How to disable or uninstall Riot Vanguard?
QuickTip: Repeat difficult lines until they’re clear.
You can uninstall Riot Vanguard just like any other program through "Add or remove programs" in Windows settings. However, keep in mind that disabling or uninstalling it will prevent you from playing League of Legends or VALORANT.
How to fix Vanguard error code VAN 57?
The most common fix is to simply restart your PC and the Riot Client. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall Riot Vanguard.
How to check if my PC meets the requirements for Vanguard?
Vanguard's requirements are tied to the League of Legends system requirements. As long as your PC can run League of Legends smoothly, it should be able to run Vanguard. For Windows 11, you may need to ensure TPM 2.0 and UEFI are enabled.
How to enable TPM 2.0 and UEFI for Vanguard?
You need to go into your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings (accessible by pressing a key like F2, F10, or Delete during startup) and enable the options for "TPM" or "Trusted Platform Module" and change the "BIOS Mode" to "UEFI".
How to manually uninstall Vanguard if the normal process fails?
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the commands sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk, then reboot your PC and manually delete the Riot Vanguard folder from C:\Program Files\.
QuickTip: Pause when something clicks.
How to solve connection errors with Vanguard?
Most connection errors can be resolved by restarting your Riot Client and PC. If the issue persists, check your network connection and consider a fresh installation.
How to play League of Legends without Vanguard?
You cannot. As of the mandatory update, Riot Vanguard is a requirement to launch and play League of Legends on PC to ensure a secure and fair gameplay environment.
How to know when Vanguard was added to League of Legends?
Riot Vanguard was integrated into League of Legends on PC in early 2024, with a worldwide rollout completed by May 1, 2024.
How to get help from Riot Games if I'm still having issues?
The best way to get assistance is to submit a support ticket on the official League of Legends Support website. Provide as much detail as possible about your issue and the steps you've already taken.
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