How To Enable Vanguard On Pc

People are currently reading this guide.

👤

Published by A contributor at Hows.Tech sharing helpful insights.

📝 Article edited 0 times 🕒 Last modified by Default Author

Hello there, future gaming champion! Are you ready to dive into the world of intense competitive gaming where fair play is the name of the game? If you're looking to enable Riot Vanguard on your PC, it's likely because you want to play a fantastic Riot Games title like Valorant or League of Legends, which require this powerful anti-cheat system. Let's get you set up, step-by-step!

What is Riot Vanguard?

Before we begin, let's briefly understand what Riot Vanguard is. It's a kernel-level anti-cheat software developed by Riot Games. This means it runs at a very deep level within your operating system to detect and prevent cheating. While this deep integration can sometimes raise concerns about privacy or system conflicts, it's designed to create a level playing field for all players by effectively combating various forms of cheating, from aimbots to wallhacks. It's constantly updated to stay ahead of new cheating methods, ensuring a fair gaming experience.

Enabling Vanguard on PC: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Enabling Vanguard isn't a standalone process; it's intricately linked to installing and running a Vanguard-compatible Riot Games title. Here's how you do it:

Step 1: Prepare Your PC for a Smooth Installation

Before you even think about installing a game, a little preparation goes a long way. This helps prevent common issues and ensures a smoother experience.

Sub-heading 1.1: Check Your System Requirements

First things first, let's make sure your PC is ready for the game and Vanguard. While Vanguard itself is lightweight, the games it protects have their own requirements. For example, for Valorant, you'll need:

Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit (latest update) or Windows 11 64-bit (latest update). Older versions of Windows might not be fully supported.
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i3-4340 or AMD FX-6300 (minimum for Valorant).
Memory (RAM): 8 GB RAM (minimum for Valorant).
Video Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 470 (minimum for Valorant).
Hard Drive Space: Sufficient free space for the game (Valorant is around 30GB+).

Always check the specific game's official website for the most up-to-date system requirements.

Sub-heading 1.2: Update Your Windows Operating System

Vanguard often requires your Windows installation to be up-to-date. This is crucial for security and compatibility.

Go to Settings (Windows Key + I).
Click on Windows Update (or Update & Security on older Windows versions).
Click Check for updates.
Install any available updates and restart your PC if prompted. This is a critical step!

Sub-heading 1.3: Ensure Proper System Settings (TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot)

For Windows 11 users, and increasingly for Windows 10, Riot Vanguard might require Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and Secure Boot to be enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized software from loading during startup.

Check TPM 2.0 Status:
- Press Windows Key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter.
- If it says "The TPM is ready for use" and "Version: 2.0", you're good. If not, you'll need to enable it in your BIOS.
Check Secure Boot Status:
- Press Windows Key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
- Look for "Secure Boot State". If it's "On", you're good. If not, you'll need to enable it in your BIOS.
Enabling in BIOS/UEFI (This is Advanced!):
- Restart your PC and repeatedly press the key to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (common keys are F2, F10, F12, Del, Esc – it varies by manufacturer).
- Navigate to sections like "Boot", "Security", or "Authentication".
- Look for options like "TPM", "Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT)", "AMD fTPM", and "Secure Boot".
- Enable these options.
- Save changes and exit BIOS. Your PC will restart.
- Be cautious when changing BIOS settings, as incorrect changes can affect your system's stability. If you're unsure, consult your motherboard's manual or a reliable online guide for your specific PC model.

Step 2: Install a Vanguard-Compatible Riot Game

This is where Vanguard truly gets "enabled." Vanguard doesn't come as a separate download you run; it's installed automatically alongside the Riot Games client when you install a game that uses it.

Sub-heading 2.1: Download and Install the Riot Client

Go to the official website of the game you want to play (e.g., playvalorant.com or leagueoflegends.com).
Click on the button to Download the game. This will typically download the Riot Client installer.
Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to install the Riot Client.

Sub-heading 2.2: Install the Game (and Vanguard!)

Once the Riot Client is installed, open it.
Log in with your Riot Games account or create a new one.
Select the game you wish to install (e.g., Valorant).
The Riot Client will then begin downloading and installing the game. Crucially, during this process, Riot Vanguard will also be automatically installed in the background. You won't see a separate pop-up for Vanguard itself; it's integrated.

Step 3: Restart Your PC

This is a mandatory step for Vanguard to fully activate and integrate with your system.

Once the game and Vanguard installation are complete, the Riot Client will usually prompt you to restart your PC.
Do not skip this step! A restart allows Vanguard's kernel-mode driver to load properly with your operating system.
Go to Start Menu > Power > Restart.

Step 4: Verify Vanguard is Running and Launch Your Game

After the restart, Vanguard should be active.

Sub-heading 4.1: Confirm Vanguard's Presence

Look for the Riot Vanguard icon in your System Tray (the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, usually near the clock). It's typically a red shield or a Riot Games logo.
If you see it, Vanguard is running. You can right-click the icon for options like "Exit Vanguard" (though you shouldn't exit it if you plan to play a Riot game).

Sub-heading 4.2: Launch Your Game

Open the Riot Client again.
Launch the game you installed.
If everything is set up correctly, the game should launch without any Vanguard-related error messages.

Troubleshooting Common Vanguard Issues

Sometimes, things don't go as smoothly as planned. Here are some common problems and their solutions.

Sub-heading T.1: Vanguard Not Initializing / Error Codes (VAN 0, VAN 1, VAN 38, VAN 44, VAN 45)

These often indicate a connection issue or Vanguard failing to start correctly.

Restart everything: Completely close the Riot Client and the game, then restart your PC. This often resolves transient issues.
Check internet connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
Firewall/Antivirus: Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software, then try launching the game. If it works, add Riot Games and Vanguard to your firewall and antivirus exceptions list.
Run as Administrator:
1. Navigate to the Riot Vanguard installation directory (default: C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard).
2. Right-click on vanguard.exe or vgtray.exe and select Run as administrator.

Sub-heading T.2: Vanguard Out of Compliance / System Settings Issues (VAN 9001, VAN 9003, VAN 9005)

These errors are usually related to disabled security features like TPM or Secure Boot, or outdated Windows versions.

Revisit Step 1.3: Double-check that TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings, especially if you're on Windows 11.
Update Windows: Ensure your Windows OS is fully updated as per Step 1.2. Vanguard frequently requires the latest security patches.
Disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) / Hyper-V: In some rare cases, VBS or Hyper-V (often used for virtual machines or Windows Sandbox) can conflict with Vanguard.
1. Search for "Turn Windows features on or off" in the Windows search bar.
2. Uncheck "Hyper-V", "Virtual Machine Platform", and "Windows Hypervisor Platform" if they are enabled.
3. Click OK and restart your PC.
4. You can also try disabling VBS via Command Prompt: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off then press Enter. Restart your PC.

Sub-heading T.3: Uninstalling and Reinstalling Vanguard

If all else fails, a clean reinstall of Vanguard can fix corrupted files or deeper issues.

Close Vanguard: Right-click the Vanguard icon in the system tray and select "Exit Vanguard".
Uninstall through Settings:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps (or Apps & Features).
- Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, click on it, and select Uninstall.
- Follow the prompts.
Manual Cleanup (Optional, but Recommended):
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search for CMD, right-click, "Run as administrator").
- Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
  - sc delete vgc
  - sc delete vgk
- Restart your PC.
- Navigate to C:\Program Files\ and manually delete the "Riot Vanguard" folder if it still exists.
Reinstall Vanguard: Launch your Riot Game client. It should detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to reinstall it. Follow the on-screen instructions and remember to restart your PC after the reinstallation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are 10 common questions related to enabling and troubleshooting Riot Vanguard:

How to know if Riot Vanguard is running?

You can usually tell if Riot Vanguard is running by looking for its icon (a red shield or Riot Games logo) in your Windows system tray, located in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar.

How to fix Valorant saying Vanguard Anti-Cheat is not installed?

This often requires a simple PC restart after installing the game. If that doesn't work, try running the Riot Client and the game as administrator, or uninstall and reinstall Riot Vanguard and the game.

How to update Riot Vanguard?

Riot Vanguard updates automatically when a new version is released alongside game patches. You don't typically need to manually update it; just ensure your game client is up-to-date.

How to fix Vanguard not initialized error?

Restart your PC. This is the most common fix. If the problem persists, try exiting Vanguard from the system tray and restarting the Riot Client, or consider a full reinstall of Vanguard.

How to enable TPM 2.0 for Vanguard?

You need to enter your PC's BIOS/UEFI settings during startup (usually by pressing F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc) and locate the "TPM" or "Intel PTT"/"AMD fTPM" option, then enable it. Save and exit BIOS.

How to enable Secure Boot for Vanguard?

Similar to TPM, you enable Secure Boot in your PC's BIOS/UEFI settings, typically found under "Boot" or "Security" options. Enable it, save changes, and restart your PC.

How to check if Vanguard is causing system performance issues?

While Vanguard is designed to be lightweight, if you suspect it's causing issues, monitor your CPU and RAM usage in Task Manager when the game and Vanguard are running. You can also temporarily exit Vanguard (which will prevent you from playing Riot games) to see if performance improves.

How to troubleshoot Vanguard error code VAN 9002?

VAN 9002 usually relates to Exploit Protection settings. Search for "Exploit Protection" in Windows, then ensure all system settings are set to "Use Default." You might also need to remove Riot game executables from "Program settings" and restart your PC.

How to contact Riot Games Support for Vanguard issues?

If you've exhausted all troubleshooting steps, the best course of action is to submit a support ticket directly to Riot Games through their official support website. Provide as much detail as possible, including error codes and steps you've already taken.

How to uninstall Riot Vanguard completely?

First, right-click the Vanguard icon in the system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." Then, uninstall it via Windows Settings (Apps > Installed Apps). For a complete removal, open Command Prompt as administrator and run sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk, then restart your PC and manually delete the "Riot Vanguard" folder from C:\Program Files\.

8657240511181904828