Dealing with Riot Vanguard issues can be a real headache when all you want to do is jump into a game of Valorant or League of Legends. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various troubleshooting steps to get you back in action. Let's dive in!
Facing the Riot Vanguard Challenge? Let's Get You Back in the Game!
So, you're ready to queue up for an intense match, but Riot Vanguard has decided to throw a wrench in your plans. Don't worry, you're not alone! Many players encounter issues with this anti-cheat system. The good news is that most problems have a clear solution. Let's work through this step-by-step to get you back to dominating the battlefield.
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| How To Fix Riot Vanguard Problem |
Step 1: The Essential First Responders - Restart and Recheck
Before we delve into more complex solutions, let's try the quickest and often most effective fixes. Think of these as the "turn it off and on again" of Riot Vanguard troubleshooting.
Sub-heading: A Simple Restart Often Works Wonders
It's a clich� for a reason! Sometimes, temporary glitches or background processes can interfere with Vanguard's launch.
Close Everything Riot Related:
Right-click on the Riot Client icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner, near the clock).
Select "Exit" or "Quit."
Open your Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Look for any processes related to "Valorant," "League of Legends," "Riot Client," or "Riot Vanguard" (vgc.exe or vgk.sys).
Right-click on each one and select "End Task."
Perform a Full System Restart:
Don't just put your computer to sleep. Go to Start -> Power -> Restart. This ensures a fresh boot for all system services, including Vanguard.
Relaunch Your Game:
After your computer restarts, try launching Valorant or League of Legends as you normally would. Vanguard should attempt to initialize automatically.
Sub-heading: Verify Game Files - Are They All There?
QuickTip: Stop scrolling if you find value.
Corrupted or missing game files can sometimes prevent Vanguard from functioning correctly.
Open the Riot Client: Launch the game client (Valorant or League of Legends).
Access Game Settings:
For Valorant: Click on the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner.
For League of Legends: Click on the gear icon (Settings) in the bottom right corner.
Initiate File Repair:
Look for an option like "Repair" or "Verify Installation." Click on it.
The client will now check the integrity of your game files and download any corrupted or missing ones. This might take some time, depending on your internet speed.
Step 2: Ensuring Vanguard Services Are Running Smoothly
Riot Vanguard relies on specific Windows services to operate. If these services are disabled or not starting correctly, Vanguard won't work.
Sub-heading: Checking the VGC Service Status
The 'vgc' service is crucial for Riot Vanguard. Let's make sure it's set to start automatically.
Open Windows Services:
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type
services.mscand press Enter. This will open the Services window.
Locate Riot Vanguard (VGC):
In the Services list, scroll down and find a service named "vgc" (Riot Vanguard).
Configure Startup Type and Start the Service:
Right-click on "vgc" and select "Properties."
In the "General" tab, find "Startup type." Make sure it's set to "Automatic."
Under "Service status," if the service is not "Running," click the "Start" button.
Click "Apply" and then "OK."
Restart Your Computer: Even after starting the service, it's a good idea to restart your PC to ensure the changes take full effect.
Step 3: Dealing with Conflicting Software and Security Settings
Sometimes, other programs on your computer can interfere with Riot Vanguard, especially antivirus software, firewalls, or system optimization tools.
Tip: Break long posts into short reading sessions.
Sub-heading: Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall
While not a permanent solution, temporarily disabling your security software can help identify if it's the culprit.
Access Your Antivirus/Firewall Settings:
Locate your antivirus icon in the system tray, right-click it, and look for options like "Disable," "Pause Protection," or "Exit."
For Windows Defender Firewall, search for "Windows Defender Firewall" in your Start menu, then click on "Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off." Temporarily turn it off for both public and private networks.
Relaunch the Game: Try launching Valorant/League of Legends again.
Re-enable Your Security Software:
IMPORTANT: If disabling your antivirus/firewall fixes the issue, immediately re-enable it! Leaving your system unprotected is risky.
Instead, you'll need to add exceptions for Valorant, League of Legends, and Riot Vanguard to your antivirus and firewall settings. Consult your security software's documentation for instructions on how to do this. Typically, you'll add the game executables and the
vgc.exeandvgk.sysfiles (usually found inC:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard).
Sub-heading: Check for Other Conflicting Applications
Certain performance-boosting tools, VPNs, or even some overlay software can conflict with Vanguard.
Close Background Applications: Before launching your game, try closing any unnecessary applications running in the background, especially those that modify game performance or network connections.
Perform a Clean Boot (Advanced): This is a more advanced troubleshooting step where you start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs.
Search for
msconfigin the Start menu and open "System Configuration."Go to the "Services" tab. Check "Hide all Microsoft services."
Click "Disable all."
Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager."
In Task Manager, disable all startup items one by one.
Restart your computer.
If the game works, re-enable services and startup items in small batches to identify the conflicting program.
Remember to revert your system to a normal startup once you're done troubleshooting.
Step 4: Reinstalling Riot Vanguard - The Ultimate Reset
If the above steps haven't worked, a fresh installation of Riot Vanguard is often the most reliable solution. Vanguard is designed to reinstall automatically when you launch a Riot game after it's been uninstalled.
Sub-heading: Uninstalling Riot Vanguard Manually
It's crucial to uninstall Vanguard separately from the game itself.
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
Exit Riot Vanguard (if running):
Look for the red Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray.
Right-click it and select "Exit Vanguard." Confirm if prompted.
Uninstall Vanguard via Windows Settings:
Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
Go to Apps > Installed Apps (or "Apps & Features" on older Windows versions).
Scroll down or search for "Riot Vanguard."
Click on it and select "Uninstall." Follow the on-screen prompts.
Restart Your PC: This is critical to ensure all Vanguard components are properly removed from memory.
Relaunch Your Riot Game: Once your PC restarts, open Valorant or League of Legends. The game client should detect that Vanguard is missing and automatically begin the reinstallation process. Allow it to complete.
Sub-heading: Manual Removal Using Command Prompt (If Standard Uninstall Fails)
In rare cases, the standard uninstall might fail. You can use Command Prompt for a more forceful removal.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
Search for "CMD" in your Start menu.
Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator."
Execute Commands:
Type
sc delete vgcand press Enter.Type
sc delete vgkand press Enter.
Restart Your PC: Again, a restart is essential after these commands.
Delete Vanguard Folder (Optional but Recommended):
After restarting, navigate to
C:\Program Files\in File Explorer.Locate and delete the "Riot Vanguard" folder.
Relaunch Your Riot Game: This will trigger the automatic reinstallation of Vanguard.
Step 5: System Compatibility and Advanced Troubleshooting
Some Vanguard issues stem from deeper system configurations or outdated components.
Sub-heading: Update Your Drivers and Windows OS
Outdated graphics drivers or an old Windows version can lead to compatibility problems.
Update Graphics Drivers:
Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
Download and install the latest drivers for your specific GPU model.
Check for Windows Updates:
Go to Settings > Windows Update (or "Update & Security" on older Windows).
Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates. Ensure your Windows OS is up to date, especially if you're on Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11.
Sub-heading: TPM 2.0 and UEFI (for Windows 11 users or specific errors like VAN9001, VAN9002, VAN9005)
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
For Windows 11 and some specific Vanguard errors, enabling Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot in your BIOS might be required. Proceed with caution when entering BIOS settings, as incorrect changes can affect your system.
Check BIOS Mode and TPM Status:
Press Windows Key + R, type
msinfo32and press Enter to open System Information.Look for "BIOS Mode" (should be UEFI) and "TPM Version" (should be 2.0).
Access Your BIOS/UEFI Settings:
Restart your computer. As it boots up, repeatedly press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI (commonly Del, F2, F10, F12 – it varies by motherboard manufacturer).
Consult your motherboard's manual for precise instructions.
Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot:
Navigate through the BIOS menus to find settings related to "Security," "Boot," or "Advanced."
Enable "TPM Device," "Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT)," or "AMD fTPM" (depending on your CPU).
Enable "Secure Boot" and ensure your "BIOS Mode" is set to "UEFI."
Save changes and exit BIOS.
Restart Your PC: After saving, your computer will restart.
Sub-heading: Disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) / Core Isolation (if causing issues)
While VBS is a security feature, it can sometimes conflict with Vanguard or impact performance. This should be a last resort.
Check VBS Status:
Open System Information (
msinfo32).Look for "Virtualization-based security." If it's running, you can try disabling it.
Disable VBS via Command Prompt:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Type
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype offand press Enter.Restart your computer.
Disable Core Isolation (Memory Integrity):
Search for "Core isolation" in the Windows Start menu.
Toggle "Memory integrity" off.
Restart your PC.
Step 6: Contact Riot Games Support
If you've diligently followed all the steps above and are still encountering issues, it's time to reach out to the experts.
Sub-heading: Submitting a Support Ticket
Riot Games has a dedicated support team that can provide personalized assistance.
Gather Information:
Note down any specific error codes you're receiving (e.g., VAN -1, VAN 68, VAN 9001).
Detail the steps you've already taken to troubleshoot the problem.
Provide your computer's specifications (OS version, CPU, GPU, RAM).
Visit Riot Games Support:
Go to the official Riot Games Support website (support.riotgames.com).
Select the relevant game (Valorant or League of Legends).
Look for options to "Submit a Ticket" or "Contact Us."
Clearly explain your issue and the troubleshooting steps you've performed. Attach any relevant screenshots of error messages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are 10 common questions related to Riot Vanguard problems, with quick answers:
How to know if Riot Vanguard is running? Riot Vanguard's icon (a red shield with a "V") can usually be found in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your taskbar) when it's active.
How to restart Riot Vanguard service manually? Open Windows Services (
services.msc), find "vgc," right-click, and select "Restart."How to fix Riot Vanguard "Not Initialized" error? This often indicates the VGC service isn't running. Check Step 2 in this guide to ensure the "vgc" service is set to Automatic and running. A full PC restart usually helps.
How to update Riot Vanguard? Riot Vanguard updates automatically with game patches. There's no separate manual update process for Vanguard itself. Ensure your game client and Windows are up to date.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard completely? Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, find "Riot Vanguard," and uninstall it. Restart your PC. You can also use Command Prompt (
sc delete vgc,sc delete vgk) for a more thorough removal.How to prevent Riot Vanguard from starting with Windows? Riot Vanguard is designed to start with Windows to ensure continuous anti-cheat protection. Disabling it will prevent you from playing Riot games. You can temporarily exit it from the system tray, but it will restart with your PC.
How to fix Riot Vanguard error VAN 9001 or VAN 9005? These errors often point to issues with TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot. Check Step 5.2 to ensure these features are enabled in your BIOS.
How to troubleshoot connection issues with Riot Vanguard (Error VAN 0, 1, 38, 68, 84)? These are often general connection problems. Try restarting your router, checking your internet connection, temporarily disabling your firewall/antivirus, and ensuring no other applications are hogging bandwidth.
How to deal with "Service Start Failed" error (-81, 128)? Restart your PC and the Riot Client. If it persists, a clean reinstallation of Riot Vanguard (Step 4) is recommended.
How to fix Vanguard if it's conflicting with other software? Temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall and other background applications (Step 3). If it solves the problem, add exceptions for Riot games and Vanguard to your security software or identify and close the conflicting application.
By systematically going through these troubleshooting steps, you significantly increase your chances of resolving any Riot Vanguard issues and getting back to enjoying your favorite Riot Games titles! Good luck, Summoner/Agent!
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