Greetings, Agent! So, you're trying to drop into Valorant, but Riot Vanguard is throwing up that annoying Secure Boot error? Don't worry, you're not alone. This is a very common issue, especially for players on Windows 11, and we're going to fix it together, step-by-step. Get ready to reclaim your clutch potential!
Step 1: Check Your Current System Status
Before we dive into the BIOS, let's confirm if Secure Boot is actually disabled. It's like checking the lock on the door before you try to break the window.
1.1. Check Secure Boot State
This is a quick and easy way to see what's going on with your system's boot security.
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
msinfo32and press Enter.In the System Information window that pops up, look for the entries "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode".
If "Secure Boot State" is "On" and "BIOS Mode" is "UEFI", then Secure Boot is already enabled! The issue might be something else. You could try restarting your PC or even reinstalling Vanguard.
If "Secure Boot State" is "Off" or "Unsupported" and "BIOS Mode" is "Legacy" or "CSM", then you've found the problem. We need to switch your system to UEFI mode and enable Secure Boot.
1.2. Check TPM 2.0 Status
Vanguard also requires TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) to be enabled. It's a hardware-based security module that works in tandem with Secure Boot. Let's check its status too.
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
tpm.mscand press Enter.A new window will appear. Look for the "Status" section.
If it says "The TPM is ready for use", then your TPM is enabled and working correctly.
If you see a message like "Compatible TPM cannot be found", your TPM is either not enabled in the BIOS or your system doesn't support it. We will address this in the BIOS steps.
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| How To Fix Riot Vanguard Secure Boot |
Step 2: Enter the BIOS/UEFI Settings
This is where the magic happens! We're going to change some fundamental settings of your computer's motherboard. Don't be intimidated; as long as you follow the steps carefully, you'll be fine.
2.1. Accessing Your BIOS
You need to restart your computer and press a specific key to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. This key varies depending on your motherboard or PC manufacturer.
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
Restart your PC.
As your computer starts to boot up, repeatedly press the BIOS key.
Common BIOS keys are: F2, F10, F12, Delete, or Esc.
If you're not sure which key it is for your specific system (e.g., Dell, HP, ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, etc.), you can do a quick search online for "BIOS key for [Your PC/Motherboard model]".
2.2. Navigating the BIOS
Once you're in the BIOS, you'll likely be using your keyboard's arrow keys and the Enter key, as the mouse might not work.
Step 3: Switch from Legacy to UEFI Boot Mode
Secure Boot is a feature of the UEFI firmware, so if your system is currently in Legacy BIOS mode, we need to switch it.
In the BIOS menu, look for a tab or section labeled "Boot," "Boot Configuration," or "Boot Options."
Find the "Boot Mode," "UEFI/Legacy Boot," or similar setting.
Change the setting from "Legacy" or "CSM" (Compatibility Support Module) to "UEFI."
Note: On some systems, this change might require you to convert your disk partition from MBR to GPT. If you're on Windows 10/11 and getting the secure boot error, your disk is likely already GPT. If you get a boot error after switching, you may need to convert your disk. We'll touch on this later in the FAQ.
Step 4: Enable Secure Boot and TPM
Now that you're in the correct boot mode, it's time to enable the security features.
4.1. Enable Secure Boot
Navigate to a section labeled "Security," "Boot," or "Authentication."
Find the "Secure Boot" option. It might be grayed out until you disable CSM.
Change the setting to "Enabled."
On some motherboards (like Gigabyte or MSI), you might need to change a setting from "Custom" to "Standard" or "Windows UEFI Mode" before you can enable Secure Boot. You may also see an option to "Restore Factory Keys" or "Install default Secure Boot keys". Do this if it's available.
4.2. Enable TPM (Trusted Platform Module)
Look for a setting related to "Trusted Computing," "Security Device Support," "fTPM" (for AMD systems), or "PTT" (for Intel systems).
Enable the security device support or the specific TPM setting.
Ensure that the TPM version is set to "2.0" if you have the option. Some older systems may only support 1.2, which might not be enough for Vanguard.
Step 5: Save and Exit
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
You've made the necessary changes. Now, it's time to save them and let your PC restart.
Find the "Save & Exit" or "Exit" tab in the BIOS menu.
Select "Save Changes and Exit."
Confirm the changes when prompted.
Your computer will now restart.
Step 6: Verify and Play
Once your PC reboots, you should be back in Windows. Let's do a final check before you launch Valorant.
Follow the instructions in Step 1.1 again to check your Secure Boot State. It should now say "On."
Follow the instructions in Step 1.2 again to check your TPM status. It should now say "The TPM is ready for use."
Now, launch Valorant! Riot Vanguard should recognize the changes and allow you to play without the error. Sometimes, you might need to run the game as an administrator for the first time after enabling Secure Boot. To do this, right-click on the Valorant icon and select "Run as administrator."
Congratulations! You have successfully fixed the Riot Vanguard Secure Boot error and are ready to get back to the action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some quick answers to common questions you might have.
How to check if my computer supports Secure Boot?
You can check in the System Information window by typing msinfo32 in the Run dialog. If "Secure Boot State" says "Unsupported," your hardware may not support it.
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
How to convert my disk from MBR to GPT?
You can use the mbr2gpt tool in Windows. First, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS. If the validation passes, run mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS.
How to find my motherboard's BIOS key?
Restart your PC and look for a message on the screen during the boot process that says "Press [Key] to enter setup" or "Press [Key] to enter BIOS." You can also search online for your motherboard's model and "BIOS key."
How to fix the error if Secure Boot is already enabled but I'm still getting the error?
Try running Valorant as an administrator. If that doesn't work, you can try resetting the Secure Boot keys in your BIOS. Look for an option like "Restore Factory Keys" in the Secure Boot settings.
How to enable TPM if I can't find the option in my BIOS?
The setting might be under a different name like fTPM (for AMD) or PTT (for Intel). It's often located in the "Advanced" or "Security" tabs of your BIOS. Check your motherboard's manual for the exact location.
QuickTip: Skip distractions — focus on the words.
How to fix the Secure Boot error on a Windows 10 PC?
While Windows 10 doesn't strictly require Secure Boot for Vanguard, some updates or game versions might enforce it. The steps to enable it in the BIOS are the same as for Windows 11.
How to update my BIOS/UEFI firmware?
Visit your motherboard or PC manufacturer's website, find your model, and download the latest BIOS firmware from their support section. Follow their specific instructions to flash the new BIOS. This can sometimes resolve issues with missing Secure Boot or TPM options.
How to know if my CPU supports TPM 2.0?
Most modern CPUs support TPM 2.0. You can check your CPU's specifications on the manufacturer's website (Intel or AMD) to confirm.
How to fix a black screen after enabling Secure Boot?
This can happen if your disk is MBR and you switched to UEFI mode without converting it. If you can get back into the BIOS, disable Secure Boot and switch back to Legacy/CSM mode. Then, you'll need to convert your disk to GPT using the mbr2gpt tool.
How to check if my Secure Boot mode is set to "Standard"?
In your BIOS settings, under the Secure Boot section, you might see a "Secure Boot Mode" option. Ensure it is set to "Standard" or "Windows UEFI Mode," not "Custom" or "Audit Mode."
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