Facing the frustrating "This version of Vanguard is out of compliance" error can be a real buzzkill, especially when you're all set to jump into a game of Valorant. But don't worry, you're not alone, and there are proven steps to get you back in the game. This error usually pops up because Riot's anti-cheat software, Vanguard, is having a bit of a disagreement with your system's security settings. It's often related to features like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, which are essential for a secure gaming environment.
Ready to fix it and get back to that clutch? Let's dive in.
Step 1: Engage with Your PC's Security Settings
Before we do anything, let's figure out what's going on under the hood. This is a crucial step, and if you skip it, you might be troubleshooting blind!
Check Your System Information:
First, let's see if your system is set up for Vanguard's requirements.
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
msinfo32and press Enter. This will open the System Information window.In the System Summary, look for two key entries:
BIOS Mode: This should say UEFI. If it says "Legacy" or "CSM," you've found a likely culprit.
Secure Boot State: This should say On. If it says "Off" or "Unsupported," we need to enable it.
Check for TPM 2.0 Status:
Next, let's check on your Trusted Platform Module.
Press the Windows Key + R again.
Type
tpm.mscand press Enter.A window will appear. Look at the "Status" section. It should say that the TPM is ready for use. If it says something else, it's either disabled or not configured correctly.
Did you find that your BIOS Mode wasn't UEFI or Secure Boot was off? Don't panic! We'll tackle that in the next step. If everything looked good, you can still follow the steps as a general troubleshooting guide.
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| How To Fix This Version Of Vanguard Is Out Of Compliance |
Step 2: Dive into the BIOS/UEFI Settings
This is the most common reason for the error, so pay close attention. Entering your PC's BIOS/UEFI can be a bit tricky, and the interface can vary between different motherboard manufacturers (like ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, etc.).
Sub-heading 2.1: How to Access BIOS/UEFI
Restart Your PC: The first step is to restart your computer.
Press the BIOS Key: As your computer starts up, you need to repeatedly press a specific key to enter the BIOS/UEFI. The key varies, but it's usually one of the following: F2, F10, F12, or Delete (Del). You might even see a message on the screen telling you which key to press. Keep tapping it until the BIOS/UEFI screen appears.
Navigate the Interface: You'll likely need to use your keyboard (arrow keys, Enter, Esc) to navigate the menus.
Sub-heading 2.2: Enabling UEFI, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0
Once you're in the BIOS/UEFI, look for the following settings. They are often found under sections like "Boot," "Security," or "Advanced."
Enable UEFI Mode:
Find the "Boot Mode" or "OS Type" setting. If it's set to "Legacy" or "CSM," you need to change it to "UEFI." Note: Changing from Legacy to UEFI might require you to convert your boot drive from MBR to GPT. We'll cover that in a later step if needed.
Enable Secure Boot:
Look for "Secure Boot." It might be grayed out or not visible at first.
Disable CSM: If you can't find Secure Boot, look for a "CSM" (Compatibility Support Module) setting and disable it. This is a critical step, as Secure Boot and CSM are mutually exclusive.
Enable Secure Boot: Once CSM is off, you should be able to enable Secure Boot.
Change Secure Boot Mode (If Applicable): On some motherboards (like ASUS or Gigabyte), you might need to change the Secure Boot Mode from "Standard" to "Custom" and then immediately back to "Standard." It will prompt you to restore factory defaults. Confirm this action.
Enable TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module):
Look for a setting related to "Trusted Computing," "Security Device Support," or "Intel PTT/AMD fTPM."
Enable the setting: Make sure it is enabled. This is often a simple toggle.
Save and Exit:
Once you've made all the changes, find the "Save and Exit" or "Exit Saving Changes" option. Your PC will restart.
After the restart, check your System Information (msinfo32) and TPM status (tpm.msc) again to confirm that the changes were successful.
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
Step 3: Update and Repair
If the BIOS settings were already correct or if the fix didn't work, let's try some software-side solutions.
Sub-heading 3.1: Update Windows
An outdated Windows version can cause compatibility issues with Vanguard.
Go to Settings > Update & Security (on Windows 10) or Settings > Windows Update (on Windows 11).
Click on Check for updates.
Install any available updates and restart your computer.
Sub-heading 3.2: Repair Game Files
Corrupted game files can sometimes trigger the error.
Open the Riot Client (the launcher you use to play Valorant).
Click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings.
Go to the Valorant section and click on the Repair button.
Let the client scan and fix any corrupted files.
Sub-heading 3.3: Reinstall Vanguard and Valorant
This is a more drastic step but often a very effective one.
Close the Riot Client and Valorant completely. Make sure they are not running in the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, click on it, and select Uninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Find "Valorant" in the list and also Uninstall it.
Restart your computer. This is important to clear any residual files.
Go to your C: drive, find the "Riot Games" folder in "Program Files," and delete any remaining folders related to Valorant and Vanguard.
Download and reinstall the Riot Client and Valorant from the official website. This will automatically install the latest version of Vanguard.
Step 4: Advanced Troubleshooting
QuickTip: Don’t skim too fast — depth matters.
If the issue persists, there are a few more things you can try. These are for more persistent problems.
Sub-heading 4.1: Run in Compatibility Mode
Sometimes, running the game in compatibility mode can help.
Right-click on the Valorant shortcut on your desktop.
Select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and select Windows 8 from the dropdown menu.
Check the box for "Run this program as an administrator."
Click Apply and then OK.
Sub-heading 4.2: Disable VBS (Virtualization-Based Security)
This is particularly relevant for Windows 11 users as VBS can sometimes conflict with Vanguard.
Press the Windows Key, type "Core isolation," and open the settings.
Under "Core isolation," look for "Memory integrity."
If it's turned on, toggle it off.
You may need to restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Sub-heading 4.3: Convert Your Drive from MBR to GPT
As mentioned earlier, if you switched your BIOS to UEFI, your drive needs to be in the GPT format. If it's still MBR, this could be the source of the issue. Be extremely careful with this step and back up your data first.
Search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator.
Type
diskpartand press Enter.Type
list diskand press Enter.Identify your boot disk (it will likely have an asterisk under the "Gpt" column if it's already GPT). If it's not, you'll need to convert it.
There is a built-in Windows tool called
mbr2gpt.exethat can convert your drive without data loss. However, it's strongly recommended to follow a detailed tutorial and back up your data beforehand.
10 Related FAQs
How to check if Secure Boot is enabled?
QuickTip: Stop scrolling, read carefully here.
You can check by opening the System Information window (msinfo32) and looking at the "Secure Boot State" entry.
How to check if TPM 2.0 is enabled?
Open the TPM Management console by typing tpm.msc in the Run dialog box. The status will tell you if it's enabled and ready for use.
How to find my motherboard's BIOS key?
The key is usually displayed on the screen during startup. Common keys are F2, F10, F12, or Delete. If you can't find it, search online for your motherboard's model and "BIOS key."
How to update my Windows operating system?
Go to Settings > Windows Update (or Update & Security) and click on "Check for updates."
How to repair Valorant game files?
Open the Riot Client, go to Settings, select Valorant, and click the "Repair" button.
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard and Valorant?
Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find both Riot Vanguard and Valorant, and click uninstall.
How to run Valorant in compatibility mode?
Right-click on the Valorant shortcut, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check the box to run it in compatibility mode for Windows 8.
How to disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS)?
Open "Core isolation" settings from the Start menu and toggle off "Memory integrity."
How to convert my MBR drive to GPT?
This can be done with the mbr2gpt.exe tool in Command Prompt, but it requires careful steps and a data backup.
How to contact Riot Games support for this issue?
If all else fails, you can submit a support ticket on the official Riot Games support website for a more personalized solution.
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