How To Fix This Version Of Vanguard Requires Control Flow Guard

People are currently reading this guide.

"Hey there, fellow gamer! Are you staring at the dreaded "This version of Vanguard requires Control Flow Guard" error, wondering why Valorant or another Riot game won't launch? Don't pull your hair out just yet! This error can be a bit frustrating, but it's usually fixable. Control Flow Guard (CFG) is a security feature in Windows designed to protect your system from malicious attacks, and Vanguard (Riot's anti-cheat) needs it enabled to function correctly.

Think of it like a bouncer at a very exclusive club: CFG ensures only authorized programs (or parts of programs) can enter and execute code. If it's not working right, Vanguard sees an issue and refuses to let you into the game. But don't worry, we're going to get you past that bouncer and back into the action!

Let's dive into the step-by-step guide to conquer this error."

Step 1: Understanding Control Flow Guard (CFG)

Before we start tinkering, it's good to know what we're dealing with. Control Flow Guard (CFG) is a security measure in Windows that helps prevent memory corruption vulnerabilities. It essentially puts "guards" on the execution flow of programs, making it much harder for malicious code to take over. Vanguard, being a robust anti-cheat system, relies on these low-level security features to ensure a fair play environment. When you see this error, it means CFG isn't enabled or is misconfigured for Vanguard.

Step 2: Enable Control Flow Guard (CFG) via Windows Security

This is the most common and usually the first solution to try. We'll directly enable CFG in your Windows Exploit Protection settings.

Sub-heading: Accessing Exploit Protection Settings

  1. Open Windows Security: Click on the Start Menu (Windows icon) and type "Windows Security" in the search bar. Select "Windows Security" from the results.
  2. Navigate to App & Browser Control: In the Windows Security window, select "App & browser control" from the left-hand menu.
  3. Go to Exploit Protection Settings: Under the "Exploit protection" section, click on "Exploit protection settings."

Sub-heading: Configuring System-Wide CFG

  1. System Settings Tab: Ensure you are on the "System settings" tab. You'll see a list of security features.
  2. Locate Control Flow Guard (CFG): Scroll down until you find "Control flow guard (CFG)".
  3. Set to "Use default (On)": Expand the box next to CFG and select "Use default (On)". You might see a message indicating that this change requires a device restart. Don't restart just yet, we have one more important step.

Step 3: Remove Riot Games Entries from Program Settings (Crucial!)

Sometimes, custom Exploit Protection settings for Riot Games applications can interfere with the system-wide CFG setting. We need to remove these to ensure Vanguard can correctly utilize the default CFG.

  1. Switch to Program Settings Tab: While still in the Exploit Protection window, click on the "Program settings" tab.
  2. Scan for Riot Entries: Carefully scroll through the list of applications with customized settings. Look for any entries that contain:
    • Riot Games
    • Riot Vanguard
    • VALORANT
    • Any other Riot titles you might have installed (e.g., League of Legends).
  3. Remove Each Entry: For every Riot-related entry you find:
    • Click on the entry to expand its dropdown menu.
    • Click the "Remove" button.
    • Repeat this for ALL Riot Games, Riot Vanguard, and VALORANT entries you find.
  4. Restart Your Device: Once you've removed all relevant entries, it's absolutely essential to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Step 4: Verify BIOS/UEFI Settings (If the issue persists)

In some cases, especially on newer systems or after certain Windows updates, Vanguard might also require Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled. While this error specifically mentions CFG, these are often intertwined for overall system security.

Sub-heading: Checking Your BIOS Mode (UEFI is preferred)

  1. Open System Information: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
  2. Find BIOS Mode: In the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode". If it says "UEFI", you're generally in good shape. If it says "Legacy", you might need to convert your drive to GPT and switch to UEFI mode, which is a more involved process. Consult your motherboard's manual or manufacturer's website for specific instructions on converting to UEFI.

Sub-heading: Verifying TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot

  1. Check TPM Status: In the Run dialog (Windows Key + R), type tpm.msc and press Enter. If it says "The TPM is ready for use" and the Specification Version is 2.0, then TPM is enabled.
  2. Check Secure Boot State: Go back to msinfo32. Look for "Secure Boot State". It should be "On".
  3. Enabling in BIOS/UEFI: If either TPM or Secure Boot is disabled, you'll need to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. The method to access BIOS/UEFI varies by manufacturer (common keys are F2, Del, F10, F12 during startup). Once in the BIOS/UEFI, look for sections like "Boot", "Security", or "Advanced" for options to enable TPM (sometimes called "Intel Platform Trust Technology" or "AMD fTPM") and Secure Boot. Again, refer to your motherboard's manual for precise steps.

Step 5: Reinstall Valorant and Vanguard (Last Resort)

If you've followed all the above steps and the error persists, a clean reinstallation of Valorant and Vanguard is often the most effective solution. This ensures all files are fresh and correctly configured.

Sub-heading: Completely Uninstalling Vanguard and Valorant

  1. Exit Vanguard: Right-click the Vanguard icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen) and select "Exit Vanguard". Confirm if prompted.
  2. Uninstall Riot Vanguard:
    • Open Settings (Windows Key + I).
    • Go to "Apps" > "Apps & features".
    • Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, click on it, and select "Uninstall". Follow the on-screen prompts.
  3. Uninstall Valorant:
    • In the same "Apps & features" list, find "Valorant" (or "Riot Games" which contains Valorant).
    • Click on it and select "Uninstall".
  4. Delete Remaining Files (Important for a clean install):
    • Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files\ and delete the "Riot Vanguard" folder if it still exists.
    • Press Windows Key + R, type %appdata% and press Enter. Delete the "Riot Games" folder.
    • Repeat for %LocalAppData% (type %LocalAppData% in Run dialog) and %ProgramData% (type %ProgramData% in Run dialog), deleting the "Riot Games" folders in each.
    • Optional but recommended: You can also use a reputable registry cleaner tool (like CCleaner, with caution) to remove any leftover registry entries, but be careful when modifying the registry.
  5. Restart Your PC: A full restart is crucial after uninstalling everything.

Sub-heading: Fresh Installation

  1. Download Valorant: Go to the official Valorant website (playvalorant.com) and download the game client.
  2. Run Installer as Administrator: Right-click the downloaded installer and select "Run as administrator".
  3. Follow Installation Prompts: Install Valorant. Vanguard will be installed alongside it.

Step 6: Update Windows and Graphics Drivers

Outdated system components can sometimes cause compatibility issues.

Sub-heading: Checking for Windows Updates

  1. Open Settings: Click on the Start Menu and select the gear icon for Settings.
  2. Go to Windows Update: Select "Windows Update" (or "Update & Security" on older Windows versions).
  3. Check for Updates: Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates. Restart your PC if prompted.

Sub-heading: Updating Graphics Drivers

  1. Identify Your Graphics Card:
    • Right-click on your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Radeon Settings, or Intel Graphics Command Center, depending on your GPU.
    • Alternatively, open Device Manager (search for it in the Start Menu), expand "Display adapters", and note your graphics card model.
  2. Download Latest Drivers: Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your specific model.
  3. Perform a Clean Installation: During the driver installation process, select the option for a "clean installation" if available. This removes old driver files that might be causing conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to check if Control Flow Guard (CFG) is enabled?

You can check if CFG is enabled by going to Windows Security > App & browser control > Exploit protection settings > System settings. Look for "Control flow guard (CFG)" and see its current setting.

How to access BIOS/UEFI settings?

The method varies by motherboard manufacturer. Common keys to press during startup are F2, Del, F10, or F12. Check your motherboard's manual or search online for your specific model.

How to enable Secure Boot?

Secure Boot is enabled within your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. Look under sections like "Boot," "Security," or "Authentication" for the "Secure Boot" option and set it to "Enabled."

How to enable TPM 2.0?

TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) is also enabled in your BIOS/UEFI. It might be found under "Security," "Advanced," or "CPU Configuration," and could be named "Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT)" for Intel or "AMD fTPM" for AMD.

How to uninstall Riot Vanguard completely?

You can uninstall Riot Vanguard through Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Additionally, manually delete the "Riot Vanguard" folder from C:\Program Files after uninstalling.

How to perform a clean installation of graphics drivers?

When installing new graphics drivers, most installers (NVIDIA, AMD) offer a "Custom" or "Clean Installation" option. Select this to remove old driver files before installing the new ones.

How to check my BIOS Mode (UEFI or Legacy)?

Press Windows Key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. In the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode."

How to convert my drive from MBR to GPT for UEFI?

This is a more advanced process and requires converting your disk partition style. You can use the mbr2gpt tool in Windows, but it's recommended to back up your data first as incorrect steps can lead to data loss. Consult Microsoft documentation or professional help.

How to update Windows to the latest version?

Go to Windows Settings > Windows Update and click "Check for updates." Install any pending updates and restart your computer.

How to contact Riot Games support for further assistance?

If none of these steps resolve your issue, you can submit a support ticket directly to Riot Games through their official support website. They can provide more personalized troubleshooting.

2736240511173456506
How To Fix This Version Of Vanguard Requires Control Flow Guard

You have our undying gratitude for your visit!