Greetings, fellow gamer! So, you've hit that frustrating "This version of Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled" error, and now your Valorant session is on hold. I know that feeling of staring at a a screen that won't let you play, and it can be a real headache. But don't worry, you're in the right place! We're going to fix this together, step by step.
This issue is a security measure implemented by Riot Games to ensure a fair and secure gaming environment. Vanguard, their anti-cheat system, requires your PC to have Secure Boot and often TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) enabled to operate effectively and prevent unauthorized programs from interfering with the game. Let's get your system compliant and get you back into the action!
Step 1: Let's Check Your Current Status - No Worries, It's Easy!
First, before we jump into the BIOS, let's confirm if Secure Boot is really disabled. It's a simple check and will help us confirm what we need to do.
Engage with me here: Have you ever been inside your computer's BIOS before? If so, you'll feel right at home! If not, don't sweat it. We'll be taking it slow and steady.
Here's how to check your Secure Boot status without restarting your PC:
Press the Windows key + R at the same time to open the 'Run' dialog box.
In the box, type
msinfo32and press Enter. This will open the System Information window.In the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode" and "Secure Boot State".
If "BIOS Mode" is UEFI and "Secure Boot State" is On, then you're good to go! Something else might be the issue, or you might need to check your TPM status (we'll get to that).
If "BIOS Mode" is Legacy and/or "Secure Boot State" is Off, then you've found the culprit. It's time to enable Secure Boot.
If your "Secure Boot State" says Unsupported, your hardware may not support it. In that case, you might need to check your motherboard's manual or manufacturer's website for more information.
Step 2: Entering the BIOS/UEFI - The Gateway to Your PC's Settings
This is where we'll be making the necessary changes. The process to enter the BIOS can vary depending on your motherboard's manufacturer (e.g., ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, Dell, HP, Lenovo).
Here's the general process:
Save Everything: Before you do anything else, save all your open work and close all applications. We're going to restart your computer.
Restart Your PC: Click the Start menu, then the power icon, and select Restart.
Find Your BIOS Key: As your computer is booting up, you'll need to press a specific key on your keyboard to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. This is often displayed on the screen during the initial boot sequence. Common keys are F2, Delete, F10, or F12. Start pressing the key repeatedly as soon as your computer screen turns on.
Pro Tip: If you miss the window, don't worry. Just restart and try again. The timing can be tricky!
Alternative Method (Windows 10/11): If you're struggling with the timing, you can access the BIOS through Windows' advanced startup options:
Open Settings.
Navigate to Update & Security (Windows 10) or System > Recovery (Windows 11).
Under "Advanced startup," click Restart now.
Your PC will restart and present a blue screen with several options.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
Click Restart to enter the BIOS.
Step 3: Navigating and Enabling Secure Boot
Once you're in the BIOS, the interface will look different from your normal Windows desktop. You'll likely use your keyboard's arrow keys, Enter key, and Escape key to navigate.
Find the Right Section: The Secure Boot setting is usually located under a tab named Boot, Security, or Authentication. You might need to switch from "Easy Mode" to "Advanced Mode" (often by pressing F7) to see all the options.
Locate "Secure Boot": Find the option labeled "Secure Boot" or "Secure Boot Control."
Enable It: Change the setting from Disabled to Enabled.
Set OS Type: In some cases, you may also need to set the "OS Type" or "Operating System Type" to Windows UEFI mode instead of "Other OS" or "CSM". This is crucial for Secure Boot to function correctly with Windows.
Look for "CSM": While you're in the Boot or Security section, it's a good idea to check for "CSM" (Compatibility Support Module) and ensure it's Disabled. Secure Boot requires UEFI mode, and CSM is a legacy boot mode. Disabling it forces your system to use UEFI. Warning: Disabling CSM might cause issues if your Windows installation is on an MBR partition. You might need to convert your disk to GPT first.
How to check if your disk is MBR or GPT?
Press Windows key + X and select Disk Management.
Right-click on your primary hard drive (usually Disk 0) and select Properties.
Go to the Volumes tab and check the "Partition style". It should say GUID Partition Table (GPT). If it says "Master Boot Record (MBR)", you'll need to convert it to GPT. You can find many tutorials online for this process, but it's a bit more advanced.
Enable TPM 2.0 (if needed): Vanguard often requires TPM 2.0 as well. Look for settings related to TPM, Intel Platform Trust Technology (IPTT), or AMD CPU fTPM in the Security or Advanced section of your BIOS. Make sure this is also Enabled.
Step 4: Save and Exit - Bringing Your Changes to Life
Once you've made the necessary changes, it's time to save and exit.
Save Changes: Look for a tab named Save & Exit or a key prompt (often F10).
Confirm: A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm saving the changes. Select Yes or Ok.
Restart: Your computer will restart automatically.
Step 5: Verify and Conquer!
After your PC boots back into Windows, let's do a final check to confirm that Secure Boot is now enabled.
Repeat the steps from Step 1: Press Windows key + R, type
msinfo32, and press Enter.Check the "Secure Boot State". It should now say On.
Now, launch Valorant! You should no longer see the error message, and Vanguard should initialize without any issues.
Troubleshooting and Advanced Steps
BIOS is different: Every motherboard has a different BIOS interface. If you can't find the options, refer to your motherboard's user manual or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions.
"Reset Secure Boot Keys": If enabling Secure Boot doesn't work, some motherboards have an option to "Restore Factory Keys" or "Install Default Secure Boot Keys." This can sometimes resolve the issue. Find this option in the Secure Boot settings and select it.
BIOS Update: In rare cases, your motherboard's BIOS firmware might be outdated and not properly support Secure Boot. Visit your motherboard manufacturer's website and download the latest BIOS update. Follow their instructions carefully for the update process, as a failed BIOS update can be critical.
Reinstall Vanguard: If all else fails, a corrupted Vanguard installation could be the problem. Try uninstalling and reinstalling Riot Vanguard.
Related FAQ
How to check if my PC supports Secure Boot?
You can check if your PC supports Secure Boot by opening the System Information window (msinfo32) and looking for "Secure Boot State". If it says "Unsupported", your hardware does not support it.
How to find my motherboard's BIOS key? The BIOS key is often displayed on the screen during the boot process (e.g., "Press DEL to enter setup"). Common keys are F2, F10, F12, or Delete. If you're unsure, search for your motherboard model and "BIOS key" online.
How to convert my disk from MBR to GPT?
You can use a built-in Windows tool called mbr2gpt.exe from an elevated Command Prompt. Back up your data first! The command is mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0 /allowFullOS (replace disk:0 with your disk number).
How to enable TPM 2.0? TPM 2.0 is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings, usually under the "Security" or "Advanced" tab. Look for options like "Trusted Platform Module," "TPM Device," "Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT)," or "AMD fTPM."
How to update my motherboard's BIOS? Visit your motherboard manufacturer's website, find your specific model, and download the latest BIOS firmware. Follow their instructions, which usually involve putting the file on a USB drive and using a built-in BIOS flashing tool.
How to know if my Windows is installed in UEFI mode?
Open the System Information window (msinfo32). Look at "BIOS Mode". If it says "UEFI", your Windows is installed in UEFI mode. If it says "Legacy", it's in Legacy mode.
How to fix the "UEFI Secure Boot verification failure" error? This error can sometimes be fixed by resetting the Secure Boot keys to their factory defaults within the BIOS. Look for a "Reset to Factory Keys" or "Install Default Secure Boot Keys" option.
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard? You can uninstall Vanguard from "Apps & features" in Windows Settings. After uninstalling, restart your computer and then launch Valorant, which will prompt you to reinstall Vanguard.
How to fix other Valorant errors related to Vanguard?
Many Vanguard errors (like VAN9001 or VAN9003) are related to Secure Boot and TPM. If enabling them doesn't work, try updating your Windows, running Valorant as an administrator, or checking for corrupted system files using the sfc /scannow command in an elevated Command Prompt.
How to avoid Secure Boot errors in the future? Keep your Windows operating system and BIOS firmware updated. This ensures compatibility and addresses potential bugs that could cause issues with Secure Boot and Vanguard.
