How to Fix the "This version of Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled" Error in Valorant
Are you seeing that dreaded error message when you try to launch Valorant? You’re not alone. Many players, especially those on Windows 11, have encountered the message: "This version of Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled in order to play Valorant." It can be frustrating, but don't worry, the solution is often quite simple. This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of enabling Secure Boot on your PC and get you back into the action.
Step 1: Don't Panic! Let's Check Your Current Status
Before you dive into your PC's BIOS (don't worry, we'll explain what that is!), let's first check if Secure Boot is already enabled. This is a crucial first step because you might find that it's already on, and the issue lies elsewhere.
The System Information Tool: The easiest way to check is through Windows' built-in System Information tool.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
msinfo32and press Enter.In the System Information window, look for the "System Summary" section.
On the right side, scroll down until you find the entry for "Secure Boot State."
If it says "On," Secure Boot is already enabled. If it says "Off" or "Unsupported," you'll need to proceed to the next steps.
The PowerShell Method: For a quick command-line check, you can use PowerShell.
Search for "PowerShell" in the Start Menu, right-click on it, and select "Run as administrator."
In the PowerShell window, type
Confirm-SecureBootUEFIand press Enter.If it returns
True, Secure Boot is on. If it returnsFalse, it's off. If you see an error like "Cmdlet not supported on this platform," your system might not support UEFI/Secure Boot.
Step 2: Accessing the BIOS/UEFI Settings
Okay, so you've confirmed that Secure Boot is off. Now comes the part that might seem intimidating, but we'll guide you through it. You need to access your computer's BIOS or UEFI firmware settings. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or the more modern UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the software that your computer uses to start up before Windows even loads.
Sub-heading: Finding Your BIOS Key
The key to enter the BIOS/UEFI varies depending on your motherboard or computer manufacturer. The most common keys are F2, F10, F12, or the Delete key. You'll often see a message on your screen right after you press the power button, telling you which key to press. If not, here's a general guide:
ASUS: F2 or Delete
MSI: Delete
Gigabyte: Delete
Dell: F2
HP: F10
Lenovo: F1 or F2
Sub-heading: Restarting and Entering the BIOS
Restart your PC. Go to the Start Menu, click the power icon, and select Restart.
As soon as your PC starts to reboot, begin tapping the BIOS key repeatedly. Don't hold it down, just tap it consistently. This is crucial for catching the right moment.
If you do it correctly, you'll see a screen that looks very different from Windows. This is your BIOS/UEFI.
Step 3: Enabling Secure Boot and UEFI Mode
Now that you're in the BIOS, the interface might look different depending on your manufacturer. Don't be overwhelmed by all the settings. We're only looking for a few specific options.
Sub-heading: Navigate to the Right Section
Look for a tab or section labeled "Boot," "Security," or "Authentication."
If your BIOS has an "Advanced Mode," you may need to press a key (often F7) to switch to it for more options.
Sub-heading: The Key Settings
You need to check for two main settings:
Boot Mode/OS Type: This must be set to UEFI. If it's set to "Legacy" or "CSM (Compatibility Support Module)," you need to change it.
Caution: Switching from Legacy to UEFI can sometimes prevent Windows from booting if your drive is not partitioned as GPT. We'll address this in the FAQ section. It's a good idea to back up important data before making these changes.
Look for a setting like "Boot Mode Select," "UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode," or similar. Change it to "UEFI."
Make sure CSM (Compatibility Support Module) is Disabled.
Secure Boot: Find the Secure Boot option.
It might be under the "Security" or "Boot" tab.
Set the "Secure Boot" option to "Enabled."
Sometimes, you need to set the "OS Type" to "Windows UEFI mode" first.
If you see a "Key Management" or "Secure Boot Mode" option, make sure it is set to "Standard." You may also need to "Restore Factory Keys" or "Install Default Secure Boot Keys."
Step 4: Save and Exit
Once you've made these changes, you need to save them.
Look for a tab or option that says "Save & Exit" or something similar.
Press the key indicated to "Save Changes and Exit" (often F10).
Confirm your changes when prompted.
Your computer will restart.
Step 5: Verify and Relaunch Valorant
After your PC reboots, you should now be back in Windows.
Go back to the System Information Tool (as in Step 1) and check the "Secure Boot State" again. It should now say "On."
Now, try to launch Valorant.
Vanguard should now be able to verify your system's security, and you should be able to play the game without the error message. Congratulations, you've successfully fixed the issue!
10 FAQs: "How to" Fix Secure Boot for Valorant
1. How to check if my computer supports UEFI?
You can check if your system uses UEFI by going to the System Information tool (msinfo32). Look at the "BIOS Mode" entry. If it says "UEFI," your computer supports it. If it says "Legacy," it's using the older BIOS mode.
2. How to convert my MBR partition to GPT without losing data?
You can use the MBR2GPT tool in Windows. It's a command-line tool that can convert a drive from MBR to GPT. Before you do this, it is highly recommended to create a full backup of your data. Search online for a detailed guide on using MBR2GPT.
3. How to find my motherboard's specific BIOS key?
The best way is to check the user manual for your motherboard or computer model. You can also visit the manufacturer's website (e.g., ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Dell, HP) and search for your model to find the manual or a support page.
4. How to recover if I can't boot into Windows after enabling Secure Boot?
If your drive was MBR and you switched to UEFI without converting it to GPT, Windows won't boot. You'll need to go back into the BIOS and switch the Boot Mode back to "Legacy" or "CSM." Then, you can follow a guide to convert your disk to GPT.
5. How to reset my BIOS settings if I mess something up?
Most BIOS menus have an option to "Load Defaults" or "Load Optimized Defaults." This will reset all settings to the factory defaults. You can usually find this option under the "Exit" or "Save & Exit" tab.
6. How to check if my TPM 2.0 is enabled?
Along with Secure Boot, Vanguard often requires TPM 2.0 on Windows 11. To check, press Windows key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. A window will open, and under "Status," it should say "The TPM is ready for use." If not, you may need to enable it in the BIOS as well. Look for "TPM," "Security Device," or "Trusted Computing" in the BIOS settings.
7. How to run Valorant in compatibility mode as a temporary fix?
You can try running Valorant in compatibility mode as a temporary workaround. Right-click on the Valorant shortcut, go to Properties, then the Compatibility tab. Check the box for "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and select Windows 8 or a similar older version.
8. How to update my BIOS/UEFI firmware?
Updating your firmware can sometimes resolve compatibility issues. This process is different for every motherboard, so you need to check your motherboard manufacturer's website for a guide and the latest firmware file. Be extremely careful with this process, as a power outage during the update can brick your motherboard.
9. How to know if my PC's hardware is too old for Secure Boot?
Secure Boot requires a UEFI-compatible motherboard and a GPT-partitioned boot drive. If your PC is more than 8-10 years old and uses a traditional BIOS (instead of UEFI), it likely won't support Secure Boot.
10. How to contact Riot Games support for further assistance?
If you've tried all the steps and are still facing the issue, you can submit a support ticket to Riot Games. Provide them with a detailed description of the problem, the error message you're receiving, and a list of the troubleshooting steps you've already taken.
