Of course! Here is a very detailed, step-by-step guide on how to fix the Valorant Vanguard secure boot error.
How to Fix the Valorant Vanguard Secure Boot Error: A Comprehensive Guide
Hey there, fellow gamer! Have you ever been excited to jump into a competitive match of Valorant, only to be stopped dead in your tracks by that dreaded "VAN9001" or similar error message? You're not alone. Many players, especially those on Windows 11, have encountered this issue, and it's almost always related to Riot Vanguard's strict security requirements.
Before you get frustrated and give up on playing, take a deep breath. This guide is designed to walk you through the process of enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, the key security features that Vanguard needs to see to let you play. We'll go through it step-by-step, making it as easy as possible to navigate your computer's settings and get back into the game.
Let's get this fixed so you can get back to clutching those rounds!
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| How To Fix Valorant Vanguard Secure Boot |
Step 1: The Initial Check-Up - Is Secure Boot Already On?
First things first, let's see if Secure Boot is already enabled or not. Sometimes, the error can pop up even if it is, due to other settings. We'll use a built-in Windows tool to check your system's current status.
Engage the user: Before we dive into the BIOS, let's do a quick and easy check. Have you ever been into your computer's BIOS before? It's okay if you haven't! This guide will hold your hand through the entire process.
Open the System Information Window: Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the 'Run' dialog box.
In the box, type
msinfo32and press Enter.A window titled "System Information" will pop up.
In the left-hand panel, make sure "System Summary" is selected.
Now, on the right side, scroll down the list and look for a line that says "Secure Boot State".
Check the value next to it.
If it says "On", Secure Boot is already enabled. You might need to check your TPM status (we'll cover that later) or look into other troubleshooting steps.
If it says "Off", you need to enable it.
If it says "Unsupported", your motherboard may not support Secure Boot. In this case, you may need to check your motherboard's manual or manufacturer's website for more information.
If your Secure Boot State is "Off," it's time to move on to the next step and enable it.
Step 2: Entering the BIOS/UEFI Settings
This is where we go behind the scenes of your computer. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or the more modern UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the firmware that controls how your computer starts up. We need to access it to change the Secure Boot setting.
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
Sub-heading: The Easy Way (via Windows Settings)
This method is highly recommended as it's the most reliable way to access the UEFI settings.
Open Windows Settings: Click the Start Menu and then click on the Settings icon (the cogwheel).
Navigate to Update & Security (on Windows 10) or System > Recovery (on Windows 11).
Under the "Advanced startup" section, click on "Restart now".
Your PC will restart and present you with a blue screen with several options.
Navigate through the menus by selecting: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
Click "Restart" one more time to enter the BIOS/UEFI.
Sub-heading: The Classic Way (using a key during boot)
This method is a bit more of a gamble with timing, but it works just as well.
Restart your PC.
As your computer is booting up, you'll see the manufacturer's logo (e.g., ASUS, Dell, HP, MSI, etc.).
Immediately and repeatedly press the BIOS access key. The key varies by manufacturer, but it's most commonly one of these: F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc.
If you miss the window, your PC will boot into Windows. Just restart and try again.
Pro-Tip: If you don't know your specific key, a quick online search for "BIOS key for [Your PC/Motherboard model]" will give you the answer.
Step 3: Enabling Secure Boot and UEFI Mode
Now that you are in the BIOS/UEFI, it's time to make the necessary changes. Be careful not to change any other settings unless you know what you're doing, as this can cause boot issues.
Navigate the BIOS: Use your keyboard's arrow keys to navigate the menus. The mouse may not work in this environment.
Find the Boot or Security Tab: Look for a tab or menu item named "Boot," "Security," "Authentication," or something similar.
Locate the Secure Boot Option: Within that tab, find the option for "Secure Boot." It might be nested in a sub-menu.
Enable Secure Boot: Change the setting from "Disabled" to "Enabled".
Important Note: Secure Boot requires your system to be in UEFI mode. If you see an option for "CSM" (Compatibility Support Module) or "Legacy Boot," it must be set to "Disabled" for Secure Boot to be enabled. If you were previously using Legacy mode, changing this might prevent Windows from booting. In that case, you may need to convert your disk from MBR to GPT. We'll touch on this in the FAQ.
Check the OS Type: Some BIOS menus also have a setting for "OS Type." Make sure this is set to "Windows UEFI mode" and not "Other OS."
Find and Enable TPM 2.0: While you are in the BIOS, it's a good idea to check your TPM status as well. Valorant's Vanguard requires both. Look for settings like:
"Trusted Computing"
"Security Device Support"
"AMD fTPM switch" (for AMD CPUs)
"Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT)" (for Intel CPUs)
Enable this setting if it's disabled.
Step 4: Saving Changes and Exiting
You're almost there! Once you've enabled Secure Boot and checked the TPM setting, you need to save your changes and exit the BIOS.
Tip: Stop when confused — clarity comes with patience.
Save and Exit: Look for a tab or option that says "Save & Exit" or "Exit."
Save Changes: Select the option to "Save Changes and Exit."
Confirm the changes when prompted. The key for this is often F10.
Your computer will restart with Secure Boot now enabled.
Step 5: Verify the Fix and Relaunch Valorant
Once your PC reboots into Windows, let's do a final check.
Repeat Step 1 to open the "System Information" window.
Check the "Secure Boot State" value again. It should now say "On".
Launch Valorant: Open the Riot Client and launch the game.
Riot Vanguard should now recognize that your system meets the security requirements, and you should be able to play without the error.
If you still encounter issues, try restarting your PC one more time and check the settings again. Sometimes, a second reboot is needed for the changes to fully take effect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my Windows disk is MBR or GPT?
Secure Boot requires a GPT (GUID Partition Table) disk partition style. If your BIOS is in Legacy mode, your disk is likely MBR. To check, press Windows Key + X and select "Disk Management." Right-click on your C: drive, go to Properties, and then the Volumes tab. The "Partition style" will tell you if it's MBR or GPT.
How to convert my MBR disk to GPT without losing data?
You can use the built-in MBR2GPT tool in Windows. Before you do this, it is highly recommended to back up your important data. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS. If it passes validation, run mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS. After converting, you will need to restart and set your BIOS to UEFI mode.
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
How to find the TPM 2.0 setting in my BIOS?
The name of the TPM setting can be different depending on your motherboard manufacturer. Look for "Trusted Computing," "Security Device Support," "fTPM," or "PTT" within the "Security" or "Advanced" sections of your BIOS.
How to update my motherboard's BIOS?
Visit your motherboard manufacturer's website and look for the support page for your specific model. Download the latest BIOS firmware and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. This is a delicate process, so follow the guide precisely.
How to fix the error if I can't find Secure Boot in my BIOS?
First, check if your motherboard supports Secure Boot by consulting the manual. If it does, make sure your BIOS is in UEFI mode and that CSM or Legacy boot is disabled. Sometimes, enabling an option like "Windows 8.1/10 WHQL Support" or "Windows OS Configuration" in the "Advanced" or "Boot" tab will make the Secure Boot option appear.
How to reset my Secure Boot keys?
In your BIOS/UEFI, within the Secure Boot settings, you may find an option for "Key Management" or "Restore Factory Keys." This can sometimes resolve conflicts. Resetting the keys will not erase your data.
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
How to check if my TPM is enabled in Windows?
Press Windows Key + R, type tpm.msc and press Enter. A new window will pop up. If it says "The TPM is ready for use," it's enabled. You can also check the version here.
How to fix the error if Vanguard is corrupted?
A corrupted Vanguard installation can cause errors. You can try reinstalling it. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features (on Windows 10/11), find "Riot Vanguard" and "Valorant," and uninstall them. Then, restart your PC and reinstall Valorant from the Riot Games website.
How to run Valorant as an administrator?
Right-click on the Valorant shortcut or executable, select "Properties," go to the "Compatibility" tab, and check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator." This can sometimes help with permissions issues.
How to fix corrupted system files that might be causing the issue?
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type sfc /scannow. This will run a System File Checker scan and attempt to repair any corrupted system files. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer.
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