How to Fix Riot Vanguard Crashes in Valorant: A Comprehensive Guide
Hey there, Valorant players! Are you tired of that sudden screen freeze, the game closing without a word, or that infuriating error message telling you Vanguard has crashed? We've all been there, and it's one of the most frustrating things that can happen when you're in the middle of a clutch round. Don't worry, you're not alone. The good news is, for most players, this isn't a permanent issue and can be fixed with a few troubleshooting steps. So, let's dive into this guide and get you back into the action!
Step 1: The Initial Check – A Quick Reboot and System Check
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's start with the simplest and often most effective solution. Have you tried turning it off and on again? No, really. A simple restart of your computer can resolve many temporary conflicts and resource issues that might be causing Vanguard to crash.
First, restart your PC. This refreshes all services, including Riot Vanguard. After the restart, try launching Valorant again.
Next, check your system's health. Is your computer running hot? Overheating can cause instability and crashes. Make sure your PC has good ventilation and that the fans are working properly. Consider cleaning out any dust from your system.
Finally, close any unnecessary background programs. Applications running in the background, especially those that are resource-intensive, can conflict with Valorant and Vanguard. Close browsers, streaming apps, and any other programs you don't need while playing.
If a quick reboot and check didn't work, don't fret. We've got more steps for you to try.
Step 2: Take Control of the Vanguard Service
Riot Vanguard runs as a service on your PC, and sometimes, it just needs a little nudge to get going. This step will show you how to manage the Vanguard service manually.
Sub-heading: Setting the VGC Service to Automatic Startup
Go to the Windows search bar (bottom-left of your screen).
Type "services.msc" and press Enter to open the Services window.
In the list of services, scroll down until you find "vgc".
Right-click on vgc and select Properties.
In the General tab, find the "Startup type" dropdown menu. It might be set to "Manual". Change it to "Automatic".
Click Apply and then OK.
Now, right-click on vgc again and select Start.
Close the Services window and restart your computer.
This ensures that the Vanguard service starts automatically every time your PC boots up, reducing the chance of it crashing on launch.
Step 3: The Reinstallation Method - A Fresh Start
Sometimes, the installation of Vanguard can get corrupted. A clean reinstall can often fix these deeper issues.
Sub-heading: Uninstalling and Reinstalling Riot Vanguard
Open your Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key + I.
Go to Apps > Installed apps.
In the list, search for "Riot Vanguard".
Click on the three dots next to it and select Uninstall.
Confirm the uninstallation.
Restart your computer. This is a crucial step to ensure all related files are cleared.
Now, simply launch the Riot Client and then Valorant. The client will automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and will prompt you to download and install it again.
This process ensures you have a fresh, uncorrupted version of Vanguard, which can solve many crash-related problems.
Step 4: Update Your Drivers and System
Outdated software is a common cause of crashes. Keeping your system up-to-date is vital for a smooth gaming experience.
Sub-heading: Updating Graphics Drivers
Identify your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
Go to their official website and download the latest drivers for your specific GPU model.
Perform a clean installation of the drivers. This option is usually available in the installer and is recommended to avoid any conflicts with older driver files.
Sub-heading: Updating Windows
Open Windows Settings and go to Windows Update.
Click on Check for updates and install any available updates.
A fresh Windows update can fix compatibility issues that may arise with newer software like Vanguard.
Step 5: Check for Software Conflicts
Vanguard is an invasive anti-cheat, and it can sometimes clash with other software on your PC.
Sub-heading: Temporarily Disabling Antivirus/Firewall
Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall. Some security software can flag Vanguard as a threat and block its operation, leading to a crash.
Add Valorant and Vanguard to your antivirus exceptions list. This tells your security software to trust these applications and not interfere with them.
Sub-heading: Disabling "Test Mode"
In some cases, Windows' "Test Mode" can interfere with Vanguard.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFFbcdedit -set NOINTEGRITYCHECKS OFF
Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Step 6: Dive into the BIOS - Advanced Troubleshooting
This is a more advanced step and requires caution. Only proceed if you are comfortable with your PC's BIOS settings.
Sub-heading: Enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS settings (usually by pressing a key like F2, F10, F12, or Del during boot-up).
Look for settings related to "Secure Boot" and "TPM" (Trusted Platform Module) or "PTT/AMD fTPM".
Enable these features and save the changes.
Exit the BIOS and let your PC restart.
Vanguard requires these features to be enabled on newer systems for security reasons. If they are disabled, it can lead to crashes or error messages like VAN 9003.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to fix Valorant crashing without any error code?
If Valorant crashes without an error, it's often a sign of a resource issue. First, check for overheating. Next, lower your in-game graphics settings to reduce the strain on your GPU. Finally, close all other applications to free up RAM and CPU resources.
How to fix the "Vanguard not initialized" error?
This error (often VAN 57 or VAN 128) means Vanguard failed to start. The quickest fix is to restart your PC. If that doesn't work, set the VGC service to "Automatic" in the Services window and restart your PC.
How to fix the VAN 0 error in Valorant?
VAN 0 is a general connection error. Start by restarting your game and the Riot Client. If the issue persists, restart your computer to ensure Vanguard is also restarted. Make sure your internet connection is stable and that your firewall isn't blocking Valorant.
How to check if my drivers are unsigned?
You can use a built-in Windows tool called File Signature Verification. Open the Run dialog (Windows key + R), type sigverif, and click Start. The tool will scan for unsigned drivers. If it finds any, you can then update them or reinstall them from a trusted source.
How to fix Valorant crashes after a recent Windows update?
A recent Windows update can sometimes introduce conflicts. Try rolling back the update or checking for a newer update that might fix the issue. You can also try to "Repair" Valorant's installation from the Riot Client's advanced options.
How to fix Vanguard and Valorant conflicts with antivirus software?
The best way is to add Valorant and Riot Vanguard to your antivirus's exclusion list. This tells the antivirus to ignore these programs. If you're using Avast or AVG, you might need to temporarily uninstall them as they are known to conflict with Vanguard.
How to fix "Vanguard has encountered an error" message?
This message often points to a corrupted Vanguard installation. The most reliable fix is to uninstall and then reinstall Riot Vanguard. The Riot Client will automatically reinstall it the next time you launch Valorant.
How to fix Valorant crashing in-game during a match?
In-game crashes are often performance-related. Lower your in-game settings, especially graphics quality and anti-aliasing. Check your system for overheating. Also, make sure your graphics drivers are up to date.
How to fix the VAL 45 error code?
The VAL 45 error usually means Vanguard requires a reboot. Restarting your computer is the primary solution. If it still doesn't work, a full uninstall and reinstall of Vanguard is recommended.
How to fix crashes related to BIOS/UEFI settings?
If you are getting a VAN 9003 error or a crash related to Secure Boot, you need to enter your BIOS settings and enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. If you are unable to, or if you have a virtualization-based security (VBS) conflict, you may need to disable VBS in your system. This is an advanced step, so proceed with caution.
