Hello there! It's frustrating when you're ready to jump into a game and Vanguard throws an error at you. Don't worry, you're not alone, and most of these issues have straightforward solutions. Let's work through this step-by-step and get you back into the action.
Step 1: The First and Easiest Fix - The Classic Reboot
Let's start with the most basic and surprisingly effective solution. Before you dive into any complex settings or file directories, have you tried simply turning your PC off and on again?
Why this works: Vanguard is a kernel-level anti-cheat, which means it runs deep within your system. A clean reboot ensures that all its components, and any conflicting programs, are properly shut down and then restarted in the correct order. It's the digital equivalent of giving your computer a good night's rest.
So, go ahead and restart your PC. Once it's back up, try launching your Riot game (like VALORANT or League of Legends) again. Did it work? If so, great! If not, let's move on to the next step.
 |
| How To Fix Vanguard Encountered An Error |
Step 2: Addressing Common Vanguard Errors
Vanguard errors often come with a specific code, like VAN -1, VAN 57, or VAN 1067. Understanding the code can help you pinpoint the issue. Here's a breakdown of some common ones and how to tackle them.
Sub-heading 2.1: Reinstalling Vanguard for "Uninstall Failure" (VAN -1)
If you've previously tried to uninstall Vanguard or your game and ran into issues, you might see the VAN -1 error. This means Vanguard didn't uninstall cleanly and is now causing conflicts.
How to fix it:
Uninstall Riot Vanguard: Go to your Windows "Add or remove programs" settings. Find Riot Vanguard in the list, click on it, and select "Uninstall."
Manually check the installation directory: Even after uninstalling, sometimes a folder remains. Navigate to
C:\Program Files\Riot VanguardandC:\Riot Games. If you see aRiot Vanguardfolder, manually delete it.Reboot your PC.
Reinstall Riot Vanguard: When you launch your Riot game, the client should automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Sub-heading 2.2: The 'Vanguard Not Running' Issue (VAN 57)
This error typically means the Vanguard anti-cheat service isn't running in the background when you try to launch your game.
Tip: Reading with intent makes content stick.
How to fix it:
Check the VGC service:
Press
Win + Rto open the Run dialog box.Type
services.mscand press Enter.In the Services window, find "vgc" (Vanguard Gaming Controller).
Right-click on it and select "Properties."
Make sure the "Startup type" is set to "Automatic."
If the "Service status" is not "Running," click "Start."
Click "Apply" and "OK."
Restart your PC. This is crucial for the changes to take effect.
Launch your Riot game again.
Sub-heading 2.3: Tackling Connection Errors (VAN 0, VAN 1, VAN 6, VAN 84, VAN -102, etc.)
These errors are often related to network issues or conflicts with other software.
How to fix it:
Restart your Riot Client: Simply close the client completely and reopen it.
Check your network connection: Make sure your internet is stable. You can try restarting your router and modem.
Flush your DNS and reset Winsock:
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type
ipconfig /flushdnsand press Enter.Type
netsh winsock resetand press Enter.Reboot your PC.
Check your Firewall and Antivirus: Sometimes, your security software can block Vanguard. Make sure to add the Riot Client and Vanguard to your antivirus exceptions list.
Step 3: Checking System Settings and Drivers
Vanguard is designed to work with a secure system environment. Outdated drivers or certain security settings can cause it to throw errors.
Sub-heading 3.1: Enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 (VAN 9001, VAN 1067)
For some versions of Vanguard, especially on Windows 11, you need to have Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
How to check and enable them:
Check if TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled:
Press
Win + R, typetpm.msc, and press Enter. A window will pop up telling you if TPM is enabled and what version you have.Press
Win + R, typemsinfo32, and press Enter. In the System Information window, look for "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode."
Access your BIOS/UEFI settings: Restart your PC and repeatedly press the key to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (it's usually
Del,F2,F10, orF12- it varies by motherboard manufacturer).Find the security settings: In the BIOS/UEFI menu, look for a "Security" or "Boot" tab.
Enable Secure Boot and TPM: Find the options for "Secure Boot" and "TPM" (or "PTT" for Intel, "fTPM" for AMD) and set them to "Enabled."
Save changes and exit: Make sure to save the changes before exiting the BIOS. Your PC will restart.
Sub-heading 3.2: Updating Your Windows and Drivers
An outdated operating system or drivers can lead to compatibility issues.
Tip: Read once for gist, twice for details.
How to fix it:
Check for Windows Updates: Go to
Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updateand check for any available updates. Install them and restart your PC.Update your graphics drivers: Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your GPU.
Step 4: The Last Resort - A Clean Reinstallation
If you've tried everything else and the error persists, a complete clean reinstallation of both the game and Vanguard is your best bet.
How to do it:
Uninstall both the game and Vanguard: Go to "Add or remove programs" and uninstall both Riot Vanguard and your Riot game (e.g., VALORANT).
Delete leftover files: Check the
C:\Riot GamesandC:\Program Files\Riot Vanguardfolders and delete them if they still exist.Reboot your PC.
Download and reinstall: Download the game installer from the official Riot Games website and run it. The client will automatically download and install Vanguard along with the game. This ensures you have a fresh, clean installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to fix Vanguard not running?
You can fix this by going to services.msc, finding the "vgc" service, setting its "Startup type" to "Automatic," and then restarting your PC.
How to fix Vanguard error code VAN 1067?
This error is often related to TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot not being enabled. Check your BIOS/UEFI settings to enable them. If that doesn't work, consider scanning for malware or unusual software on your PC.
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
How to fix the 'Vanguard not initialized' error?
Restarting your PC often resolves this. If not, check if the "vgc" service is running automatically, disable Windows testing mode, or reinstall Vanguard.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
You can uninstall it through the "Add or remove programs" section in Windows settings. Make sure to also manually delete any leftover files.
How to check if Secure Boot is enabled?
Press Win + R, type msinfo32, and look for "Secure Boot State" in the System Information window.
How to check if TPM 2.0 is enabled?
Press Win + R, type tpm.msc, and a pop-up window will tell you the status of your Trusted Platform Module.
Tip: Jot down one takeaway from this post.
How to update my graphics drivers?
Visit the official website for your GPU manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers from their support or downloads section.
How to flush DNS and reset Winsock?
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the commands ipconfig /flushdns and netsh winsock reset. Remember to restart your PC afterward.
How to add Vanguard to antivirus exceptions?
Open your antivirus software, go to its settings or exclusions section, and add the Riot Client and Vanguard installation directories to the list of allowed programs.
How to report a persistent Vanguard error to Riot Support?
If all else fails, submit a support ticket on the official Riot Games support website. Provide all the details of the error code, the steps you've already taken, and attach any relevant screenshots or logs.
 |
