Is the infamous Vanguard error VAN 81 keeping you from diving into the Summoner's Rift? Don't worry, you're not alone! This is a common issue that many League of Legends players face, and it's almost always related to Riot's anti-cheat software, Vanguard. But fear not, because we're here to guide you through a comprehensive, step-by-step process to get you back in the game.
Ready to fix this pesky error and get back to your climb? Let's get started!
Step 1: The First Line of Defense - Restart Everything!
Before we dive into more technical solutions, let's try the simplest and often most effective fix. This error can often be triggered by the Riot Client or Vanguard being active for too long, or by a temporary glitch.
First, completely close League of Legends and the Riot Client. Don't just minimize them; make sure they are fully shut down.
Open your Task Manager (you can do this by pressing
Ctrl + Shift + Esc).In the "Processes" tab, look for any processes related to Riot Games, League of Legends, or Vanguard. This might include:
RiotClientServices.exe
LeagueClient.exe
RiotClient.exe
RiotVanguard.exe
Right-click on each of these processes and select "End task." This ensures they are completely closed.
Now, restart your computer. This is a crucial step as it refreshes all system processes and can resolve temporary conflicts.
After your PC has rebooted, launch the Riot Client and then League of Legends. Check if the error is gone. If so, great! If not, move on to the next step.
Step 2: Checking and Configuring the Vanguard Service
Vanguard's anti-cheat system relies on a service running in the background called "vgc". If this service isn't running or isn't configured correctly, you'll likely face the VAN 81 error.
Sub-heading: Verifying the 'vgc' Service Status
Press the
Windows key + Rto open the Run dialog box.Type
services.mscin the box and press Enter. This will open the Windows Services window.In the list of services, find the one named vgc.
Check the "Status" column. It should say "Running". If it doesn't, this is a likely culprit.
Also, check the "Startup Type" column. It should be set to "Automatic" or "Automatic (Delayed Start)". If it's set to "Manual" or "Disabled", that's a problem.
Sub-heading: Configuring the 'vgc' Service to Start Automatically
If the service isn't running or isn't set to start automatically, follow these steps:
Right-click on the vgc service and select Properties.
In the "General" tab, find the "Startup type" dropdown menu.
Select
Automaticfrom the dropdown.If the service is currently stopped, click the "Start" button under "Service status".
Click
Applyand thenOKto save the changes.Restart your computer once more to ensure the changes take effect.
Step 3: Addressing Potential Firewall & Antivirus Conflicts
Sometimes, your Windows Firewall or a third-party antivirus program can mistakenly identify Vanguard as a threat and block its connection to the game servers. This can easily lead to the VAN 81 error.
Sub-heading: Allowing Riot and Vanguard Through Windows Firewall
Open the Windows Search bar (by pressing the
Windows key).Type
Windows Defender Firewalland open the application.On the left-hand side, click on
Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.Click the
Change settingsbutton.Scroll through the list and look for anything related to League of Legends, Riot Client, or Riot Vanguard.
Make sure the checkboxes for both "Private" and "Public" are ticked for these applications.
If you don't see them in the list, you'll need to add them manually.
Click
Allow another app...Click
Browse...and navigate to the installation folders for League of Legends and Vanguard.The default path for Vanguard is
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.The default path for League of Legends is
C:\Riot Games\League of Legends.Select the executable files (RiotVanguard.exe, LeagueClient.exe, etc.) and click
Add.
Click
OKto save your changes.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Antivirus or Security Software
Open your antivirus software or any security application you have installed.
Look for a section related to "Exclusions," "Exceptions," or "Allow list."
Add the Riot Games and Riot Vanguard folders to this list of exceptions. This tells your antivirus not to interfere with these programs.
You may also need to temporarily disable your antivirus to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, you've found the culprit! You can then configure it to allow Vanguard and League of Legends.
Step 4: A Fresh Start - Reinstalling Riot Vanguard
If the previous steps haven't worked, it's possible that your Vanguard installation is corrupted. A fresh reinstall is often the most reliable way to fix this.
Press the
Windows keyand typeAdd or remove programsand open the system settings.In the list of installed applications, find
Riot Vanguard.Click on it and select
Uninstall.Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
After uninstalling, it's highly recommended to restart your computer.
Now, launch the League of Legends client. The client will automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to reinstall it.
Click the "Update" or "Install" button and let the process complete.
Restart your PC one last time after Vanguard is reinstalled.
Step 5: The Last Resort - Reinstalling the Game
If all else fails, a full reinstallation of League of Legends and Vanguard is the final step. While this can take some time, it ensures that all game files are clean and uncorrupted.
Uninstall both Riot Vanguard and League of Legends from "Add or remove programs" as described in Step 4.
After uninstalling both, delete the
Riot Gamesfolder from your C drive (or wherever you installed the game). This is crucial to remove any lingering corrupted files.Restart your computer.
Download the latest installer for League of Legends from the official Riot Games website.
Install the game from scratch. This will also install the latest version of Vanguard.
By following these comprehensive steps, you should be able to get rid of the VAN 81 error and get back to enjoying League of Legends. Remember to check for any software conflicts like VPNs or other anti-cheat programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my internet connection is stable?
You can check your internet stability by using an online speed test or a ping test tool. High latency or frequent packet loss can disrupt the connection with Riot's servers. A wired Ethernet connection is always more stable than Wi-Fi for gaming.
How to grant administrative rights to League of Legends and Vanguard?
Right-click on the game's or Vanguard's executable file (e.g., LeagueClient.exe or RiotVanguard.exe), go to "Properties," navigate to the "Compatibility" tab, and check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator." Click Apply and OK.
How to disable conflicting software temporarily?
You can temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall through their respective settings. For other applications, you can use the Task Manager to "End task" or check your system tray for their icons and select "Exit" or "Quit."
How to find the 'vgc' service in the Services menu?
After opening the Services window (services.msc), simply click on any service in the list and then press the V key on your keyboard. This will jump you down to the services that start with the letter V, making it easy to find "vgc."
How to update my Windows and drivers?
You can check for Windows updates by going to Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update. For drivers, visit your graphics card manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) or your motherboard manufacturer's website to download the latest drivers.
How to know if a VPN is causing the error?
Temporarily disable your VPN and try launching the game. If it works without the VPN, then the VPN is likely the cause of the conflict. Some VPNs are known to interfere with Riot's anti-cheat system.
How to contact Riot Games support for further assistance?
If you've tried all the steps and the error persists, it's time to contact the experts. Go to the official Riot Games support website, find the "Submit a ticket" option, and provide a detailed description of the issue and all the troubleshooting steps you've already taken.
How to check for corrupted game files without reinstalling?
The Riot Client has a built-in repair tool. In the client, click on the gear icon (settings) in the top-right corner, and look for a "Repair" or "Full Repair" option. This will check and fix any corrupted or missing game files.
How to prevent the VAN 81 error from happening again?
Keep your Windows operating system and drivers up to date. Avoid running conflicting software in the background while playing, and regularly restart your PC. Ensure Vanguard is always set to run automatically at startup.
How to check if Riot's servers are down?
You can check the official League of Legends server status page on the Riot Games support website or follow their official social media channels for real-time updates on server maintenance or outages.