Is Valorant's Vanguard anti-cheat giving you headaches? Are you staring at an error code instead of a competitive match? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many players encounter issues with Vanguard, but the good news is that most of them are fixable. This comprehensive guide will walk you through a step-by-step process to troubleshoot and resolve common Vanguard problems, getting you back into the action in no time.
Understanding Riot Vanguard
Before we dive into the fixes, let's briefly understand what Riot Vanguard is. It's Riot Games' proprietary anti-cheat software, designed to prevent cheating in Valorant and other Riot titles. Vanguard runs at a kernel level, which means it operates with high privileges on your system. While this is crucial for effective cheat detection, it can sometimes lead to conflicts with other software or system settings.
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| How To Fix Vanguard For Valorant |
Step 1: The Initial Checks - Let's Start Simple!
Feeling frustrated? Before we get into anything complex, let's try some quick and easy solutions. You'd be surprised how often these do the trick!
Sub-heading 1.1: Restart Everything
This is the golden rule of tech troubleshooting.
- Restart Valorant and the Riot Client: Close both the Valorant game and the Riot Client completely. Re-launch them and see if the issue persists.
- Restart Your PC: A full system restart can often resolve temporary glitches that might be interfering with Vanguard. This will also restart the Vanguard service itself.
Sub-heading 1.2: Check Your Internet Connection
A shaky internet connection can manifest as Vanguard errors.
- Verify Stability: Ensure your internet connection is stable. Try opening a few websites or running a speed test.
- Restart Your Router/Modem: Unplug your router and modem for 30 seconds, then plug them back in. Wait for them to fully power up before trying Valorant again.
- Wired Connection: If you're on Wi-Fi, try connecting to your router directly with an Ethernet cable for better stability.
Sub-heading 1.3: Check Riot Server Status
Sometimes, the problem isn't with your system but with Riot's servers.
- Official Status Page: Visit the official Riot Games service status page for Valorant. They will post any ongoing maintenance or server issues. If there's an active issue, you'll simply have to wait for them to resolve it.
Step 2: Addressing Common Vanguard Error Codes
Vanguard often provides specific error codes that can point you directly to the problem. Let's tackle some of the most common ones.
QuickTip: Re-reading helps retention.
Sub-heading 2.1: VAN 0, 1, 6, 38, 44, 45, -81, 128 (Connection/Initialization Issues)
These codes generally indicate a problem with Vanguard initializing or connecting.
- Initial Fixes: Often, a simple restart of Valorant, the Riot Client, and your PC (as mentioned in Step 1) will resolve these.
- Reinstall Vanguard (If Persistent): If the problem persists after restarts, a fresh reinstall of Vanguard is usually the next step. (See Step 3 for detailed instructions).
- Antivirus/Firewall Interference: Sometimes, your antivirus or firewall might be blocking Vanguard. Temporarily disable them and try launching Valorant. If it works, you'll need to add exceptions for Valorant and Vanguard in your security software.
- Windows Firewall:
- Search for "Windows Defender Firewall" in the Start menu and open it.
- Click "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall."
- Click "Change settings."
- Click "Allow another app..."
- Browse to the Valorant executable (usually
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exe) and the Vanguard executable (usuallyC:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgc.exe). Add both as exceptions, ensuring all boxes are checked for them. - Click "OK."
- Windows Firewall:
Sub-heading 2.2: VAN 9001, VAN 9003 (Secure Boot/TPM Issues)
These errors indicate that Secure Boot or TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 might be disabled or not configured correctly, which Vanguard increasingly requires.
- Check Secure Boot and TPM Status:
- Press
Windows Key + R, typemsinfo32, and press Enter. - In the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode" (should be UEFI) and "Secure Boot State" (should be On).
- For TPM, press
Windows Key + R, typetpm.msc, and press Enter. It should show "The TPM is ready for use" and "Specification Version: 2.0".
- Press
- Enable Secure Boot and TPM in BIOS/UEFI: This step requires entering your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings, which can vary depending on your motherboard manufacturer. Consult your motherboard manual or manufacturer's website for exact steps.
- Restart your PC and repeatedly press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI (commonly
F2,Del,F10, orF12) as your computer starts up. - Navigate to the Boot or Security section.
- Look for options like "Secure Boot" and "TPM" (or similar, like "Intel Platform Trust Technology (IPTT)" or "AMD CPU fTPM").
- Enable these options. You might need to disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module) first if Secure Boot is greyed out.
- Save changes and exit BIOS/UEFI. Your PC will restart.
- Restart your PC and repeatedly press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI (commonly
Sub-heading 2.3: VAN 9006 (Outdated Windows Version)
This error means your Windows operating system is too old for Vanguard.
- Update Windows:
- Go to
Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. - Click "Check for updates" and install all available updates. Valorant and Vanguard generally require Windows 10 version 20H1 or later.
- Restart your PC after updates are installed.
- Go to
Step 3: Reinstalling Riot Vanguard (The Go-To Fix)
If the simpler solutions and error-specific fixes haven't worked, a clean reinstall of Vanguard is often the most effective solution.
Sub-heading 3.1: Uninstalling Vanguard
It's crucial to uninstall Vanguard before uninstalling Valorant, as Vanguard is a separate anti-cheat component.
- Close Valorant and Riot Client: Make sure both are completely shut down.
- Exit Vanguard from System Tray: In the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, find the small Riot Vanguard icon (it looks like a shield). Right-click on it and select "Exit Vanguard" or "Exit Riot Vanguard." Confirm the prompt.
- Uninstall through Apps & Features:
- Press
Windows Key + Ito open Settings. - Go to Apps > Installed apps (or "Apps & features" on older Windows versions).
- Search for "Riot Vanguard."
- Click on the three dots (or select it) and choose "Uninstall."
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
- Press
- Delete Remaining Files (Optional but Recommended): After uninstalling, navigate to
C:\Program Filesand manually delete the "Riot Vanguard" folder if it still exists.
Sub-heading 3.2: Reinstalling Vanguard
Vanguard will automatically reinstall itself when you launch Valorant after uninstalling it.
Tip: Reading in short bursts can keep focus high.
- Launch Valorant: Open the Riot Client and launch Valorant.
- Vanguard Installation: The client will detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to install it. Follow the on-screen instructions. This might take a few minutes.
- Restart Your PC (Crucial): After Vanguard finishes installing, you must restart your computer for the changes to take effect and for Vanguard to properly load.
Step 4: Advanced Troubleshooting & System Optimizations
If you're still facing issues, it's time to dig a little deeper.
Sub-heading 4.1: Update Your Drivers
Outdated graphics, chipset, or network drivers can cause conflicts.
- Graphics Drivers: Go to the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your specific model. Perform a clean installation if the option is available.
- Other Drivers: Consider updating your motherboard chipset drivers and network adapter drivers from your motherboard manufacturer's website.
Sub-heading 4.2: Run Valorant and Riot Client as Administrator
Running the game and client with administrative privileges can sometimes bypass permission issues.
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- Right-click on the Valorant shortcut on your desktop.
- Select "Run as administrator."
- You can also set this permanently: Right-click the shortcut, select "Properties," go to the "Compatibility" tab, and check "Run this program as an administrator." Do the same for the Riot Client shortcut if you have one.
Sub-heading 4.3: Disable Conflicting Background Applications
Some applications can interfere with Vanguard's operation.
- Task Manager: Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager. - Go to the "Processes" tab and look for any unnecessary applications that are running and consuming significant resources.
- Right-click on them and select "End task."
- Clean Boot: For a more thorough check, perform a clean boot to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify if a specific third-party application is causing the conflict.
- Search for "System Configuration" in the Start menu.
- Go to the "Services" tab.
- Check "Hide all Microsoft services" (this is very important).
- Click "Disable all."
- Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager."
- Disable all startup items in Task Manager.
- Close Task Manager and click "OK" in System Configuration.
- Restart your PC. If Valorant works in a clean boot, you can re-enable services and startup items one by one to find the culprit.
Sub-heading 4.4: Check for Corrupted Game Files
Game file corruption can sometimes lead to Vanguard issues.
- Repair Valorant Files:
- Open the Riot Client.
- Click on your profile icon (top right).
- Select "Settings."
- Go to the Valorant section.
- Click on "Repair." The client will scan and attempt to fix any corrupted files.
Sub-heading 4.5: Disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) / HVCI
In some cases, especially with the VAN 9005 error, Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) or Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI) can interfere with Vanguard. Disabling these can reduce security, so proceed with caution and only if other solutions fail.
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
- Check VBS Status:
- Press
Windows Key + R, typemsinfo32, and press Enter. - Look for "Virtualization-based security." If it's "Running," it's enabled.
- Press
- Disable VBS via Command Prompt (Admin):
- Search for "CMD" in the Start menu, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
- Type
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype offand press Enter. - Restart your PC.
- Disable Memory Integrity (HVCI):
- Search for "Core isolation" in the Start menu.
- Toggle "Memory integrity" off.
- Restart your PC.
Step 5: Contact Riot Games Support
If you've exhausted all the above options and Vanguard is still giving you trouble, it's time to reach out to the experts.
- Submit a Support Ticket: Visit the official Riot Games Support website for Valorant.
- Provide Details: Explain your issue thoroughly, including:
- The exact error code you're receiving (e.g., VAN 0, VAN 9003).
- All the troubleshooting steps you've already tried.
- Your system specifications (OS version, CPU, GPU, RAM).
- Any recent changes to your system (new software, hardware, Windows updates).
- Screenshots of the error message, if possible.
Riot Support is usually very helpful and can provide more personalized solutions or investigate potential server-side issues.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if Vanguard is running?
You can check if Vanguard is running by looking for the small Riot Vanguard icon (a red shield) in your Windows system tray (bottom-right corner of the taskbar). If you can't see it, it might be hidden in the "Show hidden icons" arrow.
How to manually start Riot Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard usually starts automatically when you launch Valorant or any other Riot game that requires it. If it's not starting, restarting your PC is the most effective way to trigger it. You can also try launching Valorant, which will prompt Vanguard to start.
How to stop Vanguard from running in the background?
You can temporarily stop Vanguard by right-clicking its icon in the system tray and selecting "Exit Vanguard." However, for a more permanent solution when not playing Valorant, you'd generally uninstall it (and reinstall it when you want to play again), as it's designed to run at boot.
How to fix Vanguard blocking other programs?
Vanguard is designed to be very strict to prevent cheating, and sometimes it can conflict with legitimate software. Try adding exceptions for Valorant and Vanguard in your antivirus and firewall settings. If a specific program is consistently blocked, you might need to temporarily disable it while playing Valorant or investigate compatibility fixes for that particular software.
QuickTip: Copy useful snippets to a notes app.
How to update Riot Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard updates automatically with Valorant game patches. There's no separate manual update process for Vanguard itself. Ensure your Valorant client is always up to date.
How to enable Secure Boot for Valorant?
To enable Secure Boot, you need to restart your PC and enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, Del, F10, or F12 during startup). Look for "Secure Boot" in the Boot or Security section and enable it. You might need to disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module) first. Save and exit BIOS.
How to enable TPM 2.0 for Valorant?
Similar to Secure Boot, you enable TPM 2.0 in your PC's BIOS/UEFI settings. Look for "TPM" (or variations like "Intel Platform Trust Technology (IPTT)" or "AMD CPU fTPM") in the Security or Advanced sections and enable it. Save and exit BIOS.
How to fix Valorant "This build of Vanguard is out of compliance" error?
This error often means your Windows version is outdated or Secure Boot/TPM isn't enabled. Update Windows to the latest version, and ensure Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are enabled in your BIOS/UEFI.
How to deal with Vanguard error VAN -1?
VAN -1 usually indicates an uninstall failure. The primary fix is to completely uninstall Riot Vanguard (following the steps in this guide, including deleting residual files) and then reinstall it by launching Valorant.
How to submit a Riot Games support ticket for Vanguard issues?
Go to the official Riot Games Support website (support.riotgames.com), navigate to the Valorant section, and look for the "Submit a Ticket" option. Fill out the form with as much detail as possible about your Vanguard issue, including error codes and troubleshooting steps you've attempted.
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