Oh, experiencing the dreaded "Vanguard not initialized" error in Valorant? It's incredibly frustrating when you're all set for a match and this message pops up, stopping you dead in your tracks. Don't worry, you're not alone, and this is a common issue with Riot's anti-cheat system. Let's work through this step-by-step and get you back into the game!
Step 1: The First and Easiest Fix - A Simple Restart
Before we dive into more technical solutions, let's try the classic fix. It might seem too simple, but you'd be surprised how often a clean restart resolves these kinds of issues.
"Have you tried turning it off and on again?"
Yes, really! This often clears up temporary glitches and ensures all necessary services, including Vanguard, start up correctly.
Completely close Valorant and the Riot Client. Make sure they aren't running in the background. You can check the system tray in the bottom right corner of your taskbar.
Restart your computer. Don't just log off and back on; perform a full shutdown and then power it back on.
Launch Valorant again. See if the error persists. If it's gone, great! If not, move on to the next step.
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| How To Fix Vanguard Not Initialized Valorant |
Step 2: Checking the VGC Service
Vanguard has a core service called "vgc" that needs to be running automatically for the anti-cheat to initialize properly. If this service is stopped or set to manual, you'll encounter the error.
Sub-heading: Make sure the VGC service is set to 'Automatic'
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
services.mscand press Enter. This will open the Services window.In the list of services, scroll down and find
vgc.Right-click on
vgcand select Properties.In the "General" tab, look for "Startup type." If it's anything other than
Automatic, change it to Automatic.Under "Service status," check if the service is running. If it's not, click the Start button.
Click Apply and then OK.
Restart your computer again. This is crucial for the changes to take effect. After the restart, try launching Valorant.
Step 3: Reinstalling Riot Vanguard
QuickTip: Don’t skim too fast — depth matters.
Sometimes, the Vanguard installation itself can become corrupted. A clean reinstall can fix corrupted files and ensure a fresh, proper installation.
Sub-heading: A fresh start for the anti-cheat
Open the Control Panel. You can find it by searching in the Windows search bar.
Go to "Programs" and then "Programs and Features" or "Add or remove programs".
In the list of installed programs, find
Riot Vanguard.Right-click on it and select
Uninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.Restart your computer. This step is very important to remove all traces of the old installation.
Launch Valorant. The Riot Client will detect that Vanguard is missing and automatically prompt you to reinstall it.
Follow the instructions to reinstall Vanguard.
Once the installation is complete, the client will likely ask you to restart your PC again. Do it! After the restart, launch Valorant and see if the issue is resolved.
Step 4: Checking for Windows and Driver Updates
An outdated Windows version or graphics driver can cause compatibility issues with Vanguard. Riot Games frequently updates Vanguard to work with the latest versions of Windows, and if your system is behind, it can cause conflicts.
Sub-heading: Keeping your system in sync
Check for Windows Updates:
Go to Settings (Windows key + I).
Navigate to "Update & Security" or "Windows Update."
Click on
Check for updatesand install any pending updates.Restart your PC if prompted.
Update your Graphics Drivers:
Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
Download and install the latest drivers for your specific graphics card model.
A clean installation is recommended to avoid any leftover corrupted files.
Run Valorant as an Administrator:
Right-click on your Valorant shortcut.
Select
Run as administrator.You can also set this as a permanent option by going to
Properties>Compatibilitytab and checking the box for "Run this program as an administrator."
Step 5: Addressing Third-Party Software and Secure Boot
In some cases, other programs on your computer can interfere with Vanguard's function. This is especially true for overlays, like Discord Overlay, or certain security software.
QuickTip: Reading regularly builds stronger recall.
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Sub-heading: Clearing up conflicts
Temporarily Disable Overlays and Third-Party Software:
If you're using Discord, GeForce Experience, or any other program with an in-game overlay, try disabling it.
For Discord, go to
User Settings>Game Overlayand toggle off "Enable in-game overlay."
Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall:
Some overly aggressive antivirus or firewall software can mistakenly flag Vanguard as a threat.
Temporarily disable your third-party antivirus program (like Avast, Norton, etc.) and try launching Valorant. If it works, you may need to add Vanguard and Valorant to your antivirus's exclusion or whitelist.
Check Secure Boot and TPM:
This is particularly relevant for Windows 11 users. Vanguard requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled.
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. The key to enter BIOS varies by manufacturer (it's often F2, F10, F12, or Del).
Look for settings related to "Secure Boot" and "Trusted Platform Module (TPM)."
Ensure they are
Enabled.Save the changes and exit BIOS.
Step 6: The Final Resort - Reinstalling Valorant
If you've tried everything above and the error persists, a complete reinstall of the game might be necessary. This will ensure all game files are fresh and properly installed.
Open the Control Panel.
Go to "Programs and Features."
Find
VALORANTandRiot Vanguardin the list and uninstall both of them.Restart your computer.
Manually delete any leftover Valorant and Riot Games files. Check the
C:\Riot Gamesfolder andC:\Program Files\Riot Vanguardand delete them if they still exist.Download the game installer from the official Valorant website.
Run the installer and install the game in a fresh location if possible.
Launch the game. It will automatically install Vanguard.
FAQ: How to Fix Vanguard Not Initialized Valorant
How to check if Vanguard is running?
You can check the system tray in the bottom right corner of your taskbar for the Riot Vanguard icon. You can also open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and look for Riot Vanguard or vgc under the "Processes" or "Details" tab.
How to make sure the VGC service starts automatically?
Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, find vgc in the list, right-click and go to properties, and set the "Startup type" to "Automatic."
Tip: Keep your attention on the main thread.
How to fix Vanguard not initializing after a Windows update?
After a Windows update, the first step is to restart your PC. If that doesn't work, try reinstalling Vanguard (Step 3) and checking your VGC service (Step 2). Updates can sometimes interfere with system services.
How to run Valorant as an administrator?
Right-click on the Valorant shortcut and select "Run as administrator." You can also make this permanent by going to the shortcut's Properties > Compatibility tab and checking "Run this program as an administrator."
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, and click "Uninstall."
How to re-enable Secure Boot?
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (the key varies, often F2, F10, F12, or Del). In the BIOS, find the "Secure Boot" option, usually under a "Security" or "Boot" tab, and set it to "Enabled."
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
How to check for outdated drivers?
You can use the Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager") to check for driver updates, or visit your hardware manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, etc.) for the latest drivers.
How to repair Valorant game files?
Open the Riot Client, click on your profile icon in the top-right corner, go to "Settings," find Valorant, and click the "Repair" button.
How to fix Valorant error code VAN 1067?
VAN 1067 is often related to TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Ensure both are enabled in your BIOS. If you're on Windows 11, this is a common requirement. Restarting the VGC service and reinstalling Vanguard can also help.
How to fix conflicts with other software?
Temporarily disable any third-party overlays, like Discord's in-game overlay, and security software like antivirus or firewalls. If the game launches, you've found the conflict, and you can add Valorant and Vanguard to the software's exclusion list.
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