How to Fix the "Vanguard Requires UEFI Secure Boot" Error: A Complete Guide
Hey there, fellow gamer! Have you ever been so excited to jump into a game of Valorant, only to be stopped dead in your tracks by that dreaded error message: "Vanguard requires UEFI secure boot"? It's a frustrating roadblock, but don't worry, you're not alone. This is a common issue for many PC gamers, and the good news is, it's completely fixable.
In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to do to enable Secure Boot on your system and get back to the action. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get started!
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| How To Fix Vanguard Requires Uefi Secure Boot |
Step 1: Understand the 'Why' - What is Secure Boot Anyway?
Before we dive into the technical steps, let's understand why this is happening. Secure Boot is a security standard developed by Microsoft to help protect your PC from malicious software (malware) during the boot-up process. It's designed to ensure that only trusted software—signed by the manufacturer of your computer and the operating system—can run during startup.
So, why does Vanguard care? Riot Games' anti-cheat system, Vanguard, requires Secure Boot to be enabled to create a more secure and trusted environment for competitive play. By ensuring that your system is protected from certain types of malware that could be used for cheating, Vanguard helps maintain a fair and level playing field for everyone.
Important Note: Before you begin, make sure your operating system is Windows 11. Windows 11 has a stricter requirement for Secure Boot compared to Windows 10. While you can enable Secure Boot on Windows 10, it's a mandatory requirement for Windows 11.
Step 2: Check Your System Status
The very first thing you need to do is confirm whether Secure Boot is already enabled or not. This will help you determine the next steps.
Sub-heading: Using System Information
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
msinfo32and press Enter. This will open the System Information window.In the left pane, navigate to System Summary.
Look for two entries in the right pane:
BIOS Mode: This should be UEFI. If it says "Legacy," you'll need to convert your disk to GPT, which we'll cover in a later step.
Secure Boot State: This should be On. If it says "Off" or "Unsupported," you need to enable it in your BIOS.
If your BIOS Mode is "Legacy" and Secure Boot State is "Unsupported," don't panic! You've just identified the core issue. Proceed to Step 3.
If your BIOS Mode is "UEFI" and Secure Boot State is "Off," you can skip Step 3 and proceed directly to Step 4.
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
Step 3: Convert Your Disk to GPT (If Needed)
If your BIOS Mode is "Legacy," it means your system is using the Master Boot Record (MBR) partition style. Modern systems, and particularly those that use UEFI and Secure Boot, require the GUID Partition Table (GPT) style. We need to convert your disk from MBR to GPT.
Warning: Back up your data before proceeding with this step! While the mbr2gpt tool is generally safe, any operation that modifies a disk can be risky. Better safe than sorry.
Sub-heading: Using the MBR2GPT Tool
Open the Start Menu and search for Command Prompt.
Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, type
mbr2gpt /validateand press Enter. This command will check if your disk is compatible with the conversion. If it says "Validation successful," you're good to go.Now, type
mbr2gpt /convertand press Enter. The conversion process will begin. It might take a few moments.Once the conversion is complete, you will see a success message. Do not close the Command Prompt yet.
Now, you need to change your BIOS from Legacy to UEFI.
Step 4: Enter the BIOS/UEFI Firmware
This is where things can vary slightly depending on your motherboard manufacturer. The process of entering the BIOS is different for every brand.
Sub-heading: Common Ways to Access BIOS
Restart your PC.
As your PC boots up, you need to press a specific key repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup. This key is typically displayed on the screen during the boot process.
Common keys include: F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc.
For ASUS, it's often Del or F2.
For Gigabyte, it's often Del.
For Dell, it's often F2.
For HP, it's often Esc or F10.
For MSI, it's often Del.
If you miss the window, simply restart and try again.
Step 5: Enable Secure Boot
QuickTip: Read section by section for better flow.
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Once you're in the BIOS/UEFI interface, you need to find the Secure Boot setting. Again, the location of this setting can vary.
Sub-heading: Finding the Secure Boot Option
Navigate through the BIOS menus. Look for a section related to Boot, Security, or Authentication.
In this section, you'll likely find a setting called Secure Boot.
It's often set to Disabled by default. Use your keyboard to select the option and change it to Enabled.
You may also need to change the OS Type or Boot Mode from "Legacy" or "CSM" (Compatibility Support Module) to "UEFI" or "Windows UEFI".
After enabling Secure Boot, you might be prompted to Save and Exit the BIOS. Make sure you do so.
A quick tip: Some motherboards may require you to "restore" or "load" the default "Secure Boot keys" or "factory keys" before you can enable the setting. Look for an option like "Restore Factory Keys" or "Install Default Secure Boot Keys."
Step 6: Confirm and Play!
Your computer will now restart. It might take a little longer than usual as it configures the new settings. Once you're back in Windows, follow the steps in Step 2 to check your System Information again.
This time, you should see:
BIOS Mode: UEFI
Secure Boot State: On
Congratulations! You have successfully enabled Secure Boot. Now, try launching Valorant. Vanguard should be happy, and you'll be able to jump into the game without any issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Check if My PC Supports UEFI?
You can check your PC's BIOS mode in the System Information window (msinfo32). If it says "UEFI" under "BIOS Mode," your system supports it. Most modern motherboards manufactured in the last decade do.
Tip: Reading on mobile? Zoom in for better comfort.
How to Back Up My Data Before Converting MBR to GPT?
You can back up your data to an external hard drive, a cloud storage service like Google Drive or OneDrive, or a network-attached storage (NAS) device. Simply copy your important files and folders to the backup location.
How to Convert MBR to GPT Without Losing Data?
The mbr2gpt tool is designed to convert a disk from MBR to GPT without losing data. However, as a precaution, it is always recommended to back up your data before performing any disk operations.
How to Access BIOS on My Motherboard?
The key to access the BIOS varies by manufacturer. Common keys are F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc. You need to press this key repeatedly as your PC boots up.
How to Find Secure Boot in BIOS?
Look for the Secure Boot option in the Boot, Security, or Authentication sections of your BIOS/UEFI settings.
How to Change BIOS Mode from Legacy to UEFI?
Reminder: Reading twice often makes things clearer.
In your BIOS, look for a setting called "Boot Mode" or "OS Type". Change it from "Legacy" or "CSM" to "UEFI" or "Windows UEFI."
How to Get Back to Legacy BIOS if Something Goes Wrong?
If you encounter issues, you can re-enter your BIOS and change the Boot Mode back to "Legacy" or "CSM." This will allow your system to boot again if you haven't converted your disk to GPT. If you have converted, you will need to reinstall Windows in Legacy mode.
How to Fix the "Secure Boot Is Not Enabled on This Machine" Error?
This error means you need to enable Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Follow the steps in this guide to enable it.
How to Reinstall Windows in UEFI Mode?
To reinstall Windows in UEFI mode, you need to boot the Windows installation media in UEFI mode. When you see the boot menu, select the option that has "UEFI" or "EFI" in the name of your USB drive or disc. Then, during the installation, make sure you install it on a GPT-partitioned disk.
How to Check My Windows 11 Secure Boot State After Enabling It?
Follow the steps in Step 2 of this guide. Open System Information (msinfo32) and check the "Secure Boot State" entry. It should now say "On".
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