Feeling the sting of that "Vanguard TPM 2.0" error when all you want to do is hop into a game of League of Legends? You're not alone! This issue has been a headache for many players, especially those on Windows 11. But don't worry, we're going to tackle this head-on, step by step, and get you back into the Rift in no time.
First things first, let's understand why this is happening. Riot Games introduced Vanguard, their anti-cheat system, to ensure fair play in League of Legends. For Windows 11 users, Vanguard often requires your system to have Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled. These are security features designed to protect your system from malicious software. If they're not active, Vanguard sees your system as less secure, and boom – error message.
Ready to fix it? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Are You Even Affected? (And a Quick Check!)
Before we start tinkering with your PC's inner workings, let's confirm if TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are indeed the culprits.
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Engage with me! Have you seen a specific error code like VAN9001 or VAN1067? These are strong indicators that TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is the issue. If you're seeing something else, this guide might still help, but it's worth checking Riot's official support for your specific error code.
- Sub-heading: How to Check Your Current TPM Status
- Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog box. - Type
tpm.mscand press Enter. - A "TPM Management on Local Computer" window will appear. Look at the "Status" section.
- If it says "The TPM is ready for use" and the "Specification Version" is "2.0", then your TPM is already enabled and at the correct version.
- If it says "Compatible TPM cannot be found" or the version is lower than 2.0, you likely need to enable it or your hardware doesn't support it (though most modern PCs do).
- Sub-heading: How to Check Your Secure Boot State
- Press
Windows Key + Ragain. - Type
msinfo32and press Enter. This opens System Information. - In the System Information window, look for "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode."
- If "Secure Boot State" says "On" and "BIOS Mode" says "UEFI", then Secure Boot is enabled, and your system is in the correct mode.
- If "Secure Boot State" says "Off" or "BIOS Mode" says "Legacy", you'll need to make some adjustments.
- Press
- Press
- Sub-heading: How to Check Your Current TPM Status
If you've confirmed that either TPM 2.0 is not ready or Secure Boot is off, then proceed to the next steps!
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
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| How To Fix Vanguard Tpm 2.0 League Of Legends |
Step 2: Entering the BIOS/UEFI - The Digital Control Center
This is where things get a bit more technical, but don't panic. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is like your computer's brain. It controls how your hardware functions at a very fundamental level. We need to access it to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
- Sub-heading: Finding Your BIOS Hotkey
- To enter the BIOS, you need to restart your computer and press a specific key repeatedly during the boot-up process. This key varies depending on your computer's manufacturer (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, ASUS, Acer) and sometimes even the specific model.
- Common hotkeys include:
F2,Del,F10,F12, orEsc. - Pro Tip: As your computer starts, you might see a message on the screen briefly indicating which key to press, like "Press DEL to enter Setup" or "Press F2 for BIOS." If not, a quick online search for "[Your PC Manufacturer] BIOS key" (e.g., "Dell XPS BIOS key") will usually give you the answer.
- Sub-heading: The Reboot and Spam Method
- Save all your work and close all applications. You'll be restarting your computer.
- Restart your PC.
- As soon as the screen goes black and before your operating system starts to load, start repeatedly pressing the BIOS hotkey you identified. Don't just press it once; spam it like you're trying to win a mini-game! This ensures you hit the right moment to interrupt the boot process and enter the BIOS.
- If successful, you'll be greeted by a different screen, often with a blue, gray, or graphical interface, and various menu options. This is your BIOS/UEFI setup.
Step 3: Enabling TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)
Once you're in the BIOS/UEFI, the exact location and naming of settings can vary significantly between manufacturers. However, the general idea is the same. You're looking for something related to "Security" or "Trusted Computing."
- Sub-heading: Navigating the BIOS
- Key Navigation: In most BIOS environments, your mouse might not work. You'll typically use your arrow keys to navigate between tabs and options,
Enterto select, andEscto go back. - Common Tab Locations:
- Look for tabs like "Security," "Advanced," "Boot," or "Settings."
- Key Navigation: In most BIOS environments, your mouse might not work. You'll typically use your arrow keys to navigate between tabs and options,
- Sub-heading: Locating and Activating TPM
- Within these tabs, search for an option related to TPM. It might be labeled as:
- TPM
- Trusted Platform Module
- Security Device
- Security Device Support
- PTT (Platform Trust Technology) - This is Intel's implementation of TPM.
- fTPM (Firmware TPM) or AMD PSP fTPM - This is AMD's implementation of TPM.
- Once you find it, select it and change its status to "Enabled" or "On."
- Important Note: Some motherboards might have an additional setting under "Trusted Computing" called "Security Device Support" that needs to be enabled before the main TPM option becomes active or visible. Make sure to check for this if you can't find TPM directly.
- Within these tabs, search for an option related to TPM. It might be labeled as:
Step 4: Enabling Secure Boot
After enabling TPM, the next crucial step is to enable Secure Boot. This feature ensures that only digitally signed and trusted software can load during the boot process, which Vanguard requires.
- Sub-heading: Finding Secure Boot Options
- Navigate to the "Boot" tab or sometimes the "Security" tab in your BIOS.
- Look for an option called "Secure Boot."
- Sub-heading: Setting Up Secure Boot
- Select "Secure Boot" and set it to "Enabled."
- Crucial Check: BIOS Mode (UEFI)
- Secure Boot requires your system's BIOS Mode to be set to UEFI. If your "BIOS Mode" (which you checked in Step 1) was "Legacy," you might need to convert your operating system drive from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table) to enable UEFI. This is a more advanced step and can be complex.
- If your BIOS Mode is already UEFI, you're good to go!
- If your BIOS Mode is Legacy and you don't see an easy option to switch to UEFI without data loss, you might need to consider a Windows reinstallation or consult a professional. However, many modern systems allow you to simply switch to UEFI mode without issue. Look for a "Boot Mode" or "OS Type" setting and change it to "UEFI."
- Disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module): In some BIOS settings, you might need to disable "CSM" (Compatibility Support Module) under the "Boot" section to properly enable Secure Boot. If you encounter issues, look for this setting and disable it.
Step 5: Save Changes and Exit BIOS
You've made the necessary changes! Now it's time to apply them.
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
- Sub-heading: Saving Your Configuration
- Look for an "Exit" tab or option in the BIOS menu.
- Within the "Exit" options, you should see something like "Save Changes and Exit," "Save & Exit Setup," or simply "Exit Saving Changes."
- Select this option. You'll likely be prompted to confirm your decision. Confirm to save and exit.
- Your computer will now restart.
Step 6: Verifying the Fix
Once your computer reboots into Windows, it's a good idea to double-check that your changes stuck.
- Sub-heading: Re-checking TPM and Secure Boot Status
- Repeat the checks from Step 1:
- Open
tpm.mscand verify that the TPM status is "The TPM is ready for use" with "Specification Version: 2.0." - Open
msinfo32and verify that "Secure Boot State" is "On" and "BIOS Mode" is "UEFI."
- Open
- Repeat the checks from Step 1:
If both checks pass, congratulations! You've successfully enabled TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
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Step 7: Launch League of Legends!
Now for the moment of truth.
- Launch your League of Legends client.
- Vanguard should now be able to initialize properly, and you should be able to log in and play without the TPM 2.0 error.
Troubleshooting Tips if the Issue Persists:
- Restart Your PC Again: Sometimes a second reboot can help Vanguard fully recognize the changes.
- Update Your BIOS/UEFI Firmware: An outdated BIOS can sometimes cause compatibility issues. Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for the latest firmware updates. Be extremely careful when updating BIOS, as a power interruption or incorrect procedure can brick your motherboard.
- Reinstall Riot Vanguard and League of Legends: As a last resort, if you've enabled everything correctly and still face issues, try uninstalling both League of Legends and Riot Vanguard (Vanguard can usually be uninstalled from Add or Remove Programs) and then performing a fresh reinstallation.
- Contact Riot Support: If all else fails, Riot Games' support team is there to help. Provide them with detailed information about the error and the steps you've already taken.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my PC supports TPM 2.0?
You can check by pressing Windows Key + R, typing tpm.msc, and looking at the "Specification Version." If it shows "2.0," your PC supports it. If it says "Compatible TPM cannot be found," your hardware might not have it.
QuickTip: Pay close attention to transitions.
How to enable TPM 2.0 if I can't find it in my BIOS?
The setting might be under a different name like "PTT" (Intel systems) or "fTPM" (AMD systems), or located in a less obvious "Security" or "Advanced" sub-menu. Consult your motherboard or PC manufacturer's manual for precise instructions.
How to convert my disk from MBR to GPT for Secure Boot?
This typically involves using the MBR2GPT tool in Windows, but it's critical to back up your data first, as data loss is possible. It's a more advanced step, and often, you can find guides specific to your Windows version online.
How to update my BIOS/UEFI firmware?
Visit your motherboard or PC manufacturer's official support website, locate your specific model, and download the latest BIOS/UEFI firmware. Follow their instructions very carefully, as this process can be risky.
How to tell if my Windows 11 installation is healthy?
You can run system file checks. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type sfc /scannow and press Enter. After that, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
Tip: Don’t skip — flow matters.
How to deal with other Vanguard error codes for League of Legends?
Riot Games has an official support page with a list of Vanguard error codes and their solutions. Common fixes include restarting the client, rebooting your PC, or reinstalling Vanguard.
How to prevent Vanguard from causing issues in the future?
Keep your Windows operating system updated, ensure your drivers (especially chipset drivers) are current, and avoid using any unauthorized third-party software that might interfere with anti-cheat systems.
How to know if Vanguard is running in the background?
You should see a Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock). You can right-click it to exit Vanguard if needed (though you can't play Riot games without it running).
How to disable Vanguard if I no longer play League of Legends?
You can uninstall Riot Vanguard just like any other program from "Add or Remove Programs" in Windows Settings.
How to ensure my gaming PC is optimized for League of Legends after fixing this issue?
Beyond TPM and Secure Boot, ensure your graphics drivers are up to date, close unnecessary background applications, set League of Legends to high priority in Task Manager, and consider optimizing your in-game settings for performance.
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