Of course! Here is a very lengthy and detailed guide on how to fix Vanguard tray notification issues.
Having Trouble with Your Vanguard Tray Notification? Let's Fix It!
Hello there, Valorant and League of Legends players! Are you tired of that pesky Vanguard tray notification not appearing, or worse, constantly throwing up error messages that prevent you from playing? It can be incredibly frustrating when a game's anti-cheat system interferes with your gaming experience. But don't worry, you're not alone, and we're here to help you get it sorted out.
This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through various troubleshooting methods, from the simplest fixes to more advanced solutions. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get your Vanguard tray notification working like a charm. Ready? Let's dive in!
 |
| How To Fix Vanguard Tray Notification |
Step 1: The First Check-Up - Is It Just Hiding?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's make sure the notification isn't just hiding. Windows sometimes minimizes or hides tray icons to keep your taskbar clean.
Look closely: First, check the system tray, which is the area on the right side of your taskbar. It's next to the clock and calendar.
Expand the tray: Do you see a small, upward-pointing arrow? Click on it! This will expand the hidden icons. Is the Riot Vanguard icon there? It looks like a little shield or a "V".
Check notification settings: If you don't see it, right-click on your taskbar and go to Taskbar settings. Scroll down to the Notification area and click on Select which icons appear on the taskbar. Make sure that Riot Vanguard is set to "On".
If you find it and it's simply hidden, that's an easy win! If it's not there at all, or if you're getting error messages, proceed to the next steps.
Step 2: The Basic Fixes - A Quick Restart and Re-enable
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. A fresh start can often resolve temporary glitches and conflicts.
Sub-heading 2.1: Restart the Vanguard Service
This is a great starting point. It forces Vanguard to re-initialize and can often fix notification issues.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type services.msc and hit Enter. This will open the Services window.
In the list of services, find a service named vgc. This is the Riot Vanguard service.
Right-click on 'vgc' and select Properties.
In the "General" tab, ensure that the Startup type is set to Automatic.
If the service status is "Stopped," click Start. If it's "Running," click Stop and then Start again to restart it.
Click Apply and then OK.
Now, restart your computer. This is a crucial step to ensure the changes take effect.
After the restart, check your system tray again. Has the Vanguard icon reappeared?
Tip: Break long posts into short reading sessions.
Sub-heading 2.2: End the Vanguard Process in Task Manager
If restarting the service doesn't work, let's try ending the process directly.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Go to the Details tab.
Find a process named vgc.exe or a similar Riot Vanguard process.
Right-click on the process and select End task.
Now, try launching your Riot Games client or game (Valorant, League of Legends). This should prompt Vanguard to restart itself.
Step 3: A Deeper Dive - Reinstalling Vanguard
If the basic fixes don't cut it, the Vanguard installation itself might be corrupted. Reinstalling is a surefire way to get a clean, fresh version.
Sub-heading 3.1: Uninstall Riot Vanguard
You need to uninstall Vanguard separately from the game.
Open the Start Menu and type "Add or remove programs" and press Enter.
In the list of installed apps, find Riot Vanguard.
Click on the three dots or the icon next to it and select Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm and complete the uninstallation.
Restart your computer. This is essential to fully remove all traces of Vanguard.
Sub-heading 3.2: Reinstall Vanguard
The good news is, you don't need to download anything manually.
Launch the Riot Games client or Valorant/League of Legends directly from your desktop.
The client will detect that Vanguard is missing and will prompt you to download and install it automatically.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
Once the installation is complete, you'll be asked to restart your computer one more time. This is vital for the kernel-level driver to load correctly.
After the restart, the Vanguard tray icon should be back and functional.
Step 4: Advanced Troubleshooting - System-Level Issues
Tip: Don’t just scroll — pause and absorb.
If you're still facing issues, especially with error codes like VAN 9003, 9005, or others, it's time to check your system's security settings. Vanguard is a powerful anti-cheat and requires certain Windows features to be enabled.
Sub-heading 4.1: Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 (For Windows 11)
This is a very common cause of Vanguard errors, particularly on Windows 11.
Check if you have Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled:
Press Windows key + R, type
tpm.mscand hit Enter. Check if TPM is enabled.Press Windows key + R, type
msinfo32and hit Enter. In the System Summary, look for Secure Boot State. It should say "On."
If they are not enabled, you need to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings.
Restart your computer.
As it boots up, press the key to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings. This is usually F2, F10, F12, or Del. The key can vary based on your motherboard manufacturer (e.g., ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, etc.).
Navigate to the Security or Boot section in your BIOS.
Find 'Secure Boot': Enable this option.
Find 'TPM' or 'PTT': Enable this option. On Intel systems, it might be called "Intel Platform Trust Technology" (PTT). On AMD systems, it might be called "fTPM".
Disable CSM: In some cases, you might need to disable the "Compatibility Support Module" (CSM) to enable Secure Boot.
Save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your computer will restart.
Note: The BIOS menu can look very different depending on your motherboard. If you're unsure, consult your motherboard's manual or look up a guide for your specific model.
Step 5: Last Resort - Repairing Game Files and Windows Updates
If none of the above has worked, there might be a deeper issue with your game files or even your operating system.
Sub-heading 5.1: Repair Game Files
The Riot Client has a built-in repair tool.
Launch the Riot Client.
Click on your profile icon in the top right corner and go to Settings.
Select the game you're having issues with (e.g., Valorant).
Click the Repair button.
Let the client scan and repair any corrupted files.
Sub-heading 5.2: Check for Windows Updates
An outdated operating system can lead to compatibility issues.
Open the Start Menu and go to Settings.
Click on Update & Security or Windows Update.
Click on Check for updates and install any available updates.
Restart your PC after the update is complete.
Tip: Every word counts — don’t skip too much.
10 Related FAQs
How to make sure Vanguard is running in the background?
You can check your system tray for the Vanguard icon. If it's not visible, check the hidden icons by clicking the up arrow. You can also open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the "Details" tab, and look for vgc.exe.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard completely?
Go to "Add or remove programs" in Windows settings, find "Riot Vanguard," and click uninstall. After the uninstallation is complete, it's crucial to restart your PC to finish the process.
How to disable Vanguard temporarily?
Right-click on the Vanguard icon in your system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." Remember, you will need to restart your computer to re-enable it and play Vanguard-protected games.
How to fix the "This build of Vanguard is out of compliance" error?
This error often indicates that your system's security settings, like Secure Boot or TPM 2.0, are not enabled. The solution is to go into your BIOS/UEFI settings and enable them.
How to run Valorant and Vanguard as an administrator?
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
Right-click on the game's shortcut or executable file, go to "Properties," navigate to the "Compatibility" tab, and check the box for "Run this program as an administrator." Click "Apply" and "OK."
How to find the Vanguard log files for troubleshooting?
Vanguard logs are typically located in C:\ProgramData\Riot Games\Riot Vanguard\Logs. You can access this folder to find detailed information about any errors that might be occurring.
How to prevent Vanguard from starting with Windows?
Vanguard is designed to start with your computer as it's a kernel-mode driver. It needs to be running to play games like Valorant. You can't prevent it from starting if you want to play. You can only exit it from the system tray, which requires a restart to re-enable.
How to fix Vanguard crashing issues?
Common fixes include restarting the vgc service, reinstalling Vanguard, and ensuring your Windows and graphics drivers are up to date. Conflicts with other software can also cause crashes.
How to contact Riot Games support for Vanguard issues?
If all else fails, the best course of action is to submit a support ticket to Riot Games. You can find their support page on the official Riot Games website. Provide as much detail as possible, including error codes and the steps you've already tried.
How to update Vanguard manually?
Vanguard updates automatically with the Riot Games client and game updates. You don't need to update it manually. If there's an update available, the client will prompt you to install it when you launch the game.
 |
