Of course! It can be incredibly frustrating when a background service like Vanguard User Mode Service starts hogging your CPU, causing lag, stuttering, and an overall poor gaming experience. But don't worry, you're not alone, and there are several proven methods to tackle this issue. Let's dive in and get your system running smoothly again.
Step 1: Let's Get to Know the Culprit!
Before we start tinkering with settings, let's confirm that Vanguard User Mode Service is indeed the problem. Are you noticing your computer slowing down and your fans spinning up while playing Valorant or even after you've closed the game? If you answered yes, then this guide is for you.
Open your Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting "Task Manager." Navigate to the "Details" tab. Look for a process called "vgc.exe" or something similar. Is its CPU usage consistently high, like 15%, 30%, or even more, even when you're not actively in a game? If so, you've found the source of your troubles. Now, let's fix it!
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| How To Fix Vanguard User Mode Service High Cpu |
Step 2: The Quick and Easy Fixes
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Try these quick steps first to see if they solve your problem without any major changes.
Sub-heading: Restarting the Services
This is like giving the service a fresh start.
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type services.msc and press Enter. This will open the Services window.
Scroll down until you find the service named "vgc" or "Vanguard User Mode Service".
Right-click on the service and select Stop.
Wait for a few seconds, then right-click on it again and select Start.
Close the Services window and check your Task Manager again to see if the CPU usage has dropped.
Sub-heading: Setting a Lower Process Priority
This tells your computer to prioritize other processes over Vanguard.
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Navigate to the Details tab.
Find the process named "vgc.exe".
Right-click on it, go to Set priority, and select Low.
Click on "Change priority" in the pop-up window to confirm.
Keep in mind that this is a temporary fix and you'll need to do it every time you restart your computer.
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
Step 3: The Deeper Dive - More Effective Solutions
If the quick fixes didn't work, it's time to try some more robust solutions.
Sub-heading: Update, Update, Update!
An outdated Vanguard client can often be the culprit. Riot Games frequently releases updates to fix bugs and improve performance.
Check for Valorant and Vanguard updates. Launch the Valorant game client. It should automatically check for and download any available updates.
Update your graphics drivers. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of conflicts. Go to the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your specific card.
Update Windows. Make sure your operating system is up to date. Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.
Sub-heading: The Reinstallation Method
Sometimes, a fresh installation is the only way to fix corrupted files.
Uninstall Vanguard. The easiest way to do this is to find the Vanguard icon in your system tray (bottom right of your screen, near the clock). Right-click it and select "Uninstall Vanguard." Follow the on-screen prompts.
Uninstall Valorant. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find "VALORANT" in the list, click on the three dots, and select "Uninstall."
Restart your computer. This is a crucial step to clear any residual files.
Reinstall Valorant. Download the game from the official Riot Games website. When you launch the client, it will automatically download and install Vanguard as well.
Sub-heading: Check for Conflicting Software
Certain programs, especially those with overlays or system monitoring tools, can clash with Vanguard and cause high CPU usage.
Disable third-party overlays. Overlays from programs like Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, or MSI Afterburner can interfere. Go into the settings of these applications and disable their in-game overlays.
Temporarily disable your antivirus. Some overzealous antivirus software can flag Vanguard as a threat and constantly scan it, leading to high CPU usage. Temporarily disable your antivirus and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you'll need to add the Riot Vanguard folder to your antivirus's exclusion list. The default location is typically
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.
Step 4: Advanced Tweaks for a Powerful Punch
QuickTip: Look for lists — they simplify complex points.
If you're still facing issues, it's time to try some more advanced settings.
Sub-heading: Changing Processor Affinity
This tells Vanguard to only use a certain number of CPU cores, freeing up others for your game and system.
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Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Go to the Details tab.
Find vgc.exe.
Right-click on it and select Set affinity.
In the pop-up window, you'll see a list of your CPU cores. Uncheck some of the boxes to limit the cores Vanguard can use. For example, if you have a 6-core processor, you could uncheck cores 4 and 5 to dedicate them to other tasks.
Click OK.
Sub-heading: Disabling Fast Startup
Fast startup can sometimes cause issues with services like Vanguard.
Open the Control Panel.
Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
On the left-hand side, click on "Choose what the power buttons do".
Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable".
Uncheck the box next to "Turn on fast startup (recommended)".
Click on "Save changes".
Step 5: The Final Stand
If you've tried everything above and the problem persists, it's time to reach out for help.
Contact Riot Games Support. They have dedicated support teams that can provide specific troubleshooting steps and may be aware of new bugs affecting Vanguard. Provide them with as much detail as possible, including your system specs and the steps you've already taken.
Consider a system-wide check. High CPU usage can sometimes be a symptom of a larger problem, such as malware or a hardware issue. Run a full system scan with a reliable antivirus and antimalware program.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check which process is causing high CPU usage?
Tip: Don’t rush — enjoy the read.
You can use the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and go to the "Processes" or "Details" tab to see a list of running processes and their resource usage.
How to update Riot Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard is automatically updated with the Valorant game client. Just launch the game, and it will check for updates.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
You can right-click the Vanguard icon in your system tray and select "Uninstall Vanguard," or you can uninstall it from the "Apps & features" section in Windows Settings.
How to change the priority of a process in Task Manager?
In the Task Manager's "Details" tab, right-click on the process, go to "Set priority," and choose a different priority level.
How to add a program to an antivirus exclusion list?
Open your antivirus software's settings, find the "Exclusions" or "Whitelist" section, and add the folder path of the program you want to exclude.
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
How to check for Windows updates?
Go to Settings > Windows Update and click on "Check for updates."
How to open the Services window in Windows?
Press the Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
How to disable third-party overlays?
Go into the settings of the specific application (e.g., Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience) and look for an option to disable the in-game overlay.
How to limit the CPU cores a process can use?
In the Task Manager's "Details" tab, right-click on the process, select "Set affinity," and uncheck the CPU cores you don't want it to use.
How to contact Riot Games Support?
Visit the official Riot Games support website, log in to your account, and submit a ticket with a detailed description of your issue.
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