How to Access and Understand the Vanguard Notification Center: A Comprehensive Guide
Hey there, Valorant players! Are you seeing a message about Vanguard and a "notification center in the tray" but have no idea where to find it? You're not alone. This is a common issue for many players, especially those on Windows 11 who are dealing with new system requirements. Let's dive in and figure out exactly what the Vanguard Notification Center is, how to get to it, and what to do once you're there. Ready to get your game back on track? Let's go!
Step 1: Locate the Vanguard Icon in Your System Tray
The first and most crucial step is to find the Vanguard icon. This isn't a shortcut on your desktop or a program in your Start menu. It lives in a special part of your Windows taskbar called the system tray.
Look at the bottom-right corner of your screen, near the clock and date.
You'll likely see a small arrow pointing up, which is the "show hidden icons" button. Click on it.
This will pop up a small window with various icons for background applications.
Look for the red shield icon with a white "V" on it. This is the Riot Vanguard icon.
If you don't see the icon, don't panic! It might be hidden.
Sub-heading: If you can't see the Vanguard icon, make it visible:
Sometimes, Windows decides to hide icons it thinks you don't need to see all the time.
Right-click on your taskbar and select "Taskbar settings."
Scroll down to the "Taskbar corner overflow" section.
Find the entry for "Riot Vanguard" or "Vanguard tray notification" and toggle the switch to "On."
Now, the red shield icon should always be visible in your system tray.
Step 2: Access the Notification Center
Once you have located the Vanguard shield icon, you're just a click away from the notification center.
Right-click on the Vanguard shield icon in your system tray.
A small menu will appear.
This menu is essentially the "notification center." It will display any important messages or alerts from Vanguard.
Look for a message that says something like, "This version of Vanguard requires UEFI secure boot to be enabled in order to play." or "This version of Vanguard requires TPM version 2.0 to be enabled in order to play."
This is where Vanguard tells you exactly what's wrong with your system configuration that is preventing you from playing Valorant.
Step 3: Understand the Vanguard Notifications
The notifications in the Vanguard tray are not just for show; they are critical alerts that tell you what you need to fix. These messages are often related to security settings on your computer, particularly in the BIOS/UEFI.
Secure Boot: This is a security feature that helps prevent malicious software from loading when your computer starts up. Many modern games, including Valorant, require it to be enabled. The notification will tell you if it's not.
TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): This is a hardware-based security component that provides a secure environment for cryptographic keys. Windows 11 and games like Valorant often require it to be enabled.
Sub-heading: What do these notifications mean for you?
Essentially, Vanguard is saying: "Your system's security settings aren't up to our standards to play a fair game, so you need to fix them before you can play." This is for your own protection and to prevent cheating. The good news is, these are things you can fix!
Step 4: Take Action Based on the Notification
This is where the real work begins. The next steps depend entirely on the message you saw in the notification center.
If the notification is about Secure Boot:
You need to enable Secure Boot in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. This is a bit more advanced, but don't worry, we'll walk you through it.
Restart your PC.
As it's booting up, you need to press a specific key to enter the BIOS/UEFI. This key is different for every motherboard manufacturer. Common keys are F2, F10, F12, or Delete. You'll usually see a message on the screen saying "Press [Key] to enter Setup."
Once in the BIOS/UEFI, navigate to the "Boot" or "Security" section.
Look for an option called "Secure Boot."
If it's disabled, enable it.
You may also need to change your BIOS mode from "Legacy" or "CSM" to "UEFI".
Save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your computer will then restart.
If the notification is about TPM 2.0:
You need to enable TPM 2.0 in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings.
Follow the same steps as above to enter your BIOS/UEFI.
Look for a section related to "Security," "Advanced," or "PCH-FW Configuration."
Find an option like "Trusted Computing," "TPM Device Selection," or "PTT (Platform Trust Technology)" (for Intel CPUs). For AMD, it might be called "AMD fTPM switch."
Enable this setting.
Save and exit the BIOS.
Step 5: Verify and Launch the Game
After making the necessary changes in your BIOS/UEFI and restarting your computer, you should re-check the Vanguard notification center.
Wait for your computer to boot up fully.
Check the system tray for the Vanguard icon.
If you still see a notification, it might be a different issue, or you might need to try the steps again.
If there is no notification from Vanguard, or the message has disappeared, you're good to go!
Launch Valorant and you should be able to play without any issues.
Congratulations! You have successfully navigated the complexities of system security settings and the Vanguard Notification Center to get back to playing. This process can be a bit intimidating at first, but following these steps makes it manageable.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Vanguard and its notification center.
How to check if my computer has TPM 2.0?
You can check by pressing the Windows Key + R, typing tpm.msc, and hitting Enter. The window that appears will tell you the status of your TPM and its version.
How to find my motherboard's BIOS key? The key to enter BIOS/UEFI is displayed on the screen during the initial boot-up process. It is often F2, F10, F12, or Delete. If you miss it, you can search online for your motherboard's model and "BIOS key."
How to check if Secure Boot is enabled?
Press the Windows Key + R, type msinfo32, and hit Enter. In the System Information window, look for "Secure Boot State." It will say "On" or "Off."
How to know if Vanguard is running? Look for the red shield icon in your system tray. If it's there, Vanguard is active. You can also check in the Task Manager under the "Services" tab for "vgc."
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard? You can uninstall it from the "Add or remove programs" section in Windows settings. However, keep in mind that uninstalling Valorant does not uninstall Vanguard, and you will need to reinstall Vanguard to play Valorant again.
How to deal with the "This version of Vanguard is out of compliance" error? This error typically points you to the Vanguard notification center to enable Secure Boot and/or TPM 2.0. Follow the steps in this guide to enable these security features in your BIOS.
How to turn off Vanguard temporarily? You can right-click the Vanguard icon in the system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." You will need to restart your computer to re-enable it and play Valorant.
How to fix Vanguard if it's causing my PC to crash? If Vanguard is causing BSODs or system instability, it's often due to compatibility issues with specific drivers or software. Try updating your drivers, especially for your motherboard and graphics card. If the problem persists, contact Riot Games Support.
How to get rid of the Vanguard notification permanently? The notification will disappear once you meet the system requirements, such as enabling Secure Boot and/or TPM 2.0. As long as the requirement isn't met, the notification will persist to inform you of the issue.
How to update Riot Vanguard? Vanguard updates automatically when you launch the Riot client or Valorant. If an update is required, it will be downloaded and installed before the game can be launched.