Ready to get your game on and finally bypass that pesky Vanguard error? It can be incredibly frustrating to be stopped from playing your favorite game because of a security setting you've never heard of. But don't worry, you're not alone! Many players encounter the "Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled" or a similar TPM 2.0 error, especially on Windows 11.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from checking your current status to enabling the necessary settings in your BIOS/UEFI. We'll break down the steps so you can get back to clutching those rounds in no time!
Step 1: Let's See Where You're At - Checking Your PC's Status
First things first, we need to know if Secure Boot is already enabled, disabled, or even supported on your system. This will tell us exactly what we need to do next. Are you ready to dive in? Let's check!
How to Check Secure Boot and BIOS Mode
This is a quick and easy check.
Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Type
msinfo32and hit Enter. This will open the System Information window.In the System Information window, look for two key entries:
BIOS Mode: This should say UEFI. If it says "Legacy" or "CSM," you'll need to convert your disk from MBR to GPT and switch to UEFI mode, which we'll cover in a later step.
Secure Boot State: This should say On. If it says "Off" or "Unsupported," you'll need to enable it.
If your BIOS Mode is UEFI and Secure Boot State is On, you're good to go! You likely don't need to do anything and the issue might be something else. If it's anything else, continue to the next step.
How to Check Your TPM 2.0 Status
Vanguard also requires TPM 2.0. Let's check its status as well.
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
tpm.mscand press Enter.A new window will pop up. Look for the "Status" section.
If it says "The TPM is ready for use," you're all set with TPM.
If you see a message like "Compatible TPM cannot be found," you'll need to enable it in your BIOS.
Under "TPM Manufacturer Information," check the Specification Version. It needs to be 2.0.
 |
| How To Get Vanguard Secure Boot |
Step 2: Entering the BIOS/UEFI Settings
Okay, so you've found out you need to enable Secure Boot or TPM 2.0. The next step is to enter your computer's BIOS or UEFI firmware settings. This is where things can get a little tricky, so pay close attention and be careful not to change anything you're not sure about! The interface and key presses can differ depending on your motherboard manufacturer (e.g., ASUS, Dell, HP, MSI, Gigabyte).
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
Method 1: The Easy Way (via Windows Settings)
This is the most reliable way to get into your BIOS from within Windows 10 or 11.
Click the Start button and go to Settings.
Navigate to Update & Security (Windows 10) or System > Recovery (Windows 11).
Under the "Advanced startup" section, click on Restart now. Your computer will immediately restart, so make sure to save any open work first!
After the restart, you'll see a blue screen with several options. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
Click Restart. Your PC will now boot directly into the BIOS/UEFI menu.
Method 2: The Classic Way (using a hotkey)
You can also enter the BIOS by pressing a specific key during the boot process. This can be a bit of a timing game.
Restart your computer.
As your PC starts up and you see the manufacturer's logo (e.g., Dell, HP, ASUS), repeatedly press the BIOS key. The key is usually one of the following: F1, F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc.
If you don't know the key for your specific system, do a quick online search for "BIOS key for [Your Motherboard/Laptop Model]".
Step 3: Enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in the BIOS
Once you're in the BIOS, you'll need to navigate the menus using your keyboard's arrow keys and the Enter key, as the mouse may not work.
Sub-heading 1: Setting Boot Mode to UEFI
Secure Boot requires your system to be in UEFI mode. If you checked in Step 1 and your BIOS mode was "Legacy," you need to change this first.
Navigate to the Boot or Boot Configuration tab.
Look for an option like "Boot Mode," "BIOS Mode," or "Boot Protocol."
Change the setting from "Legacy" or "CSM" to UEFI.
Warning: Changing this setting might prevent your current Windows installation from booting if your disk partition style is MBR. You might need to convert it to GPT first. We'll cover that in a later section if needed.
Sub-heading 2: Enabling the TPM (Trusted Platform Module)
This is where you enable the TPM. The name of the setting can vary significantly between motherboards.
Navigate to the Security or Advanced tab.
Look for an option with keywords like:
"Security Device Support"
"TPM State"
"AMD fTPM switch" (for AMD CPUs)
"Intel PTT" or "Intel Platform Trust Technology" (for Intel CPUs)
Enable the setting.
QuickTip: Save your favorite part of this post.
Sub-heading 3: Enabling Secure Boot
Now for the main event!
Go to the Boot or Security tab.
Find the Secure Boot option. It might be in a sub-menu like "Boot Options" or "Windows OS Configuration."
Enable the Secure Boot setting.
You may also need to set the "OS Type" or "Secure Boot Mode" to "Windows UEFI mode" or "Standard".
Some motherboards might require you to "Install Default Secure Boot Keys" to enable the feature. If you see this option, select it and confirm.
Step 4: Save and Exit!
Once you have made all the necessary changes, it's time to save and exit.
Navigate to the Exit tab in your BIOS.
Select "Save Changes and Exit" or a similar option.
Confirm that you want to save the changes and restart.
Your PC will restart and should now boot with Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled.
Step 5: Verify Again and Launch VALORANT!
After your computer has restarted, it's a good idea to double-check that the settings have stuck. Repeat the verification steps from Step 1 (msinfo32 and tpm.msc). If everything looks good, launch VALORANT. You should now be able to play without any Vanguard Secure Boot or TPM errors!
Variety of Styling: A Quick Look
Throughout this guide, we've used different text styles to emphasize key information:
Bold text to highlight important keywords, commands, and options.
Italic text for warnings and important notes.
Code formattingfor commands you need to type.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions and quick answers to help you troubleshoot further.
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
How to check if my hard drive is MBR or GPT?
Press Windows Key + X and select Disk Management. Right-click on your OS drive (usually C:), select Properties, and go to the Volumes tab. Look for "Partition style." It will say either "Master Boot Record (MBR)" or "GUID Partition Table (GPT)."
How to convert my disk from MBR to GPT without losing data?
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS and press Enter. If validation passes, run the command mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS. After conversion, you must restart and change your BIOS to UEFI mode.
How to find my motherboard's BIOS key?
Restart your computer and watch for a message on the screen during the initial boot process. It often says "Press [key] to enter Setup." If you miss it, search online for "[Your motherboard/laptop model] BIOS key."
How to fix a "Secure Boot doesn't enable" error?
Try updating your BIOS to the latest version from your motherboard manufacturer's website. Sometimes, an outdated BIOS doesn't fully support Secure Boot or TPM 2.0.
How to restore Secure Boot keys?
In your BIOS settings under the Secure Boot section, look for an option like "Restore Factory Keys" or "Key Management." This can sometimes fix issues where Secure Boot is enabled but Vanguard still doesn't recognize it.
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
How to enable TPM if my motherboard doesn't have a physical chip?
Most modern CPUs have a built-in firmware TPM (fTPM for AMD, PTT for Intel). You just need to enable it in the BIOS under the Security or Advanced settings.
How to fix the VAN9001 or VAN9003 error code?
These errors are directly related to Secure Boot and/or TPM 2.0 not being enabled. Follow the steps in this guide to enable both features.
How to run VALORANT as an administrator?
Right-click on the VALORANT shortcut, go to Properties, select the Compatibility tab, and check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator."
How to check if my CPU supports TPM 2.0?
Press Windows Key + R, type tpm.msc, and look at the "Specification Version." If it's 2.0, your CPU and motherboard support it. If not, check your CPU and motherboard specifications on the manufacturer's website.
How to update my BIOS?
Visit your motherboard manufacturer's website, find the support or downloads section for your specific model, and download the latest BIOS update file. Follow the manufacturer's provided instructions carefully, as a failed BIOS update can be detrimental to your system.
 |
