Welcome, gamer! Have you ever found yourself in the frustrating situation where Riot Vanguard, the powerful anti-cheat software for games like VALORANT, just refuses to work? Maybe you uninstalled it to fix an issue, and now it won't install again? Don't worry, you're not alone. This is a surprisingly common problem, and we're here to walk you through the process of getting Riot Vanguard back up and running.
Let's dive in and get you back to dominating the battlefield!
Step 1: The First Reboot and the Simple Fix
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's start with the easiest and most effective solution. This often works wonders for minor glitches.
Have you tried turning it off and on again? Seriously. This isn't just a tech support clich�; it's a valid first step. A simple restart can clear up temporary system conflicts and allow Vanguard to install correctly.
The Power of Launching the Riot Client: After you've restarted your computer, simply launch the Riot Client (the one you use to open VALORANT or other Riot Games). In most cases, the client will automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to install it again. Follow the on-screen instructions, and you might be good to go!
If this simple restart and client launch worked for you, congratulations! You've saved yourself some time. If not, don't fret; we have more powerful solutions.
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| How To Install Vanguard Again |
Step 2: The Deep Clean - Manual Uninstallation
If the simple method failed, it's likely there are some residual files left over from the previous uninstall that are causing issues. We need to perform a complete and thorough removal of Vanguard.
Sub-heading: Using Windows "Add or Remove Programs"
Go to your Apps & Features: On your Windows computer, click the Start menu and type "Add or remove programs." Click on the corresponding setting to open the list of installed applications.
Find and Uninstall: In the search bar, type "Riot Vanguard". When it appears in the list, click on it and select Uninstall. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the process.
Double-check for VALORANT: While you're here, it's a good idea to check for VALORANT as well. If you are having persistent issues, a clean reinstall of the entire game and its anti-cheat can be the best solution.
Sub-heading: The Command Prompt Method for a Super Clean Uninstall
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
This is a more advanced method that is extremely effective at removing stubborn Vanguard files. It’s like a deep-cleaning the registry.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Click the Start menu, type "CMD," right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator." This is a crucial step to give you the necessary permissions.
Enter the Commands: In the Command Prompt window, type the following two commands, pressing Enter after each one:
sc delete vgcsc delete vgk
Confirm Deletion: You should see a message confirming the deletion of the services. This command removes the core Vanguard services from your system.
Sub-heading: Deleting the Vanguard Folder
Even after uninstalling, sometimes the folder remains. We need to manually delete it.
Navigate to the installation directory: Open File Explorer and go to
C:\Program Files.Find and Delete: Look for a folder named "Riot Vanguard". Right-click on it and select Delete. If you encounter a message saying the folder is in use, you may need to restart your computer first and then try again.
Step 3: The Reinstallation
Now that you have completely removed all traces of Vanguard, it's time to reinstall it. This is where the magic happens.
Reboot your PC: After deleting the folder, it is essential to restart your computer one more time. This ensures all the changes are applied and no residual processes are running.
Launch the Riot Client (Again!): Just like in Step 1, open your Riot Client. It should automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and begin the download and installation process. You will see a progress bar indicating that it's installing Riot Vanguard.
Another Restart is Required: Once the installation is complete, the client will likely prompt you to restart your computer one more time. This final restart is necessary to properly load the Vanguard kernel-mode driver, which is a core component of the anti-cheat.
Check the System Tray: After the final restart, you should see the Riot Vanguard icon (a small red or yellow shield) in your system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner of your taskbar). If you see it, congratulations! You have successfully reinstalled Riot Vanguard.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Advanced Issues
If you've followed all the steps and are still facing problems, there are a few more things to check.
Sub-heading: Check Your Antivirus and Firewall
QuickTip: Skim for bold or italicized words.
Your security software might be too good. Sometimes, overzealous antivirus or firewall programs can block the installation of Riot Vanguard because it operates at a low level of your system (kernel mode).
Temporarily Disable: Try temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall during the installation process. Remember to re-enable them immediately after Vanguard is successfully installed.
Create an Exception: If you don't want to disable your security software, you can try to add an exception or whitelist for Riot Vanguard's executable files.
Sub-heading: Run as Administrator
Right-click and Run: When launching the Riot Client or the VALORANT installer, always right-click on the icon and select "Run as administrator". This provides the necessary permissions for Vanguard to install its drivers.
Sub-heading: Clean Boot
This is a more advanced troubleshooting step that can help identify software conflicts. A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs.
How to do a Clean Boot: You can find detailed instructions on how to perform a clean boot on the Microsoft support website. Once in a clean boot state, try reinstalling Vanguard.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about installing and troubleshooting Riot Vanguard.
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
Look for the small Riot Vanguard icon (a red or yellow shield) in your system tray on the bottom right of your taskbar. If you see it, it's running.
How to fix Vanguard not installing after uninstalling?
Tip: Be mindful — one idea at a time.
Follow the steps in this guide, especially the manual deletion of the Riot Vanguard folder and the command prompt commands (sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk) to ensure a clean slate before reinstalling.
How to fix the "Vanguard not initialized" error?
This often means Vanguard failed to start. Try restarting your computer. If the problem persists, try a full reinstallation using the steps outlined in this post.
How to fix "Vanguard has encountered an error" or a VAN error code?
Many VAN errors are related to connection issues or software conflicts. Restarting your computer and the Riot Client is a good first step. If the problem continues, consider a clean reinstall and check for conflicts with other programs.
How to run Riot Vanguard as an administrator?
You can't typically run Vanguard directly as an application. Instead, right-click on the Riot Client or VALORANT shortcut and select "Run as administrator" to ensure it has the necessary permissions to launch Vanguard.
How to disable Riot Vanguard?
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
You can't permanently disable it while playing Riot Games. However, you can temporarily exit it by right-clicking the icon in the system tray and selecting "Exit Vanguard." You will need to restart your computer to play a Riot game again.
How to fix Vanguard if it's blocking other programs?
Temporarily exiting Vanguard from the system tray will likely resolve the conflict. If it's a persistent issue, consider checking for software updates for both Vanguard and the conflicting program.
How to check if my computer is compatible with Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard requires certain Windows features like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled on modern Windows 11 systems. Check your BIOS settings and the Windows System Information tool to verify they are enabled.
How to fix the "We couldn't install a required dependency" error?
This error almost always points to an issue with Vanguard. The best fix is to completely uninstall and then reinstall both Vanguard and VALORANT.
How to know if a full reinstallation is necessary?
If you've tried simple restarts and the Command Prompt method without success, or if you are getting persistent errors and crashes, a full reinstallation of both VALORANT and Riot Vanguard is the most reliable way to fix the issue.
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