Hello! So, you're ready to dive into the thrilling world of Valorant? Excellent choice! Before you can start planting spikes and clutch rounds, you'll need to get the game and its trusty sidekick, Riot Vanguard, installed on your PC. It's a crucial step to ensure a fair and secure gaming environment for everyone.
This guide will walk you through the entire process, from checking system requirements to troubleshooting common issues. So, let's get you in the game!
Step 1: Get Ready to Rumble! (Checking System Requirements)
Before you even think about downloading, let's make sure your PC is up for the challenge. You wouldn't go into a gunfight without checking your ammo, right? This is the same principle. We'll check if your computer can handle Valorant's tactical action and Vanguard's security protocols.
Do you know what kind of processor, RAM, and graphics card your PC has? It's important to know this, so you can have a smooth gaming experience without any lag or performance issues.
Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements for Valorant:
Minimum Requirements (30 FPS):
OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 / AMD Athlon 200GE
RAM: 4GB
GPU: Intel HD 3000 / Radeon HD 5570
Recommended Requirements (60 FPS):
OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
Processor: Intel i3-4150 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
RAM: 8GB
GPU: GeForce GT 730 / Radeon R7 240
High-End Requirements (144+ FPS):
OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
Processor: Intel i5-9400F 2.8GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
RAM: 8GB+
GPU: GTX 1050 Ti / RX 570
You'll also need about 30 GB of free disk space for the game and future updates. Make sure you have a stable internet connection for the download!
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| How To Install Vanguard For Valorant |
Step 2: Securing Your Account and Downloading the Installer
Now that you've confirmed your PC is ready, let's get you a Riot Games account and the game's installer.
Creating a Riot Account: If you don't already have one, head over to the official Valorant website at playvalorant.com. Look for the "Make One" or "Create an Account" option. You'll need to provide an email, choose a username, and set a password. It's crucial to use a strong, unique password to keep your account safe.
Downloading the Installer: Once you're on the website, you'll see a prominent "Download" button. Click it to get the Valorant installer file. This is a small executable file that will start the main download and installation process.
Tip: Break it down — section by section.
Step 3: Installation - The Main Event!
This is where the magic happens. You'll install the Riot Client, Valorant, and most importantly, Riot Vanguard.
Run the Installer: Find the installer file you just downloaded (it's usually in your 'Downloads' folder). Right-click on it and select "Run as administrator". This is a good practice to prevent any permission-related issues during the installation.
The Riot Client: The installer will first set up the Riot Client, which is the launcher for all Riot Games. You can choose the installation path by clicking on "Advanced Options" if you want to install it on a different drive.
Installing Valorant and Vanguard: Once the Riot Client is installed, it will automatically start downloading the full Valorant game files. This is a large download, so it might take a while depending on your internet speed.
Here's the important part: While Valorant is downloading, Riot Vanguard will install automatically in the background. You won't see a separate installer for it. It's a kernel-level anti-cheat software that is absolutely necessary to play Valorant.
Step 4: The Crucial Restart
Once the Valorant download is complete and the installation is finished, you'll be prompted to restart your computer.
Do NOT skip this step! Riot Vanguard is a kernel-level driver, and it needs to be initialized properly with your system on a restart. If you try to launch Valorant without restarting, you will most likely encounter an error message.
After the Restart: Once your computer has rebooted, you should see a new Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (the bottom-right corner of your taskbar). This indicates that Vanguard is running and ready to go.
Step 5: Launch and Play!
You're almost there!
Launch Valorant: Double-click the Valorant icon on your desktop or find it in your Start menu.
Login: The Riot Client will open. Log in with your Riot account credentials.
Check for Updates: The client might check for any final updates to the game. Let it complete this process.
Play: Once everything is up to date, the "Play" button will become active. Click it, and you're ready to jump into the action!
Troubleshooting Vanguard Issues
QuickTip: Pause to connect ideas in your mind.
Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Here's what to do if you run into problems with Vanguard.
Vanguard Crashed/Not Initialized Error: This is a common issue.
First, try restarting your PC. This fixes the problem in most cases.
If that doesn't work, try restarting the VGC service. You can do this by searching for "Services" in your Windows search bar, finding "VGC" in the list, right-clicking it, and selecting "Restart."
Reinstall Vanguard: If the issue persists, you might need to reinstall Vanguard. The easiest way to do this is to open your Windows "Apps & Features" (or "Add or remove programs") settings, find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, and uninstall it. Then, simply relaunch the Riot Client, and it will automatically reinstall Vanguard for you. You'll need to restart your PC again after this.
Error Codes: Riot Vanguard uses various error codes to indicate a problem. For example, VAN -81 or VAN -1 indicates an issue with Vanguard. A quick search for the specific error code on the official Riot Games support website will give you a detailed solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my PC is compatible with Valorant?
You can check your PC's specifications by right-clicking on "This PC" (or "My Computer") and selecting "Properties." Compare your processor, RAM, and graphics card with the game's system requirements to ensure compatibility.
How to download Valorant without the Riot Client?
You cannot download or play Valorant without the Riot Client. The client is a necessary launcher for the game and handles updates and account management.
How to fix Vanguard not installing with Valorant?
Tip: Each paragraph has one main idea — find it.
First, ensure you have a compatible Windows operating system (Windows 10/11, 64-bit). If you're on a Windows ARM processor, Vanguard is not compatible. If you're on a standard Windows PC, try running the installer as an administrator and ensure your antivirus or firewall isn't blocking the installation.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard and reinstall it?
To uninstall, go to your Windows "Apps & Features" (or "Add or remove programs"), find "Riot Vanguard," and click uninstall. To reinstall, simply launch the Valorant game client, and it will prompt you to download and install it again.
How to fix the 'Vanguard needs a restart' error?
This error is almost always fixed by a simple restart of your computer. If it persists, check that the VGC service is set to "Automatic" in your Windows Services and try restarting it.
How to update Riot Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard updates automatically with the Riot Client and Valorant. You don't need to update it manually.
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
How to disable Riot Vanguard temporarily?
You can right-click the Vanguard icon in your system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." However, you will not be able to play Valorant until you restart your PC and let Vanguard launch again.
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can see the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (the bottom-right corner of your taskbar) when it is running.
How to fix error code VAN -81?
This error code often indicates a "Service Start Failed" issue. Try restarting the VGC service in your Windows Services. If that doesn't work, reinstalling Vanguard is the next best step.
How to download Valorant on Windows 11?
The steps are the same as for Windows 10. Visit the official website, download the installer, and follow the on-screen instructions. Ensure your Windows 11 system meets the game's requirements.
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