Ever been in the heat of a clutch moment in Valorant, only for your game to suddenly halt with a "Vanguard not initialized" error, or worse, a "VAN9001" message? Frustrating, isn't it? Many players face hurdles with Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software essential for playing Valorant and even League of Legends. But don't worry, you're not alone, and we're here to guide you through the process of getting Vanguard running smoothly on your PC.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about installing Riot Vanguard, troubleshooting common issues, and ensuring your system is optimized for a seamless gaming experience. Let's dive in!
Understanding Riot Vanguard: Why is it Necessary?
Before we get to the "how-to," let's quickly understand what Riot Vanguard is and why it's a mandatory component for games like Valorant.
Riot Vanguard is a kernel-level anti-cheat system developed by Riot Games. This means it runs at a very low level of your operating system, giving it deep access to your PC's processes. Its primary purpose is to detect and prevent cheating in real-time, ensuring a fair and competitive environment for all players.
While its intrusive nature has been a subject of discussion, Riot Games maintains that this deep integration is necessary to combat sophisticated cheating techniques that operate at a similar low level. Without Vanguard, Valorant (and now League of Legends) simply won't run.
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| How To Install Vanguard On Pc |
Step 1: Ensuring Your PC Meets the Requirements (Crucial First Step!)
Before you even think about installing anything, let's make sure your PC is ready. Vanguard, especially on Windows 11, has some specific requirements that often cause the most headaches for players.
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1.1 Check Your Operating System
Vanguard requires Windows 10 64-bit (latest update) or Windows 11 64-bit (latest update). If you're on an older version of Windows (like Windows 7 or 8/8.1), you'll need to upgrade.
1.2 Verify TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot Status
This is where most people hit a wall, particularly with Windows 11. Vanguard mandates that both Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled. These are security features within your PC's BIOS/UEFI.
How to Check TPM 2.0 Status:
- Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog. - Type
tpm.mscand press Enter. - A "Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management" window will appear.
- Look at the "Status" section. If it says "The TPM is ready for use," and the "Specification Version" is "2.0," you're good on this front.
- If you see an error message like "Compatible TPM could not be found" or the version is not 2.0, you'll need to enable it in your BIOS/UEFI (see Step 2).
How to Check Secure Boot State and BIOS Mode:
- Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog. - Type
msinfo32and press Enter to open System Information. - Look for "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode."
- If "Secure Boot State" is "On" and "BIOS Mode" is "UEFI," then you're all set.
- If "Secure Boot State" is "Off" or "BIOS Mode" is "Legacy," you'll need to enable/switch them in your BIOS/UEFI (see Step 2).
1.3 Other System Considerations
- Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows operating system is fully up-to-date. Outdated Windows versions can cause compatibility issues with Vanguard.
- Antivirus/Firewall: While less common, sometimes aggressive antivirus or firewall software can interfere with Vanguard's installation or operation. You might need to temporarily disable them during installation or add Vanguard to their exclusion lists.
- Virtual Machines: Vanguard does not support running on virtual machines. If you're trying to play Valorant in a VM, you'll encounter errors.
Step 2: Configuring Your BIOS/UEFI (If Needed)
If your TPM 2.0 was disabled or Secure Boot was off/BIOS Mode was Legacy in Step 1, you'll need to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. This step requires caution, as incorrect changes in BIOS can affect your system's stability.
2.1 Accessing Your BIOS/UEFI
- Restart your PC.
- As your PC starts up, repeatedly press the BIOS/UEFI access key. This key varies by motherboard manufacturer, but commonly it's
Del,F2,F10,F12, orEsc. You'll usually see a message on your screen indicating which key to press (e.g., "Press DEL to enter Setup"). If you miss it, restart and try again.
2.2 Enabling TPM 2.0
Once in the BIOS/UEFI (which is usually navigated with keyboard arrows, as a mouse may not work):
- Look for a tab or section related to "Security," "Advanced," or "Trusted Computing."
- Find the setting for TPM. It might be labeled as "Security Device," "Security Device Support," "TPM State," "AMD fTPM switch," "AMD PSP fTPM," "Intel PTT," or "Intel Platform Trust Technology."
- Enable this setting. If there's a version option, ensure it's set to 2.0.
- Save your changes (often
F10) and exit the BIOS.
2.3 Enabling Secure Boot and Switching to UEFI (If Needed)
If your BIOS Mode was "Legacy" or Secure Boot was "Off":
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
- In your BIOS/UEFI, navigate to the "Boot Options" or "Security" tab.
- First, ensure your BIOS Mode is set to UEFI. If it's currently "Legacy" or "CSM," switch it to "UEFI."
- Next, find the "Secure Boot" option.
- Enable the Secure Boot setting.
- Important: If your OS drive is formatted as MBR (Master Boot Record) and you switch to UEFI, Windows might not boot. You might need to convert your drive to GPT (GUID Partition Table). This is a more advanced step and can be complex. If you're unsure, consult your motherboard manual or a professional. However, for most modern Windows 10/11 installations, the drive should already be GPT.
- Save your changes (usually
F10) and exit the BIOS.
After making these changes, your PC will restart. It might take a bit longer than usual as it adjusts to the new settings.
Step 3: Installing Valorant (and Vanguard by Extension!)
Here's the good news: You don't download Vanguard separately! Riot Vanguard is installed automatically when you install a compatible Riot Games title, such as Valorant or League of Legends.
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3.1 Download the Riot Client/Valorant Installer
- Go to the official Valorant website (playvalorant.com).
- Click on the "Play Free" or "Download" button. This will download the Riot Games client installer.
3.2 Run the Riot Client Installer
- Locate the downloaded installer file (it's usually in your "Downloads" folder).
- Right-click on the installer and select "Run as administrator." This is important to ensure all necessary permissions are granted.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install the Riot Client.
3.3 Install Valorant
- Once the Riot Client is installed and launched, you'll likely be prompted to log in with your Riot Account or create a new one.
- After logging in, you'll see the option to install Valorant. Click on "Install" or "Play."
- The Riot Client will download and install Valorant. During this process, Riot Vanguard will also be automatically installed in the background.
3.4 Restart Your PC (Crucial!)
- After Valorant and Vanguard are installed, the Riot Client will prompt you to restart your computer. This step is absolutely essential for Vanguard to properly initialize and run.
- Do not skip this restart. Vanguard needs to load with your system at startup to function correctly.
Step 4: Verifying Vanguard is Running
After restarting your PC, Vanguard should be active.
4.1 Check System Tray
- Look in your Windows system tray (the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock).
- You should see a Riot Vanguard icon (a red "V" shield). If you see it, Vanguard is running.
- You can right-click this icon to see options, including "Exit Vanguard" (though you shouldn't exit it if you want to play Valorant) or "About Vanguard."
4.2 Task Manager Check
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager. - Go to the "Details" tab.
- Look for processes named
vgc.exeandvgtray.exe. These indicate that Vanguard is running.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Vanguard Issues
Even with a proper installation, you might encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
5.1 "Vanguard Not Initialized" or "Vanguard Reboot Required" (VAN 57, VAN 45)
- Solution: This typically means Vanguard didn't start correctly.
- First, restart your PC. A fresh reboot often resolves this.
- If the issue persists, try uninstalling Riot Vanguard (via Add or Remove Programs in Windows Settings) and then restarting your PC. Once restarted, launch Valorant, and it should prompt you to reinstall Vanguard. Follow the prompts and restart again.
5.2 VAN9001 (TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot Not Enabled)
- Solution: Refer back to Step 2 and double-check your BIOS/UEFI settings for TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Ensure both are enabled and your BIOS Mode is UEFI.
5.3 VAN -1 (Uninstall Failure)
- Solution: This error means Vanguard failed to uninstall properly. Try to uninstall it again through "Add or Remove Programs." If it still fails, you may need to manually remove residual files or contact Riot Support.
5.4 Connection Errors (VAN 0, VAN 1, VAN 6, VAN 68, VAN -102, etc.)
- Solution: These usually indicate problems with your internet connection or communication with Riot's servers.
- Restart your PC and the Riot Client.
- Check your internet connection. Ensure it's stable.
- Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus to see if they are blocking Vanguard's connection (remember to re-enable them afterwards and add exceptions if needed).
- If you've left the Riot Client running for a very long time, try restarting it.
5.5 VAN 138 (Running Vanguard from a Virtual Machine)
- Solution: Vanguard does not support virtual machines. You must install and run Valorant and Vanguard on a native Windows installation.
5.6 VAN 152 (HWID Ban)
- Solution: This is a hardware ban, meaning your PC's hardware has been identified for previous cheating. These bans are typically long-term. If you believe this is an error, you must contact Riot Games Support directly.
5.7 Conflict with Other Software
- Some software, especially other anti-cheat programs or system optimization tools, can conflict with Vanguard. If you have such programs running, try temporarily disabling them or closing them before launching Valorant. If a specific program consistently causes issues, you might need to keep it off while playing Valorant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can check for the Riot Vanguard shield icon in your system tray (bottom-right of your taskbar) or look for vgc.exe and vgtray.exe processes in Task Manager under the "Details" tab.
Tip: Highlight what feels important.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
You can uninstall Riot Vanguard like any other program through Windows "Add or Remove Programs" in Settings. Search for "Riot Vanguard" and select "Uninstall." Note that if you uninstall Valorant, Vanguard might remain, and you may need to uninstall it separately.
How to update Riot Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard updates automatically with Valorant and League of Legends game updates. There isn't a manual update button for Vanguard itself. Ensure your game client is up to date, and Vanguard will follow suit.
How to fix "Vanguard Not Initialized" error?
First, try restarting your PC. If that doesn't work, uninstall Riot Vanguard, restart your PC, and then launch Valorant to trigger a fresh reinstallation of Vanguard.
How to enable TPM 2.0 for Vanguard?
You need to enable TPM 2.0 in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. Restart your PC, press the BIOS access key (e.g., Del, F2), navigate to the "Security" or "Advanced" section, and enable the TPM option (often called "Intel PTT" or "AMD fTPM").
How to enable Secure Boot for Vanguard?
Secure Boot is also enabled in your PC's BIOS/UEFI settings. Access your BIOS, go to "Boot Options" or "Security," and enable "Secure Boot." Ensure your BIOS Mode is set to "UEFI" first.
Tip: Use this post as a starting point for exploration.
How to resolve Vanguard error VAN9001?
This error specifically indicates that TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is not enabled. Follow the steps in the guide to enable both in your BIOS/UEFI.
How to troubleshoot Vanguard connection errors?
Restart your PC and the Riot Client. Check your internet connection. Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus to see if they are interfering.
How to check if my PC supports TPM 2.0?
Open tpm.msc via Windows Key + R. If it says "Compatible TPM could not be found," your PC might not support it. You can also consult your motherboard's manual or manufacturer's website.
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard if it's corrupted?
The best way to reinstall a potentially corrupted Vanguard is to uninstall it completely via "Add or Remove Programs," restart your PC, and then launch Valorant. Valorant will detect the missing Vanguard and prompt you to install a fresh copy.
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