How To Install Vanguard Riot Games

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So, you're looking to dive into the exciting world of Riot Games, perhaps with a thrilling session of VALORANT or a strategic match of League of Legends! But wait, you've heard about something called Riot Vanguard, and you're wondering how to get it set up. Don't worry, you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about installing Riot Vanguard, the powerful anti-cheat system that keeps Riot's games fair and fun.

Let's get you ready to play!

Understanding Riot Vanguard: Why It's Essential

Before we jump into the installation steps, it's crucial to understand what Riot Vanguard is and why it's a mandatory component for playing Riot Games titles like VALORANT and League of Legends.

Riot Vanguard is Riot Games' custom-built game security software. Its primary purpose is to uphold the highest levels of competitive integrity by detecting and preventing cheating. It's a two-part system:

  • A client that runs when the game is active.
  • A kernel-mode driver that operates at a deeper system level.

This deep integration allows Vanguard to effectively identify and counter advanced cheating techniques, such as aimbots, wallhacks, and other client-side modifications that would otherwise ruin the experience for legitimate players. While there have been discussions about its intrusive nature due to its kernel-level access, Riot Games assures players that Vanguard is developed with a priority on both game safety and personal computer safety, adhering to data privacy laws.

In short: If you want to play Riot's competitive games, Vanguard is a non-negotiable part of the experience.

System Requirements for Riot Vanguard

Before you proceed, it's a good idea to quickly check if your system meets the basic requirements for Riot Vanguard and the games it supports. While Vanguard primarily depends on Windows features, the game's requirements are also relevant.

General Requirements (for Windows 10/11):

  • Operating System: Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11 (64-bit).
    • Important: For Windows 11, TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot must be enabled. We'll touch on this in troubleshooting if needed.
  • RAM: 4GB (minimum)
  • VRAM: 1GB (minimum)
  • Free Storage Space: 16GB HDD (minimum), SSD recommended for better performance.
  • OS Architecture: x64

Note: Retail versions of Windows only. Enterprise and Server versions are not supported.

Step 1: Initiating the Game Download (and Vanguard's Automatic Installation)

"Alright, let's get you started! The exciting news is, you don't actually download Riot Vanguard separately!" It comes bundled with the Riot Games title you choose to install. So, the first and most crucial step is to download the game you want to play. For this guide, we'll assume you're installing VALORANT, but the process is very similar for League of Legends.

Sub-heading 1.1: Choosing Your Game and Download Source

  1. Head to the Official Riot Games Website:
  2. Locate the Download Button: On the game's homepage, you'll usually find a prominent "Play Free" or "Download Now" button. Click on it!

Sub-heading 1.2: Running the Game Installer

  1. Download the Installer File: A small installer file (typically around 60-70 MB) will download to your computer.
  2. Run the Installer: Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file (usually in your "Downloads" folder) and double-click it to run it.
  3. Grant Permissions: Your system will likely ask for permission to allow the installer to make changes to your device. Click "Yes" to proceed.

Sub-heading 1.3: Customizing Installation (Optional)

  1. Advanced Options: The installer will display a window. You'll often see an "Advanced Options" button. If you want to choose a different installation location (e.g., a different drive), click this button. Otherwise, you can just click "Install."
  2. Select Install Path: If you clicked "Advanced Options," you'll be able to select a different drive or folder for the game and Riot Client. Choose your preferred location and click "Install."

Step 2: The Riot Client and Vanguard Installation

Once you click "Install" in the previous step, the Riot Client will begin its installation, and this is where Riot Vanguard comes into play.

Sub-heading 2.1: Riot Client Installation

  1. Riot Client Setup: The installer will proceed to install the Riot Client. This client is your central hub for all Riot Games.
  2. Login to Your Riot Account: Once the Riot Client is installed and launched, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Riot Games account. If you don't have one, you'll need to create one. This is a quick and straightforward process.

Sub-heading 2.2: The Automatic Vanguard Installation

  1. Vanguard's Silent Install: As the game and Riot Client install, Riot Vanguard will also install automatically in the background. You won't see a separate download bar for it, but it's happening.
  2. Do NOT Interrupt: It's crucial not to interrupt this process. Let the installer complete its work without closing windows or forcing shutdowns.
  3. The All-Important Reboot: Once the Riot Client and the game have finished their initial download and installation, you will be prompted to restart your computer. This step is absolutely essential for Vanguard to properly integrate with your system and function correctly. Do not skip this!

Step 3: Post-Installation & First Launch

After your computer restarts, Riot Vanguard should be active and ready to go.

Sub-heading 3.1: Launching Your Game

  1. Open the Riot Client: You can launch the game directly from its desktop icon, the Start Menu, or by opening the Riot Client itself.
  2. Game Updates (if any): The Riot Client might check for any final game updates before launching. Let these complete.
  3. Vanguard's Presence: As the game launches, Riot Vanguard will also be running in the background. You might see a small Vanguard icon in your system tray (the bottom right corner of your taskbar, near the clock). This indicates that Vanguard is active and doing its job.

Sub-heading 3.2: Verifying Vanguard's Status

  1. System Tray Icon: Look for a small, shield-like icon (often red or white) in your Windows system tray. Right-clicking it usually provides options to exit Vanguard or see its status.
  2. No Errors = Good to Go! If the game launches without any error messages related to Vanguard (like VAN errors), you're all set! Enjoy your game.

Troubleshooting Common Riot Vanguard Installation Issues

Sometimes, things don't go perfectly. Here are some common issues you might encounter during or after Vanguard installation, along with their solutions.

Sub-heading 4.1: "Vanguard Not Running" or VAN Error Codes (e.g., VAN 57, VAN 9001)

This is one of the most frequent problems. It usually means Vanguard didn't start correctly.

  • Solution 1: Simple Restart. Often, a simple restart of your PC and the Riot Client will resolve this.
  • Solution 2: Run as Administrator.
    1. Navigate to the Riot Vanguard installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard).
    2. Right-click on vanguard.exe or vgtray.exe (if present) and select "Run as administrator."
    3. Then, launch your Riot game.
  • Solution 3: Reinstall Riot Vanguard.
    1. Go to "Add or remove programs" in Windows Settings.
    2. Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list and click "Uninstall."
    3. Restart your PC.
    4. Launch your Riot game. The Riot Client should automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Solution 4: Command Prompt Uninstall (if Solution 3 Fails).
    1. Search for CMD in your Start Menu, right-click "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
    2. Type sc delete vgc and press Enter.
    3. Type sc delete vgk and press Enter.
    4. Restart your PC.
    5. Navigate to C:\Program Files\ and manually delete the Riot Vanguard folder if it still exists.
    6. Launch your Riot game to trigger a fresh installation.

Sub-heading 4.2: TPM 2.0 and UEFI Issues (VAN9001, VAN9003, VAN9005)

These errors typically occur on Windows 11 systems and indicate that your PC's BIOS settings for Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 or UEFI Secure Boot are not enabled.

  • Solution: Enable TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot in BIOS. This process varies significantly between motherboard manufacturers.
    1. Check Status:
      • Press Windows Key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. Check the "Status" to see if TPM is enabled.
      • Press Windows Key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. Look for "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode." It should say "On" and "UEFI" respectively.
    2. Access BIOS/UEFI: Restart your computer and repeatedly press the designated key to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (common keys are Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc). Consult your motherboard's manual or manufacturer's website for the exact key.
    3. Locate Settings: Within BIOS/UEFI, look for settings related to:
      • TPM or Trusted Platform Module
      • Secure Boot
      • UEFI Mode (ensure your BIOS is set to UEFI, not Legacy)
    4. Enable and Save: Enable these settings, save your changes, and exit BIOS. Your PC will restart.
    5. Re-check: After restarting, re-check tpm.msc and msinfo32 to confirm the changes.

Sub-heading 4.3: Interference from Other Software (Antivirus, Firewall, Overlays)

Riot Vanguard, being a robust anti-cheat, can sometimes conflict with other programs.

  • Solution 1: Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus software or Windows Firewall, then launching the game. If it works, add exceptions for Riot Games and Riot Vanguard in your security software.
  • Solution 2: Disable Overlays. Third-party overlays (from Discord, GeForce Experience, etc.) can sometimes cause issues. Try disabling them before launching the game.
  • Solution 3: Check for Suspicious Software. If you're still facing issues, especially connection errors (e.g., VAN 1067), there might be unusual software on your computer. Consider running a malware scan.

Sub-heading 4.4: Corrupt Game/Vanguard Files

This can happen due to incomplete downloads or system errors.

  • Solution 1: Repair Riot Client.
    1. Open the Riot Client.
    2. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
    3. Select "Settings."
    4. Under "General settings," look for an option to "Repair Client" and initiate the process.
  • Solution 2: Full Reinstall of Game and Vanguard. If all else fails, a complete uninstall and reinstall of the game and Vanguard is often the most effective solution.
    1. Uninstall the Riot game (e.g., VALORANT) from "Add or remove programs."
    2. Uninstall "Riot Vanguard" from "Add or remove programs."
    3. Restart your PC.
    4. Re-download and reinstall the game from the official website, following the steps from Step 1.

Congratulations!

You've now successfully installed Riot Vanguard and are ready to jump into your favorite Riot Games titles. Remember, Vanguard is there to ensure a fair and competitive environment for everyone, so it's a small price to pay for a cheat-free gaming experience! If you encounter any persistent issues, don't hesitate to contact Riot Games Support directly.

10 Related FAQ Questions

Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Riot Vanguard, with quick answers:

How to know if Riot Vanguard is running?

You'll typically see a small shield-like icon in your Windows system tray (bottom right of your taskbar). Its presence indicates Vanguard is active.

How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?

Go to "Add or remove programs" in Windows Settings, find "Riot Vanguard," and click "Uninstall." Remember to restart your PC afterward.

How to fix Riot Vanguard "VAN" error codes?

Most VAN errors can be resolved by restarting your PC, restarting the Riot Client, or uninstalling and reinstalling Riot Vanguard. Specific codes like VAN9001, VAN9003, or VAN9005 often point to disabled TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot in your BIOS.

How to update Riot Vanguard?

Riot Vanguard updates automatically with your Riot Games client and game updates. You don't need to manually update it.

How to disable Riot Vanguard temporarily?

You can right-click the Vanguard icon in your system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." However, you will need to restart your PC to play any Riot game again, as Vanguard must be running.

How to enable TPM 2.0 for Riot Vanguard?

Access your PC's BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing Del, F2, F10, or Esc during startup) and find the "TPM" or "Trusted Platform Module" setting to enable it. This process varies by motherboard.

How to enable Secure Boot for Riot Vanguard?

Similar to TPM, you'll need to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings and enable the "Secure Boot" option. Ensure your BIOS mode is set to "UEFI" first.

How to stop Riot Vanguard from starting with Windows?

Riot Vanguard is designed to start with Windows as it's a kernel-mode anti-cheat. You cannot prevent it from starting if you intend to play Riot Games titles.

How to check Riot Vanguard's compatibility with my system?

Ensure you're running Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11 (with TPM 2.0 and UEFI enabled). Check the specific game's system requirements for CPU, RAM, and VRAM.

How to contact Riot Games Support for Vanguard issues?

Visit the official Riot Games Support website for the specific game you're playing (e.g., support.riotgames.com for VALORANT or League of Legends) and submit a ticket with details of your issue and any error codes.

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How To Install Vanguard Riot Games

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