How To Make Vanguard Run On Startup

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Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software for games like Valorant and League of Legends, is designed to run automatically upon system startup. This is a deliberate design choice by Riot Games to ensure the highest level of competitive integrity by preventing cheats from loading before the anti-cheat system can even begin its work.

While Vanguard is generally configured to run on startup by default when you install a compatible Riot Games title, there might be instances where it doesn't, or you might want to verify its settings. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to ensure Vanguard is running smoothly from the moment your computer boots up.

Understanding Why Vanguard Needs to Run on Startup

Before we dive into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand why Vanguard behaves this way. Riot Games has explained that Vanguard's kernel-mode driver (vgk.sys) needs to load at system startup to effectively counter sophisticated cheats. If the anti-cheat only started when the game launched, it would leave a window of opportunity for malicious software to load first, potentially bypassing Vanguard's protections. By loading at boot, Vanguard creates a secure environment from the outset.

Don't worry, Riot Games has stated that Vanguard's driver component (vgk.sys) does not collect or send any information about your computer back to them when the game is not running. Cheat detection scans are only performed by the non-driver component when a compatible game is active.

The Ultimate Guide: How to Make Vanguard Run on Startup (and Keep it Running!)

Ready to ensure your Valorant or League of Legends sessions are always secure and ready to go? Let's get started!

Step 1: Verify Vanguard's Service Status (Your First Line of Defense!)

Let's begin by checking the most common reason Vanguard might not be running: its associated Windows service.

Sub-heading: Checking the VGC Service

The "VGC" service is crucial for Vanguard's operation. If it's not set to run automatically, Vanguard won't initialize correctly.

Engage with your keyboard! Press the Windows key + R simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
In the Run dialog box, type services.msc and press Enter or click OK. This will open the Windows Services manager.
Scroll through the list of services and locate "VGC". It should be listed alphabetically.
Double-click on "VGC" to open its properties window.
In the "VGC Properties" window, look for "Startup type."
- If it's set to anything other than Automatic, click the dropdown menu and select Automatic.
- If it's already Automatic, that's a good sign!
Next, check the "Service status."
- If it says Stopped, click the Start button.
- If it says Running, you're all good here.
Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.

Sub-heading: Restart Your PC

Even if you started the service manually, a full restart is often necessary for Vanguard's kernel-mode driver to load correctly.

Simply restart your computer. This is a vital step after making any changes to system services related to Vanguard.

Step 2: Ensure Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are Enabled (Especially for Windows 11!)

For newer operating systems like Windows 11, and increasingly for Windows 10, Riot Vanguard often requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. If these are not enabled, you might encounter errors like "This version of Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled" or "Vanguard out of compliance with current system settings," preventing the game and thus Vanguard from launching.

Sub-heading: Checking Your Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 Status

Before diving into BIOS, let's quickly check their current status.

Press Windows key + S to open the search bar.
Type msinfo32 and press Enter to open System Information.
In the System Information window, look for:
- Secure Boot State: It should say On. If it says Off, you'll need to enable it.
- TPM Version or TPM State: It should indicate TPM 2.0 or Ready. If it's not present or disabled, you'll need to enable it.

Sub-heading: Accessing Your BIOS/UEFI Settings

This step requires entering your computer's BIOS/UEFI firmware, which can vary slightly depending on your motherboard manufacturer.

Restart your PC.
As your PC boots up, repeatedly press the BIOS/UEFI access key. Common keys include Delete, F2, F10, F12, or Esc. Consult your motherboard's manual or your PC manufacturer's website if you're unsure.
Once in the BIOS/UEFI, the interface will look different depending on your system.

Sub-heading: Enabling Secure Boot

Look for settings related to "Boot," "Security," or "Authentication."

Navigate to the Boot or Security section.
Locate "Secure Boot."
- If it's disabled, enable it.
- Sometimes, you might need to disable "CSM (Compatibility Support Module)" first to make "Secure Boot" an available option.
- If Secure Boot is already "Enabled" but "Not Active," you might need to change "Secure Boot Mode" from "Standard" to "Custom" and then immediately back to "Standard," confirming to restore defaults if prompted.
Save your changes and exit BIOS. Your PC will restart.

Sub-heading: Enabling TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)

TPM settings are often found near Secure Boot or in a dedicated "Security" or "Trusted Computing" section.

Navigate to the Security or Advanced section in your BIOS/UEFI.
Look for options like "TPM," "Intel Platform Trust Technology (IPTT)," "AMD CPU fTPM," or "Trusted Platform Module (TPM)."
Enable this setting.
Save your changes and exit BIOS. Your PC will restart.

Important Note: Be cautious when making changes in BIOS/UEFI settings. Only modify the settings specifically mentioned in this guide. Incorrect changes can affect your system's stability.

Step 3: Reinstall Vanguard and/or Valorant (The "Reset" Button!)

If the above steps don't resolve the issue, or if Vanguard seems corrupted, a clean reinstallation can often fix lingering problems. Vanguard is designed to re-install automatically when you launch a Riot game after it's been uninstalled.

Sub-heading: Uninstalling Riot Vanguard

Press Windows key + S to open the search bar.
Type Add or remove programs and press Enter.
In the "Apps & features" (or "Add or remove programs") list, scroll down and find "Riot Vanguard."
Click on it and then click Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation. You might be asked to confirm several times.
Restart your computer after uninstalling Vanguard. This is crucial for a clean slate.

Sub-heading: Reinstalling Vanguard (Automatically!)

Launch Valorant or League of Legends (whichever game uses Vanguard).
The game launcher should detect that Vanguard is missing and automatically begin the reinstallation process.
Follow any on-screen instructions to allow Vanguard to reinstall.
Another restart might be required after Vanguard re-installs. Allow your system to reboot completely.

Step 4: Check for Conflicting Software and Update Drivers

Sometimes, other programs, especially third-party anti-virus software or outdated drivers, can interfere with Vanguard's ability to run on startup.

Sub-heading: Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus/Firewall

Locate your antivirus software icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen).
Right-click on it and look for options like "Disable protection," "Turn off firewall," or "Exit."
Temporarily disable it for a short period (e.g., 30 minutes or until the next restart).
Restart your PC and check if Vanguard now runs on startup. If it does, you'll need to add an exception for Vanguard (and your Riot Games) in your antivirus software settings. Refer to your antivirus software's documentation for how to do this.

Sub-heading: Update Your Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can sometimes cause conflicts.

Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
Look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark, which indicates a driver issue.
Right-click on such devices and select Update driver. Choose to search automatically for updated driver software.
Alternatively, visit your motherboard manufacturer's website and your graphics card manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to download and install the latest drivers directly.

Step 5: Disable Windows Testing Mode (Rare, but Possible Fix)

In rare cases, if you've previously enabled Windows Testing Mode, it can conflict with Vanguard.

Press Windows key + S to open the search bar.
Type cmd, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
- bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF
- bcdedit -set NOINTEGRITYCHECKS OFF
Restart your computer.

Step 6: Contact Riot Games Support

If you've tried all the above steps and Vanguard still isn't running on startup, or you're experiencing persistent errors, it's time to reach out to the experts.

Visit the official Riot Games Support website (support.riotgames.com).
Submit a support ticket, providing as much detail as possible about your issue, including the steps you've already taken. Attaching screenshots of any error messages is also highly recommended.

10 Related FAQ Questions

How to check if Vanguard is running?

You can check for the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (near the clock on your Windows taskbar). If it's visible, Vanguard is active. Alternatively, you can open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the "Processes" tab, and look for "Riot Vanguard" and "vgtray.exe."

How to temporarily disable Vanguard?

You can right-click the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." However, note that you will need to restart your computer to re-enable Vanguard and play Valorant/League of Legends.

How to permanently uninstall Vanguard?

Go to "Add or remove programs" in Windows settings, find "Riot Vanguard," and click uninstall. After uninstallation, you will need to restart your PC. Be aware that Valorant and League of Legends will not launch without Vanguard.

How to fix "Vanguard not initialized" error?

This error often means Vanguard isn't running correctly. The most common fix is to set the "VGC" service to "Automatic" in services.msc and restart your PC. Reinstalling Vanguard can also resolve this.

How to resolve "Vanguard requires secure boot" error?

This error indicates that Secure Boot is not enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. You'll need to restart your PC, enter BIOS, and enable Secure Boot in the "Boot" or "Security" section.

How to enable TPM 2.0 for Vanguard?

You'll need to access your BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing Delete or F2 during boot-up) and find the "TPM" or "Trusted Computing" setting to enable it.

How to prevent Vanguard from slowing down my PC?

Vanguard is designed to be lightweight. If you experience slowdowns, it might be due to conflicts with other software or outdated drivers. Ensure your drivers are updated and check for any conflicting third-party antivirus/firewall software.

How to report a Vanguard issue to Riot Games?

Visit the official Riot Games Support website (support.riotgames.com) and submit a ticket describing your problem in detail.

How to update Vanguard?

Vanguard updates automatically with Riot Games titles like Valorant and League of Legends. There isn't a manual update process for Vanguard itself; it's integrated with the game updates.

How to know if Vanguard is interfering with another program?

If a program stops working or behaves unusually only when Vanguard is running, it might be a conflict. Try temporarily disabling Vanguard (by exiting it from the system tray) and see if the other program functions normally. If so, you may need to add exceptions in your antivirus or re-evaluate the conflicting software.

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