Hello there! Having trouble with Riot Vanguard? It can be a real headache when this crucial anti-cheat system doesn't install correctly, stopping you from jumping into your favorite Riot Games titles like VALORANT or League of Legends. Don't worry, you're not alone. The automatic installation often works, but when it doesn't, a manual approach is the key. Let's walk through this process together, step-by-step, to get you back in the game.
Step 1: The First Diagnosis - Check Your System's Health
Before we dive into any manual uninstallation or reinstallation, let's make sure your computer is ready for Riot Vanguard. This is often where things go wrong, especially on newer systems or after Windows updates. Have you recently updated your Windows? Are you on Windows 11? If so, your system's security settings might be the culprit.
Sub-heading: Verify Windows Compatibility and Security Settings
Riot Vanguard, especially for Windows 11 users, has strict requirements for security features to combat cheaters effectively. You need to ensure that TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and UEFI Secure Boot are enabled.
Check TPM 2.0 Status:
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
tpm.mscand press Enter.A window will open. Look at the "Status" section. If it says "The TPM is ready for use," you're good. If not, it's a key reason for your installation failure.
Check Secure Boot Status:
Press the Windows Key + R and type
msinfo32and hit Enter.In the System Information window, find "BIOS Mode" and "Secure Boot State."
"BIOS Mode" should say UEFI, and "Secure Boot State" should say On. If it's "Legacy" or "Off," this is another likely source of the problem.
If either of these is not enabled, you'll need to go into your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings to enable them. This is a critical step, and it can be different for every motherboard manufacturer (Dell, HP, MSI, ASUS, etc.). It's best to check your motherboard's manual or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions on how to enable these features.
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| How To Manually Install Riot Vanguard |
Step 2: The Clean Slate - Uninstalling Riot Vanguard
If your system is configured correctly and you're still having issues, the next step is to completely remove any remnants of a failed Riot Vanguard installation. This ensures a clean slate for the new installation.
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
Sub-heading: Using the Windows 'Add or remove programs' feature
This is the most straightforward method.
Click on the Windows Start Menu and type "Add or remove programs".
In the list of installed applications, find Riot Vanguard.
Click on it and select Uninstall.
You'll be prompted to confirm. Click Uninstall again.
A pop-up may ask for administrator permission. Click Yes.
Sub-heading: The Manual Uninstall via Command Prompt (If the first method fails)
Sometimes, the standard uninstall doesn't work, leaving behind stubborn files. If that's the case, we'll get a bit more technical.
Click the Windows Start Menu and type
cmd.Right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator".
In the Command Prompt window, type the following two commands, pressing Enter after each one:
sc delete vgcsc delete vgk
Now, this is a crucial step! Reboot your computer immediately.
After the reboot, navigate to your C: drive and go to
C:\Program Files\.You should see a folder named Riot Vanguard. Right-click on it and Delete it. If it gives you an error, make sure you've rebooted and that there are no Riot Games-related processes running in the background.
Step 3: The Reinstallation - Let the Game Do the Work
There is no separate, standalone offline installer for Riot Vanguard. It is designed to be installed automatically when you launch a compatible Riot Games title. By completely uninstalling it first, you force the Riot Client to reinstall it upon the next launch.
Launch the Riot Client (the launcher for games like VALORANT or League of Legends).
When you attempt to launch the game, the Riot Client will detect that Riot Vanguard is missing.
It will automatically begin to download and install Riot Vanguard. You should see a progress bar for this.
Once the installation is complete, the Riot Client will prompt you to restart your computer. DO NOT skip this step. It is essential for Riot Vanguard to initialize correctly.
After your system reboots, you should see the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner of your taskbar).
Step 4: Troubleshooting and Verification
After following these steps, you should be able to launch your game without any Vanguard-related errors. If you still encounter issues, here are some things to check.
Reminder: Reading twice often makes things clearer.
Run the Riot Client as an Administrator: Right-click on the Riot Client shortcut and select "Run as administrator." This can sometimes resolve permission-related issues.
Check for conflicting software: Certain software, especially those with overlays or kernel-level access (like some antivirus programs, system monitoring tools, or other anti-cheat software), can conflict with Riot Vanguard. Try temporarily disabling or uninstalling them to see if it resolves the issue.
Update your Windows: Ensure your Windows installation is fully up to date.
Update your BIOS/UEFI: Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for the latest BIOS/UEFI firmware update. This is an advanced step and should be done with caution.
By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to successfully manually install Riot Vanguard and get back to playing your favorite games without interruptions.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can check for the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (the bottom-right corner of your taskbar). If you see a small red or orange shield icon, it's running. You can also open your Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look for a process called vgc.exe.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard if it fails from 'Add or remove programs'?
Follow the manual uninstall steps in Step 2, using the Command Prompt to delete the services and then manually deleting the Riot Vanguard folder from C:\Program Files\.
How to fix the 'Vanguard needs a reboot' error?
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
First, simply reboot your computer. If the error persists, it usually means the installation didn't complete properly. Follow the full manual uninstallation guide and then let the Riot Client reinstall it on its next launch.
How to enable TPM 2.0 on my PC?
This requires entering your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings, which is different for every motherboard. You need to restart your computer and press a specific key (usually F2, F10, Del, or Esc) during startup to enter the BIOS. Look for a setting related to "Security," "TPM," or "Trusted Computing."
How to enable Secure Boot?
Similar to enabling TPM, this is done in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Look for a "Boot" or "Security" tab, and find the "Secure Boot" option. Make sure your "BIOS Mode" is set to UEFI, as Secure Boot is only available in UEFI mode.
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard without reinstalling the whole game?
Simply uninstall Riot Vanguard via "Add or remove programs" or the manual Command Prompt method. When you launch the Riot Client and the game, it will automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard without needing to redownload the entire game client.
Tip: The middle often holds the main point.
How to fix Vanguard error VAN9001 or VAN9003?
These errors are almost always related to TPM 2.0 and/or Secure Boot not being enabled on your Windows 11 system. Follow the verification steps in Step 1 to confirm their status and then enable them in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
How to check my Windows version and build number?
Press the Windows Key + R, type winver, and press Enter. A small window will appear showing your Windows version and build number. You can also check it in Settings > System > About.
How to temporarily disable Riot Vanguard?
You can find the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray. Right-click on it and you should see an option to "Exit Vanguard" or "Disable Vanguard." This will stop the anti-cheat from running until the next time you launch a Riot game or restart your computer.
How to contact Riot Support for more help?
If all else fails, the best course of action is to submit a support ticket to Riot Games. You can visit their official support website, find the support page for the specific game (VALORANT, League of Legends), and submit a ticket with a detailed description of your issue and the steps you have already taken.
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