Ready to level up your game? Let's get Vanguard running!
So, you've heard the news: Riot Games is integrating their anti-cheat software, Riot Vanguard, into League of Legends. You're probably wondering what this means for you as a player. Don't worry, we're here to break it down and guide you through every step of the process. Think of this as your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about getting Vanguard up and running so you can jump back into the Summoner's Rift. Let's start with the most important thing: understanding what Vanguard is and why it's necessary.
Riot Vanguard is a custom-built anti-cheat solution that operates at a low level on your computer (the kernel level) to detect and prevent cheating software. Its goal is to maintain competitive integrity and ensure a fair and secure environment for all players. While it might sound a bit intimidating, the installation process is designed to be as seamless as possible.
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| How To Run Vanguard League Of Legends |
Step 1: The Automatic Installation Process (No separate download required!)
"Where do I download Riot Vanguard?" you might be asking. That's the best part! You don't need to go hunting for a separate download file.
Riot Vanguard is automatically installed alongside League of Legends.
When you install or update the League of Legends client, the Vanguard software will be included in the installation package. The next time you reboot your PC after the update, Vanguard will automatically install itself and be ready to run.
So, the first and most crucial step is simply to ensure your League of Legends client is fully updated.
Launch the Riot Client: Open the Riot Client on your PC.
Check for Updates: The client will automatically check for any pending updates for League of Legends. If an update is available, it will start downloading.
Complete the Update: Let the client download and install the update completely. This is the package that contains Vanguard.
Restart Your PC!: This is a critical step. After the update is complete, you need to restart your computer. Vanguard's installation will finish during the reboot process. You'll know it's running when you see the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (the little arrow in the bottom right corner of your taskbar, next to the clock).
Congratulations! If everything went smoothly, you should now be able to launch League of Legends and play without any issues.
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Step 2: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, things don't go as planned. If you've restarted your PC and are still facing errors or can't launch the game, don't panic! Here are some of the most common issues and how to fix them.
Sub-heading: Checking System Requirements and Compatibility
Before you dive into complex fixes, it's essential to ensure your system meets the basic requirements for both League of Legends and Riot Vanguard.
Operating System: You need to be running a 64-bit version of Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11.
TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot: For Windows 11, these features must be enabled in your BIOS. If you're on Windows 10, it's highly recommended to enable them as well to avoid future issues.
How to check for TPM 2.0 and UEFI:
Press the Windows key + R, type
tpm.msc, and press Enter. A window will pop up telling you the status of your TPM.Press the Windows key + R, type
msinfo32, and press Enter. Look for "Secure Boot State" and "BIOS Mode". If Secure Boot is "On" and BIOS Mode is "UEFI," you're good to go.
If these are not enabled, you will need to enter your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI settings and enable them. This process varies by motherboard manufacturer, so a quick search for "how to enable TPM 2.0 [your motherboard model]" will be your best friend here.
Sub-heading: Fixing Vanguard Not Running (VAN 57 Error)
This is a very common error code that means Vanguard isn't active on your system.
Tip: Focus more on ideas, less on words.
Restart Your PC: The simplest fix is often the most effective. A fresh restart can resolve many background process conflicts.
Ensure VGC Service is Running: Vanguard has a service called "VGC" that needs to be running in the background.
Press the Windows key + R, type
services.msc, and press Enter.Find the service named "vgc" in the list.
Right-click on it and select Properties.
Make sure the "Startup type" is set to "Automatic".
If the service is not running, click "Start".
Click "Apply" and then "OK".
Restart your computer and try launching the game again.
Sub-heading: Reinstalling Riot Vanguard
If the VGC service fix doesn't work, a fresh reinstall is the next logical step.
Uninstall Vanguard:
Go to Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features.
Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list and click "Uninstall".
Follow the on-screen prompts.
Manually Delete the Folder (Optional but recommended):
Navigate to your
C:\Program Filesdirectory and check if a folder named "Riot Vanguard" still exists.If it does, delete it manually. You might need administrator privileges.
Restart Your PC: This is important to ensure all components are fully removed.
Reinstall: Now, simply launch the League of Legends client. The client will detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to reinstall it automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart Your PC (Again!): After the automatic reinstall, another restart is required to finalize the process.
Step 3: Advanced Troubleshooting and Error Codes
If you're still facing issues, you might be encountering a specific error code. Riot Games has a great support page for this, but here are some of the most frequent ones.
VAN 9001/VAN 9002: These errors are almost always related to TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) settings.
Solution: Enable TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot in your BIOS, as mentioned in Step 2.
VAN 1067: This can be caused by unusual software or malware.
Solution:
Restart your PC and the Riot Client.
Run a full system scan with your antivirus software.
Check your Task Manager for any suspicious programs running in the background and close them.
VAN -1: This is a general uninstall failure.
Solution: Follow the manual uninstall and reinstall steps in Step 2 very carefully. If it persists, you may need to use the Command Prompt to force the uninstallation.
Connection Errors (VAN 0, 6, 68, 84, etc.): These errors indicate a problem with the connection between Vanguard and Riot's servers.
Solution:
Restart the Riot Client and the League of Legends client.
Check your internet connection for stability.
Close any programs that might be using a lot of bandwidth.
If you've tried all these steps and the issue persists, the best course of action is to submit a ticket to Riot Games Support. They can provide more personalized assistance based on your system logs.
Step 4: Ensuring a Smooth Gaming Experience
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Once you have Vanguard running, here are some tips to ensure a seamless experience.
Sub-heading: Keep Everything Updated
Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows operating system is always up-to-date. This ensures compatibility and security.
Graphics Drivers: Keep your graphics drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) updated to the latest version for optimal performance.
Riot Client: The client itself will automatically update, so you don't need to worry about it, but a good practice is to always launch the game through the official client.
Sub-heading: Managing Vanguard in Your System Tray
When Vanguard is active, you'll see its icon in your system tray.
Right-click the icon: You can right-click the icon to see a menu.
Exit Vanguard: You have the option to "Exit Vanguard." Be aware that if you exit Vanguard, you will not be able to launch League of Legends or any other Vanguard-enabled Riot game until you restart your PC. This is by design to ensure continuous anti-cheat protection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions that start with 'How to' with quick and concise answers.
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How to know if Riot Vanguard is running? You will see the Riot Vanguard icon (a shield with a V) in your system tray in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar when it is active.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard? You can uninstall Riot Vanguard just like any other program through Windows' Control Panel. Go to "Programs and Features," find "Riot Vanguard," and click "Uninstall."
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard? After uninstalling, simply restart your computer and launch the League of Legends client. The client will automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to reinstall it.
How to fix the VAN 57 error?
The VAN 57 error means Vanguard is not running. The quickest fix is to restart your computer. If that doesn't work, check if the "vgc" service is running in services.msc and set it to Automatic.
How to enable TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot? You need to access your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI settings during startup (usually by pressing a key like F2, F12, or Del). The exact steps vary, so consult your motherboard's manual or a quick online search.
How to check if my PC supports Vanguard? As long as you are on a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or 11 and meet the minimum system requirements for League of Legends, you should be good to go. Windows 11 users must have TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot enabled.
How to fix Vanguard connection errors? Most connection errors (like VAN 0, 6, 68, 84) can be solved by simply restarting your Riot Client and League of Legends. If the issue persists, check your internet connection for stability.
How to prevent Vanguard from blocking other programs? Vanguard is designed to minimize conflicts. If it's blocking a legitimate program, ensure both Vanguard and the program are updated. If the issue persists, report it to Riot Support.
How to stop Vanguard from running in the background? You can right-click the Vanguard icon in the system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." However, remember that you will be unable to play League of Legends until you restart your computer to re-enable it.
How to get help from Riot Support for Vanguard issues? If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps and still have problems, submit a ticket to Riot Games Player Support through their official website. Provide as much detail as possible, including any error codes you received.
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