A Comprehensive Guide: How to Manually Run Vanguard for VALORANT
Hey there, VALORANT enthusiast! Ever been in that frustrating situation where you're ready to jump into a game, but VALORANT won't launch because of a Vanguard error? Or maybe you just want to make sure everything is running smoothly before a competitive match. You're in the right place! This guide will walk you through the process of manually running Riot Vanguard, giving you full control and helping you troubleshoot common issues.
Let's dive in!
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| How To Run Vanguard Manually |
Step 1: Understand What Vanguard Is and Why It Matters
Before we start tinkering, it's crucial to understand what Riot Vanguard is. Riot Vanguard is Riot Games' anti-cheat software designed to detect and prevent cheating in VALORANT. It's a kernel-level anti-cheat, meaning it runs with high privileges on your system to monitor for malicious activity. This is why it's so effective, but it's also why it can sometimes cause conflicts with other software or not start properly. It's a non-negotiable part of playing VALORANT. Without Vanguard running, the game will not launch.
Step 2: Check the Vanguard Service Status
First, let's see if the Vanguard service is even running. This is the most important check.
Sub-heading: Using the Task Manager
Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open the Task Manager.Go to the "Services" tab.
Scroll down the list and look for a service named "vgk". This is the Vanguard kernel service.
Look at the "Status" column. If it says "Running", great! It's already active. If it says "Stopped" or is not listed, you need to manually start it.
Sub-heading: Using the Services App
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog box.Type
services.mscand press Enter. This will open the Services application.In the list, find the service named "vgc" (this is the Riot Vanguard user-mode service).
Right-click on it and select "Properties".
In the "Startup type" dropdown, make sure it is set to "Automatic".
Check the "Service status". If it's "Stopped", click the "Start" button.
Step 3: Manually Launching Vanguard from the Desktop Shortcut
This is the most common and straightforward way to manually start Vanguard.
Go to your desktop. You should see a shortcut for VALORANT.
If you don't have one, go to the folder where VALORANT is installed (usually
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT).Inside the
VALORANTfolder, there is another folder calledlive.Inside the
livefolder, you'll find the game executable and a folder calledShooterGame.Look for the Riot Client or VALORANT shortcut on your desktop or start menu.
Double-click the VALORANT shortcut. This is designed to automatically launch the Riot Client and, subsequently, Vanguard.
If Vanguard is not running, the Riot Client will usually prompt you to restart your computer to activate it.
Step 4: Using the Command Prompt (Advanced Method)
This method is for when the standard launching method fails. It's a more direct way to interact with the service.
Press
Windows Key + Sto open the search bar.Type
cmd.Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator". This is crucial!
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command to start the service:
net start vgcPress Enter. If successful, you will see a message that says "The Riot Vanguard service was started successfully."
If you see an error, it might be due to a corrupted installation.
Step 5: Repairing or Reinstalling Vanguard
If you've tried everything and Vanguard still won't run, the installation might be corrupted.
Sub-heading: Reinstalling Vanguard
Press
Windows Key + Sand type "Add or remove programs".Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list of installed applications.
Click on it and select "Uninstall".
After the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer.
Now, launch the Riot Client and then VALORANT. The client will automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and will prompt you to download and install it again.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
After the installation, you must restart your computer again.
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
Sub-heading: Using the Repair Tool (if available)
Sometimes, Riot Games provides a repair tool. Check the official Riot Games support website for any dedicated repair utilities for Vanguard.
Step 6: Verifying and Troubleshooting
After you've started the service, verify that it's active and check for potential conflicts.
Restart your computer. This is the most important step after any manual start or reinstallation. Vanguard is a kernel-level driver and requires a fresh boot to integrate properly with your system.
Check the system tray (bottom right corner of your screen). You should see the Vanguard icon (the orange "V"). If you hover over it, it should say "Riot Vanguard is running."
If the icon is red with a line through it, there is a problem. Right-click on it to see the error message.
Check for conflicting software. Some programs, like other anti-cheats, virtual machine software, or certain security tools, can conflict with Vanguard. Temporarily disable or uninstall them to see if it resolves the issue.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to fix Vanguard not initializing?
Try restarting your computer. If that doesn't work, manually start the vgc service through the Services app or the Command Prompt, and if all else fails, reinstall Vanguard.
How to check if Vanguard is running?
QuickTip: Slow down if the pace feels too fast.
Open the Task Manager and go to the "Services" tab. Look for the vgk service. Its status should be "Running". You can also check for the Vanguard icon in your system tray.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to "Add or remove programs" in Windows settings, find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, and click "Uninstall".
How to start Vanguard automatically?
Ensure the startup type for the vgc service in the Services app (services.msc) is set to "Automatic".
How to fix Vanguard requiring a restart?
This is a common prompt. Simply restart your computer. The Vanguard driver needs a fresh boot to initialize correctly after an update or installation.
How to find the Vanguard service in Windows?
QuickTip: Skip distractions — focus on the words.
You can find it by its service name, vgc, in the Windows Services app (services.msc).
How to run VALORANT without Vanguard?
You cannot. Vanguard is a mandatory anti-cheat software that must be running for VALORANT to launch and play.
How to update Riot Vanguard manually?
Vanguard updates automatically with the VALORANT game client. To update it, simply launch the Riot Client and it will download and install any pending updates.
How to check Vanguard logs for errors?
You can check the Windows Event Viewer for logs related to Vanguard. Look under "Windows Logs" -> "Application" for events with "Riot Vanguard" or "vgc" in the source name.
How to whitelist Vanguard in my firewall?
Vanguard should be automatically whitelisted by the Riot Client. However, if you have a third-party firewall, you can manually add an exception for the vgc.exe and vgtray.exe executables in the Riot Games folder.
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