How To Run Vanguard Valorant Without Restarting

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Running Valorant often comes with the dreaded "Vanguard not initialized" or "system restart required" message, forcing you to reboot your PC just to play a game. It's frustrating, interrupts your flow, and frankly, can be a real pain. But what if I told you there are ways to potentially get around this frequent inconvenience? While Vanguard, Riot Games' kernel-level anti-cheat, is designed to start with your system for maximum effectiveness, there are common troubleshooting steps that can often resolve these issues without a full restart.

Ready to dive in and get back to those clutch plays without the unnecessary reboots? Let's fix this!

How to Run Vanguard Valorant Without Restarting: A Comprehensive Guide

The core reason Valorant often demands a restart is due to Riot Vanguard's nature as a kernel-level anti-cheat. It needs to load very early in your system's boot sequence to monitor for potential cheating software effectively. If Vanguard isn't initialized correctly or detects anything unusual, it will block Valorant from launching and often prompt a restart. However, many common issues that trigger this message can be addressed without a full system reboot.

Step 1: Engage the Vanguard Service Manually

This is often the quickest and most effective fix for the "Vanguard not initialized" error when it occurs after your PC has already been running. It tells your system to kickstart the anti-cheat.

Sub-heading: The "Services" Manager Method

Open the Run Dialog: Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This will bring up the "Run" dialog box.
Access Services: In the "Run" box, type services.msc and press Enter, or click "OK". This will open the Windows Services Manager.
Locate Vanguard (vgc): In the Services window, scroll down the list until you find a service named "vgc" (Vanguard Gaming Client).
Check Service Status and Startup Type:
- Right-click on "vgc" and select "Properties."
- In the Properties window, look at "Startup type." It should ideally be set to "Automatic." If it's not, change it to "Automatic."
- Now, check the "Service status." If it's "Stopped," click the "Start" button.
- Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.
Test Valorant: Close the Services window and try launching Valorant. Often, this simple step is enough to get the game running without a restart.

Sub-heading: Command Prompt (Admin) for a Quick Start

For those comfortable with command-line tools, you can also try restarting the service via Command Prompt:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for "CMD" in your Windows search bar, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
Stop the VGC Service (Optional but Recommended): Type net stop vgc and press Enter. You might get a message saying the service isn't running, which is fine.
Start the VGC Service: Type net start vgc and press Enter. You should see a "The service was started successfully" message.
Launch Valorant: Close the Command Prompt and try launching Valorant.

Step 2: Verify Game Files and Reinstall Vanguard

Sometimes, the issue isn't just that Vanguard isn't running, but that its files are corrupted or incomplete. This can often lead to the "restart required" message.

Sub-heading: Repairing Valorant Files through the Riot Client

The Riot Client has a built-in repair function that can fix issues with both Valorant and Vanguard.

Open Riot Client: Launch the Riot Games Client (where you typically launch Valorant).
Access Game Settings: Click on the profile icon in the top right corner (or the gear icon for settings, depending on your client version) and select "Settings."
Initiate Repair: Go to the "Valorant" section. You should see a "Repair" button. Click it.
Allow the Process to Complete: The client will scan for and repair any corrupted or missing game files, including those related to Vanguard. This might take some time.
Restart Valorant: Once the repair is complete, try launching Valorant.

Sub-heading: Clean Reinstallation of Riot Vanguard

If repairing doesn't work, a clean reinstallation of Vanguard can resolve deeper corruption issues. Don't worry, Valorant will prompt you to reinstall it when you try to launch the game afterward.

Uninstall Riot Vanguard:
- Press Windows Key + R, type appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open "Programs and Features."
- Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, right-click on it, and select "Uninstall." Follow the on-screen prompts.
- Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find "Riot Vanguard" and click "Uninstall."
Restart Your Computer (Crucial for this step): While the goal is to avoid restarts, after uninstalling Vanguard, a restart is highly recommended to clear any residual files or processes.
Launch Valorant: After the restart, launch Valorant. The game client will detect that Vanguard is missing and automatically prompt you to download and install it. Allow this process to complete.
Restart Again (if prompted): Sometimes, after a fresh Vanguard installation, it might still ask for a restart. While frustrating, this is a necessary evil in this specific scenario to ensure Vanguard integrates correctly with your system at a kernel level.

Step 3: Address System-Level Conflicts and Settings

Vanguard is sensitive to various system configurations and other software. Conflicts here can often cause the "restart required" message.

Sub-heading: Update Windows and Drivers

Outdated Windows versions or device drivers can cause compatibility issues with Vanguard.

Windows Updates:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (or Settings > Windows Update on Windows 11).
- Click "Check for updates" and install any pending updates.
- Restart your PC if prompted after updates.
Graphics Drivers: Ensure your graphics drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) are up to date. Visit your GPU manufacturer's website or use their dedicated software (GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software) to check for and install the latest drivers.
Other Drivers: While less common, outdated chipset or network drivers can also sometimes play a role. Consider checking for updates using your motherboard manufacturer's website.

Sub-heading: Disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) / Hyper-V

Vanguard can sometimes conflict with Windows' Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) features, especially if TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are not properly configured. Disabling VBS might resolve the issue, though it has minor security implications.

Check VBS Status:
- Press Windows Key + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter.
- In the System Information window, look for ***"Virtualization-based security"***. If it's "Running," then it's enabled.
Disable VBS (via Command Prompt):
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator (as shown in Step 1, Sub-heading "Command Prompt (Admin)").
- Type bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off and press Enter.
- Type bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on and press Enter. (Be cautious with this command as it disables integrity checks, only use it temporarily for troubleshooting if other methods fail).
- Restart your PC after executing these commands.
Verify VBS is Off: After restarting, check msinfo32 again to ensure "Virtualization-based security" is "Not running."
Launch Valorant: See if the game launches without issues. Remember to re-enable integrity checks (bcdedit /set nointegritychecks off) after playing if you used that command, and ideally, re-enable VBS later if it wasn't the root cause.

Sub-heading: Run Valorant as Administrator

This ensures Valorant and Vanguard have the necessary permissions to operate correctly.

Locate Valorant Shortcut: Find your Valorant shortcut on your desktop or in the Start Menu.
Change Properties: Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties."
Enable Administrator Privileges: Go to the "Compatibility" tab.
- Check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator."
- Click "Apply" and then "OK."
Launch Valorant: Try running the game from this shortcut.

Sub-heading: Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall

Sometimes, overzealous antivirus software or firewall settings can block Vanguard's processes.

Disable Antivirus: Temporarily disable your third-party antivirus software. The method varies by antivirus (e.g., right-click its icon in the system tray and look for "Disable" or "Exit").
Windows Defender Firewall:
- Search for "Windows Defender Firewall" in your Windows search bar and open it.
- Click on "Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off" on the left pane.
- Select "Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)" for both private and public networks temporarily.
- Click "OK."
Test Valorant: Try launching Valorant. If it works, you've found the culprit. You'll then need to add exceptions for Valorant and Riot Vanguard in your antivirus and firewall settings.
Re-enable Security: Crucially, re-enable your antivirus and firewall immediately after testing to protect your system.

Step 4: Check for Conflicting Background Applications

Certain software can interfere with Vanguard's operation, causing errors.

Sub-heading: Clean Boot Troubleshooting

Performing a clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, helping you identify if a background application is the cause.

Open System Configuration: Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig and press Enter.
Disable Startup Items:
- Go to the "Services" tab.
- Check the box that says "Hide all Microsoft services."
- Now, click "Disable all." (This will disable all non-Microsoft services.)
- Go to the "Startup" tab.
- Click "Open Task Manager."
- In Task Manager, go to the "Startup" tab and disable all startup items one by one (right-click and select "Disable").
- Close Task Manager.
Apply and Restart: In the System Configuration window, click "Apply" and then "OK." You'll be prompted to restart your computer.
Test Valorant: After the restart, try launching Valorant. If it works, then one of the disabled services or startup items was the cause. You'll need to re-enable them one by one until you find the culprit.
Revert to Normal Boot: Once you've identified the problematic software (or if this step didn't help), go back to msconfig, select "Normal startup" on the "General" tab, and re-enable your services and startup items.

Final Thoughts on Avoiding Restarts

While these steps can often circumvent the need for a full system restart when Vanguard prompts it, it's important to understand Vanguard's design. Riot Games intentionally designed it to initialize with the system for optimal anti-cheat effectiveness. If you consistently face issues that only resolve with a full restart, it might indicate a deeper system conflict or a persistent issue with Vanguard's integration on your specific setup. In such cases, a support ticket to Riot Games might be the best course of action.

10 Related FAQ Questions: How To Edition

How to check if Vanguard is running?

You can check if Riot Vanguard is running by looking for its small red icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen, near the clock). If it's there, it's active. You can also open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the "Processes" tab, and look for "vgc.exe" or "Riot Vanguard" under background processes.

How to stop Vanguard from running when I'm not playing Valorant?

Right-click on the Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray, then select "Exit Vanguard." You'll need to restart your computer the next time you want to play Valorant for Vanguard to re-initialize correctly.

How to prevent the "System Restart Required" message?

The best way to prevent this message is to ensure Vanguard starts correctly with Windows (vgc service set to "Automatic"), keep your Windows OS and drivers updated, avoid running conflicting software, and ensure Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 (if your system supports them and Vanguard requires them) are enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings.

How to troubleshoot Vanguard error code VAN 128/57?

These often indicate Vanguard not being initialized. Try the manual service restart (Step 1 of this guide), then a full reinstallation of Vanguard (Step 2.2), and check for conflicting software (Step 4).

How to enable Secure Boot for Valorant?

This is done in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. The exact steps vary by motherboard manufacturer, but generally involve restarting your PC and pressing a key (like Del, F2, F10, F12) repeatedly during startup to enter BIOS, then navigating to a "Boot" or "Security" tab to find and enable "Secure Boot."

How to enable TPM 2.0 for Valorant?

Similar to Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Look for it under "Security" or "Advanced" options. Ensure it's enabled and then save and exit BIOS.

How to update my graphics drivers for Valorant?

Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your specific GPU model. Alternatively, use their dedicated software (GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software) which often includes an update feature.

How to add Valorant and Vanguard to antivirus exclusions?

The process varies by antivirus software. Generally, you'll open your antivirus program, navigate to its settings or "Exclusions" section, and add the main Valorant game folder (C:\Riot Games\VALORANT) and the Vanguard folder (C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard) as exceptions.

How to check for unsigned drivers on my PC?

You can use the sigverif tool. Press Windows Key + R, type sigverif and press Enter. Click "Start" to begin the scan. It will list any unsigned drivers detected, which can sometimes conflict with Vanguard.

How to contact Riot Games Support for Vanguard issues?

If all else fails, the best course of action is to submit a support ticket directly to Riot Games. Visit the official Riot Games Support website (support.riotgames.com), log in with your Riot account, and navigate to the "Submit a Ticket" section, providing as much detail as possible about your issue.

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