Is your game refusing to launch? Are you stuck in a never-ending update loop? We understand the frustration! Vanguard, Riot Games' anti-cheat system, is essential for a fair gaming experience, but sometimes it can be a real headache with its patching issues. Don't worry, you're not alone, and we're here to guide you through every step to get you back into the action!
Let's dive into a comprehensive guide on how to troubleshoot and resolve those pesky Vanguard patching issues.
Step 1: Initial Checks and Simple Restarts - The First Line of Defense
Before we get into anything complex, let's try the quickest and often most effective solutions.
Sub-heading: Are You Connected?
- Check your internet connection: A stable and strong internet connection is paramount for any update. Ensure your Wi-Fi is working correctly, or if you're on a wired connection, check your Ethernet cable. Try restarting your modem and router. Unplug them for 30 seconds, then plug them back in.
- Verify Riot Games Service Status: Sometimes, the issue isn't on your end at all! Riot Games may be experiencing server-side problems. Head over to the official Riot Games Service Status website to check for any ongoing outages or maintenance. If there's a known issue, your best bet is to wait it out.
Sub-heading: The Power of a Reboot
- Restart the Riot Client: Close the Riot Client completely. Make sure it's not running in the background (check your Task Manager,
Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Then, relaunch it. This can often resolve temporary glitches. - Restart your Computer: This is a classic for a reason! A full system restart can clear out temporary files, refresh system processes, and allow Vanguard to initialize correctly. This is often the fix for VAN 57, 44, and 45 errors.
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| How To Solve Vanguard Patching Issues |
Step 2: Granting Permissions and Checking for Interference - Giving Vanguard the Green Light
Vanguard, by its nature as an anti-cheat, requires deep system access. This can sometimes lead to conflicts with other software or insufficient permissions.
Sub-heading: Running as Administrator
- Run Riot Client and Game as Administrator: Right-click on your Riot Client shortcut (or the game's shortcut like VALORANT), select "Run as administrator." You can also set this permanently:
- Right-click the shortcut.
- Go to Properties.
- Click the Compatibility tab.
- Check the box for "Run this program as an administrator."
- Click Apply and then OK.
Sub-heading: Disabling Potential Interferences
- Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall: Your antivirus software or firewall might be flagging Vanguard as a threat and blocking its operations or updates. Temporarily disable them and try patching again. Remember to re-enable them after you've successfully updated!
- Windows Defender:
- Go to Windows Settings (
Win + I). - Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Security.
- Click on "Virus & threat protection" and then "Manage settings" under "Virus & threat protection settings." Turn off "Real-time protection."
- Click on "Firewall & network protection." Select your active network and temporarily turn off "Microsoft Defender Firewall."
- Go to Windows Settings (
- Third-party Antivirus: Refer to your specific antivirus software's instructions to temporarily disable it. Some common ones include Avast, AVG, Norton, McAfee.
- Windows Defender:
- Check for Conflicting Software: Certain applications, especially other anti-cheat software or performance-boosting tools, can interfere with Vanguard. If you've recently installed any new software, try uninstalling or disabling it to see if it resolves the issue.
Step 3: Managing Vanguard Services - Ensuring it Runs Smoothly
Vanguard operates as a service in your Windows system. Ensuring this service is correctly configured is crucial.
Sub-heading: Setting Vanguard Service to Automatic
- Verify 'vgc' Service Status:
- Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog. - Type
services.mscand press Enter. - In the Services window, scroll down and find "vgc" (Vanguard Gaming Controller).
- Right-click on it and select Properties.
- Ensure the "Startup type" is set to "Automatic."
- Under "Service status," if it's not "Running," click "Start."
- Click Apply and then OK.
- Restart your PC after making these changes.
- Press
Sub-heading: Prioritizing Riot Client Services
- ***Set RiotClientServices Priority (Advanced)***:
- Open Task Manager (
Ctrl + Shift + Esc). - Go to the "Details" tab.
- Find
RiotClientServices.exe. - Right-click on it, go to "Set priority," and choose "High" or "Above normal."
- Be cautious with "Realtime" as it can sometimes cause system instability.
- Open Task Manager (
Step 4: Reinstalling Vanguard and Game Files - The Deeper Clean
If the simpler solutions haven't worked, it's time for a more thorough approach. Corrupted Vanguard or game files are a common culprit.
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
Sub-heading: Clean Reinstallation of Riot Vanguard
This is often the most effective solution for persistent patching errors or error codes like VAN -1, -81, -102, -104, and 128.
- Exit Vanguard: Right-click the Vanguard icon in your system tray (bottom-right of your screen) and select "Exit Vanguard." Confirm the action.
- ***Uninstall Vanguard via Command Prompt (Admin)***:
- Press
Windows Key + R, typecmd, and pressCtrl + Shift + Enterto open Command Prompt as an administrator. - Type
sc delete vgcand press Enter. - Type
sc delete vgkand press Enter. - Close Command Prompt.
- Press
- Delete Vanguard Folder:
- Press
Windows Key + Eto open File Explorer. - Navigate to
C:\Program Files. - Find and right-click the "Riot Vanguard" folder, then select "Delete."
- Press
- Restart your PC.
- ***Relaunch your Riot Game (e.g., VALORANT)***: The Riot Client should automatically detect the missing Vanguard and begin reinstalling it. Allow this process to complete fully.
- After the reinstallation, restart your PC again.
Sub-heading: Repairing Game Files
If reinstalling Vanguard doesn't work, the game files themselves might be corrupted.
- Open the Riot Client.
- Go to the game's settings (usually a cogwheel icon).
- Look for an option like "Repair" or "Verify integrity of game files."
- Initiate the repair process and let it complete. This will check for and replace any corrupted or missing game files.
Step 5: System Updates and Compatibility - Keeping Your System Current
Outdated operating systems or drivers can lead to compatibility issues with Vanguard.
Sub-heading: Update Your Windows Operating System
Vanguard continuously updates to work with the latest Windows versions.
- Go to Windows Settings (
Win + I). - Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates.
- Restart your PC after the updates are installed.
Sub-heading: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers can cause various game-related issues, including those indirectly affecting Vanguard.
QuickTip: Reread for hidden meaning.
- Open Device Manager (
Windows Key + Xthen select "Device Manager"). - Expand "Display adapters."
- Right-click on your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and select "Update driver."
- Choose "Search automatically for drivers."
- Alternatively, visit your GPU manufacturer's official website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and download the latest drivers manually. A clean installation of drivers is always recommended.
Sub-heading: Adjusting Compatibility Mode (Less Common but Can Help)
For some users, running the game in compatibility mode has resolved issues.
- Navigate to your game's executable file (e.g.,
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT\live\VALORANT.exe). - Right-click the executable and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check "***Run this program in compatibility mode for:***" and try selecting an earlier version of Windows (e.g., Windows 7 or 8).
- Click Apply and then OK.
Step 6: Advanced Troubleshooting - For Persistent Problems
If you've tried everything above and are still facing issues, these more advanced steps might be necessary.
Sub-heading: Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, helping you determine if a background program is interfering.
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- Press
Windows Key + R, typemsconfig, and press Enter. - Go to the "Services" tab.
- Check the box that says "Hide all Microsoft services."
- Click "Disable all."
- Go to the "Startup" tab.
- Click "Open Task Manager."
- In Task Manager's Startup tab, disable all startup items one by one.
- Close Task Manager.
- In the System Configuration window, click Apply and OK.
- Restart your PC.
- If the game launches, re-enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit.
Sub-heading: Checking Secure Boot and TPM (for VAN 9001, 9003)
Newer versions of Vanguard may require specific BIOS settings like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled, especially on Windows 11.
- Check TPM: Press
Windows Key + R, typetpm.msc, and press Enter. It should say "The TPM is ready for use" and specify version 2.0. - Check Secure Boot: Press
Windows Key + R, typemsinfo32, and press Enter. Look for "BIOS Mode" (should be UEFI) and "Secure Boot State" (should be On). - Enabling in BIOS: This process varies by motherboard. You'll need to restart your PC and press a specific key (often
DEL,F2,F10, orF12) repeatedly during startup to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings. Look for settings related to "Boot," "Security," or "Advanced" to find options for UEFI mode, Secure Boot, and TPM. Consult your motherboard's manual for precise instructions.
Sub-heading: Disabling Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) / Core Isolation (for VAN 9005)
While VBS enhances security, it can sometimes conflict with Vanguard.
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
- Search for "Core isolation" in the Windows search bar.
- Toggle "Memory integrity" to Off.
- Restart your PC.
- If this doesn't work, you can try disabling Hyper-V (if enabled):
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype offand press Enter. - Restart your PC.
- To re-enable, use
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto.
Step 7: When All Else Fails - Contacting Support
If you've meticulously followed all these steps and are still facing Vanguard patching issues, it's time to reach out to the experts.
- Submit a Support Ticket to Riot Games: Provide as much detail as possible, including:
- The exact error message or code you're receiving.
- A detailed description of the problem.
- All the troubleshooting steps you've already tried.
- Your computer's specifications (Windows version, CPU, GPU, RAM).
- Screenshots or videos of the issue, if possible.
- Riot Games Support is generally responsive and can offer tailored solutions based on your specific system and error.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can check if Riot Vanguard is running by looking for the Vanguard icon in your system tray (near the clock on your taskbar). You can also open services.msc (search for "services" in Windows search) and find "vgc" – its status should be "Running."
How to update Riot Vanguard manually?
Riot Vanguard usually updates automatically with your game (like VALORANT). However, if you suspect an update issue, the most effective "manual" update is a clean reinstallation (see Step 4).
How to fix Vanguard "Service Start Failed" error?
This error (often VAN -81, 128) is typically fixed by restarting your PC and the Riot Client. If it persists, a clean reinstallation of Vanguard (Step 4) is recommended.
How to resolve Vanguard "VAN 0" or "VAN 1" connection errors?
These are common connection errors. Start by restarting your Riot Client and then your entire PC. Ensure your internet connection is stable.
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
How to disable Vanguard temporarily?
You cannot easily "disable" Vanguard temporarily without affecting your ability to play Riot Games. The easiest way to stop it is to right-click its system tray icon and select "Exit Vanguard," but you'll need to restart your PC or the game to re-enable it for gameplay.
How to fix Vanguard conflicts with antivirus software?
Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall (Step 2) to see if they are causing the issue. If that resolves it, you'll need to add exceptions for Riot Client, Vanguard, and your game in your antivirus/firewall settings.
How to perform a clean boot for troubleshooting Vanguard?
Follow the steps in "Step 6: Advanced Troubleshooting > Sub-heading: Clean Boot" to perform a clean boot of your Windows system.
How to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 for Vanguard?
You need to access your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings during startup. The exact steps vary by motherboard, but generally involve restarting your PC and repeatedly pressing a specific key (like DEL or F2). Look for options under "Boot" or "Security" to enable UEFI mode, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0.
How to check for corrupted Vanguard files?
The best way to check for and fix corrupted Vanguard files is to perform a clean reinstallation of Vanguard (Step 4), as this replaces all its core components.
How to contact Riot Games Support for Vanguard issues?
Visit the official Riot Games Support website for your region, log in to your account, and look for the "Submit a Ticket" or "Contact Us" option. Provide as much detail as possible about your issue.
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