Riot Vanguard, Riot Games' custom game security software, has become an integral part of playing League of Legends. Designed to ensure competitive integrity and combat cheating, it's now a mandatory component. This lengthy guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Vanguard, from its purpose to installation, troubleshooting, and frequently asked questions.
Welcome, Summoner! Are you ready to dive into the Rift and prove your skills, free from the blight of cheaters?
If you've encountered issues launching League of Legends or are simply curious about this new anti-cheat system, you've come to the right place. Let's get you set up for a fair and fun gaming experience!
Step 1: Understanding Riot Vanguard – What is it and Why Do I Need It?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of installation and troubleshooting, it's crucial to understand what Riot Vanguard is and why Riot Games decided to implement it in League of Legends.
1.1 What Exactly is Riot Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard is Riot Games' proprietary anti-cheat system. It's a robust security software designed to detect and prevent cheating in all Riot titles, including League of Legends and VALORANT. It comprises two main components:
- Client-side defenses: These actively observe the game for suspicious behavior, identifying client modifications or attempts to inject code.
- Kernel-mode driver: This is the more "intrusive" part, running at a lower system level. This deep access is necessary to combat more sophisticated cheating techniques that operate at the kernel level of your operating system.
1.2 Why is Vanguard Necessary for League of Legends?
Riot Games introduced Vanguard to League of Legends for several key reasons:
- Fair Play: The primary goal is to ensure a fair and level playing field for all players. Cheaters, scripters, and bot accounts severely degrade the competitive integrity and overall enjoyment of the game.
- Security Breach Aftermath: Following a security breach in early 2023, Riot needed a stronger anti-cheat solution.
- Outdated OS Support: League's continued support for some operating systems that no longer received security updates from their developers exacerbated cheating problems.
- VALORANT's Success: Vanguard's proven success in VALORANT demonstrated its effectiveness in maintaining a cheat-free environment.
Important Note: You cannot play League of Legends or Teamfight Tactics on PC without Riot Vanguard being active and running. If you attempt to disable or uninstall it while the League Client is open, you will be prevented from playing.
Step 2: System Requirements Check – Is Your PC Ready for Vanguard?
Before proceeding with any installation or troubleshooting, it's essential to ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for both League of Legends and Riot Vanguard. While Vanguard itself doesn't add a significant burden, the combined requirements are important.
2.1 Minimum and Recommended PC Specifications for League of Legends (with Vanguard)
2.2 Key Vanguard-Specific Requirements (Especially for Windows 11)
- Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11: Vanguard requires modern Windows versions for optimal performance and security.
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module 2.0): For Windows 11 users, TPM 2.0 must be enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. This is a hardware-based security feature that Vanguard utilizes.
- How to check for TPM 2.0:
- Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog. - Type
tpm.mscand press Enter. - Look for "Specification Version" under the "TPM Manufacturer Information" section. It should say "2.0".
- Press
- How to check for TPM 2.0:
- UEFI Firmware: Your system should be running in UEFI mode rather than Legacy BIOS mode, especially if enabling TPM 2.0.
If your system doesn't meet these requirements, you might encounter issues or be unable to play League of Legends.
Step 3: Installing Riot Vanguard – It's Easier Than You Think!
The good news is that installing Riot Vanguard for League of Legends is largely an automated process. You don't need to hunt for a separate download link.
3.1 Automatic Installation with League of Legends
- Existing League of Legends Players: If you already have League of Legends installed, Vanguard will be automatically downloaded and installed alongside a game update. This typically happens when Riot rolls out a patch that integrates Vanguard. You'll likely see a prompt or a progress bar indicating its installation.
- New League of Legends Players: When you download and install League of Legends for the first time from the official Riot Games website, Riot Vanguard will be included in the installation package and set up automatically.
3.2 The Essential Restart
After Vanguard has been installed, whether through an update or a fresh installation, you will absolutely need to restart your computer. This is a critical step because Vanguard's kernel-mode driver needs to load with the operating system at boot-up to function correctly. Without a restart, you'll likely receive an error preventing you from launching League of Legends.
3.3 Verifying Vanguard is Running
Once your system has restarted, you can easily check if Riot Vanguard is active:
- Look for the Riot Vanguard icon in your Windows System Tray (usually near the clock, you might need to click the up arrow to show hidden icons). A small, red "V" shield icon indicates it's running.
- If you don't see it, try launching the League of Legends client. This should trigger Vanguard to start. If it still doesn't appear, you might have an underlying issue.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Common Vanguard Issues and Errors
Despite its automated installation, Vanguard can sometimes encounter conflicts or errors that prevent you from playing. Don't panic! Many of these issues have straightforward solutions.
4.1 General Troubleshooting Steps (Try These First!)
- Restart your PC: This is the oldest trick in the book, but it often resolves temporary glitches with Vanguard. As mentioned, it's required after installation.
- Restart the Riot Client completely:
- Right-click the Riot Client icon in your System Tray.
- Select "Exit."
- Relaunch the Riot Client and try to start League of Legends.
- Run as Administrator: Right-click on the League of Legends or Riot Client shortcut and select "Run as administrator." This can help resolve permission-related issues.
- Check your internet connection: A stable internet connection is vital. If you're on Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired (Ethernet) connection.
- Update your drivers: Ensure your graphics drivers and other system drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues.
- NVIDIA: GeForce Experience
- AMD: Radeon Software
- Intel: Intel Driver & Support Assistant
- Update Windows: Make sure your operating system is fully updated to the latest version.
4.2 Addressing Specific Vanguard Error Codes (VAN Codes)
Riot Vanguard often provides error codes that start with "VAN" to help diagnose issues. Here are some common ones and their solutions:
- VAN -1 (Uninstall Failure):
- Solution: Try reinstalling Riot Vanguard. Go to Control Panel (Windows) > Programs and Features, find Riot Vanguard, and uninstall it. Then, restart your computer and launch League of Legends; it should automatically reinstall Vanguard. If issues persist, contact Riot Support.
- VAN 0, VAN 1, VAN 6, VAN 68, VAN -81, VAN -102, VAN -104, VAN 128 (Connection Errors):
- Causes: These usually indicate issues with Vanguard connecting to Riot's servers, possibly due to an unstable internet connection, firewall, or leaving the client open for too long.
- Solutions:
- Restart League of Legends and the Riot Client.
- Restart your computer.
- Check your network connection. Ensure it's stable.
- Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus to see if they are blocking Vanguard (remember to re-enable them after testing!).
- If persistent: Uninstall and reinstall both Riot Vanguard and League of Legends.
- VAN 57 (Vanguard Not Running):
- Cause: Vanguard service isn't active.
- Solution: Restart your PC and the Riot Client. If the problem persists, uninstall Riot Vanguard and League of Legends, then perform a fresh reinstallation of both.
- VAN 138 (Running LoL/Riot Vanguard from Virtual Machine):
- Solution: Riot Vanguard does not support running League of Legends from a virtual machine (VM). You need to install and play the game on a regular instance of Windows.
- VAN 152 (HWID Ban):
- Cause: This is a hardware ban, meaning your computer's hardware has been identified as having violated Riot's terms of service (e.g., severe cheating).
- Solution: You will need to contact Riot Support directly for assistance with a hardware ban.
- VAN 1067 (Connection Error - Unusual Software):
- Cause: This can indicate unusual software on your PC conflicting with Vanguard or even malware.
- Solution: Restart your PC and the Riot Client. If the error continues, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look for any suspicious or unfamiliar programs running in the background. Consider running a full malware scan with reputable antivirus software.
- VAN9001 (TPM 2.0 not enabled) / VAN9003 (UEFI mode not enabled):
- Cause: Your system doesn't meet the TPM 2.0 and UEFI requirements for Windows 11.
- Solution: You need to enable TPM 2.0 and switch your BIOS mode to UEFI. This is done in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings, which vary by manufacturer. You'll typically access BIOS by pressing a key like
Del,F2,F10, orF12during startup. Consult your motherboard or PC manufacturer's manual for specific instructions.
- VAN9006 (Older Version of Windows):
- Solution: Update your Windows operating system to at least Windows 10 version 1803 (Redstone 4) or a later version.
4.3 Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Issues
- Clean DNS Cache:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type
ipconfig /flushdnsand press Enter.
- Check VGC Service:
- Press
Windows Key + R, typeservices.msc, and press Enter. - Locate "vgc" (Vanguard Anti-Cheat) in the list.
- Right-click on it, go to "Properties," and set the "Startup type" to "Automatic."
- If the service is stopped, click "Start."
- Restart your PC.
- Press
- Check for Software Conflicts: Certain applications, especially those that interact with system processes (e.g., some overlay software, VPNs, or even other anti-cheat programs), can conflict with Vanguard. Try temporarily disabling background applications one by one to identify the culprit.
- Reinstall Riot Vanguard (Manual Method):
- Go to
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard(default location). - Run
uninstall.exe(or similar). - Restart your computer.
- Launch the Riot Client/League of Legends, and it should prompt you to reinstall Vanguard automatically.
- Go to
If you continue to experience issues, your best course of action is to submit a ticket to Riot Games Player Support. Provide them with detailed information about the error code, what troubleshooting steps you've already taken, and your system specifications.
Step 5: Optimizing Your System for Vanguard and League of Legends
While Vanguard is designed to be lightweight, a well-optimized system will always provide a smoother gaming experience.
5.1 General System Optimization Tips
- Close Unnecessary Background Applications: Programs running in the background consume CPU and RAM, which can impact game performance. Close anything you don't need while playing.
- Disk Defragmentation (HDD) or TRIM (SSD): If you have an HDD, regularly defragment it. For SSDs, ensure TRIM is enabled (usually automatic with modern Windows).
- Keep Drivers Updated: As mentioned in troubleshooting, regularly update your GPU, chipset, and network drivers.
- Adjust In-Game Settings: If you're experiencing performance issues, lower your graphics quality settings in League of Legends.
- Ensure Sufficient Free Storage: Make sure your hard drive or SSD has enough free space for the game and temporary files.
5.2 Vanguard-Specific Optimization Considerations
- Monitor CPU Usage: If you notice unusually high CPU usage attributed to Vanguard (vgcsrv.exe or vgtray.exe), this might indicate a conflict with another program or a system issue.
- Avoid Third-Party "Optimizers": Be cautious with third-party system optimization tools. Some can interfere with Vanguard's operation.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Riot Vanguard and League of Legends, along with quick answers:
How to know if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can see the Riot Vanguard icon (a red "V" shield) in your Windows System Tray. If it's not visible, click the upward arrow to show hidden icons.
How to restart Riot Vanguard without restarting your computer?
While some community workarounds might exist, Riot officially states that if Vanguard has stopped or been disabled, you typically need to restart your computer for it to function correctly with League of Legends. Launching the Riot Client or League of Legends often attempts to restart Vanguard, but a full PC restart is the most reliable method.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to Windows Control Panel > Programs and Features, find "Riot Vanguard," and click uninstall. Note that if you have other Riot games like VALORANT installed, Vanguard will only be fully removed if you uninstall all games that require it.
How to play League of Legends without Riot Vanguard?
You cannot play League of Legends (or Teamfight Tactics on PC) without Riot Vanguard running. It is a mandatory anti-cheat system.
How to enable TPM 2.0 for Vanguard?
You enable TPM 2.0 in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. The exact steps vary by motherboard or PC manufacturer. You typically access BIOS by pressing a specific key (e.g., Del, F2, F10) during system startup.
How to fix a "Vanguard has stopped" error?
Often, restarting your computer is the first step. If the issue persists, try uninstalling and reinstalling Riot Vanguard. Check for conflicting background software.
How to resolve Vanguard conflicts with antivirus or firewall?
Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall to test if they are the cause. If they are, you'll need to add exceptions or whitelist Riot Vanguard and League of Legends in your security software's settings.
How to improve performance when Vanguard is running?
Ensure your PC meets recommended system requirements. Close unnecessary background applications. Keep your drivers and Windows updated. If issues persist, consider lowering in-game graphics settings.
How to get support for persistent Vanguard issues?
The best way is to submit a detailed support ticket to Riot Games Player Support through their official website. Provide as much information as possible, including error codes and troubleshooting steps already taken.
How to ensure my system is compatible with Vanguard on Windows 11?
For Windows 11, ensure you have TPM 2.0 enabled and that your system is running in UEFI mode. These are critical prerequisites for Vanguard's operation on this OS version.
