A Comprehensive Guide: How to Manually Start Riot Vanguard and Troubleshoot Common Issues
Hey there, fellow gamers! Ever been ready to jump into a game of VALORANT or League of Legends, only to be stopped dead in your tracks by a pesky error message saying Riot Vanguard isn't running? It's a frustrating experience, but don't worry, you're not alone. The nature of Riot Vanguard as a kernel-level anti-cheat means it's deeply integrated with your system, and sometimes it needs a little nudge to get going. This guide will walk you through the steps to manually start the Vanguard service and troubleshoot some of the most common issues you might encounter.
Step 1: Engage with the Vanguard Service
Before we dive into the technicalities, let's start with a simple question: Have you tried restarting your PC yet? Seriously. A good old-fashioned reboot is often all it takes to resolve a temporary hiccup with the Vanguard service. It forces the system to re-initialize everything, including the crucial vgc service that Vanguard relies on. So, before you do anything else, give your computer a fresh restart and see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn't, let's move on to the next steps.
 |
| How To Start Vanguard Manually |
Step 2: Accessing the Windows Services Panel
The core of Riot Vanguard's operation is a Windows service called vgc. To manually control it, you need to access the Windows Services panel.
Open the Run dialog box: Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This will bring up the "Run" window.
Type 'services.msc': In the text box, type
services.mscand then press Enter or click OK. This will open the Services application, which lists all the services running on your computer.
Step 3: Starting the 'vgc' Service
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
Now that you're in the Services window, let's find and manage the Vanguard service.
Locate the 'vgc' service: Scroll down the list of services until you find one named "vgc". The list is in alphabetical order, so it should be easy to find. You can also click on any service in the list and type 'v' on your keyboard to jump to services starting with 'V'.
Check the service status: Look at the "Status" column next to "vgc". If it's not showing "Running", that's likely your problem. The "Startup Type" should be "Automatic".
Manually start the service:
Right-click on the "vgc" service.
From the context menu, select Start.
If the "Start" option is greyed out, you might need to adjust the startup type first. Right-click on the service, select Properties, and in the "Startup type" dropdown menu, choose Automatic. Then click "Apply" and "OK". Now, you should be able to start the service.
Once you've successfully started the service, try launching your Riot Games title (like VALORANT or League of Legends) again.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Persistent Issues
If the manual start doesn't work or the service stops again, you're facing a more persistent issue. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
Sub-heading: Reinstalling Riot Vanguard
This is often the most effective solution for stubborn issues. Reinstalling Vanguard is a straightforward process that forces a clean installation of the anti-cheat software and its services.
Uninstall Riot Vanguard:
Go to Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features (or Settings -> Apps -> Apps & features in Windows 10/11).
Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list.
Right-click on it and select Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Restart your PC: This is a crucial step. You must reboot your computer after uninstalling Vanguard to ensure all related files and services are properly removed.
Launch the Riot Game: Open VALORANT or League of Legends. The Riot Client will automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to install it. It will also ask you to restart your computer once the installation is complete.
Tip: Every word counts — don’t skip too much.
 |
Sub-heading: Checking for Conflicting Software
Sometimes, other programs can interfere with Vanguard's operation.
Antivirus/Firewall: Your antivirus software or firewall might be flagging Vanguard as a threat. Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall, and then try starting the service. If it works, add Vanguard to your antivirus's exclusion list.
Outdated Drivers: Outdated or unsigned drivers can cause conflicts. Make sure your graphics drivers and other essential system drivers are up to date. You can use a driver updater tool or manually check for updates from your hardware manufacturer's website.
System Security Features: Vanguard now requires certain Windows security features to be enabled, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on some systems. If you're receiving an error code related to these features (e.g., VAN9001, VAN9002, VAN9006), you will need to enable them in your computer's BIOS.
Step 5: Contacting Riot Games Support
If you've tried all the steps above and are still having trouble, it's time to reach out to the experts. Riot Games has a dedicated support team that can provide more personalized assistance.
Visit the Riot Games Support Website: Go to the official Riot Games support page for the game you are playing (e.g., VALORANT support).
Submit a Ticket: Look for the option to "Submit a Ticket" or "Contact Support". Provide as much detail as you can about the issue, including any error codes you've received (like VAN 57, VAN -1, etc.) and the troubleshooting steps you've already taken.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Riot Vanguard.
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
You can check if Riot Vanguard is running by looking for its small, shield-shaped icon in your Windows system tray (the area next to the clock in the taskbar). If you see the icon, it's running.
How to disable Riot Vanguard?
The only official way to disable Riot Vanguard is to uninstall it. You cannot simply close it from the system tray if you want to play a Riot game. Once you exit it from the system tray, you will need to restart your PC to play a game that requires it.
How to fix the 'Vanguard Not Initialized' error?
The most common fix is to restart your PC. If that doesn't work, try reinstalling Riot Vanguard.
How to enable the 'vgc' service to start automatically?
Open the Services panel (services.msc), find the vgc service, right-click on it, select "Properties," and change the "Startup type" to "Automatic."
How to fix Vanguard error code VAN 57?
Error code VAN 57 means "Vanguard Not Running." Restarting your PC is the first step. If the problem persists, uninstall and then reinstall Riot Vanguard.
QuickTip: Reading twice makes retention stronger.
How to enable Secure Boot for Vanguard?
Secure Boot is a BIOS setting. You need to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings during startup (usually by pressing a key like F2, F10, or Delete) and find the Secure Boot option in the "Boot" or "Security" tabs to enable it.
How to enable TPM 2.0 for Vanguard?
Like Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 is enabled in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings, typically in a "Security" or "Advanced" section. The exact location varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard without reinstalling the game?
You can uninstall Riot Vanguard through your Windows Apps & features settings. Then, simply launch the Riot game, and it will automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard without needing to re-download the entire game.
How to check for conflicting drivers with Vanguard?
You can use the Windows Event Viewer to check for any driver-related errors around the time you encounter the Vanguard issue. Additionally, ensure all your drivers, especially your chipset and graphics drivers, are up-to-date.
How to find my Vanguard error code?
When Vanguard encounters an issue, it usually displays a specific error code in a notification or a popup window. These codes often start with "VAN" and are key to finding the right solution on the Riot Games support website.
 |
