How To Turn On Vanguard Anti Cheat

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Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software developed by Riot Games, is an integral part of playing games like Valorant and, more recently, League of Legends. Its primary purpose is to ensure a fair and cheat-free gaming environment. However, due to its kernel-level access, it sometimes raises concerns or encounters compatibility issues. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of ensuring Vanguard is properly enabled and troubleshoot common problems.

Embark on Your Cheat-Free Gaming Journey: Understanding Riot Vanguard

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of turning on Vanguard, let's understand why it's so crucial. Riot Vanguard isn't just another program; it's a kernel-level anti-cheat. This means it operates at a very deep level of your operating system, even before some of your standard programs load. While this might sound intense, it's designed to detect and prevent sophisticated cheating methods like aimbots, wallhacks, and other unauthorized modifications that give players an unfair advantage. Without it running correctly, you simply won't be able to play your favorite Riot titles. So, let's ensure you're ready for a fair fight!

Step 1: Initial Setup and Automatic Installation

For most users, Vanguard's installation is integrated with the game it supports (e.g., Valorant). This means that when you install Valorant for the first time, Vanguard will automatically install alongside it.

Sub-heading: The First Launch Experience

When you launch a Vanguard-compatible game for the very first time after installation, you'll likely notice a brief prompt or a system tray icon appearing. This indicates that Vanguard is initializing.

Patience is a Virtue: Allow Vanguard to complete its initial setup. This might involve a small download or configuration process.
Mandatory Reboot: A critical step after the initial installation of Vanguard is a system reboot. Riot Vanguard requires a system restart to fully integrate and activate its kernel-level components. Don't skip this step! Your game client will usually prompt you to restart.

Step 2: Verifying Vanguard's Status and Ensuring it's Running

Sometimes, even after installation and a restart, Vanguard might not be running as expected, leading to error messages. Here's how to check and manually ensure it's active.

Sub-heading: Checking the System Tray

Look for the Riot Vanguard icon in your Windows System Tray (the area next to your clock, usually hidden behind an upward arrow). If you see it, it's a good sign that Vanguard is running.
Right-clicking the icon often gives you options like "Exit Vanguard" or "About Vanguard," confirming its presence.

Sub-heading: Services Check (The Deeper Dive)

This method is crucial if the system tray icon is missing or you're still encountering issues.

Open Services:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type services.msc and press Enter. This will open the Services window.
Locate VGC Service:
- In the Services window, scroll down and find the service named "vgc" (Vanguard Gaming Client).
Configure Startup Type:
- Right-click on "vgc" and select "Properties."
- In the "General" tab, find "Startup type." Ensure it is set to "Automatic." If it's anything else, change it to "Automatic" and click "Apply."
Start the Service:
- If the "Service status" shows "Stopped," click the "Start" button.
- Click "OK" to close the properties window.
Restart Your PC: Even after manually starting the service, it's highly recommended to restart your computer to ensure Vanguard fully initializes with the new settings.

Step 3: Addressing Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Despite the steps above, you might still face challenges. Vanguard's kernel-level nature means it can sometimes conflict with other software or system settings.

Sub-heading: Conflicting Software (Antivirus/Firewall)

Temporary Disable: Your antivirus or firewall software might sometimes flag Vanguard as suspicious or block its operation due to its deep system access. Temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall and try launching the game. If it works, you'll need to add an exception for Vanguard in your security software.
Whitelisting: Refer to your antivirus/firewall software's documentation on how to whitelist applications or add exceptions for specific programs or folders (e.g., C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard).

Sub-heading: Outdated Drivers and Windows Updates

Driver Updates: Ensure all your system drivers, especially graphics drivers and motherboard chipset drivers, are up to date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause compatibility issues with kernel-level software.
Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows operating system is fully updated. Vanguard often requires specific Windows versions (e.g., Windows 10 Build 19041+ or Windows 11).

Sub-heading: Reinstalling Vanguard

If all else fails, a fresh reinstallation of Vanguard can resolve corrupted files or lingering issues.

Uninstall Vanguard:
- Go to Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program.
- Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, right-click it, and select "Uninstall." Follow any on-screen prompts.
Launch the Game:
- Once uninstalled, launch your Riot game (e.g., Valorant). The game client will detect that Vanguard is missing and automatically initiate a reinstallation.
- Allow the reinstallation to complete.
Restart Again: After the reinstallation, perform another system restart for Vanguard to integrate properly.

Sub-heading: UEFI Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 (Windows 11 Specific)

For users on Windows 11, Riot Vanguard has stricter requirements, specifically for TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot. If you're getting error codes like VAN 9001, VAN 9003, or VAN 9005, this is likely the cause.

Check UEFI Mode:
- Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
- In the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode." It should say "UEFI."
Check TPM 2.0:
- Press Windows key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter.
- The "Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management on Local Computer" window will open. Look for "TPM Manufacturer Information." It should state "Specification Version: 2.0." If it says "Compatible TPM cannot be found," then your system either doesn't support it or it's disabled.
Enable in BIOS/UEFI:
- If either of these is not enabled, you'll need to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. The method to enter BIOS varies by manufacturer (common keys are F2, Del, F10, F12 during startup).
- Look for settings related to "Secure Boot" and "TPM" (sometimes under "Security," "Boot," or "Advanced" tabs). Enable both.
- Be cautious when changing BIOS settings, and only modify what you understand. If you're unsure, consult your motherboard's manual or a professional.
Disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) if necessary: In some cases, VBS can interfere. You can check if it's enabled via msinfo32 (look for "Virtualization-based security"). To disable it, run Command Prompt as administrator and type: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off. Restart your PC afterward.

Step 4: Contacting Riot Support

If you've exhausted all the above steps and are still facing issues, it's time to reach out to the experts.

Gather Information: Before contacting support, note down any specific error codes (e.g., VAN 0, VAN 44, VAN 1067, VAN 9001, etc.), detailed descriptions of the problem, and the troubleshooting steps you've already attempted.
Riot Games Support Website: Visit the official Riot Games Support website for the specific game you're playing (e.g., support-valorant.riotgames.com).
Submit a Ticket: Look for the "Submit a Ticket" or "Contact Us" option. Provide all the relevant information, and they will guide you through further diagnostics or solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to know if Riot Vanguard is running?

You can usually tell if Riot Vanguard is running by looking for its small shield-like icon in your Windows System Tray (near the clock). You can also check the "Services" window (type services.msc in Run, then look for "vgc") to see if the service is running and set to "Automatic."

How to fix "Vanguard Not Initialized" error?

This error typically means Vanguard isn't starting correctly. Try restarting your PC, checking the "vgc" service in services.msc to ensure it's set to "Automatic" and running, or reinstalling Riot Vanguard.

How to enable Secure Boot for Vanguard?

To enable Secure Boot, you need to access your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings during startup (usually by pressing F2, Del, F10, or F12). Navigate to the "Boot" or "Security" section and enable "Secure Boot." Save changes and exit.

How to enable TPM 2.0 for Vanguard?

Similar to Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Look for "TPM" or "Trusted Platform Module" settings, usually under "Security" or "Advanced," and enable it.

How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?

You can uninstall Riot Vanguard through the Windows Control Panel. Go to "Programs" -> "Uninstall a program," find "Riot Vanguard," right-click, and select "Uninstall."

How to reinstall Riot Vanguard?

After uninstalling Vanguard, simply launching any Riot game that requires it (like Valorant) will automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard. Follow the on-screen instructions, and remember to restart your PC afterward.

How to stop Vanguard from running on startup?

While not recommended for playing Riot games, you can disable the "vgc" service from starting automatically by going to services.msc, finding "vgc," right-clicking "Properties," and changing the "Startup type" to "Manual" or "Disabled." Note: This will prevent you from playing Riot games until you re-enable it and restart.

How to troubleshoot Vanguard error code VAN 1067?

VAN 1067 often indicates a driver component error or a conflict. Try updating all your system drivers, especially graphics and chipset drivers. Reinstalling Vanguard can also resolve this.

How to resolve Vanguard conflicts with antivirus software?

Temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, you'll need to add an exception or whitelist the Riot Vanguard installation folder in your security software's settings.

How to check Vanguard compatibility with Windows 11?

For Windows 11, Vanguard requires TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot. You can check their status using msinfo32 for BIOS Mode (should be UEFI) and tpm.msc for TPM Specification Version (should be 2.0).

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