Of course! Here is a lengthy, step-by-step guide on how to deal with Riot Vanguard in League of Legends, designed to be engaging and helpful.
Don't Let Cheaters Ruin Your Game! A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Vanguard Up and Running in League of Legends
Have you ever been in a game of League of Legends, ready to make that epic play, only to be thwarted by an enemy player who seems to know exactly where you are at all times, or lands every single skill shot with impossible precision? It's frustrating, right? That's where Riot Vanguard comes in. Riot Games' powerful anti-cheat software, which has been so successful in Valorant, is now a mandatory requirement for playing League of Legends on PC. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting Vanguard running and troubleshooting any issues that might come up, so you can get back to climbing the ranked ladder with fair play and competitive integrity.
Let's dive in!
Step 1: The First Launch - Is It Already On?
First things first, let's check if Vanguard is already running. You might be surprised to find that it's a lot simpler than you think!
Launch your League of Legends client.
The first time you launch the game after a patch that includes Vanguard, the Riot Client will automatically download and install the software for you. You don't need to go hunting for a separate download file or application.
Once the download is complete, you'll be prompted to restart your computer. This is a crucial step! Vanguard installs a kernel-mode driver, which requires a reboot to properly integrate with your system's security settings.
Wait, a kernel-mode driver? What does that mean?
Think of your computer's operating system as a city. The kernel is like the city's foundation and core infrastructure. A kernel-mode driver has a direct line to this foundation, allowing it to monitor for malicious software that might try to hide from other programs. It's a powerful tool, but it's also why a reboot is required to get it up and running safely.
After you reboot, you should see a small Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (the area on the right side of your Windows taskbar, near the clock). If you see this icon, congratulations! Vanguard is running. You can right-click the icon to see its status or exit it, but remember that exiting it will prevent you from playing League of Legends until you restart your computer again.
Step 2: Troubleshooting Common Vanguard Errors
So, you've launched the client, rebooted, but you're still getting an error message? Don't panic. Many common issues can be resolved with a few simple steps. Riot has provided specific error codes to help you pinpoint the problem.
Sub-heading: "VAN" Error Codes
You'll likely encounter an error code that starts with "VAN". Here's a breakdown of what some of them mean and what you can do:
VAN 57: Vanguard Not Running. This is a very common one. It means Vanguard didn't start up properly.
Solution: Restart your PC and the Riot Client. If that doesn't work, try uninstalling and reinstalling both Vanguard and the League of Legends client for a fresh installation.
VAN 68, VAN -81, VAN 84, VAN 1067, etc.: Connection Errors. These errors indicate a problem with Vanguard connecting to the Riot servers.
Solution: Check your network connection. Make sure your internet is stable. Restart the Riot Client and League of Legends. Sometimes, leaving the client open for a long time can cause this, so a simple restart can do wonders.
VAN -1: Uninstall Failure. This means something went wrong when trying to uninstall Vanguard.
Solution: Try reinstalling Riot Vanguard. If the problem persists, you may need to manually delete the Riot Vanguard folder and use the Command Prompt to remove related services. (See the FAQ section for detailed steps on this!)
VAN9006 / VAN 1067: System Requirements Issues. These errors often point to problems with your system's security settings, such as TPM 2.0 and UEFI.
Solution: You may need to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in your computer's BIOS. This is a bit more technical, but it's a vital security feature that Vanguard requires on modern operating systems like Windows 11. Refer to your motherboard's manual or manufacturer's website for instructions on how to access your BIOS and enable these settings.
**Sub-heading: Unusual Software or Conflicts
Sometimes, other programs on your computer can conflict with Vanguard. This can include:
Antivirus software: While Vanguard is designed to be compatible with most security software, a highly aggressive antivirus or firewall might be blocking it.
Solution: Temporarily disable your antivirus or add Riot Vanguard and League of Legends to its exception list.
Virtualization software: Vanguard is designed to prevent cheats that use virtual machines. If you're running a virtual machine on your PC, you might need to disable it.
Solution: If you are using a VM, install League of Legends on a regular Windows instance instead.
Malware: It's always a good idea to run a full system scan with your antivirus to check for any malware that might be interfering with your system.
Step 3: A Fresh Start - Reinstalling Vanguard
If all else fails, a clean reinstallation can often solve the trickiest problems. Remember, uninstalling League of Legends will not automatically uninstall Vanguard if you have other Riot Games titles like Valorant installed.
**Sub-heading: How to Uninstall Riot Vanguard
Open the Control Panel on your Windows PC.
Go to Programs and Features (or Add or remove programs).
Find Riot Vanguard in the list of installed programs.
Right-click on it and select Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Restart your computer. This is a critical step to ensure all components are removed.
Once you launch the League of Legends client, it should prompt you to reinstall Vanguard automatically. Follow the instructions to install it.
Step 4: The Final Check - Launch and Play!
Once you've followed the steps and resolved any errors, it's time for the moment of truth.
Launch the Riot Client and then the League of Legends client.
You should see the Vanguard icon in your system tray.
Log in and try to queue up for a game. If everything is working correctly, you should be able to join a match without any issues.
Enjoy the game! With Vanguard active, you can be more confident that you're playing on a level playing field, where skill and strategy are the only things that matter.
10 Related FAQs
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can check if Riot Vanguard is running by looking for its small red icon in your Windows system tray, which is located on the right side of the taskbar near the clock.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
To uninstall Riot Vanguard, go to your computer's "Programs and Features" or "Add or remove programs" settings in the Control Panel, find Riot Vanguard in the list, and select uninstall. You must restart your PC after uninstalling.
How to fix Vanguard "VAN" error codes?
The fix for Vanguard "VAN" error codes usually involves restarting your PC and the Riot Client, checking your network connection, or in some cases, reinstalling both Vanguard and League of Legends. Each error code has a specific meaning, so check Riot's official support page for the exact solution.
How to enable TPM 2.0 for Vanguard?
To enable TPM 2.0, you need to enter your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings. This is typically done by pressing a specific key (like F2, F10, or DEL) during the boot-up process. The steps vary by motherboard manufacturer, so check your motherboard's manual for specific instructions.
How to fix the "You need to have Vanguard running to play" error?
This error means Vanguard is not active. The most common fix is to restart your computer. If that doesn't work, try a clean reinstallation of both Vanguard and League of Legends.
How to find the Riot Vanguard folder on my PC?
The default installation location for Riot Vanguard is C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.
How to allow Vanguard through my firewall?
Most firewalls will automatically recognize Vanguard, but if you're having issues, you can add vanguard.exe and vgc.exe to your firewall's list of allowed applications.
How to prevent Vanguard from running at startup?
Riot Vanguard is an "on-boot" application, meaning it's designed to start with your operating system to provide continuous protection. While you can exit it from the system tray, it will not be active and you will be unable to play League of Legends until you restart your computer.
How to resolve conflicts between Vanguard and other software?
If you suspect a conflict, try temporarily disabling other security software or gaming-related applications. If the problem is solved, you can then add Vanguard as an exception in the conflicting program's settings.
How to contact Riot Games support for Vanguard issues?
If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still facing issues, the best course of action is to submit a ticket to Riot Games Player Support. Provide them with detailed information about your error code and the steps you have already taken to troubleshoot the problem.
