Riot Vanguard is the proprietary anti-cheat software developed by Riot Games, designed to ensure competitive integrity in games like VALORANT and League of Legends. It's a critical component that runs at a deep system level (kernel mode) to detect and prevent cheating. While it's designed to update automatically with the game clients, sometimes issues arise that require user intervention. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to ensure your Riot Vanguard drivers are up to date and functioning correctly.
Is your game throwing a "Vanguard not running" error? Are you facing unexpected crashes or performance issues when playing your favorite Riot Games titles? Don't worry, you're not alone! Keeping your Riot Vanguard drivers updated is crucial for a smooth and secure gaming experience. Let's get you back in the game!
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| How To Update Riot Vanguard Drivers |
Understanding Riot Vanguard Updates
Unlike typical hardware drivers you might manually update (like graphics card drivers), Riot Vanguard usually handles its own updates. When you update your VALORANT or League of Legends client, Vanguard is designed to update alongside it. However, sometimes this automatic process can encounter hiccups, leading to various errors. These errors often manifest as "VAN" codes.
Step 1: Check for Game Client Updates (The Primary Method)
Since Vanguard is intrinsically linked to Riot's game clients, the first and most common way to "update" Vanguard is by updating the game itself.
Sub-heading 1.1: For VALORANT and League of Legends
- Launch the Riot Client: Open your Riot Games client (the one you use to launch VALORANT or League of Legends).
- Automatic Update Check: The client is designed to automatically check for updates upon launch. If an update is available for the game, it will usually prompt you to download and install it.
- Initiate the Update: Click on the "Update" or "Play" button, and the client will download any pending game files, including any associated Vanguard updates.
- Restart Your PC (Crucial!): After the game update completes, it is absolutely essential to restart your computer. Riot Vanguard operates at a kernel level, and a system restart is often required for the new Vanguard driver version to properly load.
- Pro-Tip: Don't just close the client; perform a full system restart. This ensures that all components, including the low-level Vanguard driver, are reinitialized correctly.
Sub-heading 1.2: Verify Game Files (Repair Client)
If you suspect a corrupted installation or a missed update, repairing the game client can also trigger a Vanguard re-evaluation.
- Open Riot Client Settings: In the Riot Client, click on your profile icon (usually in the top right corner).
- Navigate to Settings: Select "Settings."
- Locate Repair Option: Under the "General" settings, look for an option like "Repair Client" and initiate the process. This will scan and repair any corrupted or missing game files, which can include Vanguard components.
- Restart Your PC: Again, after the repair is complete, a restart is highly recommended.
Step 2: Manually Reinstalling Riot Vanguard (When Automatic Fails)
If updating the game client doesn't resolve your Vanguard issues, a clean reinstallation of Vanguard itself is often the next step. This can fix corrupted files or ensure you get the absolute latest version directly.
QuickTip: Revisit posts more than once.
Sub-heading 2.1: Uninstalling Riot Vanguard via Apps & Features
- Access Windows Settings: Press the Windows Key + I to open Settings, then click on "Apps" and then "Apps & features."
- Find Riot Vanguard: Scroll down the list of installed applications until you find "Riot Vanguard."
- Uninstall: Click on "Riot Vanguard" and then select "Uninstall." You'll likely be prompted to confirm your decision multiple times.
- Allow Changes: When prompted by User Account Control (UAC) asking "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?", click "Yes."
- Restart Your Computer: This is a critical step after uninstalling Vanguard. Do not skip it.
Sub-heading 2.2: Manual Deletion (Advanced Troubleshooting)
In rare cases, the standard uninstall process might not remove all Vanguard components. If you're still facing issues after a regular uninstall and restart, a manual deletion might be necessary.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Press the Windows Key, type "cmd," right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
- Execute Uninstall Commands: In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
sc delete vgc sc delete vgk- These commands stop and delete the Vanguard services.
- Restart Your Computer: Again, a crucial restart here.
- Manually Delete the Vanguard Folder: After the restart, navigate to
C:\Program Files\and manually delete the "Riot Vanguard" folder if it still exists.
Sub-heading 2.3: Reinstalling Riot Vanguard
After successfully uninstalling (and potentially manually deleting) Vanguard, you don't download it separately. It will be reinstalled automatically when you launch a Riot game that requires it.
- Launch Your Riot Game (e.g., VALORANT): Open the Riot Client and launch the game (e.g., VALORANT).
- Vanguard Reinstallation Prompt: The game client should detect that Riot Vanguard is missing and automatically initiate its reinstallation. Follow any on-screen prompts.
- Another Restart: Once Vanguard has finished reinstalling, the client will almost certainly prompt you for one more restart to fully activate the newly installed driver. Perform this restart!
Step 3: Update Your Windows Operating System
Riot Vanguard, especially newer versions, relies heavily on up-to-date Windows components, including security features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Outdated Windows versions can directly interfere with Vanguard's functionality.
- Open Windows Update Settings: Press the Windows Key + I to open Settings, then click on "Update & Security" (or "Windows Update" on newer Windows versions).
- Check for Updates: Click on "Check for updates."
- Install All Available Updates: Download and install all pending updates, including optional updates.
- Restart Your PC: Restart your computer after installing Windows updates. This is particularly important for security and driver-related updates.
Step 4: Check BIOS/UEFI Settings (Secure Boot & TPM 2.0)
For the latest versions of Riot Vanguard and to prevent specific error codes (like VAN9001, VAN9003, VAN9005), your system may need to have Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. This is especially true for Windows 11 users.
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
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Access BIOS/UEFI: Restart your computer and repeatedly press the designated key to enter your BIOS/UEFI setup. This key varies by manufacturer but is commonly Del, F2, F10, or F12.
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Locate Secure Boot: In the BIOS/UEFI menu, navigate to the "Boot," "Security," or "Authentication" section and look for "Secure Boot." Ensure it is Enabled.
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Locate TPM 2.0 (or PTT/fTPM): Look for a "Security" or "Advanced" section for an option related to "Trusted Platform Module" (TPM) or Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT) or AMD fTPM. Ensure it is Enabled.
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Save and Exit: Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Your computer will restart.
- Note: Modifying BIOS/UEFI settings can be complex. If you're unsure, refer to your motherboard's manual or seek assistance from someone experienced with BIOS settings. Incorrect changes can affect system stability.
Step 5: Address Conflicting Software or Drivers
Sometimes, other software or outdated drivers can conflict with Riot Vanguard, causing it to malfunction or block it from loading.
- Identify Conflicting Programs:
- Antivirus/Firewall: Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, you'll need to add exceptions for Riot Vanguard and your Riot Games client in your security software.
- Overlays/Monitoring Tools: Programs like MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner Statistics Server, Discord overlays, or other system monitoring tools can sometimes conflict. Try disabling them before launching the game.
- Outdated Drivers: While Vanguard is a driver, other outdated drivers (especially graphics card drivers, chipset drivers, or audio drivers) can cause system instability that indirectly affects Vanguard. Ensure all your essential system drivers are up to date from your hardware manufacturer's websites.
- Check for Specific Known Conflicts: Riot Games support articles often list specific programs or drivers known to conflict with Vanguard (e.g., certain Gigabyte drivers like
gdrv.sys, or specific audio drivers). Consult Riot's official support for the latest information on known conflicts and their resolutions. - Perform a Clean Boot: A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help you identify if a background program is interfering with Vanguard. Search "msconfig" in Windows search, go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and then "Disable all." Go to the "Startup" tab and disable all startup items. Restart your PC and try launching the game. If it works, re-enable services and startup items in small batches to find the culprit.
Important Considerations:
- Patience is Key: Troubleshooting Vanguard issues can sometimes require a bit of trial and error. Work through each step systematically.
- Official Riot Support: If you've tried all these steps and are still facing issues, the best course of action is to submit a ticket to Riot Games Support. Provide them with detailed information about your system, the error messages you're receiving, and the steps you've already taken. They have specialized tools and knowledge to diagnose more complex problems.
- Do Not Tamper with Vanguard Files: Riot Vanguard is a security-critical component. Do not attempt to manually modify, replace, or download Vanguard files from unofficial sources. This can compromise your system's security and lead to permanent bans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to know if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can usually see a small Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (bottom right corner of your taskbar, near the clock). If you don't see it, it might not be running, or it could be hidden.
How to re-enable Riot Vanguard if I disabled it?
If you disabled Vanguard via the system tray icon, simply click on the icon and select the option to re-enable it. You will then need to restart your computer for Vanguard to fully reactivate.
How to fix "Vanguard not initialized" error?
This error often means Vanguard didn't start correctly. Try restarting your PC first. If that doesn't work, proceed with uninstalling and reinstalling Riot Vanguard as detailed in Step 2 of this guide.
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
How to check my Windows version for Vanguard compatibility?
You can check your Windows version by pressing Windows Key + R, typing winver, and pressing Enter. Riot Vanguard generally requires Windows 10 (version 1803 or later) or Windows 11.
How to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0?
You need to access your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings during startup. The exact steps vary by motherboard manufacturer, but generally involve pressing a key like Del, F2, F10, or F12 repeatedly as your PC boots, and then finding "Secure Boot" and "TPM" options in the security or boot menus to enable them. (Refer to Step 4 for more details).
How to submit a ticket to Riot Games Support?
Visit the official Riot Games Support website (support.riotgames.com or support-valorant.riotgames.com for VALORANT) and look for the "Submit a Ticket" or "Contact Us" option. Be as detailed as possible about your issue.
How to prevent Vanguard from conflicting with other software?
Ensure your antivirus and firewall are configured to allow Riot Games applications and Vanguard. For other programs (like overlays), try temporarily disabling them to see if they are the cause. Keeping all your drivers and Windows updated can also reduce conflicts.
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot Vanguard?
Search for "msconfig" in the Windows search bar, go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and click "Disable all." Then go to the "Startup" tab and disable all startup items. Restart your PC. Remember to re-enable them later.
How to check if my drivers are up to date?
For graphics drivers, visit your GPU manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and download the latest drivers. For other system drivers, check your computer or motherboard manufacturer's website. Windows Update also provides many driver updates.
How to know if Vanguard successfully updated?
Vanguard generally updates silently with the game client. If your game launches and plays without any "VAN" errors or Vanguard-related messages, it's a good indication that Vanguard is up to date and functioning correctly.
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