Are you ready to get back in the game and ensure your system is running the latest and greatest version of Vanguard 2.0? Excellent! Updating your anti-cheat software is crucial for a smooth and secure gaming experience, especially with the latest games that rely on it for fair play.
This guide will walk you through the entire process, from checking your system's readiness to troubleshooting common issues. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Check Your System's Readiness - Are You Up to the Task?
Before you begin, let's make sure your computer is properly configured. A recent and significant change for Vanguard 2.0, particularly on Windows 11, is the requirement for specific security features to be enabled. Without these, you will likely encounter errors and be unable to play.
First, let's see if you have the essentials.
TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): This is a hardware-based security feature that provides a secure environment for cryptographic keys and other sensitive data.
Secure Boot: This is a security standard that ensures your PC boots using only software that is trusted by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
How to check for these features:
Check for TPM 2.0:
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
tpm.mscand press Enter.A new window will open. If it says "The TPM is ready for use" and the "Specification Version" is 2.0, you are good to go!
If it shows an error message like "Compatible TPM could not be found," your motherboard may not have it enabled in the BIOS, or your system simply doesn't support it.
Check for Secure Boot:
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type
msinfo32and press Enter.In the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode" and "Secure Boot State" on the right side.
BIOS Mode should be set to UEFI. If it says "Legacy," you'll need to convert your disk to GPT and change this setting in your BIOS.
Secure Boot State should say On. If it says "Off," you'll need to enable it in your BIOS.
Engage the User: Did your system pass the checks with flying colors, or did you hit a roadblock? Don't worry, we've got solutions for both! Let's move on to the next step, where we'll either proceed with the update or configure your system first.
Step 2: Configuring Your BIOS for Vanguard 2.0
If your system's TPM or Secure Boot settings were not enabled, this is a critical step. Warning: Navigating your BIOS can be tricky. Incorrectly changing settings can cause your computer to fail to boot. If you are not comfortable with this, it's highly recommended to seek professional assistance or refer to your motherboard's manual for specific instructions.
Sub-heading: How to Enter the BIOS/UEFI
Restart your computer.
As soon as it starts, repeatedly press the BIOS key to enter the setup screen. The key varies by manufacturer, but it's most commonly F2, F12, or the Delete key. Watch the screen for a message like "Press [key] to enter Setup."
Sub-heading: Enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0
Once in the BIOS, you'll need to find the relevant settings. They are often located under a tab like "Boot," "Security," or "Advanced."
For Secure Boot:
Find the "Secure Boot" option and set it to "Enabled."
You may also need to set the "Secure Boot Mode" to "Standard" or "Windows UEFI" instead of "Custom."
If the option is greyed out, you might need to change the "Boot Mode" from "Legacy" to "UEFI" first.
Some motherboards require you to "Restore Factory Keys" or "Install Default Secure Boot Keys" to enable Secure Boot.
For TPM 2.0:
Look for settings related to "Trusted Computing," "TPM," "PTT (Platform Trust Technology)," or "fTPM (Firmware TPM)."
Enable the setting for your CPU's trusted platform module (e.g., "Intel PTT" for Intel CPUs or "AMD fTPM" for AMD CPUs).
After making these changes, find the "Save and Exit" option (often by pressing F10) and confirm the changes. Your PC will restart.
Step 3: The Update Process
Now that your system is properly configured, the actual update is usually straightforward. Vanguard 2.0 is typically updated automatically through the Riot Games client for games like VALORANT and League of Legends.
Sub-heading: Automatic Update via Riot Client
Launch the Riot Client: Open your Riot Games client on your desktop.
Wait for the update: The client will automatically check for updates to both the game and Vanguard. If an update is available, it will download and install it in the background.
Restart your PC: After the update is complete, the client will often prompt you to restart your computer to finalize the installation of the Vanguard driver. This is a crucial step! Do not skip it.
Sub-heading: Manual Update (If Needed)
In rare cases, the automatic update might fail. If you encounter issues, you may need to perform a clean reinstallation.
Uninstall Vanguard: Go to "Apps & features" in your Windows settings, find "Riot Vanguard," and uninstall it.
Restart your PC: Reboot your computer after uninstalling.
Re-launch the Riot Client: When you open the client again, it will detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to reinstall it. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart again: Once the reinstallation is complete, restart your PC one last time.
Step 4: Verify the Update and Play!
After restarting your PC, launch the Riot client and your game. Vanguard should now be running in the background. You can check the system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner of your taskbar) for the Vanguard icon to confirm it's active.
Enjoy the game! You are now running the latest version of Vanguard 2.0 and are ready to play without those pesky security errors.
FAQ: How to Update Vanguard 2.0
How to check if my motherboard supports TPM 2.0? You can check your motherboard's specifications on the manufacturer's website. Most modern motherboards (from around 2016 onwards) support it, but it might be disabled by default in the BIOS.
How to fix the "Secure Boot verification failure" error? This error often occurs after a Windows update. The fix usually involves entering your BIOS, resetting the Secure Boot keys to factory defaults, and then re-enabling Secure Boot.
How to convert my disk from MBR to GPT?
This is a more advanced process. You can use the MBR2GPT tool in Windows, but it's recommended to back up your data first. You can check your disk's partition style in Disk Management.
How to update my BIOS? Updating your BIOS is a delicate process. Visit your motherboard manufacturer's website, download the latest BIOS firmware for your specific model, and follow their provided instructions for the update, usually involving a USB drive and a BIOS utility like "EZ Flash."
How to fix the VAN9001 error? The VAN9001 error specifically indicates that TPM 2.0 is not enabled. Follow Step 2 of this guide to enable it in your BIOS.
How to fix the VAN9005 error? VAN9005 means that you need to enable both TPM 2.0 and UEFI compliant firmware. Ensure your BIOS Mode is set to UEFI and both TPM and Secure Boot are enabled as described in this guide.
How to fix the VAN-1 error? This is a Vanguard uninstall failure. The best solution is a clean reinstallation of Vanguard. Uninstall it from Windows settings, restart, and then re-launch the Riot client to reinstall.
How to enable HVCI (Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity)? Go to Windows Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Device Security > Core isolation. Here, you can toggle the "Memory Integrity" switch to "On" and restart your PC. Vanguard may enforce this in the future.
How to re-install Vanguard if it's not working? Uninstall "Riot Vanguard" from your Windows Apps & features, then restart your PC. When you launch your Riot game, the client will prompt you to reinstall the latest version of Vanguard automatically.
How to check the current version of Vanguard I have? You can't easily see the version number from the Vanguard tray icon. However, since it auto-updates with the game client, you can be confident you have the latest version if your game is up to date and you have restarted after a patch. You can also check for updates in the Riot client itself.
