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League of Legends

Riot Vanguard Isn’t Working and League Won’t Launch: What to Do

Match the full VAN error code to Riot’s instructions first. If those steps fail, update Windows, restart fully, and cleanly reinstall League and Vanguard before escalating with logs.

By VGSources Team 2 min read
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Start with the exact Vanguard error code or message on screen. If it begins with VAN, use Riot’s Vanguard error-code solutions and follow the steps for that specific code. Don’t change Secure Boot, TPM, Memory Integrity, or BIOS settings unless Riot’s instructions for your error call for it.

1. Record the full error before changing anything

Copy the complete message and code, including any words after “VAN.” Different codes point to different causes and fixes; applying a procedure meant for another code can waste time or alter security settings unnecessarily.

  • If the message starts with VAN: open Riot’s League Error Codes and Solutions page and select the matching Vanguard error.
  • If there is no VAN code: don’t assume the problem is Vanguard. Use the error text to find the relevant League troubleshooting path.

2. Apply only the fix for your error code

VAN 9002: check Exploit Protection

For VAN 9002, Riot’s instructions concern Windows Exploit Protection. Check that the options listed in Riot’s VAN 9002 guidance are set to their defaults, then restart the PC. This is a code-specific procedure, not a general Vanguard reset.

VAN: RESTRICTION: 5: check Memory Integrity and virtualization

For VAN: RESTRICTION: 5, Riot says Memory Integrity (HVCI/VBS) must be enabled and working. Resolving the error can involve virtualization and BIOS/UEFI settings. Follow Riot’s Restriction: 5 instructions for the required checks, and restart after making changes. BIOS menus differ by PC and motherboard; use the manufacturer’s model-specific instructions if you need to change firmware settings.

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Other VAN errors

Use Riot’s code-specific entry for the exact error displayed. Do not treat Secure Boot, TPM, Memory Integrity, or another security setting as a universal fix: Riot associates particular settings with particular codes or operating modes.

3. If the code-specific steps fail, update, restart, and reinstall

Riot’s League Vanguard FAQ gives this fallback sequence:

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  1. Install available Windows updates.
  2. Fully restart the PC; a shutdown and power-on may not substitute for a complete restart.
  3. If League still cannot launch, cleanly reinstall League of Legends and Vanguard using Riot’s instructions.

Vanguard needs to be active whenever the League client is open and during gameplay. If you disable Vanguard, restart the PC before trying to play again. Uninstalling League alone will not remove Vanguard if VALORANT is also installed, because VALORANT requires it too.

4. Check Vanguard’s status, then contact support if needed

Vanguard consists of a client and a kernel-mode driver. Its tray icon provides a way to view Vanguard status. Riot says launching a Riot game can trigger Vanguard installation again after it has been removed; if prompted, complete installation and restart as directed. More detail is in Riot’s What is Vanguard? overview.

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If the error remains after the code-specific steps and the update/reinstall sequence, submit a ticket to Riot Player Support and attach logs. Include the full error code and note which steps you completed so support can assess the specific failure.

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Don’t confuse an optional mode with a repair

Riot’s June 2026 announcement describes Vanguard Pre-Check, an optional on-demand mode that requires Windows 11 25H2 or later and additional security conditions, including Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. It is not a generic troubleshooting step for a League launch failure. Use it only if you are deliberately setting up that optional mode and meet its requirements; it does not replace the fix for a displayed VAN error.

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