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If VALORANT will not install on your Windows PC, start with the complete error text rather than repeatedly running the installer. A VAN: RESTRICTION message identifies a Windows update or security setting Vanguard needs; VAN 9005 points to checks such as TPM 2.0, UEFI, Secure Boot and Memory Integrity. Install the required Windows updates, restart, verify the requested firmware setting, then use Riot Client’s Repair tool. Only after those steps should you remove cached Riot files and reinstall. Firmware changes and Windows recovery can affect booting or erase data, so back up first and follow your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s instructions.
What should I check before trying a fix?
Record the exact message, number and point of failure. Riot Client errors, Vanguard errors and Windows installer failures do not all have the same remedy, and a fix for one VAN code can be irrelevant to another.
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| What you see | What it usually tells you | First action |
|---|---|---|
| VAN: RESTRICTION | Vanguard has named a missing Windows update or security requirement. | Read the requirement in the message, install updates or change that setting, restart, and try again. |
| VAN 9005 | Vanguard cannot verify one or more of TPM 2.0, UEFI-compliant firmware, Secure Boot, or the required VBS/Memory Integrity configuration. | Check TPM, then Secure Boot and Memory Integrity in the order documented below. |
| VAN 9001 or another VAN code | The code identifies a different Vanguard condition; the precise wording matters more than the number alone. | Keep the full message and follow the Riot guidance linked from that error. |
| Riot Client hangs, loops or reports damaged files | The client may have incomplete or corrupted installation data, or another program may be interfering. | Run Repair, then perform a clean reinstall if Repair cannot complete. |
Take a screenshot or write down the code before changing anything. Also note your Windows edition and build, whether the PC starts in UEFI or Legacy mode, and the states shown by tpm.msc and msinfo32. These details make it much easier to tell a firmware problem from a client problem.
How do I fix a VAN: RESTRICTION message?
Apply the exact update or security requirement named by the message, restart Windows, and retry. Riot’s current restriction guidance uses different build thresholds for different paths, so one number must not be treated as a universal VALORANT requirement.
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Install every pending Windows update
- Open Settings and select Windows Update.
- Choose Check for updates, install all available quality, feature and security updates, and allow any requested restart.
- After Windows starts again, open the VALORANT installer or Riot Client and test the installation.
Riot lists Windows build 19045 as the minimum for one VAN: RESTRICTION update path. It lists build 26100 as a threshold supported only on Windows 11 for another path. Those figures are from Riot Games Support’s 2026 guidance; the code and wording on your screen determine which path applies. Do not downgrade or upgrade Windows solely because you saw a threshold associated with a different VAN message.
Confirm the build when an update appears to be missing
Press Windows key + R, enter winver, and press Enter. Compare the displayed build with the requirement named by Vanguard. If Windows Update says the PC is current but the build is below the required threshold, restart once more, check for updates again, and investigate Windows servicing rather than repeatedly reinstalling the game.
How do I check whether TPM 2.0 is available?
Use Windows’ TPM console first. If the console cannot find a TPM or reports an older specification, the firmware TPM may be disabled in UEFI settings.
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
tpm.mscand press Enter. - Look for a status saying the TPM is ready for use and a Specification Version of 2.0.
On Intel systems the firmware option is generally called PTT (Platform Trust Technology). On AMD systems it is generally called fTPM. The label and menu location vary by motherboard and laptop manufacturer, so use that manufacturer’s UEFI guide instead of selecting similarly named security options at random.
Enable a firmware TPM carefully
Restart into UEFI setup using the key shown by the manufacturer during startup. Find the security or trusted-computing section, enable Intel PTT or AMD fTPM, save, and allow Windows to boot. Run tpm.msc again after Windows loads.
Riot warns that an incorrect BIOS change can prevent a computer from starting. Do not clear an existing TPM merely because the console looks unfamiliar, and do not change unrelated boot or storage settings while troubleshooting VALORANT. If the PC uses drive encryption, keep its recovery key available before making firmware changes.
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What if no TPM 2.0 option exists?
Some older systems lack a firmware TPM or cannot meet the required specification. Vanguard does not have a supported software workaround for a hardware or firmware requirement that the displayed restriction explicitly demands. Check for a manufacturer firmware update and official hardware documentation; if the requirement remains unavailable, contact Riot Player Support with the exact code rather than forcing an unverified bypass.
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How do I verify Secure Boot and UEFI without making Windows unbootable?
Check the current state in Windows before changing firmware. Secure Boot should be enabled only when Windows is installed for UEFI booting; turning it on while the system still depends on Legacy/MBR configuration can stop Windows from starting.
- Press Windows key + R, enter
msinfo32, and press Enter. - In System Summary, find BIOS Mode. It should say UEFI.
- Find Secure Boot State. It should say On.
If BIOS Mode is Legacy
Do not simply switch the firmware menu from Legacy or Compatibility mode to UEFI. Riot’s guidance says a Legacy installation on an MBR disk needs a backup and conversion to GPT with Microsoft’s documented mbr2gpt process first. After confirming that conversion completed successfully, switch the firmware to UEFI and enable Secure Boot. Keep recovery media and your important files available in case the conversion or boot change exposes an existing Windows problem.
If Secure Boot is Off in UEFI mode
Enter UEFI setup, locate Secure Boot, and enable it using the manufacturer’s instructions. Some systems require restoring factory or standard keys before the option can be enabled; use the vendor’s documented procedure and avoid deleting keys manually. Boot Windows, recheck msinfo32, and then retry Riot Client.
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VAN 9005 indicates that Vanguard cannot detect the security baseline it needs. Riot’s documented checks include TPM 2.0, UEFI-compliant firmware, Secure Boot and the virtualization-based security configuration represented by Memory Integrity.
Work through the checks in Riot’s order
- Confirm TPM 2.0 with
tpm.mscand enable Intel PTT or AMD fTPM if the firmware supports it. - Confirm UEFI mode and Secure Boot State On with
msinfo32. Convert an MBR/Legacy installation before changing modes. - Open Windows Security, go to Device security, choose Core isolation details, and check Memory integrity when the restriction requires it.
- Restart Windows after changing the setting, then open Riot Client and test again.
Memory Integrity is Microsoft’s name for a hardware-backed, virtualization-based protection feature. A driver that is incompatible with it can prevent the switch from enabling; do not remove random drivers or disable security protections just to make the game launch. If the message names IOMMU, HVCI, VBS or another specific feature instead, use the Riot instructions for that named requirement.
How do I give Riot Client the permissions it needs?
Elevate the client that performs installation and updates, not only the game’s executable. Riot specifically cautions that running just the game file as administrator can create problems.
- Close Riot Client completely from the notification area if it is running.
- Right-click the Riot Client shortcut and choose Properties.
- Open the Compatibility tab and select Run this program as an administrator.
- Choose Apply, then OK, and launch the client from that shortcut.
If a work or school account blocks elevation, ask the PC administrator to perform the installation. Do not download replacement executables from unofficial mirrors; a permissions problem should be solved through Windows account rights and the official client.
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How do I repair VALORANT before reinstalling it?
Use Riot Client’s built-in Repair tool before deleting folders. Repair is designed to replace missing or corrupted game files while preserving the existing installation.
- Open Riot Client and select the profile menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Select VALORANT in the game list.
- Click Repair and wait for the scan and replacement process to finish.
- Restart the client if it requests one, then test the installation or update again.
A Repair failure is evidence that the client cannot correct the local installation as it stands. Record any new code before proceeding, because the next step removes cached installation data.
How do I perform a clean Riot Client and VALORANT reinstall?
A clean reinstall removes the folders Riot identifies as installation and cache locations. It is more disruptive than Repair, so preserve personal files and make sure Riot Client is closed first.
- Exit Riot Client and confirm it is no longer running in the notification area or Task Manager.
- Open
C:Riot Gamesin File Explorer. - Delete the VALORANT and Riot Client folders found there.
- Press Windows key + R, enter
%localappdata%, and press Enter. - Delete the Riot Games and VALORANT folders in that location.
- Empty the Recycle Bin and restart Windows.
- Download the client again from the official Riot Games website and run the installer.
These steps remove cached installation data, not your documents, screenshots or other unrelated folders. If you keep custom files inside a Riot or VALORANT directory, copy them elsewhere first. A fresh install will still fail if the original VAN restriction, TPM state or Secure Boot configuration has not been corrected.
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A clean boot starts Windows with nonessential services and startup programs disabled, which can expose interference from antivirus tools, network filters, overlays, capture utilities or other system-level software. Vanguard’s vgc service must remain enabled for games that rely on Vanguard.
- Press Windows key + R, enter
msconfig, and press Enter. - Open the Services tab and select Hide all Microsoft services.
- Choose Disable all for the remaining services.
- Find
vgcin the list and enable it again. - Open Task Manager from the Startup tab, disable the listed startup apps, and restart Windows.
- Try the Riot Client installation or launch.
Interpret the result
If VALORANT installs or Vanguard starts in the clean-boot state, restore services and startup apps in small groups, restarting between groups. The first group that recreates the failure contains the likely conflict; re-enable items one at a time to identify it. Once testing is complete, return to normal startup so everyday applications and security software load normally.
If the problem remains in a clean boot, the cause is less likely to be an ordinary startup conflict. Check the exact VAN code, Windows build, firmware state and Riot logs instead of leaving the PC permanently stripped of services.
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Which troubleshooting path is safest?
Use the least disruptive action that addresses the evidence you have. Firmware conversion and Windows recovery belong at the end because they carry boot or data risk.
| Order | Action | Scope of change | Main risk or caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Install Windows updates and restart | Windows servicing | Do not apply a build threshold from a different VAN code. |
| 2 | Check TPM, UEFI, Secure Boot and Memory Integrity | Firmware and Windows security settings | Incorrect BIOS changes can prevent startup; Legacy/MBR must be converted before UEFI. |
| 3 | Run Riot Client Repair | VALORANT files | Allow the scan to finish before interrupting the client. |
| 4 | Clean reinstall | Riot and VALORANT folders and caches | Close the client and preserve any personal files inside those folders. |
| 5 | Clean boot | Services and startup applications | Keep vgc enabled and restore normal startup after testing. |
| 6 | Windows repair or reinstall media | The operating system | Back up data; this does not directly repair VALORANT or Vanguard. |
When is Windows installation media appropriate?
Use Windows recovery or installation media only when Windows itself is corrupted, will not boot reliably, or needs a repair or reinstall. It is not a direct Vanguard or VALORANT installer fix, and creating it will not automatically enable TPM or Secure Boot.
Create a Windows 11 USB safely
Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool requires a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space. The tool deletes the contents of that drive, so copy anything important from it before starting. Use a different, backed-up PC if the affected computer cannot run the tool.
- Back up documents and any other data you cannot replace.
- Connect the blank USB drive and verify its drive letter and contents.
- Run Microsoft’s Windows 11 Media Creation Tool and select the USB flash-drive option.
- Confirm the correct removable drive; all files on it will be erased.
- Use the resulting media for Windows startup repair or a reinstall only when ordinary Windows recovery cannot solve the system-level failure.
A Windows reinstall can change applications, drivers and settings, so it should be the final recovery branch, not a routine response to a Riot Client error.
What should I send Riot if the settings are correct but installation still fails?
Escalate after the required Windows build and security settings are present, Repair has failed, and a clean reinstall or clean boot has not resolved the issue. Riot directs users to submit a Player Support ticket with logs for persistent restriction errors.
- The complete VAN or Riot Client message, including every number and line of text.
- Your Windows edition and build from
winver. - The TPM status and specification version shown by
tpm.msc. - BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State from
msinfo32. - Whether Memory Integrity was on or off when you tested.
- The order of fixes attempted, including Repair, reinstall and clean boot.
- Riot logs requested by Player Support and the approximate time of the failure.
Do not claim that a fix is guaranteed: Riot and Microsoft do not publish a success-rate statistic for these troubleshooting paths. The value of the evidence is that it lets support distinguish a missing requirement from a damaged client or a system-level failure.
Frequently asked questions
Can a PC without TPM 2.0 run VALORANT?
It depends on the restriction shown. If Vanguard specifically requires TPM 2.0 and the computer has no supported firmware TPM, there is no documented software bypass; check whether the manufacturer offers a firmware update and contact Player Support with the code.
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Will changing Secure Boot erase my games?
Changing the setting itself is not an instruction to delete game files, but an unsafe Legacy-to-UEFI change can leave Windows unable to boot. Back up first, confirm whether the system disk is MBR, and complete the documented conversion before changing boot mode.
Why does Vanguard fail after VALORANT finishes downloading?
The game files and Vanguard’s security checks are separate stages. A successful download does not prove that TPM, Secure Boot, UEFI or Memory Integrity meets the requirement named by the VAN message, so capture that message and verify the corresponding state.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsDo I need to leave Windows in clean-boot mode?
No. Clean boot is a diagnostic state used to isolate a conflicting service or startup program. After testing, restore normal startup and re-enable items in groups, leaving only the confirmed conflicting program disabled or reconfigured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a PC without TPM 2.0 run VALORANT?
It depends on the restriction shown. If Vanguard specifically requires TPM 2.0 and the computer has no supported firmware TPM, there is no documented software bypass; check whether the manufacturer offers a firmware update and contact Player Support with the code.
Will changing Secure Boot erase my games?
Changing the setting itself is not an instruction to delete game files, but an unsafe Legacy-to-UEFI change can leave Windows unable to boot. Back up first, confirm whether the system disk is MBR, and complete the documented conversion before changing boot mode.
Why does Vanguard fail after VALORANT finishes downloading?
The game files and Vanguard’s security checks are separate stages. A successful download does not prove that TPM, Secure Boot, UEFI or Memory Integrity meets the requirement named by the VAN message, so capture that message and verify the corresponding state.
Do I need to leave Windows in clean-boot mode?
No. Clean boot is a diagnostic state used to isolate a conflicting service or startup program. After testing, restore normal startup and re-enable items in groups, leaving only the confirmed conflicting program disabled or reconfigured.
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