Restart Windows first. If VALORANT still shows “Vanguard is not initialized” or VAN 57, check the vgc service and then reinstall Riot Vanguard before reinstalling the entire game. Do not change TPM, Secure Boot, or BIOS settings unless the error specifically mentions a security restriction.
What VAN 57 means
Riot identifies VAN 57 as “Vanguard not running.” VALORANT needs Riot Vanguard’s background anti-cheat components to initialize before the game launches. If Vanguard failed to start, was not installed correctly, or needs a reboot after an update, VALORANT can stop with this message.
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Some searches call this VAL 57 or simply “Error 57,” but VAN 57 is Riot’s current label. It usually indicates a Vanguard startup problem—not automatically a graphics-driver issue, account ban, internet failure, TPM problem, or Secure Boot failure. Riot’s error-code guidance recommends restarting the computer and Riot Client first.
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1. Restart Windows properly
A normal Windows restart is important because Vanguard can install or update a kernel component that cannot become active until the next boot.
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- Exit VALORANT.
- Close Riot Client from the notification-area icon if it is still running.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. If Riot Client or VALORANT processes remain, close them.
- Select Start → Power → Restart. Do not merely log out or close the game.
- After Windows loads, wait briefly for startup services to initialize.
- Open Riot Client and launch VALORANT.
If the game opens, the problem was likely a pending Vanguard startup or update. If VAN 57 returns, continue below.
2. Check the vgc service
The vgc Windows service is the most useful first diagnostic after a restart.
- Press Win+R.
- Enter
services.mscand press Enter. - Find vgc.
- If it is Stopped, right-click it and choose Start.
- If it is Disabled, open Properties, set Startup type to Automatic, select Apply, then choose Start.
- If it is already Running, restart the service once, reboot Windows, and test VALORANT again.
A running service does not prove that every Vanguard driver initialized correctly. If VAN 57 remains, do not repeatedly click Start; reinstall Vanguard instead.
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sc query vgc
sc start vgcsc query vgc should identify the service and report its state. A failed sc start vgc can indicate a missing or damaged installation, a pending restart, permissions trouble, or interference from security software. These commands are diagnostics, not a guarantee that the service alone will fix VAN 57.
3. Reinstall Riot Vanguard
Reinstall Vanguard before reinstalling VALORANT. This usually takes less time and preserves the game installation when only the anti-cheat component is damaged.
- Close Riot Client completely.
- Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Search for Riot Vanguard.
- Select its three-dot menu and choose Uninstall.
- Restart Windows.
- Open Riot Client and launch VALORANT.
- Allow Riot Client to install Vanguard again.
- Restart Windows again if prompted, then launch VALORANT.
Use Riot’s uninstall and reinstall guidance if the normal Windows removal process behaves differently on your system.
If Vanguard will not uninstall
Do not start by deleting registry entries or driver files. As an advanced fallback, close Riot Client, open an elevated Command Prompt, and run:
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sc delete vgc
sc delete vgkThese commands remove service registrations; they are not a complete reinstall. Restart Windows afterward and launch VALORANT through Riot Client so Vanguard can be installed again. If you are uncomfortable with this step, use Riot Support instead.
4. Update Windows and check security software
Open Settings → Windows Update, choose Check for updates, install available updates, and restart. This is particularly worthwhile after a fresh VALORANT installation or a major Windows update, although it is not a guaranteed VAN 57 fix.
Third-party antivirus, endpoint protection, firewalls, VPNs, virtualization tools, hardware monitors, RGB utilities, and low-level keyboard, storage, network, or input drivers can sometimes interfere with Vanguard.
- Temporarily disable third-party security software only for a controlled test.
- Launch VALORANT once.
- Re-enable protection immediately.
- If the test identifies the cause, add narrowly scoped exceptions using your security vendor’s instructions or contact that vendor.
Do not permanently disable antivirus, Windows security features, or firewall protection. If you create firewall exceptions, browse to the actual Riot and VALORANT installation folders because paths vary by drive and installation choice. Riot’s firewall guidance provides the relevant executable context.
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5. Use a clean boot to find conflicts
If Vanguard still fails after reinstalling, a clean boot can show whether another startup service is blocking it.
- Open Windows’ System Configuration tool by searching for System Configuration.
- On the Services tab, select Hide all Microsoft services, then temporarily disable the remaining non-Microsoft services.
- Use Task Manager’s Startup apps tab to disable nonessential startup items.
- Restart and test VALORANT.
If VAN 57 disappears, restore normal startup and re-enable items in batches until you identify the conflict. A clean boot is a diagnostic, not a permanent configuration; it may disable audio, VPN, peripheral, security, and other useful software.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not change TPM or Secure Boot for ordinary VAN 57
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are not the default fix for a plain “Vanguard is not initialized” or VAN 57 message. Check those settings when the displayed error explicitly mentions TPM, Secure Boot, UEFI, or a Vanguard restriction—for example, VAN 9001, VAN 9003, VAN 9005, or VAN: RESTRICTION.
BIOS menus differ by motherboard and manufacturer, and changing boot mode or security settings incorrectly can prevent Windows from starting. Riot’s Vanguard restriction guidance recommends consulting the PC or motherboard manufacturer. Do not casually switch between Legacy/CSM and UEFI.
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If you recently changed a motherboard, CPU, firmware, RAM configuration, or boot mode, mention that change when seeking support. It can alter TPM or Secure Boot state and cause a different Vanguard restriction even if the original problem looked like a startup failure.
Last resort: clean-reinstall VALORANT
Perform a full reinstall only when Vanguard-only removal fails, Riot Client appears corrupted, or VALORANT has additional damaged-file launch errors.
- Uninstall VALORANT from Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Close Riot Client.
- Remove the relevant VALORANT and Riot Games folders, including local Riot and VALORANT application data identified in Riot’s reinstall instructions.
- Restart Windows.
- Download the installer from Riot’s official VALORANT site.
- Install, launch through Riot Client, and restart if Vanguard requests it.
Folder locations vary, so do not delete a fixed path blindly. Follow Riot’s clean-reinstallation instructions for the current folder list.
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Record the exact code, Windows version, whether vgc is present and running, recent Windows or hardware changes, and any antivirus or driver changes. Include screenshots and relevant crash or blue-screen details in a Riot Support request.
If the PC is running VALORANT inside a virtual machine, test on a standard Windows installation instead; Vanguard may not function normally in virtualized environments. If you see a blue screen or a vgk.sys reference, stop treating it as a routine VAN 57 repair and report the stop code to Riot and the relevant hardware or software vendor.
Quick decision table
| What you see | Best next step |
|---|---|
| First VAN 57 occurrence | Restart Windows and Riot Client. |
vgc is stopped |
Set it to Automatic, start it once, then reboot. |
vgc is missing |
Uninstall and reinstall Riot Vanguard. |
| Vanguard reinstalls but VAN 57 remains | Check security software, clean boot, then contact Riot. |
| Error explicitly mentions TPM or Secure Boot | Follow the matching Vanguard restriction guidance. |
| Multiple launch errors or corrupted files | Perform a full clean reinstall. |
The repair is complete when VALORANT launches without a Vanguard code and continues to do so after another normal Windows restart.
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