The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →There is no single fix for every Riot Vanguard crash: the right steps depend on the exact error text or VAN code. Write down the message first. If it contains “VAN,” use Riot’s Vanguard error-code guidance; for other launch or system errors, follow the matching general troubleshooting path.
Start by identifying the exact error
Before changing Windows or BIOS settings, note the full message or code shown when VALORANT or Vanguard fails. Messages such as “Vanguard Anticheat has encountered an error, please reboot” and “We couldn’t install a required dependency” point to different troubleshooting steps. Riot maintains separate guidance for VAN codes and general startup problems; a fix for one code should not be applied to an unidentified crash.
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If the error includes a VAN code, open Riot’s Vanguard error-code guide and match the code before proceeding. For a non-VAN launch or system error, use Riot’s game-startup troubleshooting steps.
Fix a dependency or Vanguard installation error
If the message says a required dependency could not be installed, or identifies an anti-cheat installation problem, use Riot’s documented sequence rather than jumping directly to firmware settings.
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- Install available Windows updates. Restart if Windows requests it, then try launching VALORANT again.
- If the error remains, uninstall Riot Vanguard and VALORANT. Use Windows’ installed-app controls to remove both.
- Restart the computer. Riot’s sequence places a restart between uninstalling and reinstalling.
- Reinstall VALORANT. Run the VALORANT installer as administrator, then follow its prompts to reinstall Vanguard and the game.
These steps come from Riot’s dependency and anti-cheat installation guidance. If they do not clear the message, keep its exact wording for a support request.
Match the fix to the specific Vanguard error
| Error or symptom | What Riot says it indicates | Relevant action |
|---|---|---|
| VAN 9002 | Windows Exploit Protection is usually disabled. | Check Windows Exploit Protection program settings for Riot, Vanguard, or Riot game entries; remove custom entries as Riot directs, then restart. See Riot’s VAN 9002 guidance. |
| VAN 9005 | Vanguard cannot recognize the TPM 2.0 and UEFI-compatible firmware configuration it needs for VBS. | Check TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and Memory Integrity using Riot’s VAN 9005 instructions. |
| VAN: RESTRICTION | The message identifies settings Riot requires on that system. | Follow the settings named in the message and Riot’s restriction checklist. BIOS steps vary by manufacturer. |
| Blue screen implicating vgk.sys | Riot’s specialized guidance concerns blue screens on systems with Intel 13th- or 14th-generation processors. | Use the vgk.sys and Intel processor guidance only if the crash matches those symptoms and hardware. |
| Windows cannot access a file, device, or path | This is a separate file-access or executable issue, not a general Vanguard error. | Check the executable’s compatibility settings and reinstall if needed, following Riot’s file-access troubleshooting article. |
Use general startup troubleshooting for other launch failures
If there is no VAN code and no dependency-installation message, Riot’s general startup guidance lists several possible software-side steps. Try the steps that fit the observed failure rather than changing unrelated security or firmware settings.
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- Clear the game cache.
- Perform a clean boot to check for interference from other software.
- Check firewall exceptions for VALORANT and Vanguard.
- Update the graphics driver.
- If the issue persists, reinstall the game and Vanguard.
Riot’s startup article, dated March 19, 2026, describes these as troubleshooting options for game-start or crash problems; it does not establish that any one option fixes every crash.
Be cautious with BIOS and security-setting changes
VAN 9005, VAN: RESTRICTION, and the narrowly scoped vgk.sys blue-screen path can involve boot security, virtualization-based security, or BIOS settings. These are not interchangeable fixes. Riot warns that BIOS steps differ by manufacturer and that incorrect changes can cause problems, including preventing Windows from booting. Follow the instructions for the exact code and your PC or motherboard model; if you are unfamiliar with BIOS settings, seek help from the device manufacturer or a qualified technician.
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When to contact Riot Support
If the matching Riot steps do not resolve the error, submit a support request through the relevant Riot support article. Include the exact error wording or VAN code, when the failure occurs, and any recent Windows, driver, or hardware changes. Provide logs if requested by Riot Support. For a restriction message, include the settings named in that message; for a blue screen, identify the vgk.sys symptom and processor generation.
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