Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Start by recording the full error message and any VAN code. Riot Vanguard errors do not all have the same cause: use Riot’s instructions for the code shown, and reserve general reinstall steps for dependency or startup failures. Avoid changing security or BIOS settings unless the matching Riot guide calls for it.
First, identify the exact error
- When the error appears, write down or photograph its complete text and any VAN code.
- Check whether it happens while Windows starts, when you open VALORANT, or later in launch. Note when it occurs and any recent Windows, driver, or software changes.
- If the message contains a VAN code, find that code in Riot’s VALORANT support center and follow its specific instructions. Riot separates Vanguard error-code help from other restrictions and startup problems, so a fix for one code may not apply to another.
Follow the remedy for the error you see
VAN 9002: check Exploit Protection
Riot associates VAN 9002 with Windows Exploit Protection being disabled. Use Riot’s VAN 9002 instructions to review the Riot-related program entries and restart Windows. Do not treat this as a universal Vanguard crash fix or disable other security protections as a general troubleshooting step.
VAN 9005: check the required security configuration
Riot’s VAN 9005 guidance concerns the configuration needed for Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), including TPM 2.0 and UEFI-compatible firmware. It directs players to check TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and Memory Integrity. Make changes only when the code and Riot’s instructions apply to your system.
Dependency or installation failure: update Windows, then reinstall if needed
For a dependency error, Riot recommends checking Windows Update first. If the issue persists, its dependency troubleshooting steps describe uninstalling both Riot Vanguard and VALORANT, restarting the computer before reinstalling, and running the installer as administrator.
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- Check Windows Update and install available updates; restart if Windows requests it.
- If the dependency problem remains, follow Riot’s instructions to uninstall both Vanguard and VALORANT.
- Restart the computer before reinstalling VALORANT.
- Run the installer with administrator privileges, following Riot’s instructions. If the error remains, contact Riot Support rather than repeating unrelated fixes.
Other startup or system errors
If there is no VAN code, do not assume the Vanguard code-specific fixes apply. Riot’s startup-crash search guidance has listed clearing the local game cache, trying a clean boot, reviewing firewall exceptions, updating graphics drivers, and reinstalling. The original startup-crash page redirected when checked, so consult the support center for current instructions before attempting those steps. If the message contains a VAN code, use the matching code guide instead.
Do not change BIOS settings casually
Some code-specific security remedies may involve firmware settings, but there is no reason to alter BIOS or UEFI settings for every Vanguard crash. Riot warns that BIOS varies by computer and motherboard and that incorrect changes can cause startup problems. If the relevant Riot instructions call for a firmware change and you are unsure how to make it safely, consult your computer or motherboard manufacturer or a qualified technician.
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When to contact Riot Support
If the instructions for the exact code or startup error do not resolve the crash, submit a request through Riot Support. Riot’s support materials explain how to attach logs and identify the Riot Repair Tool as a way for Windows users to collect them; see Riot Repair Tool instructions.
Include the full error text or VAN code, when the crash occurs, any recent system changes, and the collected logs. Those details help describe the problem; Riot’s support page is the place to check its current submission requirements.
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