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The first response should be to identify the exact motherboard or OEM model and check for an official BIOS/UEFI update. A new motherboard is a fallback for systems with no supported firmware path, not Riot’s blanket instruction to replace every old PC.
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The short version
Riot is not universally blocking every old PC. Its December 18, 2025 Vanguard change introduced targeted VAN:Restriction launch blocks for some VALORANT accounts or hardware configurations when Vanguard could not establish enough system integrity. Riot said that receiving a restriction did not necessarily mean the player had been caught cheating; it meant the machine resembled configurations that cheaters have used to evade detection.
The underlying concern is a pre-boot firmware problem involving DMA and IOMMU protections. On affected motherboards, the firmware could report that DMA protection was enabled without correctly initializing the hardware protection itself. The practical fix is usually an official motherboard or OEM BIOS/UEFI update followed by the correct security settings—not immediately buying a new PC.
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A later June 2026 update adds Vanguard Pre-Check and an optional On-Demand mode. That update has stricter prerequisites, including Windows 11 25H2 or later, UEFI Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, Virtualization-Based Security with Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity, IOMMU, and possibly current BIOS firmware. It should not be confused with a universal motherboard lockout.
What Riot actually changed
Riot’s December 18, 2025 announcement described a security enforcement change aimed at systems whose hardware behavior or statistical profile triggered suspicion. The restriction could be applied at the account or hardware-ID level and could stop VALORANT from launching until the player enabled required security features or updated motherboard firmware.
That wording matters. The initial measure was targeted enforcement, not a rule saying that every PC built before a particular year would stop working. Riot also said it was investigating whether to apply a stronger baseline to players at Ascendant rank and above. That was a possible expansion discussed by Riot, not proof that every player—or every League of Legends player—was already subject to the same requirement.
| Change | What it means for players |
|---|---|
| December 2025 VAN:Restriction enforcement | Some VALORANT systems could be prevented from launching when Vanguard detected insufficient system integrity or suspicious hardware-related signals. |
| Possible higher-rank baseline | Riot discussed investigating stricter requirements for Ascendant and higher, but this was not announced as a universal requirement for all Riot players. |
| June 2026 Vanguard Pre-Check | Vanguard checks whether a PC meets a more complete set of security prerequisites for the newer operating mode. |
| June 2026 On-Demand mode | On sufficiently secured PCs, Vanguard can load when a Riot game starts and stop when the session ends. The mode is optional; players can keep the previous always-present configuration. |
Riot reported that 35% of players already met the Pre-Check requirements and that approximately 3% of weekly players in Riot regions did not have hardware capable of supporting the changes. Those are Riot’s own estimates, not independently audited hardware measurements.
Why a BIOS update is involved
The issue is easier to understand if the boot process is divided into two phases.
- Before Windows starts: UEFI firmware initializes the processor, memory, PCIe devices, and security protections.
- After Windows starts: the operating system and security software can enforce additional rules and monitor devices.
A PCIe device with DMA capability can access system memory directly instead of asking the CPU to perform every read or write. That capability is useful for legitimate hardware, but it also creates a security problem if a malicious or modified device can access memory before Windows and anti-cheat protections are fully active.
An IOMMU acts as a translation and permission layer for device memory access. In simplified terms, it should limit each device to the memory ranges it is allowed to use. The pre-boot problem described by CERT/CC was a mismatch between the protection reported by some UEFI firmware and the protection actually initialized by that firmware. A device with physical access to the PCIe bus could potentially read or modify memory during that early window and inject code before operating-system defenses were running.
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This is why changing a Windows setting alone may not solve the problem. If the motherboard firmware initializes the IOMMU incorrectly, Windows cannot retroactively make the earlier boot stage behave as though it had been protected correctly. Vanguard is checking for a trustworthy security foundation, not merely for a checkbox inside Windows.
The vulnerability does not mean that every affected owner has been hacked, that every PCIe accessory is malicious, or that normal gaming hardware is inherently unsafe. It explains why Riot treats certain firmware configurations as inadequate for its anti-cheat threat model.
Which motherboards and systems are implicated?
The vendor picture is model-specific. The CERT/CC record identifies four related vulnerability records:
| Vendor | Record | Scope described in the research |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS | CVE-2025-11901 | Intel Z490, W480, B460, H410, Z590, B560, H510, Z690, B660, W680, Z790, B760, and W790 families were listed, with ASUS directing users to specified BIOS versions and the IOMMU DMA Protection setting. |
| Gigabyte | CVE-2025-14302 | Intel 600-, 700-, and 800-series platforms, AMD 600- and 800-series platforms, and TRX50 platforms were listed, with firmware updates released across a broad range of boards. |
| MSI | CVE-2025-14303 | CERT/CC listed MSI as affected; the applicable board and firmware must be checked by exact model. |
| ASRock | CVE-2025-14304 | CERT/CC listed ASRock as affected; the applicable board and firmware must be checked by exact model. |
The same CERT/CC vendor table listed several OEM system manufacturers—including Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft—as unknown at the time of the record. In this context, unknown does not mean that every system from those companies is vulnerable or that every system is safe. It means the status was not established in that record.
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Do not identify compatibility by processor generation alone. Two PCs with the same CPU family can have different motherboards, firmware branches, and available fixes. A retail motherboard may receive a corrective BIOS while an OEM desktop or laptop using a technically similar platform may not receive an equivalent update.
Why older PCs are the difficult edge case
Age is only a rough warning sign. The more useful question is whether the exact board or OEM system model has a supported firmware release and the necessary security capabilities.
An older PC can fall into one of several categories:
- Old but supported: the manufacturer has released a BIOS that corrects the initialization problem, and the required security options are available.
- Supported with configuration work: the firmware is current, but UEFI mode, Secure Boot, TPM, IOMMU, or Windows security features still need to be enabled.
- Technically capable but undocumented: the platform may have the hardware capability, but the vendor has not published a clear fix or validation statement.
- Unsupported: no matching BIOS exists, the OEM no longer provides firmware updates, or the board lacks a required capability.
Windows 11 compatibility by itself does not settle the question. A processor and motherboard may meet Microsoft’s operating-system requirements while still lacking a BIOS update that corrects the specific pre-boot behavior Riot is concerned about.
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1. Record the exact hardware identity
Before downloading anything, identify the exact motherboard or complete OEM model.
On Windows, press Win+R, enter msinfo32, and check:
- System Manufacturer
- System Model
- BIOS Version/Date
- BIOS Mode
- Secure Boot State
For a retail desktop motherboard, PowerShell can provide another identity check:
Get-CimInstance Win32_BaseBoard | Format-List Manufacturer,Product,Version,SerialNumberFor a laptop or branded desktop, use the manufacturer’s complete system model and service tag where applicable. Do not substitute the CPU model, the computer’s marketing name, or a visually similar motherboard name.
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2. Use the manufacturer’s official support page
Search the vendor’s support site for the exact model, revision, and—where relevant—the exact OEM product number. Look for:
- a BIOS or UEFI release newer than the one installed;
- release notes mentioning DMA protection, IOMMU initialization, pre-boot security, or the relevant CVE;
- the vendor’s required update method and recovery procedure;
- any instructions for enabling IOMMU DMA Protection after updating.
Riot specifically directs players to manufacturer guidance. Do not use a BIOS file intended for a similar board, a different board revision, or an unofficial download mirror. A firmware image that is merely close in name can be the wrong image.
3. Prepare before flashing
- Back up important documents and confirm that game saves or other irreplaceable data are not stored only on the PC.
- If BitLocker or another device-encryption system is enabled, make sure you can access the recovery key. Follow the vendor’s instructions about temporarily suspending protection before the update; do not permanently disable encryption just to play VALORANT.
- Record custom BIOS settings such as boot order, fan curves, memory profiles, virtualization, and storage configuration. A firmware update may restore defaults.
- Use reliable power. Avoid starting a firmware flash during a storm, from an unstable outlet, or while moving a laptop.
- If the vendor’s procedure requires removable media, use the exact file system and file placement it specifies. Some methods require a FAT32-formatted USB drive, but not every update method does.
4. Install only the matching BIOS or UEFI update
Follow the motherboard or OEM instructions exactly. Some systems update from within UEFI, while others use a Windows utility or a dedicated flashback port. The correct method depends on the model.
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Do not turn off the PC, remove power, reset the system, or press the case power button while the firmware is being written. Do not assume that a long pause or an automatic restart means the update has failed. Use the vendor’s stated recovery process if something goes wrong rather than repeatedly interrupting the machine.
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5. Enable the required protections
After the update, enter UEFI setup and check the settings required by the vendor and Riot. Names vary, but the relevant features can include:
- UEFI boot mode instead of Legacy or CSM mode;
- Secure Boot;
- TPM 2.0, which may appear as Intel PTT or AMD fTPM;
- IOMMU or DMA protection;
- Virtualization-Based Security and Windows’ Memory integrity, which corresponds to Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity.
ASUS’s instructions specifically refer to IOMMU DMA Protection and selecting Full Protection. Other manufacturers may use different labels or combine the controls. The vendor’s model-specific instructions take priority over a generic settings list.
If the system currently boots in Legacy mode or uses a nonstandard boot configuration, do not blindly switch to UEFI and Secure Boot. Check the Windows installation and disk-partition requirements first; an incompatible change can leave Windows unable to boot until the configuration is corrected.
6. Verify Windows after the change
Once Windows starts normally:
- Run
msinfo32again and confirm BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State. - Run
tpm.mscand confirm that Windows detects a usable TPM 2.0. - Open Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details and check the Memory integrity status. An incompatible driver may prevent HVCI from being enabled.
- Run
winverto check the Windows version if you are trying to use Vanguard Pre-Check. - Restart the PC before testing VALORANT again.
Keep in mind that a setting showing as enabled in Windows does not prove that the motherboard’s pre-boot IOMMU initialization is correct. That is why the BIOS update and the vendor’s own instructions remain important.
How the June 2026 Vanguard On-Demand mode changes the picture
Riot’s June 2026 Vanguard announcement describes two related features: Pre-Check and On-Demand mode.
Pre-Check is intended for PCs that meet Riot’s stronger security baseline. Riot lists these prerequisites:
- Windows 11 version 25H2 or later;
- UEFI mode;
- Secure Boot;
- TPM 2.0;
- Virtualization-Based Security with Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity;
- IOMMU;
- possibly an updated BIOS, depending on the system.
Riot says Windows 11 25H2 is required in part because that release added a runtime driver-attestation capability used by the newer arrangement.
On a sufficiently secured PC, On-Demand mode allows Vanguard’s driver to load when a Riot game starts and stop when the session ends instead of launching with Windows. It is optional. A player who does not want On-Demand mode can leave Vanguard in its prior always-present configuration.
On-Demand mode does not make an unsupported BIOS safe, and it does not mean the security checks have disappeared. It changes when Vanguard’s driver is active; it does not remove the need for the platform protections Riot says are required for Pre-Check.
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If your manufacturer has no BIOS fix
Do not jump directly to a motherboard purchase. First confirm that:
- you searched the exact model and revision;
- the current BIOS notes do not already contain the relevant fix under different terminology;
- the system is not an OEM model with a separate support page;
- the restriction is not caused by a missing Windows security setting that the existing hardware can support;
- the vendor has not published a separate security advisory or staged release.
If the status remains unclear, contact the motherboard or OEM manufacturer with the exact model, current BIOS version, and the Vanguard message. Avoid unofficial BIOS images, modified firmware, and generic BIOS-flashing tools that are not provided for the specific system.
A replacement becomes reasonable only when the existing board has no supported update, cannot provide a required security feature, or is part of an old platform whose repair path is no longer practical. If you are already replacing the processor and memory, an AM5 motherboard upgrade is one possible modern-platform route for an AMD build—but it is not a universal solution. An AM5 board generally requires a compatible AM5 processor and DDR5 memory, and the exact board still needs its own firmware and feature checks.
Before buying any replacement motherboard, verify:
- CPU socket and processor support;
- DDR4 or DDR5 memory type and the number of modules you need;
- case form factor;
- power-supply connectors and capacity;
- graphics-card clearance and PCIe requirements;
- M.2, SATA, USB, Wi-Fi, and other expansion needs;
- Windows activation and whether a clean installation or repair may be needed.
Common misunderstandings
| Claim | More accurate explanation |
|---|---|
| Riot is blocking every old PC. | The December 2025 enforcement was targeted. An older PC may work if its exact firmware and security configuration meet the relevant checks. |
| VAN:Restriction proves the player cheated. | Riot said the restriction did not necessarily indicate cheating. It indicated that Vanguard could not establish sufficient system integrity or saw a configuration resembling those used to evade anti-cheat controls. |
| Windows 11 automatically solves the problem. | Windows 11 support does not guarantee corrected motherboard firmware, IOMMU initialization, Secure Boot, TPM, HVCI, or every other Pre-Check requirement. |
| Adding a TPM module alone will fix it. | TPM is only one part of the newer security baseline. It cannot correct an IOMMU initialization problem in motherboard firmware. |
| A Windows driver updater can replace the BIOS fix. | Ordinary device-driver maintenance is separate from motherboard firmware. BIOS and UEFI files should come from the motherboard or OEM manufacturer. |
| Vanguard On-Demand is mandatory. | Riot describes On-Demand as optional. Players can retain the earlier always-present Vanguard behavior. |
| This is already a universal League of Legends hardware lockout. | The December announcement was about VALORANT restrictions and discussed possible expansion. Riot’s later On-Demand article discusses the broader Vanguard environment, but that should not be presented as a universal League gameplay lockout. |
What this means for an older-PC owner
The sensible response is diagnostic rather than alarmist:
- Read the exact Vanguard message and determine whether the problem is a restriction, a missing Windows feature, or a normal game-launch error.
- Identify the exact motherboard or OEM system model.
- Check the official firmware and security guidance for that model.
- Update the BIOS only if the vendor provides a matching, supported release.
- Enable UEFI, Secure Boot, TPM, IOMMU, and Windows security features only as applicable to the documented requirements.
- Replace the motherboard or platform only if the existing system has no supported path forward.
The real risk is not that every aging gaming PC will suddenly become unusable. It is that some systems—especially older or poorly documented OEM machines—may have no official way to correct a firmware-level weakness that an anti-cheat system is now checking. That is a serious compatibility problem, but it is narrower than the headline that Riot is blocking all old computers.
Sources and scope
The technical and policy details in this article come from Riot’s December 2025 motherboard-security announcement, Riot’s June 2026 Vanguard On-Demand announcement, and the CERT/CC vulnerability record. Vendor coverage and patch status can change, and the manufacturer’s current support page for the exact model should take precedence over a general summary.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riot blocking every old PC from VALORANT?
No. Riot’s December 2025 change targeted certain VALORANT accounts or hardware configurations that failed its system-integrity checks. An older PC may continue to work if its exact firmware and security settings meet the applicable requirements.
Does VAN:Restriction mean I was banned for cheating?
No. Riot said VAN:Restriction does not necessarily mean the player was caught cheating. It means Vanguard could not establish sufficient system integrity or detected a configuration resembling hardware behavior associated with anti-cheat evasion.
Will enabling TPM 2.0 by itself fix the Vanguard problem?
No. TPM 2.0 is only one part of the newer Vanguard Pre-Check baseline. The system may also need updated BIOS firmware, IOMMU, UEFI mode, Secure Boot, Windows 11 25H2 or later, and Virtualization-Based Security with HVCI.
Is Vanguard On-Demand mode mandatory?
No. Riot describes On-Demand mode as optional. On a sufficiently secured PC, it allows Vanguard to load when a Riot game starts and stop when the session ends. Players can keep Vanguard in its previous always-present configuration.
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Should I buy a new motherboard if my PC is affected?
Only after confirming that the exact motherboard or OEM system has no supported BIOS update or cannot provide a required security feature. A replacement may also require a compatible CPU, memory, case, power supply, and potentially a Windows repair or reinstall.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Riot’s Vanguard change is a targeted VALORANT security requirement, not a blanket ban on old PCs. Check the exact motherboard or OEM model for an official BIOS fix, enable the documented security features, and consider replacement hardware only when the existing system has no supported path.
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