Hey, Summoner! ๐ค Nothing kills the hype like launching League of Legends only to slam into Error Code 138. This pesky Vanguard glitch blocks your login, leaving you sidelined from ranked queues and epic clashes. But don't rage-quit yetโ we've got your back with battle-tested fixes that restore your VG (Vanguard) service lightning-fast. Follow these steps, and you'll be farming minions in no time. Let's dive in! ๐
What is League of Legends Error Code 138 & Why Vanguard?
Error Code 138 pops up when Riot's Vanguard anti-cheat fails to initialize. Vanguard is LoL's kernel-level guardian (just like in Valorant), scanning for cheats before launch. Common triggers? Corrupted files, firewall blocks, outdated drivers, or antivirus clashes. Riot rolled out Vanguard for fairer matches, but it can glitch on Windows setups.
Pro tip: This isn't your faultโit's a widespread issue fixed by quick tweaks. Ready to troubleshoot? ๐
Quick Diagnosis: Is It Really Vanguard?
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Error message mentions "Vanguard not initialized" or code 138.
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Game crashes on launch; client stuck on loading.
- โ If it's network-related, check League of Legends status first via Riot's site.
Step-by-Step Fixes for League of Legends Error Code 138 ๐
Start with basicsโ90% of players fix it here. No tech wizardry needed!
- ๐ Restart Vanguard Service
Press Win + R, type services.msc, hit Enter. Find "vgc" and "vgtray". Right-click each > Restart. BoomโVanguard reboots!
- โก Full Game & Vanguard Reinstall
Open Riot Client > LoL settings > Repair. Still stuck? Uninstall Vanguard via C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgc.exe --uninstall in admin CMD. Reinstall from Riot Client. Game-changer!
- ๐ก๏ธ Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall
Avast, Norton, or Windows Defender? Pause real-time protection. Add exceptions for Riot folders. Test launchโError Code 138 gone? Whitelist permanently.
Stuck after Step 3? Level up to advanced fixes. Keep readingโyou're almost there! ๐ช
Advanced Vanguard Fixes for Stubborn Error Code 138
These pack more punch for deeper issues. Patience pays off, Summoner!
| ๐ง Fix |
Steps |
Success Rate |
| Update Graphics Drivers |
Download latest NVIDIA/AMD/Intel drivers. Use DDU for clean install if needed. |
โญโญโญโญโญ (High!) |
| Run as Administrator |
Right-click Riot Client > Properties > Compatibility > Run as admin. Apply to Vanguard exe too. |
โญโญโญโญ |
| SFC & DISM Scan |
Admin CMD: sfc /scannow then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Restart PC. |
โญโญโญ |
| Flush DNS & Reset Winsock |
CMD: ipconfig /flushdns, netsh winsock reset. Reboot. |
โญโญโญโญ |
Bonus: If on VPN, disable itโVanguard hates proxies. For Windows 11 users, ensure TPM 2.0 is enabled in BIOS.
Prevention Tips: Keep Vanguard Happy Forever ๐
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Auto-update drivers via GeForce Experience or AMD Software.
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Exclude Riot folders from antivirus scans.
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Run weekly
sfc /scannow maintenance.
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Keep Windows & Riot Client updatedโpatches fix Vanguard bugs fast.
Master these, and League of Legends Error Code 138 becomes ancient history. Imagine climbing ranks without launch drama! ๐
Still Not Fixed? Next Steps
If all else fails, submit a ticket to Riot Support with your dxdiag.txt (Win+R > dxdiag > Save). Community heroes on Reddit swear by full Riot Client reinstall too.
Official Riot fix guide: Check Riot's Vanguard page for latest intel.
You're now armed to conquer Error Code 138! Drop a clap if this worked ๐, and queue up. GLHF in the Rift! What's your go-to champ post-fix? Share below. ๐