Fix League of Legends Vanguard Error VAN 84: 2026 Troubleshooting Guide

If League of Legends stops at Vanguard Error VAN 84, work through the Windows and Vanguard checks below in order. Riot’s current VAN 84 guidance starts with Windows updates and the Vanguard vgc service, then recommends a clean-boot test, a game reinstall if needed, and connection troubleshooting for persistent errors. This is a Windows PC guide; it avoids unrelated graphics-driver and BIOS changes.

Riot describes VAN 84 as a problem where Vanguard cannot confirm that the PC is ready to run the game or encounters an initialization issue. The Riot error-code index includes VAN 84 among Vanguard errors. Check the official VAN 84 troubleshooting page and the Vanguard error-code index if the wording on your screen differs.

1. Check Riot status, then restart the client and PC

First, open Riot Games Service Status, choose League of Legends, and select the region where your account plays. If Riot lists maintenance or a service incident, wait for it to clear; changing Windows settings will not fix a server-side issue.

If there is no relevant incident, exit Riot Client from the Windows system tray. Make sure League and the client have closed, then use Start > Power > Restart. After Windows loads, open Riot Client and launch League again. A full restart is the quickest safe first check and also applies any pending system changes.

2. Install available Windows updates

Open Windows Update from Settings, check for updates, install the available updates, and restart when Windows asks. Riot notes that Windows updates can include security and system-service changes Vanguard relies on. Launch League after the restart before moving on to more involved steps.

3. Check that the Vanguard service can start

Unless you use Riot’s optional Vanguard Pre-Check, Riot says the vgc service should start automatically with Windows. To verify it:

1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find vgc in the Services list and double-click it.
3. Set Startup type to Automatic. If Service status is Stopped, select Start.
4. Select Apply, then OK, and restart the PC.

Vanguard Pre-Check is designed to start Vanguard on demand, so do not force automatic startup if you have enabled that feature. If vgc is missing, will not start, or the error returns, continue to the reinstall step rather than changing other services or firmware settings.

For Riot’s full steps, see Set VGC as Automatic.

4. Reinstall Riot Vanguard through Windows and Riot Client

A damaged or incomplete Vanguard installation can keep the anti-cheat service from initializing. Use Riot’s standard uninstall path instead of deleting driver files by hand:

1. Close League and every other Riot game, then exit Riot Client from the system tray.
2. In Windows, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Riot Vanguard, and choose Uninstall. You can also use the Vanguard tray icon’s uninstall option if it is available.
3. Restart the computer after uninstalling.
4. Open Riot Client and launch League of Legends. Riot says launching a Vanguard-dependent game installs Vanguard again. Approve a Windows permission prompt only when it identifies Riot Vanguard/Riot Games, and restart again if the client requests it.

Riot’s Vanguard uninstall and reinstall instructions include manual removal commands only as an advanced fallback. Use the Windows uninstall method first; do not delete vgk.sys or run service-deletion commands from an old forum post.

5. Test for an interfering background service with a clean boot

If VAN 84 survives a Windows update and Vanguard reinstall, a background service may be interfering. Riot’s clean-boot procedure keeps Vanguard enabled while temporarily disabling other non-Microsoft services:

1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Open the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services.
3. Select Disable all, then find and re-check vgc.
4. Select Apply and OK, restart Windows, and test League.

If League works in the clean-boot state, a third-party service is a likely source of the conflict. Re-enable services in a controlled way to identify it. When the test is over, return Windows to normal startup using the Microsoft clean-boot reset instructions. On a work-managed PC, check with IT before changing System Configuration.

Riot’s clean-boot guide explains the Vanguard-specific part of this test.

6. Reinstall League only if the earlier fixes fail

If Windows, the Vanguard service, the Vanguard reinstall, and a clean-boot test have not cleared VAN 84, reinstalling League is Riot’s next game-level step. Use Settings > Apps > Installed apps to uninstall League, then download it again from Riot’s official site. Close Riot Client before uninstalling. Avoid deleting the entire Riot Games folder if you have other Riot games installed.

7. Check the connection and regional service status

Because VAN 84 can also appear with a connection-error message, rule out network problems before opening a support ticket. Riot recommends these low-risk tests:

• If possible, connect the PC to the router with Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi.
• Power off the modem and router, wait at least 30 seconds, turn them back on, and retry after the connection returns.
• Pause large downloads, streams, and cloud sync while testing.
• Turn off a VPN or proxy temporarily; Riot advises against using either to connect to League servers during troubleshooting.

If the connection remains unstable, follow Riot’s PC connection troubleshooting guide. It covers network reset, public DNS, and firewall checks. Change DNS only if you are comfortable restoring your previous setting; Riot notes that some internet providers block third-party DNS.

7. If VAN 84 still appears, send Riot the diagnostic logs

If the code persists after the steps above, open a Player Support ticket and include the exact error text, your region, when the problem began, and which steps you tried. Riot’s Riot Repair Tool instructions explain how to collect a log ZIP for League; on Windows, Riot recommends running the tool as administrator. Attach the resulting ZIP to the ticket so support can inspect the client and Vanguard logs.

Quick answers

Does VAN 84 mean my League account is banned?

No. VAN 84 is a Vanguard error code, not a ban notice. Follow the code-specific steps or contact Riot Support if the error remains.

Should I disable Secure Boot or change TPM settings for VAN 84?

Do not make firmware or security changes just because you see VAN 84. Riot’s VAN 84 sequence focuses on Windows updates, Vanguard startup and installation, background conflicts, and connectivity. Follow a separate security-setting guide only if Riot shows a different error that explicitly requires it.

Do I need to reinstall League first?

No. Restart, install Windows updates, check vgc, and reinstall Vanguard first. A full game reinstall takes longer, so keep it as a later step.