If League of Legends will not start and shows a Vanguard code, first check the punctuation: Riot’s current support pages distinguish VAN -1 (with a minus sign) from other VAN codes. Riot describes VAN -1 as Vanguard failing to start correctly or one of its required services being unavailable. Its recommended fixes are to set the vgc service to start automatically and, if needed, remove and reinstall Vanguard.
There is an important caveat for searches for “League of Legends Error VAN 1”: Riot’s error-code index, dated May 22, 2026, lists VAN -1 separately and does not list a standalone VAN 1. If your screen truly says “VAN 1” without the minus sign, don’t assume the VAN -1 instructions match. Confirm the full message and use Riot’s code index or submit a support ticket if the exact code is missing.
| What the screen says | What to do |
|---|---|
| VAN -1 | Follow the Vanguard service and reinstall steps below. |
| VAN 1 (no minus sign) | Riot’s current index does not show this as a separate code. Verify the message and look it up in the official index. |
| VAN: RESTRICTION: 1 | This is a different, named restriction code with its own guidance. Do not treat it as VAN -1. |
Riot Vanguard is required while the League client is open and during gameplay. These steps are for Windows because the vgc service and the Windows Services console are part of the documented fix. Close League and the Riot Client before uninstalling Vanguard. After each step, restart or reopen the game to see whether the error is gone; changing one thing at a time makes it easier to identify the fix.
Save any open work, close League and the Riot Client, and choose Restart from Windows. A full restart gives Vanguard a fresh startup. When Windows is back, open the Riot Client and check the error text carefully. If the message is plain VAN 1, use the exact-code guidance above rather than assuming the minus sign is hidden.
Riot’s VAN -1 instructions say the Vanguard service should start automatically unless you use Vanguard Pre-Check to enable Vanguard on demand. To check the service in Windows:
services.msc, and press Enter.vgc is missing or Windows cannot start it, continue to the reinstall step.Change only the Vanguard service named vgc; leave unrelated Windows services alone. The service settings shown in the illustration may look slightly different depending on your Windows version.
If the service setting does not fix the launch error, reinstall Vanguard to restore its files and default settings:
Follow any additional restart prompt from the installer before testing. This removes Vanguard, which League needs in order to run. If you also play VALORANT, it uses Vanguard too. Uninstalling League alone may not remove Vanguard when another Riot game still requires it, so use Riot’s uninstall guide rather than deleting folders at random.
If Riot Vanguard will not uninstall from Windows Settings, Riot documents a manual removal path. Close every Riot game and the Riot Client first. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands one at a time:
sc delete vgcsc delete vgk
Restart the PC before continuing. If Vanguard files remain, follow Riot’s current manual-uninstall instructions to remove only the Riot Vanguard folder; don’t delete other Riot or Windows files. Restart if prompted, then open the Riot Client or League to reinstall Vanguard. The commands affect Vanguard used by Riot games, so use this advanced method only when the normal uninstall does not work.
If VAN -1 persists after the service and reinstall steps—or your screen shows a different code—open a Player Support ticket. Include the exact error text, your Windows version, what you already tried, and when the failure occurs. Riot’s Riot Repair Tool (RRT) can gather League logs into a ZIP file: download the tool, run it (as administrator on Windows), choose League of Legends, and attach the ZIP it creates to your ticket. That gives support useful diagnostic details without asking you to guess at a cause.
Older troubleshooting lists often recommend updating graphics drivers, disabling antivirus, flushing DNS, or running system scans for every Vanguard code. Riot’s specific VAN -1 article instead points to Vanguard’s service state and reinstalling Vanguard. Those broad changes are not the first documented fixes for this code. Don’t turn off security software or delete service files as an experiment; use the matching Riot guide for the code actually on screen.
No. The minus sign changes the code. Riot’s index lists VAN -1 under negative errors and does not currently list a standalone VAN 1. A code such as VAN: RESTRICTION: 1 is also separate. Match the complete text on screen to the official code list.
Not as the first step for documented VAN -1. Start by checking vgc and reinstalling Vanguard. Riot’s League Vanguard FAQ recommends a clean League/Vanguard reinstall only after you have tried the relevant error-code guidance, required Windows updates, and a full reboot.
Yes. Riot says to launch a game that requires Vanguard, such as League of Legends, after removal; Vanguard will install automatically. If another Riot game also uses it, follow the official uninstall instructions before making changes.
Locked out of PSN? Diagnose the message, reset your password, recover 2-step verification, and learn when a suspension needs PlayStation Support.
PlayStation Portal disconnects often point to unstable Wi-Fi, network congestion, or PS5 setup. Use these 10 checks to identify the cause and improve Remote Play stability.
Fix PlayStation Portal lag by checking your Wi-Fi, wiring the PS5, reducing network congestion, and adjusting current Remote Play settings in four practical steps.
Choose your PSN account region with confidence. Compare Store content, payments, vouchers, PS Plus, language, and game add-on compatibility before signup.
Fix PlayStation controller drift with accurate steps for DualSense and DUALSHOCK 4: reset and reconnect, update software, tune supported deadzones, and know when to seek repair.
Connect your PlayStation controller to Steam by USB or Bluetooth. Follow setup steps for DualSense and DualShock 4, configure Steam Input, check game support, and fix common connection problems.
Get the facts on PlayStation Portal screen quality, including its 8-inch 1080p LCD, 1080p High Quality streaming mode, and the network settings that affect image clarity.
Use this PlayStation Stars guide to check member access, understand campaign changes and point expiration, and redeem eligible rewards before the service ends November 2, 2026.
Manage the Xbox Series X download queue, pause competing installs, use Suspend my game, and diagnose slow downloads with the console’s network test.
Compare multiple PlayStation region accounts, including Store differences, region-locked vouchers, DLC compatibility, and the account-country rules to check before spending.
