How to Fix “Vanguard Not Initialized” in VALORANT

If VALORANT says “Vanguard not initialized,” first restart Windows and launch the Riot Client again. Riot’s current guidance for VAN 57 says Vanguard may not be running or may have failed to start. If the error shows a different VAN code, look up that exact code before changing system security settings: different codes can point to different causes. Also check whether Vanguard Pre-Check is enabled, because supported PCs can now start Vanguard on demand instead of loading it at Windows startup.

Windows 11 Start menu power menu with the Restart option selected — Illustrative Windows 11 power menu showing Restart, the first step for a temporary Vanguard startup error.

1. Restart your PC and retry VALORANT

Choose Start > Power > Restart, wait for Windows to load, then open the Riot Client and start VALORANT. A restart gives Vanguard a fresh startup and is Riot’s first troubleshooting step when its service is already configured correctly. If the Riot Client is still open after the restart, close it from the system tray and reopen it before testing.

When the game returns to the same message, note the full code shown with it. Riot’s Vanguard error-code index distinguishes VAN errors from VALORANT errors that begin with VAL. For example, Riot describes VAN 57 as Vanguard not running or not starting correctly.

2. Check the vgc service for your Vanguard mode

This check is for PCs that use Vanguard’s traditional startup mode. Press Windows key + R, enter services.msc, and press Enter. Find vgc in the Services list, double-click it, and check its startup setting. If you have not enabled Pre-Check, set Startup type to Automatic; if the service is stopped, select Start, then choose Apply and OK. Restart the PC after changing the setting.

Windows Services console with the vgc service selected and its status shown as Running with Automatic startup — Illustrative Services view of vgc. In traditional startup mode, Riot says the service should be set to Automatic.

If you use Vanguard Pre-Check, do not treat a stopped-at-boot vgc service as proof of a fault. Pre-Check is an optional on-demand mode: on eligible systems, Vanguard starts when a Riot game launches and shuts down after play. Open the Vanguard tray icon (VGTray) to check your mode and status, then let the Riot Client start the game. Riot lists Windows 11 version 25H2 or newer, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, IOMMU, VBS, and HVCI among Pre-Check requirements; eligibility details are available in its Vanguard Pre-Check guide.

3. Reinstall Riot Vanguard

If restarting and checking the right startup mode do not help, reinstall Vanguard to replace a damaged or incomplete installation. Close VALORANT and exit the Riot Client from the system tray. In Windows, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Riot Vanguard, and select Uninstall. Restart Windows after uninstalling. Then open the Riot Client or VALORANT; Riot says launching a Vanguard-dependent game installs Vanguard again. Complete any restart prompt before trying the game.

Windows 11 Installed apps page showing Riot Vanguard with the Uninstall command open — Illustrative Installed apps menu for removing Riot Vanguard before a clean reinstall.

Riot’s uninstall and reinstall instructions include additional steps if the normal Windows uninstall fails. Avoid deleting random driver files or registry entries; use Riot’s manual removal instructions only if the standard uninstall does not work.

4. Follow security prompts only when Vanguard shows them

Secure Boot and TPM are not a universal first fix for every “Vanguard not initialized” message. Open VGTray and read the specific requirement or restriction it reports. Depending on the system and error, Vanguard may ask for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Memory Integrity, or IOMMU. Riot maintains separate instructions for these Vanguard security requirements; Microsoft explains how to check whether TPM 2.0 is present in Windows.

Windows Security Device security page showing Security processor and Secure Boot sections — Illustrative Windows Security page with the TPM and Secure Boot sections; check the status Vanguard actually requests.

If a prompt tells you to change UEFI or BIOS settings, use your computer or motherboard manufacturer’s instructions for the exact model. Firmware menus vary, and changing boot settings without checking your Windows configuration can make Windows fail to start. Do not enable or disable security features at random just because the error mentions Vanguard.

5. If it still fails, test for a background-service conflict

Riot recommends a clean boot when a restart, service check, or Vanguard reinstall has not resolved VAN 57. Press Windows key + R, enter msconfig, and open the Services tab. Check Hide all Microsoft services, select Disable all, then find and re-enable vgc. Apply the changes and restart. If VALORANT launches, a non-Microsoft background service may be interfering. Restore services gradually to identify it, and return Windows to normal startup when testing is finished. Follow Riot’s clean-boot instructions for the full procedure.

When to contact Riot Support

If the error persists after these steps, submit a ticket to VALORANT Player Support. Include the exact message and VAN code, your Windows version, whether Pre-Check is enabled, and Riot logs if requested. That information helps support choose the relevant fix instead of sending you through unrelated BIOS or driver changes.

Quick recap: restart first, check vgc only if you use traditional startup mode, reinstall Vanguard if needed, and use VGTray to identify any specific security requirement. A VAN code is the best clue when the quick fix does not work.