VALORANT Error VAN 140: 🛡️ Unsupported Windows Version — How to Fix It ⚡

VAN 140 is the clearest of all VAN errors. It means your version of Windows is too old to run Riot Vanguard. There is no workaround: Vanguard requires a minimum Windows version, and if your system does not meet it, VALORANT will not launch until you upgrade your operating system.

What Does VAN 140 Mean?

VAN 140 means your Windows version is not supported. You need to upgrade from Windows 7 to a newer version to run Vanguard.

Riot Vanguard requires:

• Windows 10 version 1903 (May 2019 Update) or later
• Windows 11 (any version)

Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 are not supported and cannot run Vanguard regardless of other settings. Windows 10 builds prior to version 1903 are also unsupported.

How to Check Your Windows Version

Press Windows + R, type winver, press Enter. A dialog box shows your Windows edition and build number. Compare to the requirements above.

How to Fix VAN 140

Option 1: Update Windows 10 to the Latest Version

If you are on Windows 10 but an old build:

1. Open Settings (Windows + I)
2. Go to Windows Update
3. Click “Check for updates” and install all available updates
4. Restart when prompted
5. Repeat until no updates remain
6. Launch VALORANT

Option 2: Upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 or 11

Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 7 in January 2020 and Windows 8.1 in January 2023. These are no longer receiving security updates, and Vanguard does not support them.

Upgrading to Windows 10: Microsoft has kept the free upgrade path technically available through the Windows 10 download tool at microsoft.com/software-download/windows10. Download the Media Creation Tool, run it, and follow the upgrade instructions.

Upgrading to Windows 11: Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in addition to a compatible CPU. Check Windows 11 compatibility with the PC Health Check app available from Microsoft before attempting the upgrade.

Option 3: Check Minimum Hardware for Vanguard

If you are upgrading Windows specifically to run VALORANT, confirm your hardware meets Vanguard’s requirements:

What If You Cannot Upgrade?

If your hardware cannot run Windows 10 or 11 (very old CPUs or motherboards without TPM support), VALORANT is not compatible with your system. Riot has no announced plans to lower Vanguard’s requirements.

In this case, options are:

• Upgrade your hardware
• Play VALORANT on a different, compatible system
• Check if a friend or family member has a compatible PC

VAN 140 Is Not a Network Error

Unlike VAN 68 and VAN 84, VAN 140 has nothing to do with your internet connection. No network fix will resolve it. The only path forward is upgrading your operating system.

Play VALORANT With the Best Connection Using ExitLag

Once your system meets Vanguard’s requirements and VALORANT launches, keep your matches running smoothly with ExitLag. Players who upgrade hardware or operating systems often discover underlying routing issues that were previously masked by the VAN 140 block.

ExitLag is a connection optimizer used by over 30 million players across 4,000+ game titles including VALORANT.

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Quick Reference: VAN 140

VALORANT, Vanguard, and related marks are trademarks of Riot Games. Used for informational and educational purposes only.

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