VAN 57 is one of the most reported VAN errors across Reddit and Discord. It means Vanguard is not currently running on your system. Because Vanguard is designed to start automatically with Windows, VAN 57 almost always means something disrupted that automatic startup: a Windows update, a conflicting application, or a corrupted Vanguard service entry.
What Does VAN 57 Mean?
VAN 57 means Vanguard is not running. It should start with Windows automatically, but sometimes it just does not. Maybe a Windows update broke it. Maybe another program killed the service.
The VAN 57 error often occurs when Vanguard fails to start correctly due to third-party application interference, corrupt or missing game files, or outdated drivers.
Fix 1: Restart Your PC (Try This First)
Fully close Valorant and Riot Client, then restart your PC. This forces Riot Vanguard to reload with Windows and clears temporary startup issues.
A full restart resolves VAN 57 in the majority of cases. Do not simply close the game or the Riot Client: Vanguard is a Windows service and must be restarted at the OS level.
Fix 2: Set the vgc Service to Automatic
If a restart did not fix it, the Vanguard service (vgc) may have been set to Manual or Disabled:
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter
- Scroll down and find vgc in the list
- Right-click it and select Properties
- Set Startup Type to Automatic
- Click Start to run the service immediately
- Click Apply, then OK
- Launch VALORANT
If vgc was stopped or set to Manual, switching it to Automatic and starting it should fix the error immediately.
Fix 3: Disable Startup Applications That Conflict With Vanguard
To fix the VAN 57 error, try disabling every startup application except Vanguard through the Task Manager.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
- Click the Startup Apps tab
- Disable all startup applications except Riot-related ones
- Restart your PC and launch VALORANT
- If it works, re-enable startup apps one by one to identify the conflict
Fix 4: Reinstall Vanguard
If the service fix did not resolve it:
- Go to Settings, Apps
- Find and uninstall Riot Vanguard
- Alternatively: navigate to C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\ and run uninstall.exe
- Restart your PC
- Open VALORANT through the Riot Client to trigger automatic Vanguard reinstallation
- Restart again after the install completes
Fix 5: Verify Secure Boot and TPM 2.0
If VAN 57 returns repeatedly after fixes, a BIOS setting may be the underlying cause:
- Restart and enter BIOS
- Confirm TPM 2.0 is enabled (listed as TPM, PTT, or fTPM)
- Confirm Secure Boot is enabled
- Save and restart
Why VAN 57 Happens After Windows Updates
Windows updates occasionally reset service startup settings or install conflicting components that prevent Vanguard’s vgc service from starting. This is the most common reason VAN 57 appears on systems that were previously working fine. After major Windows updates, always check the vgc service status before assuming Vanguard is broken.
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