If VALORANT throws a code starting with VAN, the problem is not with the game itself. It is with Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat system that runs at the kernel level of your operating system. VAN errors block you from launching the game entirely, and because Vanguard loads when Windows starts rather than when you open VALORANT, simply restarting the game client will never fix them. You need to restart your entire PC at minimum.
This guide explains what VAN errors are, how they differ from VAL errors, why Vanguard is designed the way it is, and the baseline fixes that apply to almost every VAN code.
VAN Errors vs VAL Errors: What Is the Difference?
VALORANT uses two error code prefixes, and confusing them leads to wasted troubleshooting time:
| Prefix | What It Covers | Fix Approach |
|---|---|---|
| VAL | In-game issues: server connection, queue, matchmaking | Restart game or client, wait for Riot |
| VAN | Vanguard anti-cheat: hardware, drivers, OS settings | Restart PC, change BIOS/OS settings, reinstall Vanguard |
VAN errors signal problems with Valorant’s anti-cheat system, Vanguard, or related software or hardware.
A quick rule of thumb: if the error has a number under 100 (VAN 57, VAN 68, VAN 84), it is a Vanguard service or connection problem. If it is in the thousands (VAN 1067, VAN 9001, VAN 9003), it is a deeper system-level Vanguard initialization failure.
What Is Riot Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard is Valorant’s anti-cheat system, and it runs alongside Windows in order for the game to launch. If it fails to start properly, or Windows cannot detect it, Valorant will block the game from opening.
Riot first shipped Vanguard with VALORANT, then bolted it onto League of Legends in Patch 14.9 in 2024. Once installed, it runs as a background service called vgc that boots with Windows and stays on the entire time your PC is running. Because it sits that deep in your system, it is picky about everything.
Vanguard runs at kernel level, which is the deepest layer of your operating system. This is why it requires specific hardware features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, and why any conflict with drivers, Windows updates, or security software can trigger a VAN error.
First Steps for Any VAN Error
Before doing anything else, try these in order:
- Fully restart your PC: Not sleep, not hibernate. A full shutdown and cold boot forces Vanguard to reload from scratch. This alone fixes most VAN errors caused by temporary service failures.
- Check Riot server status: Visit status.riotgames.com and select your region. If servers are down, no local fix will work.
- Update Windows: Vanguard requires modern Windows features. Pending Windows updates can block it.
- Temporarily disable antivirus: Some security software blocks Vanguard. Disable it briefly to test, then re-enable and add Vanguard exceptions if that was the cause.
- Run Riot Client as administrator: Right-click the Riot Client icon and select “Run as administrator.”
If the basic restart did not fix your specific error, use the individual guides below for each VAN code.
VAN Error Quick Reference
| Error | Cause | Primary Fix |
|---|---|---|
| VAN 1067 | Driver component failure | Update/reinstall drivers, check TPM |
| VAN 9001 | Vanguard not initialized | Enable Secure Boot + TPM 2.0 in BIOS |
| VAN 9003 | Vanguard not initialized | Enable Secure Boot + TPM 2.0 in BIOS |
| VAN 57 | Vanguard service not running | Restart PC, set vgc to Automatic |
| VAN 68 | Connection to Riot servers failed | Fix network, switch to Ethernet |
| VAN 84 | Vanguard cannot reach Riot auth servers | Check vgc service, flush DNS |
| VAN 140 | Unsupported Windows version | Upgrade to Windows 10 or 11 |
Play VALORANT with ExitLag
Once your VAN error is resolved, keep your VALORANT connection stable with ExitLag. Even with Vanguard running correctly, routing issues between your device and Riot’s servers can cause high ping, packet loss, and the game crashes that look like VAN errors but are actually network problems.
ExitLag is a connection optimizer used by over 30 million players across 4,000+ game titles including VALORANT. It selects the lowest-latency routing path to Riot’s servers in real time.
Download ExitLag and try it free.
VALORANT, Vanguard, and related marks are trademarks of Riot Games. Used for informational and educational purposes only.
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