Are you trying to play the next mission on Valorant but it keeps prompting Vanguard not initialized on launching?
You are at the right place! Several users have reported that Vanguard won’t allow Valorant to launch on Windows. The issue is so severe that you can find several forum discussions and subreddits dedicated to the problem.
Read more about the subreddit here – https://www.reddit.com/r/ValorantTechSupport/comments/15np40v/vanguard_not_initialized_error_pretty_sure_files/
If you too are facing a similar problem or the Vanguard not initialized error has ever bothered you, then this is the post you were looking for. In this one, we have curated a bunch of fixes that will help you resolve the issue and also allow you to avoid it in the future. Without further ado, let’s begin by identifying the reasons that cause the issue.
What Causes Vanguard Not Initialized Error on Launching Valorant
For those who are unaware, Vanguard, or Vanguard Anti-Cheat system is a verifying entity for the game to ensure that you are not using unfair means to manipulate the game. In situations where the VAC is unable to verify your gameplay, it shows an error and interrupts the gameplay. This is an error that indicates that there is a conflict between your system files, drivers, or the game and the Anti-Cheat system that is not allowing it to run.
Following are the reasons that may be causing the error –
- The glitch in the Vanguard Anti-Cheat program.
- Outdated Drivers on the PC
- Third-Party App Conflict
- Issues with Riot Vanguard Version
In either of the cases, Vanguard will not be able to initialize, causing issues with launching the game and hence you will have no other way to fix the issue before playing Valorant. Fortunately, these issues can be resolved with a little effort in the right direction. Check out the next section where we have listed a bunch of working fixes that will help you resolve the issue on your own.
Ways to Fix Vanguard Not Initialized in Valorant Error
The Valorant error can be tricky for a lot of users as sometimes it is also just a glitch in the memory registers due to overuse. Hence it is advised that when you face the issue, restart your PC to refresh the computer and get rid of the issue.
After trying the restart, if the error persists, you may try the following fixes one after the other –
Fix 1 – Reset Vanguard Anti-Cheat
The Vanguard Anticheat is an integrated program with the game that works in the backend but is bundled with Valorant itself. Hence, whenever you remove Vanguard from the PC, it may not affect your Valorant files. However, when you launch Valorant, it will trigger reinstallation of the tool automatically. The easiest way to reset Vanguard is by removing it and then launching the game for auto reinstatement.
Step 1 – Press Win+R to bring up the Run search.
Step 2 – In the Run search, use the command appwiz.cpl to open the list of installed apps.
Step 3 – Find Riot Vanguard in the list of installed apps and double-click on it to uninstall it.
Step 4 – You may also delete the Riot Valorant file folder in case you cannot spot the app in the above list.
Step 5 – After the uninstallation process is over, go to your desktop or game client and launch Valorant.
The game will now re-configure and install Vanguard before running.
Fix 2 – Ensure there are no Unsigned/Outdated Drivers
While running Valorant, several drivers are involved on your PC. Needless to say, the drivers you use on your PC must be from a genuine source and are up to date. In case you believe your PC may be using unsigned drivers or outdated drivers, do not worry as we have a way you can update them right away.
All you have to do is download and install the Advanced Driver Updater. It has a built-in mechanism that scans outdated drivers, searches for updates, and installs them in a matter of just a few clicks.
Step 1 – After launching Advanced Driver Updater on your PC, click on Start Scan Now.
Step 2 – The scan will find outdated drivers and list them on your screen. Use the Update all button to initiate the update process.
Step 3 – After the updates are over, the tool will restart the PC. Let it restart and once the boot process is complete, try launching the game again.
It is clear that once you have used the Advanced Driver Updater, there is no going back to the manual method. Download the app today and fix Vanguard not Initialized in Valorant.
Fix 3 – Disable Third-Party Antivirus
If you are using any antivirus software, the firewall of the software may be in conflict with Vanguard causing Riot Vanguard crashes. It is advised that you try running the game after disabling the firewalls to check that the software is not in conflict.
Step 1 – Open the quick access menu for the Antivirus using the icon tray in the taskbar. 
Step 2 – Select the disable firewall option and select the time interval you want to disable protection for. 
Step 3 – After choosing, a prompt will appear, allowing it to disable the antivirus software.
Try launching the game now and it should be able to run swiftly on your PC, without Vanguard error, especially in Valorant.
Other than these fixes, always ensure that you are using the latest version of Valorant, Vanguard, and Windows on your PC. Try the above fixes and we assure you that the Vanguard not initialized in Valorant error will not bother you again.
With that said, we have reached the end of this post. Hope you find these fixes helpful. Thanks for reading, good luck!
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