The "Vanguard not initialized in Valorant" error is a common issue that prevents players from launching the game. This error occurs when Riot Games' anti-cheat software, Vanguard, fails to start properly. Understanding the causes and solutions for this problem can help you resolve it quickly and get back to enjoying Valorant without interruptions.
Part 1. What is "Vanguard Not Initialized in Valorant"?
The "Vanguard not initialized in Valorant" error message indicates that the game's anti-cheat system, Vanguard, has not started correctly. This issue typically occurs during the game's launch, preventing players from accessing Valorant. The error is often accompanied by specific codes, such as error code 128 or 57, which provide additional clues about the underlying problem.
Part 2. What Causes "Vanguard Not Initialized in Valorant"?
Several factors can lead to the "Vanguard not initialized in Valorant" error. Understanding these causes is the first step toward resolving the issue. Here are the most common reasons:
Outdated or Corrupted Vanguard Drivers: If the Vanguard drivers are outdated or corrupted, the anti-cheat system may fail to initialize.
Conflicting Software: Certain third-party applications, such as antivirus programs or system optimization tools, can interfere with Vanguard's operation.
Improper System Restart: Vanguard requires a system restart after installation. Skipping this step can cause initialization issues.
Windows Updates Pending: Outdated Windows files or pending updates can disrupt Vanguard’s functionality.
Incorrect Vanguard Installation: A faulty or incomplete installation of Vanguard can prevent it from starting.
Background Processes: Other background processes or services may conflict with Vanguard, causing it to fail.
By identifying the root cause, you can apply the appropriate fix to resolve the "Vanguard not initialized in Valorant" error.
Part 3. How to Fix "Vanguard Not Initialized in Valorant"
Fixing the "Vanguard not initialized in Valorant" error involves a series of troubleshooting steps. Below are the most effective methods to resolve the issue, along with detailed instructions for each method:
1. Restart Your Computer
Restarting your computer is a simple yet effective way to resolve initialization issues. This method works by reloading all system processes, including Vanguard, which may have failed to start correctly due to a temporary glitch.
Steps to restart computer:
Step 1. Close all running applications.
Step 2. Click on the Start Menu and select Restart.
Step 3. Once your computer reboots, launch Valorant to check if the error is resolved.
2. Update Vanguard and Valorant
Outdated versions of Vanguard or Valorant can cause compatibility issues. Updating both ensures that you have the latest bug fixes and improvements, which can resolve initialization errors.
Steps to update Vanguard and Valorant:
Step 1. Open the Riot Client.
Step 2. Navigate to the Valorant tab.
Step 3. If an update is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete.
Step 4. Restart your computer and launch Valorant again.
3. Run Valorant as Administrator
Running Valorant with administrative privileges can help bypass initialization errors caused by insufficient permissions. This method ensures that Vanguard has the necessary access to system resources to function properly.
Steps to run Valorant as administrator:
Step 1. Locate the Valorant shortcut on your desktop or in the installation folder.
Step 2. Right-click the shortcut and select Run as administrator.
Step 3. Launch Valorant to see if the error persists.
4. Reinstall Vanguard
If Vanguard is corrupted or improperly installed, reinstalling it can resolve the issue. This method ensures that all Vanguard files are fresh and correctly configured.
Steps to reinstall Vanguard:
Step 1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter to open the Programs and Features menu.
Step 2. Locate Riot Vanguard in the list, right-click it, and select Uninstall.
Step 3. Restart your computer.
Step 4. Open the Riot Client and launch Valorant. This will automatically reinstall Vanguard.
Step 5. Restart your computer again and check if the error is resolved.
5. Disable Conflicting Software
Third-party software, such as antivirus programs or system optimization tools, can interfere with Vanguard. Temporarily disabling them can help identify the issue and allow Vanguard to initialize properly.
Steps to disable conflicting software:
Step 1. Open your antivirus or system optimization software.
Step 2. Look for an option to disable or turn off the program temporarily.
Step 3. Add Valorant and Vanguard to the exception or allowlist in your antivirus settings.
Step 4. Restart your computer and launch Valorant.
6. Check Windows Updates
Outdated Windows files or pending updates can disrupt Vanguard's functionality. Ensuring your operating system is up to date can resolve compatibility issues and improve system performance.
Steps to check Windows updates:
Step 1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
Step 2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
Step 3. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
Step 4. Restart your computer and launch Valorant.
7. Update System Drivers
Outdated or corrupted system drivers, especially those related to your graphics card or chipset, can cause Vanguard to fail. Updating these drivers ensures that your system is compatible with Vanguard’s requirements.
Steps to update system drivers:
Step 1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Step 2. Expand the Display adapters section.
Step 3. Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
Step 4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 5. Repeat the process for other critical drivers, such as chipset or network drivers.
Step 6. Restart your computer and launch Valorant.
For the "Vanguard Not Initialized in Valorant" issue, there might be multiple driver issue involved. Therefore, it might cost you some time to troubleshoot driver issues with Device Manager. So we recommend an easier and faster way to fix driver issues. You need PcGoGo Driver Sentry. It's a professional driver management tool. It can detect driver issues and fix them in minutes.
Steps to upfate drivers with PcGoGo Driver Sentry:
Step 1. Download and install PcGoGo Driver Sentry on your device.
Step 2. Launch the software and click Scan.
Step 3. Wait for the scanning process to finish. You will see a list of drivers available.
Step 4. Choose the driver you need to install.
8. Manually Start Vanguard
If Vanguard fails to start automatically, you can manually start it using Task Manager. This method ensures that the Vanguard service is running before launching Valorant.
Steps to manually start Vanguard:
Step 1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Step 2. Go to the Services tab.
Step 3. Locate vgc in the list.
Step 4. Right-click vgc and select Start.
Step 5. Launch Valorant to check if the error is resolved.
9. Contact Riot Support
If none of the above methods work, reaching out to Riot Games'support team is the next step. They can provide personalized assistance based on your system and error details.
Steps to contact Riot support:
Step 1. Visit the Riot Games Support website.
Step 2. Submit a ticket with details about the error, including any error codes.
Step 3. Provide information about your system and the steps you've already tried.
Step 4. Wait for a response from the support team and follow their instructions.
FAQs about "Vanguard Not Initialized in Valorant"
1. What is error code 128 on Vanguard not initialized?
Error code 128 indicates that Vanguard failed to start due to a system conflict or corrupted files. Reinstalling Vanguard or updating your system often resolves this issue.
2. How to fix Vanguard not initialized error code 57?
Error code 57 usually occurs when Vanguard is blocked by third-party software. Disable conflicting programs, restart your computer, and ensure Vanguard is running as a background service.
Conclusion
The "Vanguard not initialized in Valorant" error can be frustrating, but it is usually fixable with the right steps. By understanding the causes and applying the solutions outlined above, you can resolve the issue and return to your gaming sessions. Keep your system updated, avoid software conflicts, and ensure Vanguard is properly installed to prevent future errors. If problems persist, don't hesitate to seek help from Riot Games' support team.
And if you need to fix driver issues, don't forget to give PcGoGo Driver Sentry a try.
