Vanguard errors in League of Legends can be incredibly annoying, often striking without warning and leaving players locked out of the action. But don’t worry – we’ve broken it all down for you. If you’ve encountered a “VAN” error, this guide will explain what it means, why it’s happening, and how to fix it fast so you can get back into the Rift.
❓ What Are Vanguard Errors in League of Legends?
If you’ve seen an error code that begins with “VAN” while launching League of Legends, it’s tied to Riot Games’ anti-cheat system, Vanguard. Designed to prevent cheating in League and other Riot titles like VALORANT, Vanguard operates at the kernel level – deep within your system’s architecture. That level of access gives it powerful detection capabilities, but it also means it can clash with your computer if something’s off.
Unlike typical software, Vanguard keeps watch over system behavior in real time, flagging anything that looks suspicious. The flip side? If your system isn’t set up just right – or if Vanguard runs into corrupted files, outdated drivers, or conflicting software – you’re going to run into errors like VAN 128, VAN 1067, and others.
🛠️ Why Do Vanguard Errors Happen?
Several culprits could be behind your Vanguard error in League of Legends. Here’s what commonly triggers them:
Network Issues: Inconsistent internet or leaving the Riot Client open too long can cause connection-based VAN errors.
Install/Uninstall Failures: Errors often show up when Vanguard isn’t installed or removed cleanly.
Hardware Conflicts: Using a virtual machine? Experiencing a hardware ban (HWID)? Outdated BIOS settings like TPM or UEFI can cause trouble too.
System Settings Misconfigured: Certain Windows features like Exploit Protection, VBS, or TPM 2.0 must be enabled for Vanguard to function.
Malware or Conflicting Software: Background apps, third-party tools, or malware may interfere with Vanguard’s operations.
⚠️ All Vanguard Error Codes in League of Legends (Explained)
Here’s a breakdown of every known LoL Vanguard error, what it means, and how to resolve it:
| Error Code | Meaning | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| VAN -1 | Failed uninstall | Try reinstalling Vanguard. Still stuck? Submit a support ticket to Riot. |
| VAN 0 / VAN 6 | Connection issue (Riot Client left open too long) | Close both League and the Riot Client. Then relaunch. |
| VAN 68 | Connection problem | Ensure a stable internet connection, then restart both League and the Riot Client. |
| VAN -81 | Persistent connection issue | Restart your PC. If unresolved, uninstall and reinstall Vanguard and League. Contact Riot if needed. |
| VAN 84 | Connection hiccup | Restart your internet, League, and the Riot Client. |
| VAN -102 / -104 | Deep connection problem | Reboot PC and Riot Client. If it continues, reinstall Vanguard and League. Still broken? Contact support. |
| VAN 128 | Critical connection error | Restart everything. If it sticks around, check Riot’s VAN 128 troubleshooting guide. You may need a full reinstall. |
| VAN 138 | Running Vanguard in a virtual machine | Switch to a standard Windows setup. Vanguard doesn’t play nice with VMs. |
| VAN 152 | Hardware ban (HWID) | Your machine’s hardware ID has been banned. Only Riot Support can help here. |
| VAN 185 | Multiple device login or idle client | Restart League and Riot Client. Log out on any other devices you’ve used. |
| VAN 1067 | Software conflict or malware | Restart your system. Still seeing it? Check Task Manager for strange programs and run a malware scan. |
| VAN9001 | TPM 2.0 not enabled (Windows 11) | Follow Riot’s instructions to enable TPM 2.0 via BIOS. |
| VAN9002 | Exploit Protection off | Enable it in Windows Security settings. |
| VAN9005 | VBS not supported or disabled | Turn on Virtualization-Based Security in BIOS and ensure TPM 2.0 is active. |
| VAN9006 | Outdated Windows version | Update to at least Windows 10 version 1803 or newer. |
💡 Final Tips
Keep Windows up to date. Many errors disappear after a system update.
Run Vanguard as Admin. Right-click the Riot Client and choose “Run as administrator.”
Don’t mess with Vanguard files. Tampering can trigger more errors – or even a ban.
If you’ve tried the steps above and nothing’s working, your best bet is to contact Riot Support directly. They can investigate your specific issue and help you get back to playing.
Stay safe out there, summoner – and may your games be free of VAN codes!
