League of Legends Vanguard Errors: Every VAN Code, What It Means, and How to Fix It
League of Legends Vanguard errors are VAN codes from Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat that has been mandatory for League on Windows since May 2024. Most of them, such as VAN 57, VAN 68 and VAN 0, clear up after a restart, an update or a clean reinstall of Vanguard. VAN 9001 and VAN 9003 need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on Windows 11, and VAN 152 is a hardware ban.
What causes League of Legends Vanguard errors?
Riot Vanguard runs at the kernel level and starts with Windows. Before a game launches, it checks that it is running properly, that your system meets its security requirements and that nothing on the PC conflicts with it. A VAN code means one of those checks failed.
The causes fall into a few groups. Vanguard did not start (often after an update or a skipped restart). Something blocks it, like a driver, a security tool or another program. Windows security features it needs are switched off. Or the connection between Vanguard and Riot’s servers failed. Mac players never see these codes, since the macOS client does not use Vanguard. The same goes for a brand new install: to be fair, the first launch after installing League always needs one more restart, because Vanguard finishes setting up its driver only after a reboot.
The most common VAN codes and how to fix them
Riot keeps an official list of Vanguard error codes, each with its own fix article. These are the ones League players meet most:
| Code | What it means | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| VAN 0 | Vanguard could not verify the PC is ready, or failed to initialise | Update Windows, restart, check the vgc service |
| VAN 57 | Vanguard is not running | Restart the PC and Riot Client; reinstall Vanguard if it repeats |
| VAN 68 | Connection error | Check your network, restart League and the Riot Client |
| VAN 1067 | Error during startup or connection | Restart; then uninstall Vanguard and the game and reinstall |
| VAN 9001 | TPM 2.0 not enabled (Windows 11) | Enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS or UEFI |
| VAN 9003 | Secure Boot not enabled (Windows 11) | Enable Secure Boot in BIOS or UEFI |
| VAN: Incompatible Software | A driver or program conflicts with Vanguard | Remove the program behind the flagged file |
| VAN 152 | Hardware ban | Contact Riot Support; settings will not fix it |
Riot’s list goes much further, with negative codes, codes in the hundreds and codes above 9000. If yours is not in the table, search Riot’s Vanguard error page for the exact number and follow that article.
How do I fix the VAN 57 Vanguard error in LoL?
VAN 57 means Vanguard is not running, and a restart fixes it most of the time. Vanguard has to start with Windows, so closing the Riot Client is not enough. Restart the whole PC, open the Riot Client, launch League.
Still there? Then reinstall Vanguard cleanly:
- Open Windows Settings, Apps, and uninstall Riot Vanguard.
- Restart the PC.
- Open the Riot Client and launch League; it reinstalls Vanguard.
- Restart again when Vanguard asks you to.
If VAN 57 survives even that, Riot suggests uninstalling both Vanguard and League and reinstalling both, then opening a ticket if it persists. Honestly, by that point something else on the PC is usually involved, often a security tool or a driver.
VAN 0 and VAN 68: LoL Vanguard errors at startup
VAN 0 usually means Vanguard could not verify that your PC was ready or ran into a problem while starting. Riot’s fix list runs from simple to thorough: install pending Windows updates and restart, make sure the Vanguard service (called vgc) starts automatically, reinstall Vanguard, try a clean boot without background programs, reinstall the game, and check your connection.
VAN 68 is a connection error between Vanguard and Riot’s servers. Check that your internet works, restart League and the Riot Client, and turn off any VPN or proxy. If it keeps coming back at the same time of day, test your connection quality; our LoL ping test shows whether your line is the problem.
VAN 9001 and VAN 9003: LoL Vanguard errors on Windows 11
On Windows 11, Vanguard requires two security features that live in your motherboard’s firmware: TPM 2.0 (VAN 9001) and Secure Boot (VAN 9003). Many PCs ship with them off, especially self-built ones.
Both are switched on in the BIOS or UEFI setup, which you open by pressing a key during startup (often Delete, F2 or F10, depending on the board). TPM may be listed under a vendor name such as fTPM, PTT or Security Device. Secure Boot usually sits in the Boot or Security section and may require the disk to use GPT and Windows to boot in UEFI mode.
The catch is that firmware menus differ for every motherboard. Check your board maker’s manual before changing boot settings, and do not convert disks or reset firmware without a backup. Not comfortable doing it? A local repair shop does this in minutes.
VAN: Incompatible Software
This message names a file, usually a driver ending in .sys, that Vanguard considers incompatible with its security requirements. Riot’s steps: note the file path, uninstall the program that installed it and restart; if uninstalling fails, delete the flagged file and restart; adjust DNS settings and disable VPNs or proxies; finally reinstall Vanguard.
In practice, common culprits are old hardware monitoring tools, fan and RGB control software, and outdated drivers. If you are not sure what a file belongs to, search its name before deleting it.
VAN 152: hardware ban
VAN 152 is not a technical fault. It is a hardware ban, applied to the PC rather than to an account, typically after cheating. No setting, reinstall or new account fixes it. If you believe it is a mistake (for example on a second-hand PC), contact Riot Support with the details.
Related reading: if your account itself shows a penalty, our guide on how to check a LoL ban explains each kind of notice.
Universal fixes for League of Legends Vanguard errors
When the code is unclear, these steps solve most problems, in this order:
- Restart the PC (a real restart, not shutdown with Fast Startup).
- Install pending Windows updates and restart again.
- Check that the vgc service is set to start automatically.
- Close or uninstall software that hooks into the system: hardware monitors, RGB tools, some anti-virus add-ons.
- Reinstall Vanguard, then reinstall League if needed.
- Repair League from the Riot Client settings.
- Submit a ticket to Riot Support with your logs attached, plus the exact VAN code and what you already tried, so the agent does not send you the same steps again.
Fast Startup deserves a note. With it on, “shut down” does not fully restart Windows, so Vanguard may not load properly. Restarts change nothing? Use Restart rather than Shut down, or turn off Fast Startup in the power settings.
How to check if Vanguard is running
Look for the Vanguard icon in the Windows system tray, the small arrow near the clock. Right-click it to see its status. You can also open the Services app and find vgc: it should be running, with startup set to automatic.
No icon after a restart? Vanguard did not start (an update or a blocked driver is the usual reason), and League will show VAN 57 or a similar code. Reinstall it as described above.
Can you play League without Vanguard?
Not on Windows. Since May 2024, League requires Vanguard to start a game. You can uninstall Vanguard from Windows Settings at any time, but League will reinstall it before your next match. Running League in a virtual machine does not work either, because Vanguard does not run in virtual machines.
The only official way to play League without Vanguard is the macOS client. Our guide to League of Legends on Mac covers it. Valorant uses Vanguard too, with its own set of codes, explained in our Valorant error codes guide.
Do LoL Vanguard errors cost LP?
They can. If Vanguard fails during champion select, you may be removed from the lobby, and if it fails mid-game, you count as disconnected. Leaving games, even by accident, can lead to queue penalties. For what it’s worth, fixing a recurring VAN error before queuing ranked is cheaper than the LP you would lose, and the LoL low priority queue guide explains what repeated disconnects can lead to.
Put simply: most LoL Vanguard errors are a restart away, a few need firmware settings, and only one, VAN 152, cannot be fixed at home. Keep the exact VAN code handy if you end up writing to Riot Support, since each number points to a different cause and saves you a round of questions.
FAQ
What does VAN 57 mean in League of Legends?
VAN 57 means Vanguard is not running. Restart the PC and the Riot Client, and reinstall Vanguard if it keeps happening.
How do I fix VAN 9001 on Windows 11?
Enable TPM 2.0 in your BIOS or UEFI settings. It may be called fTPM, PTT or Security Device depending on your motherboard.
What does VAN 9003 mean?
Secure Boot is not enabled. Turn it on in the BIOS or UEFI boot settings; Windows must boot in UEFI mode.
What is VAN 152?
A hardware ban on the PC. It cannot be fixed with settings; contact Riot Support if you believe it is a mistake.
Can I play League of Legends without Vanguard?
Not on Windows, where Vanguard is required. The macOS version of League does not use Vanguard.
Why do Vanguard errors appear after Windows updates?
Updates can change security settings or require a restart before Vanguard loads again. Restart after every update before launching League.
Where is the official list of Vanguard error codes?
Riot Support publishes a Vanguard error codes page for League of Legends, with a separate fix article for each code.
