How to Fix the VAN 57 Error in League of Legends
The VAN 57 error in League of Legends means Riot Vanguard isn’t running or couldn’t start correctly, so League refuses to launch. Riot’s fix order: set the Vanguard (vgc) service to start automatically, restart the PC, reinstall Vanguard, try a clean boot, and finally reinstall League. Most players are back in game after the first two steps.
What does the VAN 57 error mean in League of Legends?
It means the anti-cheat isn’t there when League asks for it. Riot’s own VAN 57 support article (updated July 8, 2026) puts it plainly: VAN 57 usually means Riot Vanguard isn’t running or couldn’t start correctly.
League on Windows requires Vanguard. Normally its background service, called vgc, starts with Windows, and the game checks for it at launch. When something disables, stops, blocks or damages the service, that check fails and you get VAN 57 instead of the client. Nothing is wrong with your account. No ban either. It’s a local startup problem, and that’s good news, because local problems are fixable.
What usually causes it? An update that didn’t finish, a “PC optimizer” or startup manager that switched the service off, security software that blocked the Vanguard driver, or a broken Vanguard install. Sometimes it’s simply that you closed Vanguard from the tray and didn’t restart afterwards (we’ve all done it).
How do you fix the VAN 57 error in League of Legends?
Follow Riot’s order and test League after each step. The first fixes are quick; the later ones take longer, so there’s no point jumping ahead.
Step 1: Set the vgc service to Automatic
This is the most common fix, straight from Riot’s support pages.
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
- Find vgc in the list and double-click it.
- Under Startup type, select Automatic.
- If Service status says Stopped, click Start.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Restart your computer.
After the restart, open the Riot Client and launch League. If vgc was set to Disabled or Manual, this alone usually ends the error.
Step 2: Restart the PC properly
If vgc was already on Automatic, a plain restart is Riot’s next suggestion. A restart, not a shutdown with fast startup and not sleep, because Vanguard loads its driver during boot. Closing and reopening the Riot Client isn’t enough on its own. If you normally shut the laptop lid and open it again the next day, that’s sleep, so do a full restart from the Start menu this once and then launch League.
Step 3: Remove and reinstall Vanguard
Service won’t start, or keeps stopping? Then the Vanguard install itself is probably broken.
- Open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps, and uninstall Riot Vanguard.
- Restart the PC.
- Open the Riot Client and launch League. The client reinstalls Vanguard by itself.
- Restart once more when it asks, so Vanguard can start with Windows.
Step 4: Do a clean boot
Think of a clean boot as Windows with only Microsoft services running and none of your own startup programs. If League launches in a clean boot, one of your background programs is blocking Vanguard. Turn them back on in small groups. When VAN 57 comes back, you’ve found it. In practice, the typical suspects are third-party antivirus, system “boosters”, overclocking and RGB tools, and anything that hooks into drivers.
Step 5: Reinstall League of Legends
Last on Riot’s list: reinstall the game to replace corrupted or missing files. Uninstall League, restart, download the installer from the official site and install it again. Your champions and skins stay on the account, so you only lose local settings like keybinds, which is annoying but survivable.
Still stuck after all five? Riot asks you to submit a ticket to Player Support and include your logs, which its Riot Repair Tool can gather for you. At that point, honestly, a ticket is faster than more guessing.
What is Vanguard Pre-Check, and does it change the VAN 57 fix?
Vanguard Pre-Check is optional. It lets Vanguard run on demand instead of starting with Windows. With it on, Vanguard starts when you launch a Riot game and shuts down after you stop playing. That’s why, according to Riot, you only need the vgc-to-Automatic step if Pre-Check is off.
Pre-Check isn’t available on every PC. According to Riot, it needs Windows 11 version 25H2 or newer plus Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, IOMMU, Virtualization-Based Security and Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity. You can check compatibility from the Vanguard tool in the system tray. If your PC meets the list, Pre-Check is the tidier option; if not, keep vgc on Automatic and Vanguard will start with Windows as before.
| Setup | When Vanguard runs | What fixes VAN 57 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (no Pre-Check) | From Windows startup | vgc on Automatic, then restart |
| Vanguard Pre-Check on | Only while a Riot game runs | Restart, reinstall Vanguard, clean boot |
How do you check if Vanguard is running?
Two quick places. First, the system tray at the bottom right of the taskbar: when Vanguard is running, its icon sits there, and right-clicking it shows its state. Second, the Services window from step 1. Find vgc and look at the Status column; it should say Running, with Startup type set to Automatic (unless you use Pre-Check, in which case it only runs while a Riot game is open).
If the icon is missing and vgc says Stopped right after a restart, Vanguard didn’t start, and League will show VAN 57 the moment you press Play. Look, that check takes ten seconds and tells you which step to start with.
What should you send Riot Support about VAN 57?
Enough for them to skip the basic questions. Mention that you get VAN 57 in League, list the steps you’ve already done (vgc on Automatic, restart, Vanguard reinstall, clean boot, game reinstall), and attach the logs. Riot points to its Riot Repair Tool for gathering logs, which packs the relevant files for you. A ticket with logs and a clear list usually gets a useful answer in the first reply instead of the third.
Why does the VAN 57 error keep coming back?
Because something keeps switching Vanguard off. To be fair, it’s rarely Vanguard’s own fault. If the error returns after every restart or every few days, look for a program that changes services or startup items. Cleaner and optimizer apps are the usual reason; they see an unfamiliar service and disable it “to speed up boot”. Third-party antivirus can also quarantine the Vanguard driver after an update.
The fix is the same as step 1, plus removing the cause: uninstall the optimizer or add an exception, and add the Vanguard folder (C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard) to your antivirus exclusions. Real talk: a “booster” that saves two seconds of boot time and costs you the game isn’t worth keeping.
Is VAN 57 different in League and Valorant?
No. Both games use the same Riot Vanguard, so VAN 57 means the same thing in each and the fixes are identical. One fix covers both, though the Valorant client reports it under its own name, which our guide to Valorant error code 57 explains. Our list of Valorant error codes explains the other codes you might meet in Valorant. The difference is only in where people search: Valorant players often call it “error code 57”, while League players usually search for VAN 57.
Other Vanguard codes are a different matter. VAN 9001 and VAN 9003, for example, are about Windows security settings rather than a stopped service. Our full list of League Vanguard errors covers those, and if League won’t open without any error at all, start with our guide to League not opening instead.
How do you avoid the VAN 57 error in League of Legends?
Put simply: leave Vanguard alone and restart after updates. Most VAN 57 cases come from something interfering with the vgc service, not from Vanguard failing on its own.
- Don’t close Vanguard from the tray unless you plan to restart before your next game.
- Restart after a Windows update or a Vanguard update, before launching League.
- Skip “PC optimizer” apps, or tell them to leave Riot services alone.
- Keep the Vanguard folder in your antivirus exclusions.
For what it’s worth, once vgc is on Automatic and nothing is fighting it, the VAN 57 error in League of Legends tends to stay gone. If it doesn’t, the five steps above, in order, are still the quickest route back to the Rift.
FAQ
What causes the VAN 57 error in League of Legends?
VAN 57 means Riot Vanguard isn’t running or couldn’t start correctly. Common causes are the vgc service being disabled, an unfinished update, security software blocking Vanguard or a damaged Vanguard install.
How do I set vgc to Automatic?
Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, open vgc, set Startup type to Automatic, click Start if it is stopped, click Apply and OK, then restart the PC.
Will reinstalling Vanguard delete my League account data?
No. Vanguard is only the anti-cheat. Your account, champions and skins are stored on Riot’s servers.
Is VAN 57 a ban?
No. VAN 57 is a startup error that means Vanguard is not running. It has nothing to do with account penalties.
What is Vanguard Pre-Check?
An optional feature that runs Vanguard only while you play a Riot game. It needs Windows 11 25H2 or newer, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, IOMMU, VBS and HVCI.
What if none of the fixes work?
Submit a ticket to Riot Player Support and attach your logs, which the Riot Repair Tool can collect.
