Valorant Error Code VAN 0: A Comprehensive Solution Guide
Encountering the dreaded VAN 0 error in Valorant can be frustrating, preventing you from jumping into your favorite game. This error typically indicates a problem with Riot Vanguard, Valorant's anti-cheat system. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this issue and get back to fragging.
Understanding the Root Cause
VAN 0 signifies that Riot Vanguard failed to initialize correctly. This can stem from various factors, including:
- Outdated Drivers: Incompatible or outdated drivers, especially graphics drivers, can interfere with Vanguard's operation.
- Conflicting Software: Certain programs can clash with Vanguard, preventing it from launching properly.
- Secure Boot Issues: Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled in your BIOS.
- TPM 2.0 Requirement: In some cases, Valorant requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 to be enabled.
- Service Not Running: The Riot Vanguard service itself might not be running.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix VAN 0
Follow these steps in order, testing Valorant after each to see if the error is resolved:
- Restart Your Computer: This simple step can often resolve temporary glitches.
- Manually Start the VGC Service:
Press Windows Key + R, type "services.msc" and press Enter. Locate the "VGC" service (Riot Vanguard Service). Right-click and select "Properties." Set the "Startup type" to "Automatic" and click "Apply." If the service isn't running, click "Start."
- Update Your Graphics Drivers:
Visit the website of your GPU manufacturer (Nvidia, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your graphics card. Install the drivers and restart your computer.
- Ensure Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are Enabled:
This step requires accessing your BIOS/UEFI settings. The method varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer. Consult your motherboard manual or search online for instructions specific to your system. Look for settings related to "Secure Boot" and "TPM." Enable both if they are disabled. This is especially important for Windows 11 users.
- Reinstall Riot Vanguard:
Uninstall Riot Vanguard through the Control Panel. Then, uninstall Valorant. Restart your computer. Reinstall Valorant. This will automatically reinstall Riot Vanguard. Run Valorant as administrator.
- Check for Conflicting Software:
Temporarily disable or uninstall any potentially conflicting software, such as virtual machines, cheat engines, or overclocking tools. Examples include programs like Cheat Engine or older versions of VirtualBox.
If none of these steps resolve the VAN 0 error, consider contacting Riot Games Support. They can provide more specific assistance tailored to your system configuration.