Fix Vanguard Not Active Error in League of Legends

Since Riot Games introduced Vanguard, its anti-cheat system designed for Valorant, into League of Legends, many players have encountered the frustrating Vanguard must be active to play error. This issue prevents players from starting their games and can leave you staring at the loading screen, unable to join the action in Summoner’s Rift.

While this error can be aggravating, rest assured that it can be resolved with a few straightforward steps. Below is a guide to help you quickly fix this issue and get back into the game.

Solutions to Fix the Error

1. Restart Your PC

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Restarting your computer allows Vanguard to properly reinitialize when the system boots up. This often resolves the issue in cases where Vanguard isn't loading correctly at startup.

2. Check Vanguard Installation

If restarting your PC doesn’t fix the error, it’s worth checking if Vanguard is properly installed and running.

Steps to check Vanguard installation:

1. Open your taskbar and look for the Vanguard icon in your system tray. If you don't see it, it might not be active.
2. If Vanguard is missing, open the Riot client, which will automatically prompt you to repair or reinstall Vanguard.

3. Allow Vanguard at Startup

Another reason Vanguard might not be active is if it isn't set to launch when your PC starts up. Here’s how to check and enable it:

Steps to enable Vanguard at startup:

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Navigate to the Startup tab.
3. Look for Vanguard in the list of programs. If it's not enabled, right-click and select Enable.

4. Uninstall and Reinstall Vanguard

If Vanguard is still not functioning properly, reinstalling it can resolve any issues caused by corrupt files or faulty installation.

Steps to uninstall and reinstall Vanguard:

1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to Programs and Features.
2. Find Riot Vanguard in the list and click Uninstall.
3. After the uninstallation is complete, launch the Riot client, which will automatically reinstall Vanguard.

5. Temporarily Disable Third-Party Software

Some antivirus or third-party security software might interfere with Vanguard’s operation. If you have such software running, try temporarily disabling it and see if that resolves the issue. Alternatively, add Vanguard to your security software's exceptions list to prevent it from being blocked.

Why Does This Error Appear?

Vanguard is designed to protect the integrity of online games by functioning as an anti-cheat system at both the software and hardware levels. It launches automatically when your PC starts up to monitor and secure the game environment.

However, conflicts with other software or system permissions issues can prevent Vanguard from running correctly. When Vanguard fails to activate or isn’t detected as running, it prevents League of Legends from launching, triggering the "Vanguard must be active" error.

What If None of These Solutions Work?

If you've tried all the steps above and still can't resolve the issue, your next step should be to reach out to Riot Games Support. Visit their official support website and provide a detailed report of the steps you've already taken to fix the error. This will help them expedite the process and offer a solution more quickly.

Conclusion

While Vanguard's integration into League of Legends was designed to improve game security, the system is not without its glitches. Thankfully, this error is generally easy to resolve with a few troubleshooting steps. By restarting your PC, checking Vanguard’s installation, allowing it at startup, reinstalling it, or disabling conflicting software, you should be able to get back into Summoner’s Rift in no time.

In the meantime, Riot Games may continue refining Vanguard, so future issues may become less common. Keep an eye out for updates, and happy gaming! 

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