24 Sep Remove Valorant/Vanguard Before Reinstall: Fix Conflicts and Errors

If you’ve ever tried reinstalling Valorant, you’ve likely run into a series of problems that just won’t go away — from unexpected game errors to startup issues and system crashes. These errors can be maddening, especially for players who just want to dive back into competitive matches. One of the most commonly overlooked steps when attempting a fresh installation is the complete removal of both Valorant and its companion anti-cheat system, Riot Vanguard.

Understanding why it’s critical to perform a clean uninstall before reinstalling Valorant can save you hours of frustration. This article explores why remnants of Valorant and Vanguard can cause conflicts, how to remove them properly, and guarantees that your reinstallation will be smooth and error-free.

Why a Simple Reinstall Isn’t Enough

When users face problems with Valorant, one of the most common pieces of advice they find online is to reinstall the game. However, Valorant’s deep integration with the Vanguard anti-cheat driver makes a standard uninstall inadequate in many situations. Here’s why:

• Persistent Background Services: Vanguard runs a kernel-level driver (vgk.sys) that boots with Windows. If this is not removed completely, it may cause conflicts with a fresh installation.
• Registry Entries: Even after the game is uninstalled from Control Panel, residual registry entries and system services may remain behind, leading to errors post-reinstallation.
• Compatibility Issues: Incomplete removal may interfere with updates, produce error codes like VAN9001, or prevent the game from launching entirely.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completely Removing Valorant and Vanguard

To ensure all errors are wiped clean before reinstalling, follow this detailed method to remove everything related to Valorant and Vanguard from your system:

1. Uninstall Valorant

Begin by removing the main game files:

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
2. Locate Valorant in the list and click Uninstall.
3. Wait for the process to complete.

2. Uninstall Vanguard Properly

This step is crucial as Vanguard is often left behind:

1. Find the Vanguard icon in your system tray.
2. Right-click the icon and click Exit Vanguard.
3. Now go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, locate Riot Vanguard, and uninstall it.

If Vanguard still persists after this, you may need to manually remove it:

1. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard and delete the entire folder.
2. Use Windows + R, type services.msc, and look for any “vgk” or “Vanguard” related service. Right-click and disable them if they still exist.
3. Remove leftover drivers: open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk.

3. Clean Registry Entries (Advanced Users Only)

Warning: Only proceed with this method if you are comfortable using the Windows Registry Editor. Improper changes may harm your OS.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > ControlSet001 > Services.
3. Look for entries named vgk or vgc, right-click and delete them.
4. Restart your computer.

4. Use Third-Party Uninstaller (Optional)

For those who want an easier and safer route, tools like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller can fully remove all traces of Riot software including hidden files and registry remnants.

Why Vanguard Is a Special Case

Riot Vanguard functions differently from most anti-cheat solutions because it operates at the kernel level of your operating system. This design, while helpful in preventing cheats, can unfortunately cause major system conflicts, especially if not uninstalled correctly. Many users have reported that Vanguard blocks critical Windows processes or third-party software even after uninstalling Valorant — all because its components are still registered with the OS.

This is why many common fixes like simple uninstalls or reinstalls don’t work. Fully removing Vanguard is the key to clearing out hidden background processes that might be interrupting your game.

Reinstall Valorant Safely and Cleanly

Now that you’ve removed everything, it’s safe to proceed with a clean installation:

1. Download the latest version of the Valorant installer from Riot’s official website.
2. Run the installer and follow the prompts.
3. After installation, your system will prompt you to restart to enable Vanguard. Allow it.

Once you log back in, all traces of errors, crashes, and update conflicts should be resolved. Launch the game and enjoy!

Common Issues That a Clean Reinstall Fixes

Doing a comprehensive removal and reinstall of Valorant and Vanguard can fix a wide range of persistent tech issues:

• Van Error Codes: VAN9001, VAN1067, and VAN68, all related to the anti-cheat.
• Game Not Launching: Caused by partial installs or corrupted Vanguard drivers.
• Windows Conflicts: Issues like black screens, auto-shutdowns, or Blue Screen Errors due to Vanguard’s invasive permissions.
• Update Errors: Patches failing to install correctly due to lingering file corruption or conflicting registry keys.

Tips to Avoid Future Conflicts

Once you’ve successfully reinstalled Valorant, use these tips to ensure everything continues to run smoothly:

• Allow Vanguard Through Your Firewall: Add exceptions in your antivirus and firewall settings for both Valorant and Vanguard to avoid update issues.
• Enable Secure Boot: Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled on Windows 11; otherwise, you may get persistent errors.
• Don’t Hard Shut Off Vanguard: Avoid force-quitting Vanguard or blocking it from startup. Let it run its usual process unless you plan to uninstall.

Final Thoughts

Valorant remains one of the most competitive and optimized shooters on the market, but its close ties with Riot Vanguard can make troubleshooting a nightmare if uninstall procedures aren’t followed properly.

Whether you’re experiencing crashing problems, game updates failing, or your anti-virus flagging Vanguard — completing a full removal before you reinstall is the most foolproof strategy. Avoid corner-cutting methods, follow these steps, and you’ll be back in the agent-select screen without a hitch.

Just remember: in the world of tech troubleshooting, sometimes taking an extra 10 minutes to remove something properly saves you hours of chaos down the line.