Encountering the Vanguard VAN 84 error in League of Legends can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you're geared up for an intense gaming session. This error, often related to Riot Games' anti-cheat system, Vanguard, can halt your gameplay and leave you searching for solutions. In this article, we'll dive deep into what the Vanguard VAN 84 error is, what causes it, and, most importantly, how you can fix it to get back into the Summoner's Rift. So, if you're ready to troubleshoot and understand this error, let's get started!

Understanding the Vanguard VAN 84 Error

The Vanguard VAN 84 error typically surfaces when there's a communication issue between the League of Legends client and the Vanguard anti-cheat system. Vanguard is designed to ensure fair play by preventing cheating and unauthorized modifications to the game. However, sometimes it can be a bit overzealous, leading to errors like VAN 84. This error usually indicates that Vanguard hasn't initialized correctly or is facing some kind of conflict with your system. Understanding the root causes is the first step toward resolving the issue effectively.

Common Causes of the VAN 84 Error

Several factors can trigger the Vanguard VAN 84 error. Here are some of the most common culprits:

1. Vanguard Not Running: For League of Legends to function correctly, Vanguard must be running in the background. If it hasn't started properly or has been terminated, you'll likely encounter this error. Ensuring Vanguard is active before launching the game is crucial.
2. Driver Conflicts: Incompatible or outdated drivers can interfere with Vanguard's operation. Graphics drivers, in particular, are often a source of conflict. Keeping your drivers updated is essential for smooth performance and compatibility.
3. Conflicting Software: Certain third-party applications can clash with Vanguard. Overlays, performance monitoring tools, or even other anti-virus software might cause issues. Identifying and temporarily disabling these programs can help pinpoint the problem.
4. Secure Boot Issues: Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled in your BIOS settings. If Secure Boot is disabled or misconfigured, Vanguard might fail to initialize correctly. Verifying your Secure Boot settings is a key troubleshooting step.
5. TPM (Trusted Platform Module) Problems: Vanguard also relies on TPM 2.0 for enhanced security. If your system doesn't have TPM 2.0 enabled, it can lead to compatibility issues. Enabling TPM 2.0 in your BIOS settings can resolve this.
6. Installation Issues: Sometimes, the Vanguard installation itself might be corrupted or incomplete. Reinstalling Vanguard can ensure all necessary files are present and correctly configured. This is a straightforward solution that often resolves many underlying problems.

By understanding these potential causes, you're better equipped to diagnose and fix the Vanguard VAN 84 error. Now, let's move on to the practical steps you can take to resolve this annoying issue.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Vanguard VAN 84 Error

When it comes to resolving the Vanguard VAN 84 error in League of Legends, a systematic approach is key. Here are detailed, step-by-step solutions to help you get back into the game:

1. Restart Your Computer

Yes, it sounds simple, but restarting your computer is often the first and most effective solution. A reboot can clear temporary glitches and ensure that Vanguard starts correctly. Sometimes, processes get stuck, and a fresh start can resolve these issues. Before diving into more complex solutions, give your system a quick restart – you might be surprised at how often this works.

2. Manually Start the Vanguard Service

If Vanguard isn't running, manually starting the service can resolve the issue. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Scroll down to find VGC (Vanguard service).
4. Right-click on VGC and select Properties.
5. In the General tab, set the Startup type to Automatic.
6. Click Apply and then click Start to start the service.
7. Click OK to save the changes.
8. Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

Ensuring the Vanguard service is set to start automatically can prevent future occurrences of the VAN 84 error.

3. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause conflicts with Vanguard. Updating to the latest drivers can resolve compatibility issues. Here’s how to update your graphics drivers:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click on your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon) and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Alternatively, you can download the latest drivers from the NVIDIA or AMD website and install them manually.
6. Restart your computer after updating the drivers.

Keeping your graphics drivers up-to-date not only helps with the Vanguard VAN 84 error but also improves overall game performance.

4. Disable Conflicting Software

Certain software can interfere with Vanguard. Temporarily disabling these programs can help identify if they are causing the issue. Common culprits include:

• Overlays (e.g., Discord overlay, NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay)
• Performance monitoring tools (e.g., MSI Afterburner)
• Other anti-virus software

To disable these programs, right-click on their icons in the system tray and select Exit or Disable. Restart your computer and launch League of Legends to see if the error persists. If the error is resolved, you can re-enable the programs one by one to identify the specific software causing the conflict.

5. Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0

Vanguard requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled in your BIOS settings. Here’s how to check and enable them:

1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings (usually by pressing Del, F2, F12, or Esc during startup – check your motherboard manual for the correct key).
2. Navigate to the Boot or Security section.
3. Look for Secure Boot and ensure it is enabled. If it's disabled, enable it.
4. Navigate to the Security or Trusted Computing section.
5. Look for TPM or Trusted Platform Module and ensure it is enabled and set to TPM 2.0. If it's disabled, enable it and select TPM 2.0.
6. Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings. Your computer will restart.

Note: The exact steps may vary depending on your motherboard manufacturer. Consult your motherboard manual for detailed instructions.

6. Reinstall Vanguard

If none of the above solutions work, reinstalling Vanguard can resolve corrupted or incomplete installations. Here’s how to do it:

1. Close League of Legends and any other Riot Games applications.
2. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
3. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open the Programs and Features window.
4. Find Riot Vanguard in the list of programs.
5. Right-click on Riot Vanguard and select Uninstall.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall Vanguard.
7. Restart your computer.
8. Launch League of Legends. The game will prompt you to reinstall Vanguard. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall it.
9. Restart your computer after the reinstallation is complete.

Reinstalling Vanguard ensures that you have the latest version and that all necessary files are correctly configured.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Beyond the primary solutions, here are some additional tips and tricks that might help resolve the Vanguard VAN 84 error:

• Run League of Legends as Administrator: Right-click on the League of Legends shortcut and select Run as administrator. This can give the game the necessary permissions to interact with Vanguard.
• Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows operating system is up-to-date. Outdated operating systems can sometimes cause compatibility issues with Vanguard.
• Disable Fullscreen Optimizations: Right-click on the League of Legends shortcut, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and check the box that says Disable fullscreen optimizations. This can resolve conflicts with the game's display settings.
• Check Your Firewall Settings: Make sure that Vanguard and League of Legends are allowed through your firewall. Your firewall might be blocking the necessary connections.
• Contact Riot Support: If you've tried all the above solutions and the error persists, contact Riot Support for further assistance. They may have specific solutions for your situation.

Preventing Future Vanguard VAN 84 Errors

Once you've resolved the Vanguard VAN 84 error, taking proactive steps can help prevent it from recurring. Here are some best practices:

• Keep Your System Updated: Regularly update your graphics drivers, Windows operating system, and other software to ensure compatibility with Vanguard.
• Monitor Conflicting Software: Be mindful of new software installations that might conflict with Vanguard. If you experience issues after installing new software, try disabling it to see if it resolves the problem.
• Ensure Vanguard is Running: Before launching League of Legends, ensure that the Vanguard service is running in the background. You can check this by looking for the Vanguard icon in the system tray.
• Regularly Restart Your Computer: Restarting your computer periodically can help prevent temporary glitches and ensure that all services are running smoothly.
• Maintain Secure Boot and TPM 2.0: Keep Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled in your BIOS settings to ensure Vanguard functions correctly.

By following these preventive measures, you can minimize the chances of encountering the Vanguard VAN 84 error and enjoy a smoother gaming experience.

Conclusion

The Vanguard VAN 84 error in League of Legends can be a real headache, but with the right knowledge and troubleshooting steps, it's definitely solvable. By understanding the causes of the error and systematically applying the solutions outlined in this guide, you can get back to dominating the Summoner's Rift in no time. Remember to keep your system updated, monitor for conflicting software, and ensure that Vanguard is running correctly. Happy gaming, and may your LP gains be ever in your favor!