VALORANT won’t launch on Windows 11? Riot’s official fixes for Vanguard errors VAN 9005, VAN 9002 and VAN 9006 (TPM, Secure Boot, Memory Integrity)

VALORANT on PC only runs with Riot Vanguard, Riot’s anti-cheat, and Vanguard refuses to start the game when Windows does not meet its security requirements. Three error codes come up with Windows 11 settings: VAN 9005, VAN 9002 and VAN 9006. Here is what each one means and the exact steps Riot Games Support gives, read on November 11, 2026. TricknFix did not test these steps; changing BIOS/UEFI settings is at your own risk, and Riot itself recommends asking your PC or motherboard manufacturer if you are unsure.

• Message: “VAN9005: This version of Vanguard requires TPM version 2.0 and UEFI compliant firmware in order to use Virtualization-based Security (VBS)”.

• Riot’s fix, in this order, restarting the PC after each change: 1) enable TPM 2.0 (Riot TPM 2.0 guide), 2) enable Secure Boot (Riot Secure Boot guide), 3) check that Memory Integrity is running.

• If TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and Memory Integrity are all set up and VAN 9005 remains, Riot asks you to submit a ticket with your logs (Riot Repair Tool).

• Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and look at “Virtualization-based security” at the bottom of System Summary. “Running” is what you want.

• “Enabled but not running”: virtualization is usually disabled in the BIOS. “Not enabled”: turn on Memory Integrity under Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation, then restart.

• To reach the firmware from Windows 11: Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

• In the BIOS: on Intel, enable Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) and Execute Disable Bit (XD); on AMD, enable SVM Mode and NX Mode. Menu names vary by manufacturer.

• Check it worked: msinfo32 must show VBS “Running” with “Hypervisor enforced Code Integrity” among the running services; Task Manager > Performance > CPU should show “Virtualization: Enabled”.

• If the Memory Integrity toggle is greyed out or an incompatible driver is reported, follow the troubleshooting section of Riot’s guide.

• Message: “VAN9002: This build of Vanguard requires Control Flow Guard (CFG) to be enabled in system exploit protection settings.”

• Riot’s fix: type “exploit protection” in the Start menu and open it. In System settings, set each of these to “Use default”: Control flow guard (CFG), Data Execution Prevention (DEP), Force randomization for images (Mandatory ASLR), Randomized memory allocation (Bottom-up ASLR), High-entropy ASLR, Validate exception chains (SEHOP), Validate heap integrity.

• Then in Program settings, remove every entry related to Riot Games, Riot Vanguard or a Riot game, and restart the PC.

• Message: “VAN9006: This version of Vanguard requires Windows 20H1 or later and may not function as expected.”

• Riot’s fix: install all available Windows updates, restart, and launch the game again.

• Riot’s pages do not give a list of PCs or CPUs affected, and they do not mention a specific VALORANT patch; the VAN 9005 page is dated January 15, 2026, VAN 9002 February 3, 2026, VAN 9006 July 17, 2026, and the Memory Integrity guide June 24, 2026.

• Errors VAN 9001 and VAN 9003 (TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot) have their own Riot guides linked below.

More VALORANT news and discussions: the #valorant community on TricknFix (https://tricknfix.com/tags/valorant/); Windows 11 guides: #windows-11 (https://tricknfix.com/tags/windows-11/).

• Riot Games Support, “Error VAN 9005” (January 15, 2026), read November 11, 2026 (https://support.riotgames.com/en-us/riot/client/error-van-9005).

• Riot Games Support, “Error VAN 9002” (February 3, 2026), read November 11, 2026 (https://support.riotgames.com/en-us/riot/client/error-van-9002).

• Riot Games Support, “Error VAN 9006” (July 17, 2026), read November 11, 2026 (https://support.riotgames.com/en-us/riot/client/error-van-9006).

• Riot Games Support, “Enable Memory Integrity (HVCI/VBS)” (June 24, 2026), read November 11, 2026 (https://support.riotgames.com/en-us/riot/support-tools/enable-memory-integrity).

• Riot Games Support, Secure Boot guide (https://support.riotgames.com/riot/client/secure-boot-guide) and TPM 2.0 guide (https://support.riotgames.com/riot/client/tpm-20-guide), linked from the VAN 9005 page.

• Video “WHY WE FIGHT BACK // Season 2026 Cinematic Kickoff Trailer - VALORANT”, VALORANT channel, January 5, 2026 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnGdzz-XWcE).

• Image: official V26 visual from Riot Games’ VALORANT Patch Notes 13.10 page, November 10, 2026 (https://playvalorant.com/en-us/news/game-updates/valorant-patch-notes-13-10/), © Riot Games.