League of Legends Vanguard errors explained

With so many issues creeping up on League of Legends players, we're here to help you solve your VAN errors.
Written By Eray Eliaçık

Reviewed by: Naim Rosinski

(Content Manager & Editor)

Last UpdatedJanuary 15, 2025 at 03:06PM
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League of Legends Vanguard errors can be frustrating for players, but understanding what they are and how to fix them can help get you back in the game.

In this guide, we’ll go over all known Vanguard error codes and provide simple solutions to help you resolve them quickly.

What are LoL Vanguard errors? 

If you’re trying to play League of Legends and see an error code starting with "VAN," it usually means there’s an issue with Riot's anti-cheat system, Vanguard.

Vanguard is an anti-cheat system created by Riot Games to stop players from cheating or using hacks in League of Legends and other Riot Games, like VALORANT error codes. It helps keep the game fair by detecting and blocking cheating software.

What makes Vanguard different is that it works at the kernel level of your computer. This means it has deep access to your computer's operating system, allowing it to closely monitor what programs are doing. With this level of control, Vanguard can find cheats that other, simpler systems might miss.

Credit: r/riotgames
Credit: r/riotgames

However, because Vanguard has such deep control over your system, it can sometimes cause problems, like the VAN 128 error or other connection issues. These problems happen when something on your computer isn’t working right or conflicts with Vanguard.

For Vanguard to work properly, your system needs to be in a "clean" state. This means there should be no problems with your computer’s settings or software. If something is misconfigured, Vanguard might not work as it should and cause errors.

Reasons for Vanguard errors in League of Legends

Vanguard error codes in League of Legends usually point to issues with the game’s anti-cheat system or with your computer, related to topics like:

  • Connection errors: Many Vanguard errors happen because of problems with connecting to Riot's servers. These can occur if the game or Riot Client has been open too long, your internet connection isn’t stable, or Vanguard has trouble communicating with your computer.
  • Installation or uninstallation problems: Some errors happen when Vanguard can't be installed or removed properly. This could be due to corrupted files or the system having trouble with the installation or uninstallation process.
  • Hardware issues: Some errors are related to your hardware. For example, a HWID ban happens when your computer’s hardware is banned for breaking the game’s rules. Other errors can happen if you're using a virtual machine or if your system settings, like TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and UEFI firmware, are not set up right.
  • System settings problems: Vanguard needs your system to be set up in a certain way to work properly. If features like Exploit Protection or Virtualization-Based Security are turned off, it can cause errors. You also need to have an updated version of Windows for Vanguard to work.
  • Software conflicts or malware: If there’s unusual software on your computer, like malware or other security programs, they might conflict with Vanguard and cause errors. Scanning for malware or adjusting some settings can help solve this.
Credit: r/leagueoflegends
Credit: r/leagueoflegends

All Vanguard errors in League of Legends

Here are the known LoL Vanguard errors:

LoL Vanguard error code

Meaning

Fix

VAN -1

Uninstall Failure

Try reinstalling Riot Vanguard. If this doesn’t fix the issue, contact Riot Support by submitting a ticket.

VAN 0

Connection Error (Caused by leaving the League Client running for too long)

Close both League of Legends and the Riot Client, then restart them.

VAN 6

Connection Error

Close both League of Legends and the Riot Client, then restart them.

VAN 68

Connection Error

Make sure your internet connection is stable. Then, restart League of Legends and the Riot Client. Check out our detailed guide for fixing the LoL VAN 68 error code.

VAN -81

Connection Error

Restart your computer and the Riot Client. If that doesn’t work, uninstall both Riot Vanguard and League of Legends, then reinstall them. Contact Riot Support if the issue continues.

VAN 84

Connection Error

Check your internet connection. Restart League of Legends and the Riot Client.

VAN -102

Connection Error

Restart your computer and the Riot Client. If the error still appears, uninstall and reinstall both Riot Vanguard and League of Legends. Contact Riot Support if needed.

VAN -104

Connection Error

Restart your computer and the Riot Client. If the issue remains, uninstall and reinstall both Riot Vanguard and League of Legends. Contact Riot Support if the problem continues.

VAN 128

Connection Error

Restart your computer and the Riot Client. If that doesn’t help, check Riot’s Troubleshooting VAN 128 Guide. You may need to reinstall both programs. Reach out to Riot Support if the error persists. Here are 8 easy ways to fix League of Legends VAN 128 error.  

VAN 138

Virtual Machine Error (Running LoL/Riot Vanguard in a virtual machine)

Run League of Legends and Riot Vanguard on a regular version of Windows instead of using a virtual machine.

VAN 152

HWID (Hardware) Ban

This error means your hardware has been banned. For more information, you will need to contact Riot Support for assistance.

VAN 185

Connection Error (Caused by leaving the League Client open for too long or being logged in on multiple devices)

Restart both League of Legends and the Riot Client. Make sure to log out of the client on any other devices you might have used.

VAN 1067

Connection Error (Caused by unusual software on your PC)

Restart your computer and the Riot Client. If the error continues, check Task Manager for any unusual programs and scan your computer for malware. To get more detailed information about the VAN 1067 error, visit our guide.

VAN9001

TPM 2.0 Not Enabled (Windows 11)

Follow Riot's guide to enable TPM 2.0 on your system.

VAN9002

Exploit Protection Not Enabled

Enable Exploit Protection by following Riot's instructions.

VAN9005

Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Not Supported

Check your BIOS settings and enable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS). Ensure TPM 2.0 is enabled as well.

VAN9006

Older Version of Windows

Update your system to at least Windows 10 version 1803 (Redstone 4) or a later version to fix the issue.

Meet Eray, a tech enthusiast passionate about AI, crypto, gaming, and more. Eray is always looking into new developments, exploring unique topics, and keeping up with the latest trends in the tech industry, and gaming is the sweetest spot.

Eray has been rocking it as a news manager and content creator at spots like, TechBriefly, Gamelevate, Softonic, and various tech realms. Crafting over 2k tech articles, Eray captivated millions of readers for over three years.

Now, over at THESPIKE, Eray is a content writer, blending the love for spinning stories and helpful guides for all-things gaming.