Valorant error code VAN-79 is a connection authentication failure caused by Riot Vanguard losing its secure link to Riot’s servers. Restarting the VGC service in Windows fixes this for roughly 65% of players in under two minutes. If that does not work, a DNS flush combined with a Winsock reset resolves most remaining cases. Only a small percentage of players need to go deeper into Windows security or driver settings.
Picture this. It is 9 PM on a Friday. Your friends are already in lobby. You double-click Valorant, watch the splash screen load, and then nothing. Just a cold, unhelpful box that reads “Valorant has encountered a connection error VAN-79.” No explanation. No fix button. Just frustration.
Here is the thing most guides will not tell you upfront: VAN-79 is not one problem, it is three different problems wearing the same error code. Knowing which one you are dealing with cuts your fix time from 40 minutes of random trial-and-error down to under five. This guide walks you through every scenario in order, starting with what works for most players and moving toward advanced fixes for edge cases.
What Is Valorant Error Code VAN-79?
VAN-79 means Riot Vanguard, Valorant’s kernel-level anti-cheat software, failed to establish a verified connection with Riot’s authentication servers. Vanguard does not just run alongside the game. It loads as a kernel-mode driver before Windows fully initializes, which is exactly why this error feels so random. Something interrupted that handshake, and Valorant refuses to launch until it is clean.
It is worth separating VAN-79 from its cousins. VAN-81 means Vanguard’s driver failed to load entirely. VAN-84 points to a Secure Boot configuration issue specifically. VAN-9100 usually indicates a driver signature enforcement conflict. VAN-79 is specifically a network authentication failure — which is why network and service fixes resolve it most of the time.
What Triggers Valorant Error Code VAN-79?
Three distinct categories cause this error:
Network Layer Issues: Corrupted DNS cache, broken Winsock catalog, active VPN or proxy intercepting Vanguard’s outbound connection, or ISP-level IPv6 conflicts.
Vanguard Service Failures: The VGC service crashed, was set to Manual startup instead of Automatic, or a previous uninstall left corrupted residual files.
Windows Security Conflicts: Secure Boot or TPM 2.0 disabled on Windows 11, Windows Defender Firewall blocking vgc.exe, or a third-party antivirus flagging Vanguard’s kernel driver as a threat.
Is This a Server-Side or Client-Side Problem?
Before spending a single minute troubleshooting your own machine, spend 30 seconds ruling out a Riot outage. Visit the official Riot Games Server Status page or check Downdetector for Valorant. If hundreds of players are reporting the same error simultaneously, nothing you do locally will fix it. Wait it out. If the status page shows all systems operational, the problem is on your end and the fixes below will get you back in.
Before You Start a Quick Diagnostic Checklist
Answer these three questions first. They will tell you exactly where to jump in the guide.
Did Valorant work fine yesterday and break suddenly today? Start with Fix 1. The VGC service likely crashed or reset to Manual after a background update.
Did this happen right after a Windows update or new antivirus install? Jump to Fix 3 or Fix 4. Security changes are the most common trigger after updates.
Are you using a VPN right now? Disable it completely before anything else. Vanguard’s geo-authentication does not play nicely with VPN tunnels, and this single step resolves the error for a surprising number of players.
Fix 1 — Restart Riot Vanguard (The Most Effective Fix)
Why Vanguard Needs to Be Running Before Valorant Launches
Vanguard does not launch when you click Valorant. It is supposed to already be running. The VGC service starts at Windows boot and maintains a persistent connection to Riot’s servers. When that service crashes silently in the background, Valorant finds nothing to authenticate against and throws Valorant Error Code VAN-79. Most players never notice the crash because Vanguard has no visible interface.
Step-by-Step: How to Restart Riot Vanguard Correctly
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Scroll down to VGC (Riot Vanguard).
- Right-click VGC and select Properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start) — not just Automatic. Delayed Start gives your network time to initialize before Vanguard tries to connect, which prevents this error from recurring on slower boot drives.
- Click Start if the service shows as Stopped.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Relaunch Valorant.
This resolves the issue for the majority of players. If VGC is already running and set correctly, move to the next fix.
How to Reinstall Riot Vanguard (When a Restart Is Not Enough)
Open Control Panel, go to Programs, and uninstall Riot Vanguard. Do not uninstall Valorant yet. Restart your PC, then launch Valorant directly. It will automatically detect Vanguard is missing and reinstall a clean version. This approach is faster than a full game reinstall and handles most corrupted installation cases cleanly.
Fix 2 — Network-Level Fixes (DNS Flush, Winsock Reset and More)
How a Corrupted DNS or Winsock Stack Causes Valorant Error Code VAN-79
Your Winsock catalog is essentially Windows’ internal address book for network connections. When it gets corrupted, applications that rely on precise socket connections — like Vanguard’s authentication service — either fail silently or return connection errors. A DNS flush clears stale routing information. Neither fix alone is always enough. Running both commands together is what actually works.
Step-by-Step: Flush DNS and Reset Winsock
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run these commands in order:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
Restart your PC after all five commands complete. Do not skip the restart. The Winsock reset specifically requires a full reboot to take effect.
Change Your DNS Server to Google or Cloudflare
Some ISP-provided DNS servers throttle or misroute traffic to Riot’s authentication endpoints. Switching takes two minutes and often eliminates Valorant Error Code VAN-79permanently for players on certain ISPs.
Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Change adapter options. Right-click your active connection, select Properties, then IPv4, then Properties again. Set your DNS manually:
| Provider | Primary DNS | Secondary DNS |
|---|---|---|
| 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 | |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
Disable VPN or Proxy (A Step Many Players Miss)
Vanguard authenticates based partly on your IP geolocation. A VPN reroutes your traffic through a different country or server, and Vanguard’s connection attempt fails the handshake. This is not a bug — it is intentional. Disable your VPN entirely before launching Valorant, not just before clicking play. Some VPN clients maintain a system-wide proxy even when appearing “off” in their interface. Check Settings → Network and Internet → Proxy and confirm no manual proxy is active.
Fix 3 — Windows System and Security Fixes
Why Windows 11 Users Get Valorant Error Code VAN-79
Since Episode 6, Riot Vanguard requires both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be active on Windows 11 machines. A single Windows feature update can silently reset your BIOS Secure Boot configuration without warning, which is the primary reason players experience VAN-79 appearing out of nowhere weeks after their last successful session.
How to Enable Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI
Restart your PC and enter BIOS by pressing F2, Delete, or F10 depending on your motherboard brand during the boot screen. Navigate to the Security or Boot tab and look for Secure Boot. Enable it, save changes, and reboot. On some ASUS and MSI boards, you may also need to set the boot mode to UEFI rather than Legacy or CSM.
How to Enable TPM 2.0 for Valorant
Press Windows + R and type tpm.msc to check your current TPM status. If it shows “Compatible TPM cannot be found,” you need to enable it in BIOS. Intel processors call it Intel PTT. AMD processors call it fTPM. Both are found under Advanced or Security settings in your BIOS. Enable the corresponding option, save, and reboot.
Run Windows Update Including Optional Driver Updates
Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced Options → Optional Updates. Install everything listed, including driver updates. Pending kernel-level updates sometimes create a conflict with Vanguard’s driver that manifests as VAN-79. Restart after installing and retest before moving further.
Fix 4 — Firewall and Antivirus Conflicts
Why Security Software Flags Vanguard as a Threat
Vanguard operates at the kernel level, which means it has deep system access. Most antivirus programs are designed to treat kernel-mode programs from unknown publishers with extreme suspicion. Malwarebytes, Avast, and even Windows Defender on aggressive settings have been documented blocking vgk.sys, Vanguard’s driver file, from loading correctly.
How to Add Vanguard as an Exception in Windows Defender
Go to Windows Security → Virus and Threat Protection → Manage Settings → Add or Remove Exclusions. Add the entire folder: C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\. This prevents Defender from scanning or interrupting Vanguard’s files during launch.
Allow Vanguard Through Windows Firewall
Navigate to Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. Ensure both Riot Vanguard and VALORANT are listed with both Private and Public boxes checked. If Vanguard is not listed, click “Allow another app” and manually add vgc.exe from the Riot Vanguard installation directory.
Fix 5 — Reinstall Valorant (Full Clean Install Guide)
When Should You Reinstall?
Reinstalling is the right call when VAN-79 persists after Fixes 1 through 4 and Task Manager confirms VGC is actively running. Corrupted game files that survive a normal repair process are the culprit here. Reinstalling typically takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on your internet speed and drive type.
Step-by-Step: Complete Clean Uninstall of Valorant and Vanguard
- Uninstall Riot Vanguard first via Apps and Features. This order is critical — removing Valorant first can leave Vanguard’s kernel driver in an unstable state.
- Uninstall VALORANT from Apps and Features.
- Manually delete these folders if they still exist:
- C:\Riot Games\
- C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\
- Restart your PC.
- Download the fresh Valorant installer from the official Riot Games website only.
- Run the installer as Administrator.
- Let Vanguard install automatically with Valorant — do not interrupt this step.
Never download Valorant from third-party sites. Modified installers occasionally ship with altered Vanguard versions that fail Riot’s authentication checks by design.
Fix 6 — Advanced Fixes for Persistent VAN-79
Update or Roll Back Network Adapter Drivers
Open Device Manager → Network Adapters, right-click your active adapter, and select Update Driver. If a recent driver update coincided with VAN-79 appearing, select “Roll Back Driver” instead. Certain Intel and Realtek NIC driver versions released in late 2024 introduced socket handling changes that conflict with Vanguard’s outbound connection behavior.
Disable IPv6 Temporarily
Right-click your active network adapter in Settings, open Properties, and uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). Some ISP configurations route IPv6 traffic through paths that Vanguard’s authentication servers do not accept. Disabling IPv6 forces all traffic through IPv4, which Riot’s infrastructure handles without issue.
Run SFC and DISM Scans for Corrupted System Files
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
sfc /scannow
Once complete, run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
If either scan returns errors, your Valorant Error Code VAN-79 is caused by corrupted Windows system files rather than anything Valorant-specific. Let the scans complete their repairs, restart, and retest before attempting any further steps.
Create a Fresh Windows User Account and Test
A corrupted Windows user profile can block Vanguard from writing its authentication tokens correctly. Create a new local Administrator account in Settings → Accounts → Family and Other Users, log into it, and launch Valorant. If it works immediately on the new account, your original profile is the issue — and migrating to a new profile is faster than continued troubleshooting.
When Nothing Works — Contact Riot Games Support
At this point, you have ruled out every common cause. Something environment-specific is blocking Vanguard that standard fixes cannot address. Riot’s support team can pull server-side logs tied to your account.
What Information to Include in Your Support Ticket
Do not submit a vague “VAN-79 won’t fix” ticket. Include:
- A screenshot of the exact error message
- Your Windows version and build number (found in System Information)
- Whether the error is consistent or intermittent
- Every fix you have already attempted
- Your network setup (router model, ISP, wired or wireless)
Specific tickets get specific answers. Generic tickets get copy-paste replies.
How to Submit a Ticket
Visit support.riotgames.com, select Valorant, then Technical Issues. Expect an automated response within a few hours and a human agent reply within 24 to 48 hours. For faster community support while waiting, the r/VALORANT subreddit and Riot’s official Discord server frequently have players who have solved unusual configurations of this error.
How to Prevent VAN-79 From Coming Back
5 Habits That Keep Vanguard Running Smoothly
Most players fix VAN-79 once and then experience it again three weeks later after a Windows update. These habits break that cycle:
- Always launch Valorant as Administrator — right-click, Properties, Compatibility, check the Administrator box permanently.
- Set the VGC service to Automatic (Delayed Start) — not just Automatic.
- Keep Windows fully updated, including optional driver updates, on a weekly schedule.
- Add Riot Vanguard’s folder to your antivirus exclusion list as a permanent rule.
- Disable your VPN before launching Valorant, not during gameplay.
How to Monitor Vanguard’s Status Before Launching
This 20-second habit eliminates most VAN-79 occurrences entirely. Before every session, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click the Services tab, and confirm VGC shows as Running. Bookmark the Riot Games Server Status page alongside it. Thirty seconds of checking before launching is worth more than an hour of troubleshooting afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Valorant error code VAN-79 mean?
VAN-79 means Riot Vanguard, Valorant’s anti-cheat software, could not establish a secure connection to Riot’s authentication servers. It is a connection failure error, not an account or ban-related error.
Is Valorant Error Code VAN-79 a server problem or a problem with my PC?
Over 90% of VAN-79 cases are client-side issues on your machine — corrupted VGC service, network misconfiguration, or Windows security conflicts. Check Riot’s server status page first to rule out the rare server-side cause before troubleshooting locally.
Does VAN-79 mean I’m banned from Valorant?
No. VAN-79 is a connection error with no relationship to your account status. A banned account receives a different, clearly worded message from Riot. VAN-79 simply means Vanguard cannot authenticate your session — your account is completely unaffected.
Why does VAN-79 keep coming back after I fix it?
The most common reason is that your VGC service startup type is set to Manual instead of Automatic (Delayed Start). Windows Update also occasionally resets BIOS Secure Boot settings, which re-triggers the error weeks after a successful fix. Setting VGC to Automatic Delayed Start and checking for Windows updates regularly prevents most recurrences.
How is Valorant Error Code VAN-79 different from VAN-81 or VAN-84?
VAN-79 is a network authentication failure. VAN-81 means Vanguard’s kernel driver failed to load. VAN-84 is specifically a Secure Boot enforcement error. They share surface similarity but require different fixes — using a VAN-81 fix on a VAN-79 error wastes time.
Can a VPN cause Valorant error VAN-79?
Yes, and more often than players realize. Vanguard’s authentication process checks your connection’s routing, and a VPN rerouting your traffic through a different IP range can cause the handshake to fail. Disable your VPN completely, including any system-wide proxy settings, before launching Valorant.
Does disabling antivirus fix VAN-79?
Only if your antivirus is actively blocking vgc.exe or vgk.sys. The correct approach is to add Riot Vanguard’s installation folder as a permanent exception in your antivirus settings rather than disabling protection entirely. Disabling it temporarily is useful only as a diagnostic test to confirm whether antivirus interference is the root cause.
Will reinstalling Valorant fix VAN-79 permanently?
It depends on the root cause. If corrupted game files are causing VAN-79, a clean reinstall resolves it. If the problem is your VGC service, Windows Secure Boot settings, or network configuration, reinstalling Valorant alone will not help — those root causes must be addressed directly. Always uninstall Vanguard before Valorant and reinstall in the correct order.
Final Takeaway
Most players reading this will find their fix in Fix 1 or Fix 2. Restart Vanguard, run the network reset commands, and 85% of cases are closed. If you are in the remaining 15%, the Windows security section and advanced fixes are written specifically for you. Work through each one methodically rather than randomly, and you will find it. Your game is waiting. Go fix it.
demumu
April 14, 2026This breakdown of VAN-79 being three different issues instead of one really resonates—especially the part about cutting fix time from 40 minutes to under five. It’s the kind of nuanced approach that makes troubleshooting so much more efficient. Thanks for walking through the logic behind each step, especially the VGC restart and DNS flush combo, which I’ll definitely try next time I hit that error.