Why you might need to delete and reinstall Vanguard

Vanguard, Riot Games' anti-cheat system, sometimes causes problems that a fresh install can fix. Your game might crash on launch, Vanguard might fail to load, or you could see error messages about kernel driver issues. Reinstalling clears out corrupted files and resets the system to its default state.

Before you delete Vanguard, know that you will not be able to play Valorant, League of Legends, or other Riot-protected games until you reinstall it. The uninstall process removes both the anti-cheat software and its kernel driver — the low-level component that monitors your system during gameplay.

Key Takeaways

  • Uninstalling Vanguard requires you to restart your computer in Safe Mode, then use the Vanguard uninstaller from your system settings.
  • The kernel driver will not fully remove until you restart your computer a second time after uninstalling.
  • Reinstalling Vanguard happens automatically the next time you launch a Riot game, or you can read the installer directly from Riot's website.
  • If uninstall fails, check that no Riot games are running and that you have administrator rights on your account.

How to uninstall Vanguard completely

Open Settings on your Windows computer and go to Apps > Apps & features. Scroll down until you find Vanguard, click it, then click Uninstall. A window will appear asking you to confirm — click Uninstall again. The program will remove itself, but the kernel driver will still be running.

Restart your computer to finish removing the kernel driver. You do not need Safe Mode for this step — a normal restart is enough. After your computer boots back up, Vanguard will be completely gone from your system.

If the uninstall button is greyed out or the uninstall fails, make sure no Riot games are running in the background. Close the Riot Client entirely if it is open. You should also check that your user account has administrator rights — right-click the Vanguard entry and look for an Uninstall option in the menu that appears.

Reinstalling Vanguard after removal

The easiest way to reinstall Vanguard is to launch any Riot game — Valorant, League of Legends, or Teamfight Tactics. The Riot Client will detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to install it. Click through the installation window and restart your computer when prompted. Vanguard will be ready to use after the restart.

If you want to reinstall Vanguard without launching a game, read the installer directly from Riot Games. Visit the Valorant support page and look for the Vanguard installer link, or search "Vanguard installer" on Riot's website. Run the downloaded file, follow the on-screen steps, and restart when the installation finishes.

What to do if reinstallation fails

If Vanguard will not install or you see an error during reinstallation, restart your computer and try again. Many installation failures clear up on their own after a restart. Make sure you have at least 2 GB of free disk space before attempting the install.

If the problem persists, check that your Windows installation is up to date. Open Settings, go to Update & Security > Windows Update, and click Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart. Outdated Windows versions sometimes conflict with Vanguard's kernel driver.

For persistent issues, visit the Riot Games support website and submit a ticket describing the error message you see. Include your Windows version, which you can find by pressing Windows key + Pause/Break or by opening Settings and going to System > About.

How long the process takes

Uninstalling Vanguard takes about 5 to 10 minutes, including the restart. Reinstalling takes another 5 to 10 minutes depending on your internet speed and whether you need to restart. Plan for 20 to 30 minutes total if you are doing both the uninstall and reinstall in one session.

The actual read and installation of Vanguard files is usually fast — most of the time goes to restarting your computer. If your internet connection is slow, the read step may take longer.

Why Vanguard needs a kernel driver

Vanguard's kernel driver runs at a low level in Windows to prevent cheating in online games. It loads before most other programs start, which is why it requires administrator rights and system restarts to install or remove. The driver is what makes Vanguard effective at detecting cheats, but it also means the software has deep access to your system.

This is why some antivirus programs flag Vanguard or why it can conflict with other security software. If you use a third-party antivirus, make sure it is not blocking Vanguard's installation or operation. You may need to add Vanguard to your antivirus's exclusion list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my game progress if I uninstall Vanguard?

No. Vanguard is only the anti-cheat system — your game account, rank, and progress are stored on Riot's servers and are not affected by uninstalling or reinstalling Vanguard. You will log back in with the same account after reinstalling.

Can I uninstall Vanguard without restarting my computer?

The uninstall itself does not require a restart, but the kernel driver will not fully remove until you restart. You can uninstall from Settings without restarting first, but Vanguard will still be partially active until you restart.

What if I see an error about the kernel driver during uninstall?

Kernel driver errors usually mean another program is using Vanguard. Close the Riot Client, any open Riot games, and check your taskbar for any Vanguard-related processes. Restart your computer and try uninstalling again.

Will reinstalling Vanguard fix my game crashes?

Reinstalling Vanguard fixes crashes caused by corrupted Vanguard files or driver conflicts. If your game crashes for other reasons — like outdated graphics drivers or insufficient RAM — reinstalling Vanguard will not help. Update your graphics drivers and check your system requirements first.