VALORANT won't open
When VALORANT refuses to open, the game itself is rarely the problem. Riot Vanguard has to be running before the game will start, and it has requirements the game doesn't — which is why this fails on machines that run everything else fine.
What causes it
Vanguard isn't running
Vanguard loads as a driver at boot. If it isn't running, VALORANT won't start at all. The tray icon tells you: no icon means no Vanguard.
The machine hasn't restarted since Vanguard installed or updated
Vanguard's driver can only load during boot. After an install or update it needs a full restart, and until then the game refuses to launch.
Secure Boot or TPM is disabled
Vanguard requires both on Windows 11. If either is off, the game won't start and the error usually points at Vanguard rather than at the real cause in your BIOS.
Another anti-cheat or virtualisation tool is conflicting
Vanguard refuses to run alongside some virtualisation software and certain other anti-cheat drivers, because it can't verify the environment.
How to fix it
In order — the earlier steps are both quicker and more likely to work, so there’s no reason to skip ahead.
- 1
Restart the machine
Not a shutdown, a restart. This resolves a large share of cases on its own, because it's the only way Vanguard's driver loads after an update.
- 2
Check the Vanguard tray icon
Look for it near the clock. If it isn't there, Vanguard isn't running and the game will not start no matter what else you try.
- 3
Reinstall Vanguard
Uninstall Riot Vanguard from Installed apps, restart, then launch VALORANT — it reinstalls Vanguard automatically. This clears a corrupted install without touching the game.
- 4
Confirm Secure Boot and TPM are enabled
Run 'msinfo32' and check Secure Boot State. If it's off, it has to be enabled in your BIOS — and because BIOS layouts differ by motherboard, check your manufacturer's instructions rather than a generic walkthrough.
Common questions
Why does VALORANT not open even though it's installed?
Because Vanguard, not the game, is what's failing. Vanguard is separate software with its own driver that must be loaded at boot, and VALORANT refuses to start without it.
Does reinstalling VALORANT fix it?
Usually not, and it's a slow thing to try first. The problem is almost always Vanguard, so reinstalling Vanguard alone is faster and more likely to work.