What Is the VAN 84 Error
VAN 84 is an error code thrown by Riot's Vanguard anti-cheat system in Valorant. It means Vanguard is unable to start its kernel-level protected mode. The most common underlying cause is that Vanguard was denied the permissions it needs, or the system configuration doesn't meet its security requirements.
This error appears on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, typically after a Windows update, a game reinstall, or changes made in the BIOS.
Root Causes of VAN 84
1. Vanguard not running as a system service Vanguard is designed to launch alongside Windows as a kernel service. If the service is disabled or its startup type has been changed, VAN 84 will appear.
2. Software conflict Antivirus programs, system monitoring tools (HWiNFO, MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner), and some virtual machines can block Vanguard's kernel driver.
3. Driver incompatibility Outdated or corrupted drivers — particularly for network adapters and chipsets — can conflict with Vanguard's kernel module.
4. BIOS / TPM configuration issue On some system configurations, Vanguard requires TPM 2.0 or specific Secure Boot settings to be active.
Step-by-Step Fix
Step 1 — Restart your computer Vanguard starts with Windows. A simple reboot resolves the issue in roughly 30% of cases.
Step 2 — Check Vanguard services
Press Win + R, type services.msc. Find vgc and vgk. Make sure both are set to startup type "Automatic." If either is "Disabled," change it, then start the service manually.
Step 3 — Disable conflicting software Temporarily disable your antivirus, close HWiNFO, MSI Afterburner, and RivaTuner Statistics Server. Reboot and launch Valorant.
Step 4 — Reinstall Vanguard Uninstall Valorant via "Add or Remove Programs." Also uninstall "Riot Vanguard" as a separate entry in the same list. Reboot your PC, then reinstall Valorant fresh.
Step 5 — Update your drivers Update chipset drivers from your motherboard manufacturer's official website. Update your network adapter driver as well.
Step 6 — Check BIOS settings Enter BIOS (usually Del or F2 at boot). Ensure Secure Boot is enabled and TPM 2.0 is active (Intel PTT or AMD fTPM). Save and reboot.
Frequently Asked Questions
VAN 84 only appeared after a Windows update — why? Windows updates can modify security settings or reset service configurations. After an update, work through steps 2–6 above.
Does disabling Secure Boot fix VAN 84? No. Valorant requires Secure Boot to be enabled. Disabling it will not resolve VAN 84 and may cause additional issues on Windows 11.
The error came back after a few days — what now? A conflicting program is likely restarting at boot. Add Valorant and Vanguard to your antivirus exclusions and remove the conflicting software from your startup list.
While you sort out the error, top up your balance ahead of time. On Marix, Valorant Points are always in stock and credited instantly after activation.