Encountering the VAN9003 error in Valorant can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you're geared up for a gaming session. This error typically indicates an issue with Valorant's anti-cheat system, Vanguard, often related to TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 and Secure Boot settings on your computer. But don't worry, guys! This guide will walk you through the steps to resolve this error and get you back into the game.

Understanding the VAN9003 Error

Before diving into the solutions, let's understand what the VAN9003 error means. This error commonly arises when Vanguard, Valorant's anti-cheat system, detects that TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are either disabled or not properly configured in your system's BIOS or UEFI settings. These security features are crucial for Vanguard to ensure the integrity of the game and prevent cheating. Without them, Vanguard might not be able to initialize correctly, leading to the dreaded VAN9003 error. Think of it like this: Vanguard is the bouncer at a club, and TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are the IDs. If the ID isn't valid, you're not getting in!

TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) is a hardware component or firmware that provides security-related functions. It's used to store encryption keys, digital certificates, and passwords, and helps ensure the integrity of the system by verifying that the boot process hasn't been tampered with. Secure Boot is a feature of the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) that ensures only trusted and signed software can run during the boot process. This prevents malware from loading during startup and compromising the system's security. Together, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot create a secure environment that Vanguard relies on to protect Valorant from cheaters. So, when these features aren't enabled or configured correctly, Vanguard throws the VAN9003 error to prevent potential security risks. Keep reading to find out how to enable and configure them properly.

Prerequisites: Checking TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot Status

Before making any changes to your system's settings, it's essential to verify whether TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled. Here’s how you can check their status:

Checking TPM 2.0 Status

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type tpm.msc and press Enter. This will open the TPM Management window.
3. Look for the “Status” section. If TPM is enabled, it will say “The TPM is ready for use.” You'll also see the TPM version listed under “TPM Manufacturer Information.” Ensure that the version is 2.0 or higher. If you see a message saying “Compatible TPM cannot be found” or the version is less than 2.0, you may need to enable TPM in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Sometimes, especially on older systems, the TPM might be present but disabled by default.

If TPM is enabled and the version is 2.0 or higher, that's great! You can move on to checking the Secure Boot status. However, if TPM is not enabled, make a note of it because you'll need to address this in the BIOS/UEFI settings later. Ensuring TPM 2.0 is enabled is a crucial step in resolving the VAN9003 error, as Vanguard relies on it for security and integrity checks. So, take a moment to verify the TPM status before proceeding further. If you skip this step, you might end up troubleshooting other areas unnecessarily. Take the time to double-check, and you'll save yourself a lot of headaches in the long run.

Checking Secure Boot Status

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter. This will open the System Information window.
3. In the System Information window, look for the “Secure Boot State” entry. If Secure Boot is enabled, it will say “Secure Boot State: On.” If it says “Secure Boot State: Off,” you'll need to enable Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI settings.

Checking the Secure Boot status is just as important as checking the TPM status. Secure Boot ensures that only trusted software can run during the boot process, which is a critical security measure that Vanguard depends on. If Secure Boot is disabled, Vanguard may flag it as a potential security risk and trigger the VAN9003 error. So, make sure to verify the Secure Boot status and take note of whether it's enabled or disabled. If it's disabled, don't worry; we'll cover how to enable it in the BIOS/UEFI settings in the next section. Just remember that both TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot need to be enabled for Vanguard to function correctly and for you to enjoy playing Valorant without interruptions. Taking the time to check these settings beforehand will help you streamline the troubleshooting process and get you back into the game faster.

Solution 1: Enabling TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI

The most common fix for the VAN9003 error involves enabling TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings. Accessing these settings usually requires pressing a specific key during startup. Here’s how to do it:

1. Restart Your Computer: Start by completely shutting down and restarting your computer. This is essential because you need to access the BIOS/UEFI settings during the startup process.
2. Enter BIOS/UEFI Settings: As your computer restarts, watch for a prompt that tells you which key to press to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings. Common keys include Del, F2, F12, Esc, or other function keys. The specific key varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer, so pay close attention to the startup screen. Press the key repeatedly until you enter the BIOS/UEFI setup utility. If you miss the prompt, simply restart your computer and try again.
3. Navigate to Security Settings: Once you're in the BIOS/UEFI setup utility, navigate to the “Security” or “Boot” section. The exact location of these settings may vary depending on the BIOS/UEFI version, but they are usually found under a section related to security or boot options. Use the arrow keys to navigate and the Enter key to select options.
4. Enable TPM 2.0: Look for an option related to TPM (Trusted Platform Module). It might be labeled as “TPM,” “Intel PTT,” or “AMD fTPM.” Enable this option to activate TPM 2.0. If you see multiple TPM options, make sure to select the one that corresponds to TPM 2.0. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings. Keep in mind that the terminology might differ slightly based on your motherboard manufacturer, but the underlying concept remains the same.
5. Enable Secure Boot: In the same “Security” or “Boot” section, look for the “Secure Boot” option. Enable this option to activate Secure Boot. You might need to set the “Boot Mode” to “UEFI” if it's currently set to “Legacy” or “CSM” (Compatibility Support Module). Secure Boot ensures that only trusted software can run during the boot process, which is crucial for Vanguard to function correctly. Once you've enabled Secure Boot, save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings.
6. Save Changes and Exit: After enabling TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, make sure to save the changes before exiting the BIOS/UEFI setup utility. Look for an option like “Save & Exit” or “Exit Saving Changes.” Select this option to save your settings and restart your computer.
7. Restart Your Computer: Allow your computer to restart normally. After the restart, check if the VAN9003 error is resolved. If everything went smoothly, Vanguard should now be able to initialize correctly, and you should be able to launch and play Valorant without any issues. If the error persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution 2: Ensuring UEFI Boot Mode

Valorant requires your system to boot in UEFI mode for Vanguard to function correctly. If your system is booting in Legacy or CSM mode, you might encounter the VAN9003 error. Here’s how to ensure UEFI boot mode:

1. Access BIOS/UEFI Settings: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings as described in Solution 1. Press the appropriate key during startup to access the setup utility.
2. Navigate to Boot Options: Once you're in the BIOS/UEFI settings, navigate to the “Boot” section. This section contains settings related to the boot process and boot order.
3. Check Boot Mode: Look for an option related to “Boot Mode” or “Boot Type.” If it's set to “Legacy,” “CSM,” or “Compatibility Mode,” you need to change it to “UEFI.” UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a modern standard that offers improved security and performance compared to Legacy BIOS.
4. Change Boot Mode to UEFI: Select the “Boot Mode” option and change it to “UEFI.” Some BIOS/UEFI versions might have slightly different names for this setting, but the goal is to ensure that your system is booting in UEFI mode. If you don't see a direct option to change the boot mode, look for a setting that enables or disables CSM (Compatibility Support Module). Disabling CSM will typically force the system to boot in UEFI mode.
5. Save Changes and Exit: After changing the boot mode to UEFI, save the changes before exiting the BIOS/UEFI setup utility. Look for an option like “Save & Exit” or “Exit Saving Changes.” Select this option to save your settings and restart your computer.
6. Restart Your Computer: Allow your computer to restart normally. After the restart, check if the VAN9003 error is resolved. Booting in UEFI mode is crucial for Vanguard to function correctly, so ensuring this setting is properly configured can often resolve the issue. If the error persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution 3: Reinstalling Vanguard

Sometimes, the VAN9003 error can occur due to corrupted or improperly installed Vanguard files. Reinstalling Vanguard can help resolve these issues:

1. Uninstall Vanguard:
   • Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
   • Go to “Apps” and then “Apps & features.”
   • Find “Riot Vanguard” in the list of installed apps.
   • Click on “Riot Vanguard” and select “Uninstall.”
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall Vanguard. You may need to restart your computer after uninstalling.
2. Restart Your Computer: After uninstalling Vanguard, restart your computer to ensure that all Vanguard-related processes are terminated.
3. Launch Valorant: Launch the Valorant game client. When you launch Valorant, it will automatically detect that Vanguard is not installed and prompt you to install it.
4. Install Vanguard: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Vanguard. Make sure to allow Vanguard to make changes to your system during the installation process.
5. Restart Your Computer: After installing Vanguard, restart your computer again to ensure that all Vanguard-related services are running correctly.
6. Launch Valorant: Launch Valorant again and check if the VAN9003 error is resolved. Reinstalling Vanguard can often fix issues caused by corrupted or improperly installed files, allowing Vanguard to initialize correctly and resolve the error.

Solution 4: Updating Windows

An outdated operating system can sometimes cause compatibility issues with Vanguard, leading to the VAN9003 error. Keeping your Windows installation up to date can help resolve these issues:

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to “Update & Security” and then “Windows Update.”
3. Click on “Check for updates.” Windows will automatically check for and download any available updates.
4. Install Updates: If there are updates available, install them. You may need to restart your computer several times during the update process.
5. Restart Your Computer: After installing all available updates, restart your computer to ensure that the updates are applied correctly.
6. Launch Valorant: Launch Valorant and check if the VAN9003 error is resolved. Updating Windows can often fix compatibility issues with Vanguard and ensure that all necessary system components are up to date, resolving the error.

Solution 5: Disabling Conflicting Software

Certain software, such as virtualization tools or third-party anti-cheat programs, can conflict with Vanguard and cause the VAN9003 error. Disabling these programs can help resolve the issue:

1. Identify Conflicting Software: Identify any software that might be interfering with Vanguard. Common culprits include virtualization tools like VirtualBox or VMware, as well as third-party anti-cheat programs.
2. Disable Conflicting Software: Disable or uninstall the identified software. If you're not sure which software is causing the issue, try disabling programs one by one and checking if the VAN9003 error is resolved after each disable.
3. Restart Your Computer: After disabling the conflicting software, restart your computer to ensure that the changes are applied correctly.
4. Launch Valorant: Launch Valorant and check if the VAN9003 error is resolved. Disabling conflicting software can often prevent interference with Vanguard and allow it to initialize correctly, resolving the error.

Conclusion

The VAN9003 error in Valorant can be a real pain, but by following these solutions, you should be able to get back into the game in no time. Remember to check your TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot status, enable them in your BIOS/UEFI settings, ensure UEFI boot mode, reinstall Vanguard, update Windows, and disable any conflicting software. With a little patience and troubleshooting, you'll be back to dominating the Valorant arena! Happy gaming, guys!