VALORANT Secure Boot error: How to fix Vanguard and enable Secure Boot

Image via Riot Games Category: Vanguard Boot Error fix. | Published: Aug 30, 2026 04:10 pm If VALORANT refuses to launch because Riot Vanguard says Secure Boot or UEFI is required, the problem is usually tied to your PC’s boot configuration. The quickest way to diagnose it is to check Windows System Information, confirm whether the PC uses UEFI, and then enable Secure Boot in the BIOS. Here is how to fix the VALORANT Secure Boot error. Quick Summary Check BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State in Windows System Information. Switch from Legacy/CSM to UEFI and enable Secure Boot in BIOS if required. If Secure Boot is already on, verify Windows detects it correctly before troubleshooting Vanguard further. Table of contentsHow to fix the VALORANT Secure Boot errorWhy Vanguard says Secure Boot is requiredSecure Boot is enabled but VALORANT still won’t launchDoes VALORANT require Secure Boot on Windows 11?VALORANT Secure Boot FAQs How to fix the VALORANT Secure Boot error Image via Riot Games The first thing to do is check what Windows currently reports. This prevents you from changing BIOS settings blindly. Here are a few ways to troubleshoot the error: Search for System Information in Windows: Open the Windows Start menu and type System Information, or press Windows + R, enter msinfo32, and press Enter to verify the Secure Boot state. Check BIOS Mode: In the System Information window, find BIOS Mode. If it says UEFI, your system is already using the modern firmware mode required for Secure Boot. If it says Legacy, you can’t enable Secure Boot until you change the boot configuration. Check Secure Boot State: Look directly below BIOS Mode for Secure Boot State. If it says On, Secure Boot is already active in Windows. If it says Off, you need to enable it through your PC’s UEFI firmware. Restart into BIOS/UEFI: You can usually enter BIOS by pressing a key such as Delete, F2, F10, F12, or Esc while the computer starts. Alternatively, Windows provides a UEFI firmware option through Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, followed by Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. Disable Legacy/CSM if required: In the firmware menu, look for CSM, Legacy Boot, or a similar option and disable it if your system is configured for Legacy mode. Secure Boot works with UEFI, and Microsoft specifically recommends switching from Legacy or CSM to UEFI when configuring Secure Boot. Important: If Windows is currently installed in Legacy mode, do not simply disable Legacy/CSM without checking your disk and boot configuration first. A system installed with a Legacy/MBR configuration may fail to boot after switching to UEFI. Back up important files and follow your motherboard or PC manufacturer’s instructions if you need to convert the installation. Enable Secure Boot: Find Secure Boot in the firmware menu and set it to Enabled. Depending on your hardware, it may appear under a Boot, Security, Authentication, or similar section. Save the changes and restart Windows: Choose the option to save changes and exit BIOS. Let Windows boot normally and then launch VALORANT again. The exact BIOS layout varies between manufacturers, so do not worry if your menu does not look exactly like another guide. Microsoft recommends checking the device manufacturer’s documentation when the required firmware options are difficult to locate. Why Vanguard says Secure Boot is required Image via Riot Games The Riot Vanguard performs security checks before allowing VALORANT to launch. Secure Boot is part of the trusted boot process, allowing the firmware to verify that approved, digitally signed software is loaded when Windows starts. This matters to Vanguard because software that loads before Windows can operate with a high level of system access. The developer has explained that Vanguard uses boot-level security checks to reduce opportunities for cheats to load before the anti-cheat can detect them. When the required security configuration is missing, or Windows cannot verify it correctly, Vanguard can block the game from launching instead of allowing the game to run on a system it cannot sufficiently trust for its anti-cheat to take effect in the matches. Secure Boot is enabled but VALORANT still won’t launch If you enabled Secure Boot in BIOS but Vanguard continues to show the error, do not assume the setting actually took effect. Windows is the best place to verify the final state. First, open System Information again and check both values: BIOS Mode: UEFI. Secure Boot State: On. If Secure Boot is enabled in BIOS but Windows still reports it as Off, check whether CSM or Legacy Boot remains enabled. Firmware can also have additional Secure Boot configuration or key settings that prevent Windows from recognizing the feature as active. After making any changes, save them properly and perform a full restart before launching VALORANT again. However, if Windows shows UEFI and Secure Boot State is turned on, but Vanguard still refuses to launch, then restart the PC once more and check the Vanguard notification for any additional requirements. On Windows 11, Vanguard can also enforce other security requirements depending on the specific error or restriction. The developer has expanded its boot-security checks beyond Secure Boot in some cases. You should only consider restarting or reinstalling Vanguard after confirming that the BIOS and Windows security settings are correct. Does VALORANT require Secure Boot on Windows 11? Image via Riot Games Yes, VALORANT requires Secure Boot on Windows 11 when Vanguard’s security checks require it. If you receive an error stating that Vanguard requires Secure Boot, enable it and ensure the system is running in UEFI mode. The short answer is that Vanguard may prevent the game from launching until the required boot-security configuration is active. Riot’s current security enforcement also means that some Vanguard restrictions can involve additional hardware and Windows security features. VALORANT Secure Boot FAQs Can I play VALORANT without Secure Boot? If Vanguard is specifically reporting that Secure Boot is required, VALORANT will not launch until the required security configuration is detected. Why does Secure Boot say unsupported? This can happen when the PC is using Legacy BIOS mode, CSM is enabled, or the hardware and firmware configuration does not support Secure Boot correctly. Check BIOS Mode in System Information and confirm it says UEFI. Is Secure Boot the same as TPM 2.0? No. They are separate security features. Secure Boot verifies trusted software during the boot process, while TPM 2.0 provides hardware-backed security functions. Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy