VAN 293: Vanguard can't start or stay connected

Connection Error: VALORANT has encountered a connection error. Please relaunch the client to reconnect. Error Code: VAN 293

One of the minus codes, without the minus

If you're searching for VAN -293, you've probably read Riot's article. Its explanation line calls the code VAN -293, while the error players actually see (and the article's title) says VAN 293 with no minus sign. Either way it's the same page and the same fix.

That explanation is word for word the one Riot uses for VAN -72, -79, -81, -83, -92, -102 and -104: Vanguard struggling to start, to stay connected, or to confirm everything's ready while the game launches or runs. The step list is theirs too, in the same order, with one step missing. Those seven codes all have you check the Windows date, time and time zone right after the restart. VAN 293 doesn't.

So if the page for VAN -81 has already walked you through the same restart, service and reinstall routine, you've effectively done this one. The error can kick you out of a match as well as stop a launch, and in League it arrives with VALORANT's name on it because the two games share Vanguard.

Which step matters most

Riot orders the list quickest first and asks you to launch between steps. Its reasoning for the service step is simple. Unless you use Vanguard Pre-Check, vgc has to be on Automatic, or Vanguard won't be running when you press Play. The connection checklist sits last on purpose. Riot only sends you there once every Vanguard step has failed, and a ticket with your logs comes after that. Riot's VAN hub doesn't link to this article (it was last updated August 12, 2026).

Riot's fix, in Riot's order

1. Restart your PC

   A full restart, not a sign-out. Vanguard's driver loads when Windows boots, so a restart is the only thing that gives it a clean start.

2. Set the vgc service to Automatic

   Vanguard has two parts: a driver that loads at boot and a Windows service called vgc. If the service isn't running when you press Play, the game closes.

   1. Press Win+R, type services.msc and press Enter.
   2. Find vgc in the list and double-click it.
   3. Set Startup type to Automatic. If the status says Stopped, click Start.
   4. Apply, OK, then restart the PC.

   The exception is Vanguard Pre-Check, Riot's opt-in mode where Vanguard only runs while a game is open. It needs Windows 11 25H2 or newer plus Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, IOMMU, VBS and HVCI, and if you're on it you shouldn't force the service to Automatic.

   Riot's guide: Set the vgc service to Automatic

3. Uninstall Vanguard, restart, and let the game reinstall it

   1. Close the game and exit the Riot Client from the system tray.
   2. Right-click the red Vanguard icon in the tray, choose Advanced, then Uninstall Vanguard. If the icon isn't there, search Windows for Add or remove programs and uninstall Riot Vanguard from the list.
   3. Restart the PC. Vanguard is gone if its tray icon doesn't come back.
   4. Open the Riot Client and launch the game. It reinstalls Vanguard and will ask for one more restart before Play unlocks.

   Riot's guide: Uninstall Vanguard, restart, and let the game reinstall it

4. Do a clean boot

   This switches off every non-Microsoft service for one boot, so you can tell whether something in the background is the problem.

   1. Press Win+R, type msconfig and press Enter.
   2. On the Services tab, tick Hide all Microsoft services first (skip it and you'll switch off parts of Windows).
   3. Click Disable all, then tick vgc again so Vanguard still starts.
   4. Apply, OK, restart, and test.

   Some programs ignore a clean boot anyway, third-party antivirus and networking tools most of all. If the error goes away, turn services back on a few at a time until it returns, and you've found it.

   Riot's guide: Do a clean boot

5. Reinstall the game

   Uninstall from Windows' Installed apps list with the Riot Client closed. For a clean reinstall of League, Riot also has you delete the Riot Client folder under C:\Riot Games, the Riot Games folders under %localappdata% and %programdata%, and the League of Legends folder in Documents. That last one holds your replays, so copy them out first if you want them.

   Riot's guide: Reinstall the game

6. Work through Riot's connection checklist

   Last on Riot's list for a reason: only get here once the Vanguard steps above have failed. Riot's PC connection guide covers the usual suspects: a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi, restarting the router, switching to a public DNS, firewall exceptions for the Riot Client and game, and turning off VPNs.

   Riot's guide: Work through Riot's connection checklist

Related errors

• VAN -81
• VAN -102
• VAN -72
• VAN 57
• VAN 289

Source: Riot Games Player Support, Error VAN 293, updated August 12, 2026. Riot's steps are paraphrased here, not copied; checked September 25, 2026.