VAN 6: Vanguard hit a problem while starting

Connection Error: VALORANT has encountered a connection error. Please relaunch the client to reconnect. Error Code: VAN 6

Two families, one tail

If you've already been through a negative VAN code like -81 or -104, VAN 6 will look familiar. Riot runs two big shared fix lists for Vanguard, one for the seven negative codes and one for VAN 6 and five others, and their last five steps are identical: the vgc service, a Vanguard reinstall, a clean boot, a game reinstall and the network checklist.

Only the opening differs. The negative codes start with a restart and a clock check. VAN 6 starts with Windows Update instead, since Riot says Vanguard relies on the security and service changes those updates bring. So if you worked the -81 list last week, the new part for you is the update.

Where it can show up

Riot's example is a player kicked out of a game with VAN 6, so it isn't limited to launch. The message says VALORANT because the article is shared across both of Riot's Vanguard games. Riot hasn't said what separates VAN 6 from VAN 0 or the rest of its group; the explanation and the steps match word for word.

Riot's fix, in Riot's order

1. Install every pending Windows update

   Open Settings, then Windows Update, and keep installing and restarting until it says you're up to date. Vanguard's checks lean on security components that ship in those updates, and optional driver updates are worth a look while you're there.

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 0
• VAN 84
• VAN 133
• VAN 135
• VAN 2266
• VAN -81

Source: Riot Games Player Support, Error VAN 6, updated July 8, 2026. Riot's steps are paraphrased here, not copied; checked September 25, 2026.