VAN -79: Vanguard couldn't hold on while the game ran

Connection Error: VALORANT has encountered a connection error. Please relaunch the client to reconnect. Error Code: VAN -79

When it hits in the middle of a game

Riot's explanation for VAN -79 covers the whole session, from the moment you launch to the moment the match ends. Vanguard either couldn't get going, couldn't stay connected, or couldn't confirm the PC was ready, and the game closed. Riot's own example of a player asking about it is someone whose game crashed. The text is shared word for word with six other negative codes, and so is the fix.

A crash that only happens in a live match is a nuisance to test. Riot wants you to launch after every step, and on two related Vanguard articles (VAN 59 and VAN 193) it suggests doing that in the Practice Tool or a custom game, where a repeat of the error doesn't cost a matchmade game or risk a penalty. Do the same here. Play long enough in the Practice Tool to reach the point where -79 used to hit you before you queue up again.

What the clean boot is for

Step five is the one that can tell you why. A clean boot switches off every non-Microsoft service for a single restart, and Riot includes it because background apps and services can interfere with Vanguard. If -79 disappears on a clean boot, you haven't fixed it yet: turn services back on a few at a time until it returns, and you've found the program behind it. Only move on to the game reinstall in step six if the clean boot changes nothing.

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. Check the date, time and time zone

   A clock that's off breaks the secure connections Vanguard makes on launch. In Settings, under Time & language, turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically, then hit Sync now.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 -83
• VAN -92
• VAN -104
• VAN 59

Source: Riot Games Player Support, Error VAN -79, updated July 10, 2026. Riot's steps are paraphrased here, not copied; checked September 25, 2026.