VAN -104 in VALORANT: Vanguard couldn't hold its connection

Connection Error: VALORANT has encountered a connection error. Please relaunch the client to reconnect. Error Code: VAN -104

-104 and Vanguard Pre-Check

VAN -104 shares its explanation and its seven steps with five other negative codes, so the fix below is the same one Riot gives for -81 and the rest. One step deserves a closer read if you've changed Vanguard's settings. Step three asks you to set the vgc service to Automatic, unless you use Vanguard Pre-Check, the opt-in mode that starts Vanguard only while a game is open. On Pre-Check, skip that change.

Pre-Check has its own requirements (Windows 11 25H2 or newer with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 and the virtualization security features switched on). If you turned it on and VALORANT has been throwing negative VAN codes since, our League section has a page on what Pre-Check needs, and it applies to VALORANT too.

When nothing works

After the network checklist, Riot's last answer is a ticket with logs. Mention every code you've seen, not only -104. The pattern can help Riot's support team more than any single number.

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

   Close the Riot Client first, then uninstall VALORANT from Windows' Installed apps list. For a clean reinstall, Riot's guide has you remove the VALORANT and Riot Client folders inside C:\Riot Games, empty the Recycle Bin, then delete the Riot Games and VALORANT folders under %localappdata%. Restart, then download the installer again from Riot's site.

   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

Riot's Vanguard Pre-Check requirements: Vanguard Pre-Check requirements explained.

Related VALORANT errors

• VAN -72
• VAN -79
• VAN -81
• VAN -92
• VAN -102

Source: Riot Games Player Support, Error VAN -104, updated July 9, 2026. Riot's steps are paraphrased here, not copied; checked October 8, 2026.