Fix Vanguard Error VAN 57, VAN 68 and VAN 135 in VALORANT
Vanguard error VAN 57, VAN 68 and VAN 135 all mean Riot Vanguard failed to start or check in. Set the vgc service to Automatic first, then update Windows and fix your clock. Reinstall Vanguard if the code stays.
By Neeraj Singh ~6 min Updated Nov 2026 Checked against Riot Games Support and Microsoft Support
Error message
Vanguard Error: VAN 57. An unexpected error with Vanguard has occurred and the client will now close. / Connection Error: VALORANT has encountered a connection error. (VAN 68, VAN 135)
Summary
VAN 57 means Riot Vanguard is off or could not start correctly. VAN 68 means Vanguard lost the connection or session it needs while your game was starting or in progress. VAN 135 means Vanguard could not verify that your PC is ready to play. It can also mean Vanguard hit a problem while starting. Set the vgc service to Automatic and restart your PC first, since all three Riot pages list that step. Update Windows for VAN 135, fix your clock for VAN 68 and reinstall Vanguard if the code returns.
What VAN 57, VAN 68 and VAN 135 Mean
Riot Vanguard is the anti-cheat that starts before VALORANT opens. These three codes mean it failed at that step. Riot keeps a separate support page for all three.
VAN 57 closes the client with the message “An unexpected error with Vanguard has occurred.” Riot says Vanguard is off or could not start correctly.
VAN 68 and VAN 135 show one popup, “VALORANT has encountered a connection error.” Riot says VAN 68 means Vanguard lost a connection or session it needs. For VAN 135, Riot says Vanguard could not verify your PC or hit a problem while starting.
VAN -81 shows a similar popup. Check the minus sign in your code before you select a guide.
Common Causes of VAN 57, VAN 68 and VAN 135
The vgc service is set to Manual or stopped. Vanguard is then off when the game opens.
Vanguard or game files are corrupted or missing.
Background apps or services interfere with Vanguard.
Windows is missing updates that Vanguard needs (VAN 135).
The date, time or time zone is wrong (VAN 68).
Killer Network Service is active on your PC (VAN 68).
✓ How to fix it
Method 1
Set vgc to Automatic and Restart Your PC
1Press Win+R, type the command below and press Enter.
services.msc
2Find vgc in the list and open its properties. Set Startup type to Automatic and select Start if the service is stopped. Select Apply and OK.
3Restart your PC, open the Riot Client and start the game. If vgc was already Automatic, Riot still lists a restart as the next step. Riot's own steps are on its Set vgc to Automatic page.
4Skip this method if you turned on Vanguard Pre-Check, since Riot says Vanguard then starts with your game. Our vgc service guide explains Manual, Automatic and On-Demand modes.
Method 2
Update Windows to Clear VAN 135
1Select Start, open Settings and select Windows Update.
2Select Check for Windows updates. Select Download & install if updates appear. Microsoft lists the same steps on its Install Windows updates page.
3Restart your PC when Windows asks, then start the game. Riot lists this as the first step for VAN 135.
Method 3
Fix Your Clock and Killer Network Service for VAN 68
1Open Start, then Settings, then Time & language and Date & time. Switch on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically. Microsoft explains this on its time and time zone page.
2Open Killer Intelligence Center if it is installed and go to its settings. Switch off Killer Prioritization Engine, which older versions call Advanced Stream Detect.
3No Killer software? Press Win+R, enter services.msc and find Killer Network Service or Rivet Bandwidth Control. Open its properties, set Startup type to Disabled and select Apply and OK. Skip this step if neither service exists.
1Exit the game and the Riot Client. Right-click the red Vanguard icon in the system tray and select Exit Vanguard.
2Right-click the icon again, select Advanced and then Uninstall Vanguard. You can also open Command Prompt as administrator and enter these two lines, pressing Enter after every line.
sc delete vgc
sc delete vgk
3Restart your PC. Open File Explorer, go to C:\Program Files and delete any leftover Riot Vanguard folder.
1Press Win+R, type msconfig and press Enter. Open the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services.
2Select Disable All, then check the box next to vgc so Vanguard stays on. Select Apply.
3Open the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager. Write down every enabled app in Startup apps (Windows 11) or Startup (Windows 10) and disable them all.
4Close Task Manager, select OK and restart your PC. Start the game.
5Switch services and apps back on a few at a time, restarting and testing after every batch, until the code returns. The last item you added is the conflict. Riot explains this on its Perform a Clean Boot page.
Test after every method in the Practice Tool or a custom game, as Riot advises. A repeat error then never costs you a ranked match. Riot lists the same core fixes on its VAN 57, VAN 68 and VAN 135 pages. One method can clear all three.
Frequently asked questions
What does VAN 57 mean in VALORANT?
Riot says VAN 57 means Riot Vanguard is off or could not start correctly. The client closes with the message “An unexpected error with Vanguard has occurred.” Set the vgc service to Automatic and restart your PC first.
What does VAN 68 mean in VALORANT?
Riot says VAN 68 means Vanguard lost the connection or session it needs while the game was starting or in progress. The popup reads “VALORANT has encountered a connection error.” Fix your clock, set vgc to Automatic and check for Killer Network Service.
What does VAN 135 mean in VALORANT?
Riot says VAN 135 means Vanguard could not verify that your PC is ready to play. It can also mean Vanguard hit a problem while starting. Update Windows first and restart your PC. Then set vgc to Automatic.
Is VAN 135 a Secure Boot error?
Riot's VAN 135 page does not list Secure Boot among its steps. If your message says Secure Boot is required, you have VAN9003, which is a different error with its own fix.
Do VAN 68 and VAN 135 mean my internet is down?
Not always. Riot puts the connection check last on both pages, after the Vanguard fixes. Start with vgc, Windows updates and the clock before you test your router.
Do I need to reinstall VALORANT to fix these codes?
Reinstall Vanguard first. Riot lists a full game reinstall as one of the last steps on all three pages. It replaces corrupted or missing game files.
What if the code returns after every method?
Gather your logs with the Riot Repair Tool and submit a ticket to Riot Player Support. Riot asks for logs when the codes persist.
