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What Is the VGC Service in Valorant? Manual or Automatic

VGC is the Vanguard user-mode service that Windows starts for VALORANT and other Riot games. Riot says set it to Automatic in services.msc unless you enabled Vanguard On-Demand. Jump to your situation below or work through the methods in order.

By Neeraj Singh ~5 min Updated Nov 2026 Checked against EA Help
Error message
Windows could not start the vgc service on Local Computer.
Summary

VGC is the Windows service behind Riot Vanguard, the user-mode part that works with the vgk.sys driver and Riot's servers. Riot tells you to set its Startup type to Automatic so it starts with Windows. Manual starts vgc only when something asks for it and Disabled blocks it, and VALORANT cannot start while vgc is stopped. Skip Automatic only if you enabled Vanguard On-Demand, which launches Vanguard with your Riot game. Open services.msc, double-click vgc, set Automatic, select Start and restart your PC.

What the VGC service does

VGC is the user-space part of Riot Vanguard. It sits between the vgk.sys kernel driver, your Riot game and Riot's servers, and VALORANT will not start while it is stopped.

Windows lists the file as vgc.exe with the description Vanguard user-mode service, signed by Riot Games, Inc. It sits in a folder under C:\Program Files, normally C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.

Automatic starts vgc at boot, so it is ready before you open a Riot game. Manual starts it only when something requests it and Disabled blocks it completely.

When to check the VGC setting

VALORANT reports Vanguard not initialized or a VAN error.
Windows says it could not start the vgc service on Local Computer.
vgc shows Manual or Disabled in services.msc.
vgc is missing from the Services list.
You enabled Vanguard On-Demand and want to know if vgc still needs Automatic.

✓ How to fix it

Method 1

Set vgc to Automatic

1Press Windows key + R, enter this and press Enter.
services.msc
2Find vgc in the Services window and double-click it.
3Set Startup type to Automatic. If Service status shows Stopped, select Start.
4Select Apply, select OK and restart your PC.
5Open the Riot Client and start your game again. Riot lists the same steps on its Set VGC as Automatic page on Riot Support.
Method 2

Check that vgc.exe is the real file

1In services.msc, double-click vgc and read the Path to executable box.
2Confirm the path points to a folder under C:\Program Files, normally C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.
3Right-click vgc.exe in that folder, select Properties and open the Digital Signatures tab. It should list Riot Games, Inc.
4If the path or signature does not match, scan the PC with Windows Security and use Method 3 to install Vanguard again.
Method 3

Reinstall Vanguard when vgc is missing or will not start

1Close VALORANT and the Riot Client.
2Open Settings, select Apps, then Installed apps and uninstall Riot Vanguard.
3Restart your PC, open the Riot Client and start your game. Vanguard installs again with the game.
4Set vgc to Automatic with Method 1 and restart once more.
Method 4

Switch to Vanguard On-Demand instead

1Check that your PC meets the Pre-Check list, which covers Windows 11 25H2, UEFI with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, VBS, HVCI and IOMMU.
2Open the Vanguard tray tool, which tells you whether your PC is eligible. Riot explains the full list on its Vanguard Pre-Check page on Riot Support.
3Follow the prompts to enable on-demand mode. Riot says Vanguard then launches when you start a Riot game, so you skip Method 1.
4Riot calls Pre-Check optional. VBS and HVCI can lower FPS slightly, so keep vgc on Automatic if you want the standard always-on setup.

VGC is the Windows service behind Riot Vanguard. Riot says set its Startup type to Automatic in services.msc, select Start if it shows Stopped, apply and restart your PC. If you enabled Vanguard On-Demand, Riot says Vanguard launches when you start a Riot game instead. Reinstall Vanguard when vgc is missing from the Services list.

Frequently asked questions

Should the VGC service be Manual or Automatic?
Riot says set vgc to Automatic so it starts with Windows and is ready before you open a Riot game. If you enabled Vanguard Pre-Check, Riot says Vanguard launches on demand when you start a Riot game instead, so the Automatic steps apply only when you have not enabled it.
What is the VGC service in Valorant?
VGC is the user-mode service of Riot Vanguard. It works with the vgk.sys driver, your Riot game and Riot's servers, and VALORANT cannot start while it is stopped.
Is vgc.exe a virus?
No, when it is the real file. vgc.exe is Riot's Vanguard user-mode service, signed by Riot Games, Inc., and it sits in a folder under C:\Program Files, normally Riot Vanguard. Check the path and the digital signature if you find a copy anywhere else.
Why is vgc missing from the Services list?
Vanguard is not installed or its files were removed. Uninstall Riot Vanguard from Installed apps if it is half installed, restart your PC and start VALORANT from the Riot Client, which installs Vanguard again.
What is the difference between vgc and vgk?
vgk.sys is the kernel driver that loads with Windows, and vgc is the user-mode Windows service that works alongside it.
Can I disable the VGC service?
You can, but VALORANT and other Riot games that use Vanguard will not start while vgc is disabled. Set it back to Automatic before you play.

Still not working?

If vgc still stops or will not start, Vanguard Not Initialized and VAN -81 Vanguard service cover the next steps. You can also submit your error to us for a tailored fix.

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