Like most multiplayer games released in recent times, Valorant has also had a rocky start with tons of errors in the beta. One would assume the errors to disappear when the game fully released, but that’s not the case. In fact, we have a whole bunch of new error codes that’s not even acknowledged on the official website. If you find yourself in the same boat with the Valorant error code 128, we may be able to offer you some solution.
The entire error message reads, “VANGUARD NOT INITIALIZED. Vanguard Anti-Cheat has not been initialized. If this is your first time playing you will need to reboot your computer to continue. If you see this message frequently you may need to update your drivers. Error Details: Error Code: 128.”
As it’s clearly evident from the error message, the problem is with the anticheat of the game, the Vanguard. This independent anticheat software from Riot has been causing a lot of problems since the initial launch day. Here are some fix you can try.
How to Fix Valorant Error Code 128
We know that the Vanguard does not pair well with a number of other software including the Windows Defender. So, the first steps to fix the problem, you should suspend all other applications before launching the game and provide exclusion for Vanguard on Windows Firewall.
But, even before you do that, restart the system and check if the error is fixed. If not, reinstall Vanguard. You have to simply uninstall Vanguard and launch Valorant. The anticheat will be automatically downloaded. Restart the system and check if the error persists. Continue with the below fixes.
Perform a Clean Boot
In this step, we are going to terminate all the services running except the essential Microsoft services and disable the startup tasks.
- Press Windows Key + R and type msconfig, hit Enter
- Go to Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services
- Click on Disable all
- Go to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager link
- One by one disable all the startup tasks.
Restart the system and attempt to play the game. Hopefully, the Valorant error code 128 does not appear.
Set Exclusion on Windows Virus & Threat Protection
If the above fix did not resolve the error, try setting exclusion for Vanguard on the Windows Virus & threat protection. If the Windows security software detects the Vanguard as a malicious program, it can terminate some of its functions leading to the error. Here are the steps to set the exclusion.
- Press Windows Key + I and select Update & Security
- Click on Windows Security, select Virus & Threat Protection
- Under Virus & threat protection settings, click on Manage settings
- Locate Exclusions by scrolling down, click on Add or remove exclusions
- Click on Add an exclusion and select Folder
If you are using a third-party antivirus software, you must do the same on that software.
Restart Vanguard Services Manually
To perform this step, we have to first launch the Command Prompt with admin permission or in admin mode. Once you are in Command Prompt, run the command sc query vgc. This basically checks if the Vanguard services is available. If the result of the command is an error, it means Vanguard is not available on your system and you need to reinstall both Valorant and Vanguard. However, if it return vgc, enter the command net start vgc.
After performing the above steps, launch the game and the Valorant error code 128 is probably gone.
Change Boot Configuration Data Configuration
The BCD (Boot Configuration Data) describe boot applications and boot application settings. We will try to change some configuration in an attempt to resolve the Valorant error code 128. For this you need to open the Command Prompt in admin mode. Here are the steps:
- Press Windows Key + R and type cmd, not hit Shift + Ctrl + Enter simultaneously
- Type bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx OptIn and hit enter
- Type bcdedit.exe /set testsigning off and hit enter
- Type bcdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks off and hit enter
If you get the message “The value is protected by Secure Boot policy and cannot be modified or deleted”, then, you need to turn off secure boot option in the BIOS before you attempt the above fix. Once the process is complete, restart the system and launch Valorant. The error should be resolved.
Uninstall and Reinstall Valorant and Vanguard
If none of the above solutions have worked, the only fix available is to reinstall everything from scratch. As Vanguard is a separate piece of software, you will have to individually uninstall both Valorant and Vanguard.
Hopefully, the above solutions have worked for you. If you know a more effective solution for the 128 error code in Valorant, drop in the comments.
same with me dude help mee
When I typed *net start vgc* it says:
The vgc service is starting
The vgc service couldn’t be started
A system error has occurred.
System error 1 has occurred.
Incorrect function.
Help me !
same thing for me did you ever find a solution?
It was working normal but I installed driver for my Arduino UNO board which has not signed driver. After that this game starting to give this error message. I tried everything written on this page but none of them worked. Is there any other fix I can try… I even restored computer to 2 days back but it didn’t help as well.
I have the same problem. Anything that i found on the internet doesnt help.
quit this fucking useless game, one software fucked up the whole game, leads you to fucking 100 solutions.