Valorant Vgk.sys Blue Screen Error | Fixed in 9 Ways

Updated by

Linda 

Updated on April 25, 2024

Valorant is a free-to-play first-person hero shooter game developed and published by Riot Games. It has gained significant popularity among gamers worldwide. However, numerous players have encountered a "vgk.sys blue screen" error, which occurs when they attempt to launch, load, or play the game.

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) can be caused by various reasons, and it displays several different error codes, such as:

• SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
• KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
• CRITICAL PROCESS DIED
• PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA

If you're encountering one of these errors or other issues, read this article from tools to learn 9 solutions for getting Valorant back on track.

?Hot Post: How to Uninstall Valorant [Free & Completely]

9 Solutions to Fix Vgk.sys Blue Screen Error

This BSOD typically won't lead to a boot issue on a Windows PC, as the system recovers upon restarting. However, when it comes to Valorant, the vgk.sys blue screen error may persistently reappear, which can be frustrating. Continue reading and attempt the solutions below to address this problem.

1. Method 1: Repair Valorant in Riot Client
2. Method 2: Reinstall Vanguard and Verify the Service
3. Method 3: Install Windows on a GPT Disk
4. Method 4: Update Windows and Drivers
5. Method 5: Grant Full Control to Vgk.sys
6. Method 6: Disable Virtualization-based Security
7. Method 7: Run Boot Repair with Partition Master Tool
8. Method 8: Uninstall and Reinstall Valorant
9. Method 9: Reset Windows

Way 1. Repair Valorant through the Riot Client

The final method is to repair Valorant through the Riot client. Although it might not be as effective in fixing Vanguard issues, it's still worth attempting.

Step 1. Open the Riot client. Click on the Profile icon and choose Settings.

Step 2. Choose Valorant and click the Repair button.

Step 3. Wait for the error to be fixed, then restart your game.

Way 2: Reinstall Vanguard and Verify the Service

One possible reason for the vgk.sys failure could be an issue with the anti-cheat software, Vanguard. Numerous players have reported that Vanguard negatively impacts their gaming experience or causes unforeseen problems. Therefore, you can attempt to reinstall Vanguard and ensure that its services are correctly configured.

Step 1. Open the Start menu and navigate to "Apps" > "Apps & features."

Step 2. Search for Vanguard and then uninstall it.

Step 3. Launch Valorant, and it will automatically download and reinstall Vanguard. Check if the BSOD issue persists. If it does, proceed to the next step.

Step 4. Type services in the search bar and open it.

Step 5. Locate vgc, right-click on it, and choose "Properties."

Step 6. Set the Startup type as "Automatic" or "Manual," then click "Start." Next, click "Apply" and "OK."

Now, run the game and see if it works. If not, proceed to the next method.

Way 3: Install Windows on a GPT Disk

If your Windows 11/10 is installed on an MBR disk, you might encounter the vgk.sys Blue Screen of Death issue. Although Windows 11/10 can still be installed on MBR disks, the most suitable partition style for the Windows 11/10 operating system is GPT. Therefore, if your Windows OS is on an MBR disk, you can attempt to convert the MBR disk to GPT to address this issue.

The conventional approach will consume a significant amount of time and energy because it entails re-installing Windows and your applications on the disk. To accomplish this without re-installing Windows, you can utilize reliable software such as tools Partition Master Professional.

Its Disk Converter feature can assist you in converting a disk from MBR to GPT with just a few straightforward clicks. Before proceeding with the task, it's essential to check the BIOS Mode first to determine which boot mode your PC is utilizing.

Related article: How to Know If Windows is Using UEFI or Legacy (1min-Check)

#1. Perform the Disk Converter

Step 1. Download and launch tools Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. Proceed to Disk Converter and choose "Convert MBR to GPT," then click "Next" to proceed.

Step 3. Select the target MBR disk that you want to convert to GPT, and click "Convert" to start the conversion process.

#2. Check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot Make sure your system has both Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled. These features are essential for the Windows 11 upgrade, as they ensure enhanced security and integrity of the operating system. To verify, go to your BIOS or UEFI settings and look for the respective options.

Upon completion of the process, you should verify TPM 2.0 and activate Secure Boot, as Valorant necessitates their activation on the Windows 11 operating system. Refer to the following articles for guidance and additional information.

Way 4: Update Windows and Drivers

Outdated Windows systems and drivers, particularly the graphics driver, can impact the launching and performance of Valorant. By performing Windows updates and updating your drivers, you can enhance your computer's performance, which may ultimately enable your PC to run Valorant smoothly without any issues.

For Windows updates, you can navigate to "Settings" > "Windows Update" and scan for available updates. If a new patch is available, it should be displayed there.

For graphics drivers, you can visit the official sites of NVIDIA Driver or AMD Drivers to install the suitable driver for your computer.

Way 5: Grant Full Control to Vgk.sys

The vgk.sys blue screen error might occur if Vanguard lacks advanced permissions on your computer. Hence, the second approach you can attempt is to grant full control to vgk.sys.

Step 1. Navigate to the Riot Vanguard directory. The default folder location is:

C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard This is the path to the Riot Vanguard folder on a Windows computer. In English, it would be translated as:

C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard

Step 2. Right-click on vgk.sys and select "Properties."

Step 3. Navigate to the Security tab and click on "Edit."

Step 4. Grant "Full control" to all users. Then, click "Apply" and "OK."

Step 5. Restart your computer and open Valorant.

By doing so, you should be able to restore the Vanguard anti-cheat service to its normal state.

Don't forget to share this informative article with practical solutions on your social media to help more Valorant players.

Way 6: Disable Virtualization-based Security

There's another proven method to resolve the error and eliminate the vgk.sys BSOD issue: disabling Virtualization-based security. The Virtualization-based Security features in Windows 11 might impact gaming performance or even lead to problems like the vgk.sys blue screen. Disabling it can improve gaming performance and reduce the risk of system failures.

Step 1. Search for and open Turn Windows features on or off in the search bar.

Step 2. Locate and uncheck "Hyper-V," "Microsoft Defender Application Guard," "Virtual Machine Platform," and "Windows Hypervisor Platform."

Step 3. Click "OK," then restart your PC to complete the process.

Step 4. Press "F1", "F2", "F10", "F12", "Delete", or "Escape" to enter BIOS.

Step 5. Navigate to the Advanced tab and disable the Virtualization option. Save the changes and exit.

(These settings may vary depending on the motherboard.)

Way 7. Run Boot Repair through Partition Master Tools

Sometimes, Valorant may fail to launch properly due to issues with certain system files. However, it can be difficult to identify the source of a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error. In such cases, you can use the Boot Repair feature in Partition Master工具 to automatically detect and fix the error.

Step 1. Connect the external drive/USB to your computer and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Go to "Bootable Media" and click "Create Bootable Media."

Step 2. Choose an available USB drive or CD/DVD and click "Create." You can also burn the Windows ISO file to the storage medium.

Step 3. Connect the created bootable drive to the new computer and restart the computer by pressing and holding F2 or Del to enter the BIOS. Then, set the WinPE bootable drive as the boot disk and press F10 to exit.

Step 4. Restart the computer and enter the WinPE interface. Then, open the Partition Master tool and click on "Boot Repair" under the "Toolkit" option.

Step 5: Choose the system you wish to repair and click "Repair."

Step 6. Wait a moment, and you will receive a notification that the system has been successfully repaired. Click "OK" to finish the boot repair process.

Download this powerful tool and experience the joy of Valorant again by trying both methods it offers.

Way 8: Uninstall and Reinstall Valorant

Uninstalling and then reinstalling Valorant might also resolve the vgk.sys failure issue. For thoroughness, it's advisable to uninstall and reinstall the Riot client as well to ensure a complete file replacement.

Step 1. Search for "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar and open it.

Step 2. Go to "Programs" > "Uninstall a program."

Step 3. Locate and uninstall "Riot Vanguard," "Valorant," and "Riot Client" in that order.

Step 4. Once they're completely uninstalled, visit the official website of Riot Games to download the Riot client and reinstall Valorant.

Way 9. Reset Windows

If none of the above methods help you fix the vgk.sys blue screen issue, your last resort would be to reset your PC, hoping it will correct any incompatible files and configurations.

Step 1. Open Settings, navigate to "System" > "Recovery," and click "Restart now" under the "Advanced startup" tab.

Step 2. Go to "Troubleshoot" > "Reset this PC."

Step 3. Select "Keep my files" and follow the instructions to reset your PC.

Hopefully, these solutions will assist in resolving the BSOD error and enable you to run Valorant smoothly. If, after attempting all methods, you still cannot launch Valorant normally, reach out to Riot's official customer support for technical assistance.

You can share this informative article on your social media to help more Valorant players.

Possible Causes for Vgk.sys Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

There are numerous reasons that could lead to the vgk.sys file failing when you attempt to launch, load, or play Valorant. The most frequent factors include:

• Vanguard service failure. If the Vanguard anti-cheat service isn't enabled properly, it could affect the game and lead to unexpected issues.
• Corrupted files. When a bug occurs in the game, it might result in corrupted game files, preventing you from launching Valorant as usual. However, these通常 get fixed after an update with new patches and bug resolutions.
• Driver issues. Outdated or incompatible drivers can impact gaming performance and even stop the game from running normally. Occasionally, newly updated drivers with bugs or incorrect settings can also cause such problems.

Conclusion

The Valorant vgk.sys blue screen issue is a prevalent concern among global gamers, frequently discussed in forums. To aid gamers in overcoming error disruptions, this article presents 9 solutions. A fundamental prerequisite is to run Valorant on Windows 11 or 10, as it no longer supports Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 due to security reasons.

If you're unable to properly launch Valorant due to the operating system being installed on an MBR disk, you can utilize the tool Partition Master. With its help, you can convert an MBR disk to GPT without having to re-install Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Vgk.sys Blue Screen

If you have other questions pertaining to the vgk.sys blue screen or Valorant, feel free to consult the FAQs below. You might find the answers you're seeking there.

1. How do I clean the Riot client?

If you wish to uninstall the Riot client and thoroughly remove all its data, you should manually delete specific files following the uninstallation process.

Open File Explorer. Navigate to the path: C:\Users\User_Name\AppData\Local\Riot Games. Delete the folder and empty the Recycling Bin.

2. What is VGK PC?

Vgk.sys is a critical file associated with the Vanguard anti-cheat software. Most Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors are related to issues with vgk.sys. The usual solution to fix this problem involves updating Windows and re-installing the Vanguard anti-cheat engine.

3. How to resolve Valorant TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot errors?

If you receive a message stating that Vanguard requires secure boot to be enabled for gameplay, you'll need to verify that TPM 2.0 and secure boot are activated.

Translate the following text into English:
• Open Settings, go to "System" > "Recovery," and click "Restart now" under the "Advanced startup" tab.
• Navigate to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "UEFI Firmware settings."
• Click the "Restart" button. Afterwards, access the advanced/security/boot settings page.
• Locate the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot options, and set them to "Enabled."

However, if you've bypassed Secure Boot and TPM requirements on Windows 11, you'll need to either upgrade to meet the system requirements or revert to Windows 10 to be able to play Valorant.