van 81
Easy Fix
Valorant · Gaming
Vanguard not initialized — the game client launched before Vanguard completed its startup checks
Quick Answer
Error code VAN 81 on your Valorant Gaming means: Vanguard not initialized — the game client launched before Vanguard completed its startup checks. This is usually fixable — see the step-by-step guide below.
Likely Causes
How to Fix It
1
Close Valorant completely using Task Manager, then wait 30 seconds and relaunch
2
Restart your computer — this is the most reliable fix, as Vanguard must load at boot time
3
After restarting, wait at least 1-2 minutes before launching Valorant to give Vanguard time to fully initialize
4
Check the system tray (bottom-right) for the Vanguard shield icon — if it is present, Vanguard is running and the game should launch successfully
Pro Tip
This is a common issue that most users can resolve without specialized tools. Try the first step before moving on to more complex solutions.
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