Valorant is one of the most popular competitive shooters in the world, but players sometimes encounter the frustrating VAN 9003 error on Windows 11, which displays the message: “This Build of Vanguard is Out of Compliance”.
This error prevents you from launching Valorant, making it impossible to play. The issue usually stems from anti-cheat conflicts, outdated drivers, or corrupted Vanguard files.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common causes and provide 10 step-by-step fixes to resolve VAN 9003 and get back to playing Valorant seamlessly.
Common Causes of VAN 9003 Error
- Corrupted Vanguard anti-cheat installation
- Conflicting third-party software (antivirus, VPN, or system utilities)
- Outdated Windows 11 updates or drivers
- Incomplete Valorant installation or patch
- User account permission issues
- Disabled or conflicting Windows security features
Understanding these causes helps in applying the correct fix efficiently.
Fix 1: Restart Your PC and Valorant Client
Many temporary glitches can trigger VAN 9003.
- Close Valorant completely.
- Right-click the Taskbar → Task Manager → End any Riot or Vanguard processes.
- Restart your PC.
- Launch Valorant again.
✅ A simple restart often clears temporary system conflicts.
Fix 2: Reinstall Vanguard Anti-Cheat
Vanguard corruption is a leading cause of this error.
- Press Windows + R → type
appwiz.cpl→ hit Enter. - Locate Riot Vanguard, right-click → Uninstall.
- Restart your PC.
- Launch Valorant — it will automatically reinstall Vanguard.
✅ This ensures a fresh and compliant installation of Vanguard.
Fix 3: Run Valorant as Administrator
Permission issues can prevent Vanguard from initializing correctly.
- Right-click the Valorant shortcut → select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check Run this program as administrator → click Apply and OK.
- Launch Valorant.
✅ Running with elevated permissions resolves many anti-cheat compliance errors.
Fix 4: Update Windows 11 and Drivers
Outdated system files or drivers may conflict with Vanguard.
- Press Windows + I → go to Windows Update → Check for updates.
- Install all pending updates.
- Update graphics card drivers (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel) from official sites.
- Restart your PC.
✅ Keeping Windows and drivers updated ensures anti-cheat compatibility.
Fix 5: Disable Conflicting Software
Antivirus, firewall, or VPN programs can interfere with Vanguard.
- Temporarily disable third-party antivirus and firewall.
- Disconnect any VPN or proxy services.
- Try launching Valorant again.
💡 If it works, add Valorant and Vanguard to the antivirus/firwall exceptions.
Fix 6: Check Windows Security Settings
Vanguard requires Windows security features to run properly.
- Press Windows + I → Privacy & Security → Windows Security.
- Go to Device Security → ensure Core Isolation is enabled.
- Enable Tamper Protection.
- Restart your PC and relaunch Valorant.
✅ This prevents anti-cheat conflicts with system security settings.
Fix 7: Perform a Clean Boot
Clean boot disables unnecessary startup programs that might conflict with Vanguard.
- Press Windows + R, type
msconfig→ press Enter. - Go to the Services tab → check Hide all Microsoft services → click Disable all.
- Go to Startup → click Open Task Manager → disable all startup items.
- Restart PC → launch Valorant.
✅ This isolates the conflicting program causing VAN 9003.
Fix 8: Reset Network Settings
Sometimes VAN 9003 occurs due to network configuration issues.
- Press Windows + I → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset.
- Click Reset now → restart PC.
- Launch Valorant and check if the issue is resolved.
✅ Resets TCP/IP and removes potential network conflicts.
Fix 9: Reinstall Valorant
If all else fails, reinstalling Valorant ensures a fully clean installation.
- Uninstall Valorant from Settings → Apps → Apps & features.
- Delete leftover folders in
C:\Riot Games\Valorant. - Download the latest installer from the official Valorant website.
- Install and launch the game.
✅ This fixes any corrupted files or patch issues causing VAN 9003.
Fix 10: Contact Riot Support
If the problem persists, it may be a unique system or account issue.
- Visit Riot Games Support.
- Submit a ticket describing the error and all troubleshooting steps you’ve tried.
- Follow their guidance to restore compliance.
✅ Riot Support can provide personalized assistance for complex VAN 9003 errors.
Additional Tips
- Always keep Valorant and Vanguard updated to the latest version.
- Avoid installing software that modifies game files or system security.
- Use Windows Defender instead of third-party antivirus for better compatibility.
- Reboot your PC after every major update or patch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is VAN 9003 in Valorant?
A1: VAN 9003 occurs when Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat detects non-compliance, preventing the game from launching.
Q2: Can VPNs cause VAN 9003?
A2: Yes. Some VPNs interfere with Vanguard’s security checks. Disable VPNs when playing.
Q3: Will reinstalling Vanguard alone fix the issue?
A3: In most cases, yes. But sometimes additional steps like updates or disabling conflicting software are needed.
Q4: Can outdated Windows 11 updates trigger this error?
A4: Absolutely. Keeping Windows updated ensures Vanguard runs on a compliant system.
Conclusion
The VAN 9003 error in Valorant on Windows 11 can be caused by anti-cheat conflicts, outdated drivers, corrupted files, or system settings. Start with simple fixes like restarting your PC, reinstalling Vanguard, and updating drivers. If the problem persists, try clean boot, resetting network settings, or reinstalling Valorant.
Following these 10 step-by-step fixes will help you resolve VAN 9003 and get back to competitive play quickly and safely. Always keep your system updated and avoid software conflicts to prevent future compliance errors.
