Valorant, Riot Games’ immensely popular tactical shooter, has taken the gaming world by storm. But like any online game, it comes with its share of technical glitches, including the dreaded Error Code VAN 135. This error can be frustrating as it prevents players from launching the game and connecting to Valorant’s servers. Don’t worry — this guide will help you understand what VAN 135 means and how to fix it quickly and efficiently.
What Does Error Code VAN 135 Mean?
VAN 135 typically indicates a connection issue between the client game and Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat system. Vanguard is essential for playing Valorant and ensures fair gameplay by monitoring for cheating software at all times. When you see this error, it often means that Vanguard isn’t functioning properly, or your system has blocked it from loading correctly at startup.

Common Causes of Valorant Error Code VAN 135
Before jumping to solutions, it’s important to know what might be behind this issue. Common triggers include:
- Corrupted Vanguard files
- Disabled or malfunctioning Vanguard service
- Conflicts with third-party antivirus or firewall programs
- Recent Windows updates interfering with startup services
- Restricted admin privileges preventing Vanguard from running
Fix Valorant Error Code VAN 135: Step-by-Step
Follow the solutions below in order to resolve the VAN 135 error. Each step is easy to follow and should get you back into the game as quickly as possible.
1. Restart Your Computer
Often overlooked, but restarting your PC can reinitialize system resources and may resolve temporary conflicts affecting Vanguard.
2. Run Valorant as Administrator
Right-click on your Valorant shortcut and select “Run as administrator”. This ensures the game and Vanguard can access essential system files and operate correctly.
3. Reinstall Vanguard
If Vanguard has become corrupted or didn’t install properly, reinstalling it could do the trick:
- Press Win + R to open the Run command box.
- Type
services.msc
and hit Enter. - Find VGC in the list of services. Right-click and select Stop.
- Now, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features and uninstall Riot Vanguard.
- Restart your computer.
- Open Valorant — it will automatically reinstall Vanguard.
This fresh installation often resolves most Vanguard-related errors, including VAN 135.
4. Enable VGC Service
If the VGC service is disabled or not starting properly, enable it manually:
- Press Win + R, type
services.msc
, and hit Enter. - Scroll to VGC, right-click it, and select Properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic.
- Click Start and then Apply.
Try launching Valorant again after enabling the service.
5. Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall
Sometimes, overzealous security software can block Vanguard or prevent it from functioning correctly. Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall, then try launching the game. If this resolves the issue, consider adding Vanguard and Valorant as exceptions in your software settings.

6. Check for Windows Updates
Ensure your operating system is up to date. Sometimes, an outdated or recently updated system might cause compatibility issues.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any available patches.
- Restart your system afterwards.
7. Contact Riot Support
If none of the above solutions work, it may be a deeper, system-level issue or something unique to your configuration. You can always reach out to Riot’s support team for more personalized help.
Final Thoughts
Encountering VAN 135 can be annoying, especially when you’re ready to dive into a Valorant match. By carefully following these steps, you should be able to fix the issue and get back in the game in no time. Remember, Vanguard is essential for the game’s integrity, and a functional anti-cheat system benefits everyone. Be patient and thorough — you’ll be back to clutching rounds soon enough!