VALORANT VAL 57 Fix 2026: Vanguard Not Initialized
VAL 57 usually means VALORANT cannot trust that Riot Vanguard is running correctly. This guide gives you the safe fix order: restart properly, check the vgc service, reinstall Vanguard only when needed, then separate the issue from VAN9003, VAN9005 and VAN 1067.
Sources: Riot’s VALORANT error codes guide, Riot’s Vanguard error codes, Riot’s Vanguard uninstall guide, and Riot’s incompatible software guidance.
How do you fix VALORANT VAL 57?
The safest VALORANT VAL 57 fix is to fully restart your PC, close Riot Client and VALORANT processes, check whether the vgc service is running, then reinstall Riot Vanguard if the service will not start.
VAL 57 is normally a local anti-cheat startup issue, not an account ban or normal server outage. Move from low-risk checks to stronger repair steps.
Restart the PC first. If VAL 57 returns, check the vgc service, reinstall Riot Vanguard, update Windows and Riot Client, then look for software that blocks Vanguard.
What VAL 57 means in VALORANT
VAL 57 is commonly used by players for the Vanguard not initialized problem. Riot’s current Vanguard error-code guidance can also describe the close issue as VAN 57, meaning Vanguard Not Running. In practice, the search intent is simple: VALORANT tried to start, but Vanguard was not ready enough for the game to continue.
The useful target is Riot Vanguard: the service, its startup state, its install health and the programs that may be preventing it from running normally.
VAL 57 vs VAN 57 vs VAN 1067 vs VAN9003
VAL 57 or VAN 57 points to Vanguard not running or not initialized. Use the Vanguard startup path here before moving to other error guides. VAN 1067 often points deeper into Vanguard or Windows stability. VAN9003 and VAN9005 are security-compliance errors involving TPM, Secure Boot, UEFI or VBS.
| Error | Main focus | Best next move |
|---|---|---|
| VAL 57 / VAN 57 | Vanguard not running | Restart, check vgc, reinstall Vanguard. |
| VAL 5 | Session or connection | Use the VAL 5 login and connection guide. |
| VAN 1067 | Vanguard or Windows service crash | Use the VAN 1067 fix if service crashes continue. |
| VAN9003 | Secure Boot and TPM | Use the VAN9003 Secure Boot guide. |
| VAN9005 | VBS, UEFI and TPM | Use the VAN9005 VBS guide. |
Restart the PC the right way
Riot Vanguard is designed around system startup, so the first fix is a real Windows restart. Do not only close the Riot Client. Do not only shut the laptop lid. Open the Start menu, choose Restart, then wait until Windows fully loads before opening Riot Client again.
If you just updated VALORANT, installed Windows updates, changed drivers or disabled startup apps, a proper restart matters even more. VALORANT anti cheat not initialized errors often happen because Vanguard did not load cleanly during the current boot session.
Close stuck Riot and Vanguard processes
If restart did not help, check whether a stuck Riot process is keeping the client in a broken state. Open Task Manager and close VALORANT, Riot Client, RiotClientServices and visible Vanguard tray processes. Then open Riot Client again and try to launch VALORANT.
This is not a permanent fix, but it can clear a bad session after a crash or failed update. If VAL 57 appears again after a clean reboot, move to the service check instead of repeatedly force-closing tasks.
Check the vgc service in Windows
The vgc service VALORANT uses is one of the most important checks for this error. Press the Windows key, type Services, open the Services app and look for vgc. If it is stopped, try starting it. If its startup type is disabled, Vanguard will not be ready when VALORANT needs it.
For vanguard not running VALORANT searches, this is the practical middle step between “restart your PC” and “reinstall everything.” If vgc starts normally and stays running, test VALORANT again. If it stops, fails to start or throws an error, treat Vanguard as corrupted or blocked and continue.
Restart the PC once more and test VALORANT after Windows loads.
Reinstall Riot Vanguard and check for software conflicts afterward.
Reinstall Riot Vanguard safely
If the service check fails, reinstall Riot Vanguard before reinstalling the full game. This is the cleaner reinstall Riot Vanguard VALORANT path: open Apps or Control Panel, uninstall Riot Vanguard, restart the PC, open Riot Client, let VALORANT reinstall Vanguard, then restart again if prompted.
Do not delete random Vanguard files while the service is still active. Do not use third-party uninstall tools unless you understand exactly what they remove. Riot provides an official uninstall route, and that should be the first repair path for VAL 57.
Update Windows, Riot Client and drivers
If Riot Vanguard not running continues after a clean reinstall, check pending Windows updates and restart after installing them. Vanguard runs at a low system level, so old Windows components, failed updates or stale drivers can create strange startup behavior.
You do not need a driver updater app for this. Use Windows Update, your GPU vendor’s official site if graphics drivers are clearly outdated, and Riot Client’s own update flow. Keep the repair path boring and traceable.
Check antivirus, firewall and incompatible software
Some security tools, optimization programs, virtualization tools or low-level utilities can interfere with Vanguard. Riot’s incompatible software guidance exists because Vanguard needs a clean security environment to run. If VAL 57 started after installing a new tool, update or driver, that timing matters.
If the exact warning changes from Vanguard not initialized to incompatible software component detected, switch to the VALORANT incompatible software fix. That page is safer for blocked drivers, ene.sys, RGB utilities, hardware tools and low-level software conflicts.
Do not leave antivirus disabled permanently. For testing, you can check whether a security tool is blocking Riot Client, VALORANT or Vanguard, then add trusted Riot paths through the tool’s normal allowlist system. If you are unsure, use Riot Support rather than weakening your whole PC setup.
What not to do when fixing VAL 57
Do not change ten things at once. If you disable security tools, run unknown commands, clear services manually and reinstall the game in one session, you will not know what actually helped.
When VAL 57 is not the right guide anymore
If your exact message mentions Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 or UEFI, use the VALORANT VAN9003 Secure Boot and TPM fix. If it mentions VBS, UEFI Mode or TPM support, use the VALORANT VAN9005 fix. If Vanguard crashes after startup or Windows service behavior looks unstable, compare it with the VALORANT VAN 1067 fix.
If the error looks like a login session problem, not a Vanguard startup problem, open the VALORANT VAL 5 error fix. If many players are affected at once, check VALORANT server status and maintenance before changing local settings.
What to send Riot Support if VAL 57 stays
If VAL 57 keeps returning after restart, vgc check and Vanguard reinstall, collect useful details before opening a ticket. Riot Support can help faster when you include the exact error wording, Windows version, whether vgc starts, what security software you use and when the issue started.
Also mention whether you recently installed Windows updates, motherboard tools, VPNs, antivirus software, virtualization tools or other anti-cheat games. Riot does not need a vague “it does not work” report; they need the pattern that shows why Vanguard is not starting.
Fix Vanguard before changing accounts.
VAL 57 is a local device and anti-cheat startup issue. Once your PC is stable, then it makes sense to focus on rank, region, skins or a fresh VALORANT setup.
VALORANT VAL 57 FAQ
What does VAL 57 mean in VALORANT?
VAL 57 is commonly searched when VALORANT cannot start because Riot Vanguard is not running or did not initialize correctly. Riot’s current Vanguard guidance also uses VAN 57 wording for Vanguard Not Running, so the fix should focus on the Vanguard service, restart path and clean reinstall steps.
How do I fix VALORANT VAL 57?
Restart the PC first, then check that Riot Client and VALORANT are closed, verify the vgc service in Windows Services, reinstall Riot Vanguard if needed, update Windows and the Riot Client, and check for incompatible software if Vanguard keeps stopping.
Is VAL 57 the same as VAN 57?
Players often search the problem as VAL 57, VALORANT error code 57 or Vanguard not initialized. Riot’s Vanguard error-code guidance may label the close intent as VAN 57, Vanguard Not Running. Treat both as a Vanguard startup issue, but always follow the exact message shown by your client.
What is the vgc service in VALORANT?
vgc is the Windows service used by Riot Vanguard. If it is disabled, stopped or blocked by software, VALORANT can show Vanguard not initialized, Vanguard not running or VAL 57 style errors.
Should I reinstall VALORANT for VAL 57?
Do not reinstall the full game first. Start with a full PC restart, then check vgc and reinstall Riot Vanguard. Only move to a full VALORANT reinstall if Riot’s official guidance or repeated Vanguard repair attempts still do not fix the problem.
Can antivirus software cause Vanguard not initialized?
Yes. Security tools, aggressive optimization apps, old drivers or incompatible low-level software can stop Vanguard from running correctly. Use Riot’s incompatible software guidance and add trusted Riot paths only if you understand your security software.
Is VAL 57 a ban or account problem?
No. VAL 57 and Vanguard not initialized are normally device or Vanguard service issues, not a ban. If your message mentions suspension, penalty or account restriction, check the exact wording and contact Riot Support.
Why does VAL 57 keep coming back after restart?
It can return when vgc is disabled, Vanguard did not reinstall cleanly, Windows or Riot Client updates are pending, security software blocks Vanguard, or another low-level app conflicts with the anti-cheat service.