VALORANT VAN 9002 Fix 2026
Restore Windows Exploit Protection the safe way: use the correct defaults, remove only Riot-related program overrides, restart once and avoid irrelevant BIOS changes.
Riot says VAN 9002 usually means Windows Exploit Protection is disabled or no longer using the required defaults. Open Windows Security, go to App & browser control, open Exploit protection, set Riot’s seven listed System settings to Use default, remove custom Program settings related to Riot Games, Riot Vanguard or Riot titles, then restart the PC once. Do not begin with TPM, Secure Boot, BIOS or a full VALORANT reinstall.
VAN 9002 is an Exploit Protection problem
VAN 9002 is not the same as a connection issue, a hardware ban or a generic launch failure. Riot’s support guidance identifies it as a Windows Exploit Protection issue: Vanguard needs this Windows protection layer enabled and configured compatibly before the game can run.
The important word is default. For the affected system mitigations, Riot tells players to choose Use default, not to turn every control manually on or off. Microsoft explains that individual Program settings can override the broader System settings, which is why Riot also asks players to remove Riot-related custom rules.
Fix VAN 9002 in the right order
The seven values Riot says to reset to Use default
In Exploit protection, open the System settings tab. Riot’s VAN 9002 instructions say that each item in this table should be set to Use default. Microsoft documents that Use default applies the Windows installation’s intended baseline, shown next to that option in the interface.
| Windows setting | Required action for VAN 9002 | Why not force a custom value? |
|---|---|---|
| Control flow guard (CFG) | Use default | Riot asks for Windows defaults, not a manual override. |
| Data Execution Prevention (DEP) | Use default | DEP behavior can depend on Windows architecture and app configuration. |
| Force randomization for images (Mandatory ASLR) | Use default | Do not guess strict ASLR behavior for all programs. |
| Randomize memory allocations (Bottom-up ASLR) | Use default | Windows provides the baseline configuration. |
| High entropy ASLR | Use default | It is part of Riot’s required default set. |
| Validate exception chains (SEHOP) | Use default | Use the OS default instead of forcing a global custom rule. |
| Validate heap integrity | Use default | Riot includes it in the required default check. |
Remove only custom Riot entries in Program settings
Exploit Protection can apply a custom rule to one application. Microsoft explains that an app-level Program setting can take precedence over the System setting. That is why a Riot executable with an old custom mitigation rule can keep VAN 9002 alive even after you correct the global values.
Restart, launch and verify
- Close VALORANT and exit the Riot Client normally.
- Complete all System settings and Riot-related Program settings changes.
- Restart Windows once; do not merely close the game.
- Launch Riot Client, then VALORANT, and check whether VAN 9002 is gone.
- If the code changes, follow the new code rather than repeating this guide blindly.
A clean restart matters because Exploit Protection changes can require Windows to reapply the configured mitigations. Reinstalling the game first often wastes time because the error is about Windows security configuration, not missing game files.
What if the setting reverts or cannot be edited?
Microsoft notes that Group Policy or device-management configuration can override local Exploit Protection settings. On a work, school or family-managed PC, the controls can be locked or may return to a previous value after a restart.
VAN 9002 is not VAN 9003, Restriction 5 or VAN 1067
| Error | Main direction | Use this article? |
|---|---|---|
| VAN 9002 | Windows Exploit Protection defaults and Riot program overrides | Yes |
| VAN 9003 | Secure Boot and TPM requirements | No – use the VAN 9003 guide |
| VAN Restriction 5 | HVCI, Memory Integrity and related security configuration | No – use the Restriction 5 guide |
| VAN 1067 | Vanguard connection, local software or service conflict | No – use the VAN 1067 guide |
| VAL 57 | Vanguard not initialized | No – use the VAL 57 guide |
What not to do for VAN 9002
Fix the PC first, then choose the account that fits
VAN 9002 is a local Windows configuration issue. Once VALORANT launches cleanly, compare accounts by region, inventory, rank direction and agent access – not by an unresolved PC error.
VALORANT VAN 9002 FAQ
What does VALORANT VAN 9002 mean?
Riot says VAN 9002 usually means Windows Exploit Protection is disabled. Vanguard requires Exploit Protection to be enabled for the game to run.
How do I fix VAN 9002?
Open Exploit Protection, set Riot’s listed System settings to Use default, remove Riot-related Program settings overrides and restart the PC once after all changes.
Should I manually enable every Exploit Protection setting?
No. Riot’s instruction for the affected settings is Use default. Do not replace those values with guessed custom On or Off settings.
Is VAN 9002 a Secure Boot or TPM issue?
No. VAN 9002 is an Exploit Protection error. Secure Boot and TPM have separate Vanguard error directions, such as VAN 9003 or VAN 9001.
Why does VAN 9002 come back after a restart?
A Riot-related Program override, security suite or managed device policy can reapply a custom configuration. Check Program settings and contact the administrator for a managed PC.
Do I need to reinstall VALORANT or Vanguard?
Not as the first fix. Riot’s specific VAN 9002 path is Exploit Protection configuration, Program settings cleanup and a restart.
Can I use a PowerShell or registry reset script?
Do not start there. Use the Windows Security interface and Riot’s documented consumer steps. Scripts can overwrite intentional security configuration and are unnecessary for the normal fix.
Can another VALORANT account fix VAN 9002?
No. VAN 9002 is a Windows and Vanguard configuration issue on the PC, not a problem solved by changing accounts.
Official documentation behind the fix
Riot’s current VAN 9002 support article supplies the exact System settings and Program settings sequence. Microsoft documents why Use default is the normal Windows baseline and why a custom Program setting can override the System setting.