Valorant has cemented its place as one of the most popular competitive tactical shooters in the world.
However, even the most polished games are not immune to technical hiccups.
If you are reading this, you have likely encountered the frustrating Valorant error code van -79.
This specific error is a common point of contention for players, often interrupting ranked sessions or preventing you from launching the game altogether.
But don't worry—most of the time, this issue can be resolved quickly without needing to reinstall your entire system.
Understanding Valorant Error Code Van -79
The Valorant error code van -79 is primarily associated with Riot Games' anti-cheat software, Riot Vanguard, or a disruption in your network connection.
When this error occurs, it generally means the game client is unable to establish a stable handshake with the game servers, or Vanguard has failed to initialize correctly.
Because Riot Vanguard operates at a kernel level, any conflict—whether from a firewall, a VPN, or a background process—can trigger this error.
Understanding that the root cause is usually a communication breakdown between your PC and the server is the first step toward fixing it.
7 Ways to Fix Valorant Error Code Van -79
If you are stuck on the loading screen or facing immediate disconnections, follow these seven proven methods to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
1. The Classic Restart
It sounds simple, but restarting your computer and the Riot Client is the most effective "first-aid" for error van -79.
Restarting clears temporary cache files and forces the Riot Client to re-initialize all necessary services, including the Vanguard anti-cheat engine.
Often, this is all it takes to clear the communication block.
2. Check Your Network Connection
Since van -79 is often a connection-based error, ensure your internet is stable. If you are using Wi-Fi, consider switching to a wired Ethernet connection to eliminate packet loss. Additionally, try flushing your DNS settings. You can do this by opening the Command Prompt as an administrator and typing ipconfig /flushdns. This clears the cache and can resolve connectivity issues instantly.
3. Disable VPN and Proxy Settings
Riot Games is notoriously strict when it comes to VPNs.
Because VPNs route your traffic through external servers, they often trigger security flags or latency spikes that lead to the van -79 error.
If you have a VPN or a proxy server active, turn it off completely before launching Valorant.
You may also need to check your Windows network settings to ensure no proxy servers are enabled.
4. Run Riot Client as Administrator
Sometimes, Vanguard fails to initialize because it lacks the necessary system permissions to run at the kernel level.
To fix this, right-click the Riot Client shortcut on your desktop, select "Properties," go to the "Compatibility" tab, and check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator." Apply the changes and restart the client.
5. Check Windows Firewall and Antivirus
Your security software might be overzealous and block Riot Vanguard from communicating with the server. Check your Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus software to ensure that both Valorant.exe and vgc.exe (the Vanguard service) are whitelisted. Allowing these files through your firewall can eliminate the block causing the -79 error.
6. Manually Restart the VGC Service
Sometimes the Vanguard service (vgc) gets stuck in a "starting" loop. You can manually restart it: Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter. Locate "vgc" in the list, right-click it, and select "Properties." Change the Startup type to "Automatic," then click "Start" if it is currently stopped. This forces the anti-cheat to start alongside your system.
7. The Final Resort: Reinstalling Vanguard
If none of the steps above work, the Vanguard files themselves might be corrupted.
Go to your Windows settings, navigate to "Add or remove programs," find Riot Vanguard, and uninstall it.
After the removal, restart your computer and open the Riot Client.
The launcher will automatically detect that Vanguard is missing and will prompt you to reinstall it.
Once reinstalled, perform one final system restart.
Conclusion
Encountering the Valorant error code van -79 is undoubtedly annoying, especially when you are ready to queue for a match.
However, by methodically working through these seven steps, you are highly likely to resolve the underlying conflict.
Start with the simplest solutions like restarting your PC, and move toward the more technical fixes only if necessary.
Once your connection and Vanguard services are aligned, you will be back on the battlefield in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Valorant error code van -79 a permanent ban?
No, error code van -79 is a technical issue related to network connectivity or the Vanguard anti-cheat service.
It is not a ban.
You should be able to play again once the underlying technical conflict is resolved.
Why does Vanguard cause connection errors like van -79?
Riot Vanguard is a kernel-level anti-cheat system.
Because it must be active before the game starts, any interference from firewalls, VPNs, or corrupted service files prevents the game from 'handshaking' with the servers, leading to errors.
Do I need to reinstall Valorant to fix van -79?
Usually, no.
You only need to reinstall the Riot Vanguard component.
Reinstalling the entire game is generally unnecessary unless other troubleshooting steps have failed.
Written by: David Thomas
Read also: Getting Error Code 0x80004005? Try These Proven Troubleshooting Tips
