VGC service will not start, error 1
How do I fix the vgc service will not start, error 1 fatal error on Windows 11?
Written by The CommonFixes team · fact checked by CommonFixes review desk
Last updated
Short answer
Valorant relies on a background service called vgc, which is part of Riot Vanguard. The service refuses to start when it is set to Manual instead of Automatic, when its files were damaged by an interrupted update, or when Secure Boot and memory integrity are not in the state Vanguard expects on Windows 11. The quickest thing to try first: set the vgc service to start automatically — Press the Windows key and R, type services.msc and press Enter. Find vgc in the list, right click it, choose Properties, set Startup type to Automatic, click Apply, then Start. Restart the computer so it comes up with the game. Most people are done in about 20 minutes.
Full walkthrough below: 6 steps for Windows, rated medium.
Sounds like this
- •Valorant shows VAN error 1067, 9001 or a message about vgc
- •Starting vgc by hand says error 1, incorrect function
- •The game closes back to the desktop straight after launch
Why it happens
Valorant relies on a background service called vgc, which is part of Riot Vanguard. The service refuses to start when it is set to Manual instead of Automatic, when its files were damaged by an interrupted update, or when Secure Boot and memory integrity are not in the state Vanguard expects on Windows 11.
Work through these in order
0% done- 1
Set the vgc service to start automatically
Press the Windows key and R, type services.msc and press Enter. Find vgc in the list, right click it, choose Properties, set Startup type to Automatic, click Apply, then Start. Restart the computer so it comes up with the game.
- 2
Reinstall Vanguard cleanly
Open Settings, Apps, Installed apps, and uninstall Riot Vanguard. Then start Valorant. The launcher downloads Vanguard again and asks you to restart. This one step fixes most error 1 cases, because a half finished update leaves the service unable to load.
- 3
Turn Secure Boot on in the firmware
Vanguard requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 on Windows 11. Restart, tap F2, F10 or Delete for the firmware setup, find Secure Boot under Boot or Security and set it to Enabled. If the option is greyed out, switch the boot mode from Legacy or CSM to UEFI first, and set an administrator password if the menu asks for one.
- 4
Check that memory integrity is not fighting Vanguard
Open Windows Security, Device security, Core isolation details. If memory integrity is on and Valorant keeps failing, turn it off, restart and test. Turn it back on afterwards if you prefer the extra protection and the game still runs.
- 5
Repair the system files behind the service
Right click the Start button, choose Terminal (Admin), and run sfc /scannow. When it finishes run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Restart. A damaged system file can stop any service with the unhelpful message error 1, incorrect function.
- 6
Give Vanguard a clean folder
If it still fails, uninstall Vanguard again, then delete the folder C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard if anything is left behind, restart the computer and launch Valorant to reinstall. Do not delete this folder while the service is running.
If none of that worked
If the service starts but the game still closes, look for a second anti cheat or an antivirus that blocks kernel drivers, such as Faceit or an aggressive third party suite, and remove it before testing again.
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