How to Fix Valorant Secure Boot Error

If you have ever tried to launch Valorant and been met with a Valorant secure boot error, it can be incredibly frustrating. 

This issue usually pops up because Riot Games’ anti‑cheat system (Vanguard) now checks that your PC’s Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 settings are correctly configured before it lets the game run. 

If one of those security features is off or misconfigured, Valorant refuses to start and you might get an error code like VAN9001, VAN9003, or similar.

In this guide we will walk you through what this error means, how to check if you have Secure Boot enabled, and exactly how to fix it so you can get back to playing Valorant without headaches. Let’s go.

What is the Valorant Secure Boot Error?

At its core the “Valorant secure boot error” is a message that appears when your computer does not have Secure Boot enabled or is not using the right system configuration that Vanguard expects. Secure Boot is a security standard built into modern PCs that ensures your system only boots trusted software. Vanguard uses this along with TPM 2.0 to make sure that the game environment is secure and fair.

If your PC is missing either of those, or if they are turned off, Valorant will refuse to launch. This is especially common on computers that were upgraded from older versions of Windows or that have custom BIOS settings.

https://youtu.be/kbwQP7pmA1Y

Why Valorant Requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0

Valorant’s anti‑cheat, Vanguard, runs with very deep system access. To protect competitive integrity, Vanguard needs to confirm that your system is not compromised at a low level. Here’s why these features matter:

• Secure Boot prevents untrusted software from loading before Windows starts.
  
• TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) provides secure cryptographic functions and helps verify system integrity.
  
• Together they make sure nothing shady is happening under the hood before Vanguard allows Valorant to run.
  

Without them, Vanguard cannot guarantee a safe environment, and so the game will block itself from launching.

How to Check if Secure Boot and TPM Are Enabled

Before we fix the error, we need to see what’s currently going on with your PC’s security settings.

Step 1: Check Secure Boot Status

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard.
   
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
   
3. In the System Information window look for Secure Boot State.
   
   • If it says On, then Secure Boot is already enabled.
     
   • If it says Off or Unsupported, you will need to enable it.
     
4. Also check BIOS Mode. It should say UEFI. Legacy mode doesn’t support Secure Boot.
   

Step 2: Check TPM Status

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard.
   
2. Type tpm.msc and press Enter.
   
3. This will open the TPM Management screen.
   
   • If the TPM is present and says Ready for use with version 2.0, you are good.
     
   • If not, you will need to enable it in your BIOS as well.
     

Fixing the Valorant Secure Boot Error

If your checks show that Secure Boot or TPM are disabled or not working correctly, follow these steps to fix the issue.

1. Enter Your BIOS/UEFI Settings

To enable Secure Boot and TPM you must access your motherboard’s BIOS. The key you press depends on your PC maker, but common keys include:

• F2
  
• Delete
  
• F10
  
• F12
  (You often see a splash message when your PC starts telling you which key to press.)
  

Alternatively on Windows 10/11 you can go to Settings > System > Recovery, then under Advanced Startup choose Restart now, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings and restart into BIOS.

2. Switch Your BIOS Mode to UEFI (if needed)

If your BIOS Mode was listed as Legacy earlier, you will need to switch to UEFI to use Secure Boot:

• Look for something called Boot Mode or UEFI/Legacy Boot.
  
• Set it to UEFI.
  
• Save and exit BIOS.
  

Note: This may require your system drive to use the GPT partition format. If your drive was installed as MBR you might need to convert to GPT safely before this step.

3. Enable TPM in BIOS

While in BIOS:

1. Find settings related to Security, Advanced, or Trusted Computing.
   
2. Look for TPM, Intel PTT (for Intel systems), or AMD fTPM (for AMD systems).
   
3. Set the TPM option to Enabled.
   
4. Save and exit.
   (This ensures your system has the Trusted Platform Module active, which Vanguard requires.)
   

4. Enable Secure Boot

After enabling TPM and making sure your PC is in UEFI mode:

1. In BIOS find the Secure Boot option inside Security or Boot menus.
   
2. Set Secure Boot to Enabled.
   
3. Save and restart the PC.
   (Once Secure Boot is active, Windows and Vanguard will see your system as meeting the requirement.)
   

5. Advanced Settings You Might Need

Some systems also have related settings that can affect the error:

• Disable Fast Boot or CSM (Compatibility Support Module) if present.
  
• Make sure Boot Keys like Secure Boot Keys are installed or reset to default.
  These options vary by motherboard brand and firmware version.

Also read: Full Guide to Fix HVCI Enabled Error in Valorant

Extra Tips If Valorant Still Won’t Start

Even after enabling everything, some people still run into issues. Here’s what to try:

• Update your BIOS firmware: Manufacturers often release updates that improve Secure Boot and TPM support.
  
• Check your drive format: If your system disk is still MBR and not GPT, Secure Boot will not work.
  
• Restart and test again: Sometimes Windows needs a full power off cycle after BIOS changes.
  

Tools like Microsoft’s mbr2gpt help you convert disk formats without reinstalling Windows if needed.

The Valorant secure boot error is frustrating, but it is ultimately there to ensure that the anti‑cheat system has everything it needs to protect competitive integrity. 

Once you understand that it’s tied to core security settings in your BIOS and follow the steps above to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, most players find they can get back into the game quickly.

Just take it slow in your BIOS, save settings properly, and always back up important data before making big changes like switching boot modes or converting disk formats. 

Now you should know exactly how to fix the error, and your Valorant matches will be back on track in no time.

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