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How to Fix the VAN9003 "This build of Vanguard is out of compliance" Error in Valorant

Encountering the frustrating VAN9003 error in Valorant? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get back in the game.

What is the VAN9003 Error and Why Does it Occur?

The VAN9003 error occurs when Valorant‘s anti-cheat system, Vanguard, detects that Secure Boot is disabled on your PC.

Secure Boot is a security feature that helps ensure only trusted software can run during the boot process. It works by checking code signatures against a list of authorized malware-free bootloaders and OS files stored in the BIOS or UEFI firmware.

Vanguard requires Secure Boot to be enabled to prevent cheaters from running malicious software and compromising the game‘s integrity. If Secure Boot is off, Vanguard assumes your system is untrusted and restricts Valorant from launching, displaying the VAN9003 error.

Specifically, the error reads "This build of Vanguard is out of compliance with current system settings." This indicates your hardware is currently not in a trusted state due to the lack of Secure Boot verification.

According to Riot Games, Vanguard needs this strict level of access to provide a fair, competitive gaming experience and shut down the most invasive cheats. But this comes at the cost of compatibility issues in some systems.

Prevalence of Cheating in Valorant

To understand why Vanguard takes such an aggressive approach, it helps to examine cheating trends in Valorant:

  • A 2020 report found 25% of Valorant players reported seeing cheaters in their games, a concerning figure for a new title.

  • The report estimated that over 500,000 players were banned in Valorant as of October 2020, showing the scale of cheating.

  • Popular cheats enable aimbots, wallhacks, speedhacks, and item esp – clear threats to fair play.

  • A 2022 survey of gamers found 71% believe cheating is common and 85% have been affected by gaming cheats directly.

This data shows how unchecked cheating can undermine Valorant‘s competitive integrity. Vanguard aims to nip it in the bud.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Secure Boot

Now let‘s walk through how to enable Secure Boot to resolve the VAN9003 error:

  1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup utility. This typically involves pressing F2, F10, Del or another function key during boot up.

  2. Navigate to the Secure Boot menu. On Dell devices, look under System or Security Configuration. On other OEMs, try searching for Secure Boot.

  3. Enable Secure Boot. The option may be called "Secure Boot Enable" or similar. Make sure it is turned on.

  4. Save changes and exit the BIOS. Allow your PC to restart.

  5. Check Secure Boot status. Open your System Information and verify "Secure Boot State" shows as "On" under the BIOS Mode heading.

  6. Launch Valorant. VAN9003 should now be resolved. Enjoy your games cheat-free!

Troubleshooting Tips

If you still see VAN9003 after enabling Secure Boot, here are a few things to try:

  • Update BIOS/UEFI firmware to the latest version. Older releases may be buggy.
  • Toggle CSM/Legacy Support if available. CSM can block Secure Boot.
  • Make sure TPM 2.0 is enabled in Device Security settings.
  • Check Windows Update and install latest patches.
  • Reset BIOS to factory defaults to eliminate odd settings.
  • Verify CPU and motherboard support TPM and Secure Boot.

For advanced users, you can try tweaking Key Management under Secure Boot keys to support custom signatures. But take care not to break the default Windows signatures.

How Vanguard Compares to Other Anti-Cheat Systems

Vanguard‘s strict requirements for Secure Boot and kernel access have sparked criticism among some players. But how does it stack up to alternatives?

BattlEye takes a lighter touch, focusing on data analysis over kernel access. This offers wider compatibility but leaves open more cheating avenues. BattlEye banned 1.5 million PUBG cheaters in 2020.

EasyAntiCheat operates solely at the user level with no kernel integration. Its detection relies on monitoring anomalies in gameplay data. EAC banned 300,000 Apex Legends cheaters in 2021.

While kernel access raises concerns, Vanguard detected nearly 2x more cheaters per capita than leading competitors in 2020. Its uncompromising approach pays dividends for integrity, despite usability trade-offs.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with VAN9003 may involve some frustration and BIOS tweaking. But enabling the required security protocols allows you to play Valorant as it was truly meant to be experienced – with competitive integrity safeguarded by Vanguard’s diligent watch against cheaters.

For more help optimizing your experience, check out our Valorant system requirements guide. And be sure to choose a cool username before dropping into your next match!

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