How to Fix VAN 185 Error in VALORANT

Picture this: you’re booting up VALORANT after a long day, ready to relax and frag out with your squad. Just as things are loading, a mysterious error code flashes on the screen—VAN 185. Cue frustration. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

TL;DR:

The VAN 185 error in VALORANT typically occurs due to connectivity or Riot Vanguard issues. You can resolve it by restarting Vanguard, enabling secure boot and TPM in BIOS, updating your system, and checking your network. This error is more common than you’d think, so follow our step-by-step troubleshooting guide below to get back in the game quickly.

What is VAN 185 in VALORANT?

The VAN 185 error code is related to Riot Vanguard, VALORANT’s kernel-level anti-cheat system. When Vanguard encounters issues during startup—either due to system configurations, interference from third-party applications, or failed initialization—you’ll see this error.

At its core, VAN 185 typically signifies that Vanguard isn’t running properly or couldn’t start with the necessary privileges. That means VALORANT simply won’t start a competitive match unless the issue is resolved.

Common Causes of VAN 185

Before jumping into the fixes, let’s understand what typically causes this error:

• Disabled Secure Boot or TPM 2.0 in BIOS
• Corrupted or misconfigured Vanguard installation
• Conflicts with third-party antivirus or firewall software
• Incomplete Windows updates or missing system components
• Improper PC shutdown or crashes before launching the game

Step-By-Step Fixes for VAN 185

1. Restart Riot Vanguard (The Simple Fix)

Sometimes, Vanguard just needs a fresh start. Here’s how to restart it manually:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Look for Riot Vanguard (vgtray.exe) under Background Processes.
3. Right-click it and choose End task.
4. Now go to C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard and double-click vgtray.exe to relaunch it.
5. Try launching VALORANT again.

If Vanguard doesn’t start or VALORANT still shows the error, continue reading.

2. Reinstall Riot Vanguard

Corrupted Vanguard files can easily cause VAN 185. Here’s a clean method to reinstall:

1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
2. Find Riot Vanguard in the list, right-click and uninstall.
3. Also uninstall VALORANT to avoid residual conflicts.
4. Restart your PC.
5. Download the latest VALORANT installer from the official website.
6. Reinstall VALORANT — Vanguard is included.

3. Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in BIOS

This step might sound intimidating, but it’s crucial. Riot has made Vanguard stricter with updates, and many players have reported VAN 185 disappearing after enabling these BIOS settings.

IMPORTANT: Before changing BIOS settings, back up your important data.

1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS (usually by pressing DEL, F2, or ESC during boot).
2. Look for the Secure Boot option and enable it.
3. Find TPM (Trusted Platform Module) settings. Enable TPM 2.0 (might be listed as PTT or fTPM depending on your motherboard).
4. Save and exit BIOS setup.
5. Reboot and launch VALORANT.

4. Check Your Windows Updates

An outdated OS can create conflicts with Vanguard services. To ensure your PC is up to date:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click on Check for updates.
3. Install all available updates, including optional ones.
4. Restart your computer and test the game.

5. Verify Network Stability

Though VAN 185 is primarily a Vanguard issue, unstable networks can also cause launch complications. Here’s what to check:

• Use a wired connection if possible.
• Restart your router or modem.
• Disable any VPN or proxy software temporarily.
• Flush your DNS:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

Then restart your PC.

6. Run VALORANT as Administrator

This one’s extremely quick:

1. Right-click on the VALORANT shortcut.
2. Click Properties, then go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the box for “Run this program as an administrator”.
4. Apply and launch the game.

Doing this ensures Vanguard and VALORANT get the necessary system permissions to function correctly.

Contact Riot Support (If All Else Fails)

If you’ve tried all of these fixes and VAN 185 still persists, it may be time to get direct help from Riot:

• Visit Riot Games Support
• Submit a ticket describing your issue
• Include any logs or screenshots, if available

Riot’s support team is usually responsive and can pinpoint the root cause based on your system configuration.

Tips to Avoid VAN 185 in the Future

Here are a few best practices to prevent similar issues down the line:

• Always perform proper shutdowns—avoid forced power-offs
• Keep Windows and drivers up to date
• Do not disable Secure Boot or TPM unless needed for other tasks
• Whitelist Vanguard in your antivirus/firewall settings
• Avoid using kernel-level or background debug tools while gaming

Final Thoughts

The VAN 185 error in VALORANT can be an annoying hurdle, but it’s one that hundreds of players overcome daily. Whether it’s your BIOS settings, Vanguard acting up, or a simple network hiccup, the key is to remain patient and troubleshoot step-by-step.

By following the methods above, you’re almost guaranteed to have VALORANT back and running smoothly. And remember — every second not spent in Spike Rush is a second wasted. Good luck out there, Agent!