- Gaming and consoles
- PC games and launchers
VAN 68
Riot Games VAN 68 on PC: Vanguard loses its connection or session
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Low
Quick answer
Vanguard lost the connection or session it needs while the game was launching or running (VAN 68). Restart the PC and check that the Windows date, time and time zone are correct.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not disable Vanguard or use tools to hide from or trick its checks: the game does not run without Vanguard and Riot only documents reinstalling it through its own procedure. Account or penalty issues always go to Riot support.
- Riot recommends testing each change in the Practice Tool or a custom game: if the error returns in a matchmade game it can disrupt it and risk penalties.
Safe checks you can perform
- Restart and Windows clock
- Vanguard service (vgc) set to Automatic
- Killer Network Service and a safe test
- Reinstall Vanguard, then the game
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Riot Player Support with your logs
- Do not attempt this professional task: Internet provider if the connection guide points to the network
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Riot Player Support with your logs
What they doIf VAN 68 persists after every step, Riot Player Support reviews the client and Vanguard logs.
They must show youthe ticket number and what the logs show.
In writingthe code, the steps already done and the fix or next step they give.
Internet provider if the connection guide points to the network
What they doWhen Riot's connection guide does not fix VAN 68 and the fault only shows on your network, the provider checks the line and the router it supplied.
They must show youtheir line test result.
In writingthe incident number and what changed.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Restart and Windows clock
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- restart the PC. Then open Settings > Time & language > Date & time and check date, time and time zone; turn on automatic setting if available.
- Result that matters:
- whether VAN 68 goes away after the restart or the clock fix.
- If it goes away:
- a stuck Vanguard session or a wrong clock that broke secure connections was the cause.
- If the clock was already right and it stays:
- check the Vanguard service.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of the date and time settings.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
Vanguard service (vgc) set to Automatic
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- if you do not use Vanguard Pre-Check to run Vanguard on demand, open Windows Services (services.msc), find vgc and set its startup type to Automatic; restart the PC.
- Result that matters:
- whether the game starts without VAN 68 with the Vanguard service running from startup.
- If it starts:
- Vanguard was not running when you launched the game.
- If it was already Automatic or the error stays:
- uninstall and reinstall Vanguard.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of the vgc service with its startup type and status.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
Killer Network Service and a safe test
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- if your PC has a Killer network card, turn off Killer Network Service using Riot's guide. Test each change in the Practice Tool or a custom game.
- Result that matters:
- whether VAN 68 goes away with Killer turned off.
- If it goes away:
- Killer's traffic prioritization was interfering with Vanguard's connection.
- If it stays or you have no Killer card:
- move on to clean boot and reinstalling Vanguard.
- Evidence to keep:
- the network card model and the Killer service status.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
Reinstall Vanguard, then the game
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- uninstall Riot Vanguard manually using Riot's guide, restart the PC and open the game so Vanguard reinstalls. If the error stays, uninstall and reinstall the game too with Riot's guide.
- Result that matters:
- whether VAN 68 goes away with Vanguard at default settings or with fresh game files.
- If it goes away after reinstalling Vanguard:
- Vanguard's settings had been altered.
- If it only goes away after reinstalling the game:
- game files were corrupted or missing.
- Evidence to keep:
- the date of each reinstall and whether the error came back.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Gaming and consoles
- Brand
- Riot Games
- Product type
- PC games and launchers
Known code variants
- código de error VAN 68
- Error Code: VAN 68
- error VAN 68
- Valorant VAN 68
- VAN 68 Valorant
- VAN68
What it means
Riot says VAN 68 usually means Vanguard lost the connection or session it needs while the game was launching or running; it can close the game with a connection error. Riot lists a wrong Windows date or time, which breaks secure connections, a stopped Vanguard service, background programs, corrupted game files, Killer Network Service and the connection itself. The code does not say which one it is.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumeditorial warning
Do not disable Vanguard or use tools to hide from or trick its checks: the game does not run without Vanguard and Riot only documents reinstalling it through its own procedure. Account or penalty issues always go to Riot support.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
- Mediumsource verified
Riot recommends testing each change in the Practice Tool or a custom game: if the error returns in a matchmade game it can disrupt it and risk penalties.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Wrong date, time or time zonePossible
Riot says a wrong clock makes services and secure connections fail before the game loads. It is confirmed if fixing it clears the error.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
- Vanguard service stoppedPossible
If vgc does not start with Windows, Vanguard cannot keep its session. It shows in Windows Services.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
- Killer Network ServicePossible
Riot says Killer's traffic prioritization can interfere with your connection. It only applies to PCs with a Killer network card.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
- Background programs, files or networkPossible
Interference from other programs, corrupted game files or the connection. Clean boot, reinstall and the connection guide separate them.
Evidence: Error VAN 68
Virtual technician
Does VAN 68 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Riot Games · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Riot Games · 2026 · official_doc
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