- Gaming and consoles
- PC games and launchers
VAN 9003
Riot Games VAN 9003 on PC: Secure Boot is turned off
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Low
Quick answer
Vanguard requires Secure Boot and your PC has it turned off (VAN 9003). Before touching the BIOS, check BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State in msinfo32: the result decides which steps apply.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not switch the BIOS from Legacy to UEFI without first converting the disk from MBR to GPT: Riot warns Windows will not boot. Back up before converting, because the process cannot be reversed.
- Resetting Secure Boot keys or changing the TPM with BitLocker on makes Windows ask for the recovery key; without it you are locked out. Do not power off the PC during a BIOS update.
Safe checks you can perform
- BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State
- Partition style of the Windows disk
- BitLocker and recovery key before touching the BIOS
- Enable Secure Boot in BIOS or UEFI
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: BIOS update or key restore
- Do not attempt this professional task: Manufacturer service or computer technician for firmware
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.
BIOS update or key restore
What they doIf the option is grayed out, or the state is On and the error stays, restores factory Secure Boot keys or updates the BIOS with the maker's tool for that motherboard model.
They must show youthe motherboard model (BaseBoard in msinfo32) and the BIOS version before and after.
In writingthe version installed and that the PC was not powered off during the update.
Manufacturer service or computer technician for firmware
What they doEnables Secure Boot in BIOS or UEFI and, if the PC is in Legacy mode, first converts the disk from MBR to GPT (mbr2gpt) after a backup.
They must show youmsinfo32 with BIOS Mode UEFI and Secure Boot State On.
In writingthe settings changed, whether the disk was converted and whether BitLocker was suspended.
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.
BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- press Windows + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. In System Information find BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State.
- Result that matters:
- the combination of both values.
- If it says UEFI and On:
- Secure Boot already works; if the game still refuses you, check Riot's VAN: RESTRICTION guide.
- If it says UEFI and Off:
- it only needs enabling in firmware. If it says Legacy: change nothing in the BIOS until the disk is converted.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of msinfo32 with both fields.
Evidence: Secure Boot
Partition style of the Windows disk
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- type Disk Management in Windows search, right-click the drive that holds Windows > Properties > Volumes tab and look at Partition Style.
- Result that matters:
- whether the disk is GPT or MBR.
- If it is GPT:
- the disk is ready; enabling Secure Boot is the remaining step.
- If it is MBR:
- it needs converting to GPT after a backup; Riot warns the process cannot be reversed.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of the Volumes tab.
Evidence: Secure Boot
BitLocker and recovery key before touching the BIOS
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- check in Control Panel > BitLocker Drive Encryption whether the drive is encrypted and, if so, save the recovery key or suspend protection before changing anything in firmware.
- Result that matters:
- whether BitLocker is on and you have its key at hand.
- If it is on and you lack the key:
- stop; a key or TPM change can ask for it and without it you are locked out of Windows.
- If it is off or you have the key:
- you can move on to the BIOS change or hand it to a technician.
- Evidence to keep:
- where you stored the recovery key (never share it).
Evidence: Secure Boot
Enable Secure Boot in BIOS or UEFI
- Who:
- you if you know your BIOS and follow the official guide from your PC or motherboard maker; otherwise a technician.
- How:
- enter UEFI firmware settings (Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings), find Secure Boot on the Boot tab, set it to Enabled, save and exit.
- Result that matters:
- msinfo32 then shows UEFI and On, and VAN 9003 is gone.
- If the option is grayed out:
- it usually needs factory keys restored (Key Management); mind BitLocker.
- If it is On and the error stays:
- the BIOS may need a manufacturer update.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the BIOS screen with the setting and a final msinfo32 screenshot.
BIOS and UEFI menus differ by manufacturer and a wrong setting can stop the PC from booting. Only do it with the official instructions from your PC or motherboard maker; if you are not confident, leave it to their service or a computer technician.
Evidence: Error VAN 9003 · Secure Boot
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 9003
- error VAN 9003
- This build of Vanguard requires secure boot to be enabled
- Valorant secure boot
- VAN 9003 Valorant
- VAN9003
What it means
Riot says VAN 9003 means Secure Boot is not enabled on your system, which Vanguard requires. Secure Boot is a UEFI firmware feature that protects startup from unauthorized software; most PCs support it, but it may be off by default. The code does not mean a fault, only a firmware setting. It needs UEFI BIOS mode and a GPT disk, and if the PC is in Legacy mode with an MBR disk, the disk must be converted first or Windows will not boot.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Highsource verified
Do not switch the BIOS from Legacy to UEFI without first converting the disk from MBR to GPT: Riot warns Windows will not boot. Back up before converting, because the process cannot be reversed.
Evidence: Secure Boot
- Mediumsource verified
Resetting Secure Boot keys or changing the TPM with BitLocker on makes Windows ask for the recovery key; without it you are locked out. Do not power off the PC during a BIOS update.
Evidence: Secure Boot
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Secure Boot off in UEFICommon
msinfo32 shows BIOS Mode UEFI and Secure Boot State Off. It is the simplest case: the setting only needs turning on in firmware.
Evidence: Error VAN 9003 · Secure Boot
- PC in Legacy mode with an MBR diskPossible
msinfo32 shows BIOS Mode Legacy. Secure Boot needs UEFI and GPT, so the disk must be converted from MBR to GPT first.
Evidence: Secure Boot
- Corrupted keys or old BIOSPossible
The option is grayed out, or the state says On and the error stays. Riot blames corrupted or outdated Secure Boot keys or old firmware.
Evidence: Secure Boot
Virtual technician
Does VAN 9003 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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