- Gaming and consoles
- PC games and launchers
VAN: RESTRICTION
Riot Games VAN: RESTRICTION on PC: Vanguard requires a Windows update or security feature
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Low
Quick answer
VAN: RESTRICTION with no number means Vanguard needs a Windows update or a security setting change before the game can launch. Read the exact message: it says which requirement is missing. If it has a number after it (1, 3, 4 or 5), use Riot's article for that number.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not try to bypass or hide this restriction with programs, TPM emulators, new or borrowed accounts: the only route is to meet the requirement or go to Riot's official support, which handles any penalty.
- Before changing TPM or Secure Boot in the BIOS, save your BitLocker recovery key if your drive is encrypted.
Safe checks you can perform
- Exact message text and number
- Windows build
- Security feature the message names
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Riot Player Support with logs
- Do not attempt this professional task: Technician or maker for BIOS settings
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 logs
What they doIf you meet the requirement the message names and VAN: RESTRICTION remains, Riot support reviews the case with your logs. It is the only route for any account or penalty question.
They must show youthe ticket number and their reply.
In writingthe requirement the message named, how you met it and the fix or next step.
Technician or maker for BIOS settings
What they doWhen the requirement is fTPM or PTT, Secure Boot or virtualization, the technician or the maker's service enables it per the PC or motherboard manual.
They must show youtpm.msc or msinfo32 with the feature active.
In writingwhich settings were 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.
Exact message text and number
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- photograph the full VAN: RESTRICTION message and check whether it has a number after it (1, 3, 4 or 5).
- Result that matters:
- which requirement it names and whether there is a number.
- If it has a number:
- follow Riot's article for that number, because the steps differ.
- If it has no number:
- follow the requirement the message names in the next steps.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of the full message.
Evidence: Error VAN: RESTRICTION
Windows build
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- press Windows+R, type winver and note the build. If the message asks to update Windows, install all updates from Windows Update and restart.
- Result that matters:
- that the build reaches the one the message requires (19045 or 26100).
- If it does after updating:
- open the game again.
- If the message requires 26100 and you have Windows 10:
- Riot says you need to upgrade to Windows 11 to keep playing.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of winver before and after updating.
Evidence: Error VAN: RESTRICTION
Security feature the message names
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- if the message names TPM 2.0, check tpm.msc; if it names Secure Boot or Memory Integrity, check Secure Boot State and Virtualization-based security in msinfo32. Use Riot's guide for that feature.
- Result that matters:
- whether the feature the message asks for is active.
- If it can be enabled from Windows (Memory Integrity):
- turn it on and restart.
- If it needs the BIOS (fTPM or PTT, Secure Boot, virtualization) or is IOMMU:
- follow Riot's guide and the PC maker, or leave the change to a technician.
- Evidence to keep:
- screenshots of tpm.msc or msinfo32 showing the feature status.
Evidence: Secure Boot · Enable TPM 2.0 · Enable Memory Integrity (HVCI/VBS)
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
- error VAN: RESTRICTION
- restricción Vanguard
- Valorant VAN RESTRICTION
- VAN RESTRICTION
- VAN:RESTRICTION
- Vanguard restriction
What it means
Riot explains that VAN: RESTRICTION means Vanguard requires a Windows update or security setting change before your game can launch, and that the message says which requirement to check. The documented requirements are Windows build 19045 or newer, build 26100 or newer (Windows 11 only) and security features: TPM 2.0 (for this error, firmware TPM, Intel PTT or AMD fTPM), Secure Boot, Memory Integrity (HVCI/VBS) and IOMMU. Riot files it under penalties, but the text does not describe an account suspension.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Higheditorial warning
Do not try to bypass or hide this restriction with programs, TPM emulators, new or borrowed accounts: the only route is to meet the requirement or go to Riot's official support, which handles any penalty.
Evidence: Error VAN: RESTRICTION
- Mediumeditorial warning
Before changing TPM or Secure Boot in the BIOS, save your BitLocker recovery key if your drive is encrypted.
Evidence: Error VAN: RESTRICTION
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Windows below the required buildPossible
The message asks to update Windows. It is confirmed by comparing your build in winver with 19045 or 26100.
Evidence: Error VAN: RESTRICTION
- Windows 10 when build 26100 is requiredPossible
Riot says that requirement is only supported on Windows 11; on Windows 10 you need to upgrade to Windows 11 to keep playing.
Evidence: Error VAN: RESTRICTION
- Security feature disabledPossible
The message names TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Memory Integrity or IOMMU. It is confirmed with tpm.msc or msinfo32.
Evidence: Error VAN: RESTRICTION
- Discrete TPM instead of firmware TPMPossible
Riot says that for VAN: RESTRICTION a discrete TPM module is not enough and fTPM or PTT must be enabled in the BIOS.
Evidence: Error VAN: RESTRICTION
Virtual technician
Does VAN: RESTRICTION 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
- 3
Riot Games · 2026 · official_doc
- 4
Enable Memory Integrity (HVCI/VBS)
Riot Games · 2026 · official_doc
- 5
Riot Games · 2026 · official_doc
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