How to Fix Valorant Secure Boot Error (VAN -79): Complete Guide for Windows 10 & 11

Do you get VAN-79 errors when trying to play on Windows 10 and 11, and does it frustrate you? It appears to be caused by Valorant's anti-cheat software, which requires secure boot to be enabled.   

Valorent is developed by Riot Games. It uses Secure Boot and TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 requirements as part of its Vanguard anti-cheat system to prevent cheating. It also helps in keeping game integrity. 

These security measures impact various systems, including Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as popular motherboard brands such as Gigabyte, ASUS, MSI, Dell, and HP.

If you can not play the Valorant game due to a secure boot error, you can fix it quickly. With years of experience in troubleshooting BIOS configurations and gaming setups, this expert-led blog will help players resolve this exact issue.

What is Valorant Secure Boot Error

The Valorant secure boot error is an error message that appears in Windows 10 and 11 when trying to play the Valorant game on the system. It arises when Valorant's anti-cheat system, Vanguard, requires secure boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled on Windows. 

This important security feature prevents cheating and ensures the integrity of the game environment. If secure boot or TPM 2.0 is disabled on your system, the error message will be displayed, and Valorant will not launch. 

What is VAN-79 Error Code

The VAN-79 error code appears when your system does not meet the required security standards to run the Valorant game. There are several reasons for this error code to be displayed. 

• It may appear due to Valorant updates that strengthen anti-cheat requirements. 
• Fresh game installations
• If the hardware or the motherboard is replaced. 
• When switching between different boot modes in BIOS. 
• Windows updates that modify security settings. 

The error code may appear as VAN-79 or written as Valorant requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot to be enabled. 

Why Valorant Requires Secure Boot & TPM 2.0

The primary reason for Valorant to use secure boot and TPM 2.0 is to enhance game security and combat cheating. Riot Games implements these requirements through its Vanguard anti-cheat system. There are several reasons to use these security measures;

• Security Enhancement: The Secure Boot makes it possible for only trusted and digitally signed software to run during the boot process. It prevents kernel-level cheats from loading before the anti-cheat system.
• Hardware-Level Protection: TPM 2.0 provides the hardware-based security features. It becomes difficult for cheaters to bypass the protection mechanisms of Vanguard. 
• Industry Standards: These requirements also align with Microsoft's Windows 11 security standards. It represents the future of PC gaming security.

According to Riot's official documentation, the Vanguard operates at the kernel level. Therefore, it requires security measures to maintain the integrity of its anti-cheat detection features.

How to Check Secure Boot & TPM Status on Window 10 and 11

You can check the Secure Boot and TPM status on Windows through the System Information tool (msinfo32). Press Win + R, search msinfo32, and see if it shows as enabled.

Using msinfo32 to Verify Secure Boot

To verify secure boot using misinfo32, follow these steps.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and type msinfo32, then press Enter.

Step 2: Find the "Secure Boot State" in the system summary. If it shows ‘On’ or ‘Enabled’, the Secure Boot is active. If it shows ‘Off’ or ‘Disabled’, you need to enable it. 

Step 3: Verify BIOS Mode. It should show "UEFI" for Secure Boot compatibility. If it shows "Legacy," you need to change to UEFI mode.

Checking TPM 2.0 Status

You should check the TPM status before launching your Valorant game. You can check it by following these steps;

Step 1: Press Windows key, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. 

Step 2: Check the status. Ensure the status shows ‘Ready for Use’. 

BIOS-Level Verification: You can also check TPM status in BIOS settings. It appears under the Security or Advanced tabs.

How to Enable Secure Boot for Valorant

If your Secure Boot is not enabled, you can enable it for Valorant by accessing your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. There, you can enable the Secure Boot option. 

We will guide you step by step on how you can enable secure boot for Valorant in Windows 10 and 11. We will start with Windows 11 first.

How to Enable Secure Boot for Valorant in Windows 11

You can fix the Valorant secure boot error on Windows 11. Generally, Windows 11 systems have better Secure Boot support. But the process varies by motherboard manufacturer. Follow these simple steps to enable secure boot. 

Step 1: Restart Your Computer 

Restart your computer and press F2 or Delete repeatedly during startup. 

Step 2: Select Advanced Options

Once your PC restarts, you will see a blue screen and several options to choose from. Select the ‘Advanced Option’.

Step 3: Select UEFI Firmware Settings

Under the advanced options, click UEFI Firmware Settings. Your computer will restart immediately and enter the BIOS. You can move to the next step.

Step 4: Find Secure Boot Settings

Locate the secure boot setting in the security or boot settings and enable it. However, different motherboards possess different BIOS mechanisms. If you can not find a Secure Boot Setting, consult your manufacturer's website or your computer manual.

Enabling TPM 2.0

Within the BIOS/UEFI, you need to enable the TPM 2.0. 

Step 1: Go to the Security tab within BIOS. 

Step 2: Find the TPM setting and click it.

Step 3: Enable TPM 2.0. Press the Enter key to toggle on TPM 2.0. Now, press F10 and save your settings. Exit BIOs and restart your computer. 

How to Enable Secure Boot Valorant on ASUS Motherboards

You can enable Secure Boot for Valorant on ASUS motherboards by accessing the BIOS settings. It involves the following steps;

• Access BIOS on your system. Press F2 or Delete once the computer starts. 
• Go to Advanced. You can select it from the BIOS menu or press F7.
• Select Boot, then click Secure Boot. 
• Set ‘OS Type’ to ‘Windows UEFI mode’
• Enable ‘Secure Boot state’

How to Enable Secure Boot on MSI Motherboards

The secure Boot can be enabled on MSI motherboards by restarting the computer and accessing the BIOS settings. You can follow these steps to get secure boot enabled. 

• Restart your computer and Press Delete or F2 during boot. 
• Select Advanced Mode by pressing F7. 
• Go to Settings, find Security, and select Secure Boot. 
• Change ‘Secure Boot’ to ‘Enabled’
• Ensure UEFI mode is active in Boot settings.
• Press F10 to save the changes and exit the BIOS.
• The computer will restart with enabled secure boot. 

How to Enable Secure Boot on Dell Systems 

You can enable Secure Boot on your Dell system by accessing the BIOS settings during startup. Then select the Secure Boot configuration. These steps can guide you through this process. 

• Restart your computer and press F2 during startup. The BIOS setup screen will appear.  
• Then select BIOS settings and find Security or Boot Sequence. 
• Go to the Secure Boot option or UEFI Boot. 
• Change the Secure Boot setting from Disabled to Enabled. 
• Save the changes and exit the BIOS. 

How to Enable Secure Boot on HP Systems

The process to enable secure boot on HP systems involves the following steps.  

•  Restart your system and press the F10 key until the ‘Computer Setup Utility’ opens.
• Select the Security menu and then select Secure Boot Configuration, and press Enter.
• When the ‘Secure Boot Configuration’ message appears, press F10.
• Change the Secure Boot setting. Select Enable next to Secure Boot and press the F10 key to save the changes.

How to Enable Secure Boot on Windows 10 for Valorant

If you can not play Valorant on Windows 10 due to a secure boot error code, you can quickly fix it. The Valorant secure boot error on Windows 10 can easily be enabled. Follow these steps;

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

Press the Windows button, search for ‘Settings,’ then open it. 

Step 2: Choose ‘Update and Security’

A new page will appear with lots of options. Click ‘update and security’. You can find it at the bottom left. 

Step 3: Click Recovery

Click the ‘Recovery’ in the left side of the page. Then click ‘Restart now’ under the Advanced startup tab. Your system will restart immediately. 

Step 4: Select Advanced Option in Troubleshoot

Once your computer restarts, it will show a blue screen and several options to choose from.

Step 5: Select UEFI Firmware settings

Under the ‘advanced option’ tab, click UEFI settings. Your system will restart and enter into BIOS. 

Step 6: Find the ‘Security’

In BIOS, find the ‘security’ and click it. You can find it at the top along with other options. 

Step 7: Find the Secure Boot Option

Select the ‘Secure Boot’ and m enable it. You can use the arrow keys for navigation. 

Step 8: Save the Changes

Press the F10 key to save your settings. After saving, exit the BIOS. 

Troubleshooting Common Issues in Secure Boot 

There are some common issues that appear due to enabling secure boot in your system. Here, we will guide you on how to troubleshoot common issues related to secure boot enabling. 

h3> Secure Boot Enabled, But Error Persists  

If you are encountering a Secure Boot error in Valorant, even though it is enabled in your BIOS, then the issue may be with the configuration. 

How to troubleshoot it 

• Ensure that your BIOS is set to UEFI mode, not Legacy BIOS. The Secure Boot requires UEFI. 
• Check that TPM 2.0 is enabled in your BIOS.
• Update your Windows to the latest security patches. 
• Close the unnecessary background programs that might interfere with Vanguard. Discord is an example. 

If you try all these steps and are still facing issues, submit a support report to Riot Games for personalized assistance. 

TPM 2.0 Enabled But Still Getting VAN-79

If you have enabled TPM 2.0 but still get VAN-79, the issue often lies in how TPM is implemented or configured. To troubleshoot this issue, you should know the type of TPM used in your system. 

Firmware TPM (fTPM): It runs on your CPU and uses processor resources. While Discrete TPM: It uses a dedicated hardware chip on the motherboard. Different systems have different compatibility:

• Intel systems: Enable "Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT)" for firmware TPM
• AMD systems: Enable "AMD CPU fTPM" for firmware-based solution
• Discrete TPM: A Physical chip that may offer better compatibility with some anti-cheat systems

Essential Updates and Maintenance

• You can resolve the issue by updating your Windows. It ensures you have the latest security patches and TPM drivers. 
• Motherboard chipset drivers provide proper TPM communication pathways. 
• Update BIOS firmware. It fixes TPM implementation bugs that manufacturers discover post-release.
• You can also resolve the issue by clearing TPM through tpm.msc. It removes old security keys and certificates that do not meet Vanguard's requirements. 

So, only TPM 2.0 being "enabled" does not promise proper function of Valorant.  It needs correct implementation and clean configuration.

Valorant Secure Boot Error on Gigabyte Boards

The Secure Boot implementation problems of Gigabyte motherboards affect the anti-cheat system of Valorant. These issues show security appears configured correctly, but fails Vanguard's strict validation. This appears due to BIOS bugs. 

Some Known BIOS Bugs

Incorrect Status Reporting: Sometimes, Gigabyte BIOS versions show Secure Boot as ‘Enabled’ in the interface. But the actual security validation fails at the firmware level. This error shows users that their configuration is correct, but Vanguard can detect the failure.

F4 BIOS Version Problems: Some critical Secure Boot bugs are found in the F4 firmware series of Gigabyte board models. These versions have incomplete key management systems and faulty UEFI certificate validation. It lacks the security chain required by the Vanguard.

How to Resolve This Issue

BIOS Update Process: You need to download the latest firmware from the official support page of Gigabyte. Select the firmware compatible with your specific motherboard model. 

Windows Features Toggle: Enable ‘Windows 8/10 Features' in the BIOS boot configuration of your system. It will activate proper UEFI mode. By doing so, you make sure that Microsoft security protocols are correctly implemented.

OS Mode Switch method: A common troubleshooting method involves temporarily setting boot mode to ‘Other OS’ and switching back to ‘Windows UEFI mode.’ This process forces the BIOS to reinitialize Secure Boot components and resolve the validation errors.

The main issue is that the early BIOS implementations of Gigabyte had incomplete Microsoft security standard compliance. Vanguard's enterprise-grade validation easily detects those issues and prevents launching Valorant. 

With the F5 firmware release, Gigabyte has addressed most Secure Boot validation issues. The updates include proper Microsoft certificate handling, corrected security key enrollment processes, and improved TPM integration.

Advanced Fixes and Recovery in Secure Boot Error

There are several advanced recovery methods that can resolve deeper system-level conflicts that prevent Valorant's Vanguard from validating security configurations.

Reset BIOS Settings Safely

The advanced fix for the secure boot error includes resetting BIOS settings safely. This process involves the following steps;

Step 1: Access BIOS setup during boot.

Step 2: Go to ‘Load Optimized Defaults’ or ‘Reset to Factory Settings.’

Step 3: Select ‘Yes’ and press Enter. It will start resetting your BIOS immediately. 

Step 4: Save and exit, then power off your system completely. 

Step 5: Remove the power cable for 30 seconds to clear residual power.

Step 6: Then reconnect and boot. 

Step 7: This ensures a complete hardware state reset.

When to Reset

Reset BIOS when you have already made multiple configuration changes without success. Try it when Secure Boot shows conflicting status indicators. Also, reset if you experience boot loops and system instability alongside the VAN error. 

What to Avoid

You should take some precautionary measures while resetting the BIOS. 

• Never reset the BIOS while Windows is running
•  Avoid it during system updates. 
• Avoid clearing CMOS while the system is powered on. 
• Never interrupt the reset process once initiated. It can block some motherboards.

Post-Reset Configuration: 

After resetting the BIOS, enable UEFI mode. Set Secure Boot to enabled and activate TPM 2.0. 

Boot Repair Tools

The Boot repair tools are a utility that is used to fix issues preventing a computer from starting up properly. These tools address the problems with the bootloader, operating system files, and the Master Boot Record (MBR). 

Third-Party Tools

• Easy UEFI: It is a Windows software tool that is used to manage UEFI boot entries and can repair corrupted boot configurations that interfere with Secure Boot validation. It allows you to create, delete, edit, and change the order of UEFI boot entries. 
• Rufus: It is an open-source utility that creates proper UEFI installation media if Windows boot files are corrupted
• AOMEI Partition Assistant: Rebuilds boot sectors and fixes GPT partition issues that can break Secure Boot

Windows Recovery Options

There are several Windows recovery options that can help troubleshoot and fix problems. Here are some of the options. 

Startup Repair

The Startup Repair is a common Windows troubleshooting tool. It can automatically fix some common issues that halt proper booting in your computer.  

•  Access the Windows recovery environment.
• Select and click the troubleshoot. 
• Choose ‘Advanced options’
• Select ‘Startup Repair’

The system will restart. The Startup Repair starts scanning your computer for issues and tries to fix them.

BCDboot Command

The bcdboot command is a Windows utility used to configure a system partition with boot files and create a new BCD (Boot Configuration Data) store. Use bcdedit commands to rebuild boot configuration data. It ensures a proper UEFI boot chain. 

System File Checker

You can run sfc /scannow to repair Windows system files that support Secure Boot functionality. 

These advanced methods address deeper firmware and boot system corruption that standard troubleshooting can not resolve.