What is Valorant Error Code 57​: Main Causes & How to Fix

VALORANT is one of the most popular first-person shooter games that has gained massive popularity in this genre in a very short time. Like any other competitive title, fair play is important in VALORANT.

This is why it uses a powerful anti-cheat system called Riot Vanguard that runs in the background before the game even starts, but sometimes this system fails to launch correctly. When that happens, players face Valorant Error Code 57, which can feel very frustrating, especially if you are trying to jump into a quick match or play with friends.

In this article, we will clearly explain what Valorant Error Code 57 actually means, the common reasons why it appears on your screen, and the simple step-by-step solutions you can use to fix the problem and get back into the game without stress.

What is Valorant Error Code 57

Valorant Error Code 57 shows up when Riot Vanguard does not start the way it should, and you will often see a message like “Vanguard not initialised” on the screen before the game even opens, which can be confusing at first.

This error does not mean that Valorant itself is broken; instead, it means the anti-cheat system is not running properly, and since Vanguard must start before the game, Valorant closes automatically and sends you back to the desktop.

While this may appear to be a serious issue, most of the time it occurs due to simple system or service problems, and the good news is that it is usually easy to resolve with a few basic steps.

What Causes Valorant Error Code 57

Here are the main reasons why Valorant Error Code 57 appears in your game, and we have explained them clearly and simply, so it is easy to understand:

• Vanguard service is disabled
  If this service is turned off or set to manual, it will not start when Windows boots. Since Vanguard must be active before Valorant launches, the game will immediately show Error Code 57 and close. This is one of the most common causes of the issue.
• Broken or missing Vanguard files
  Vanguard files can become damaged due to an unexpected PC shutdown, a system crash, or an interrupted update. When important files are missing or corrupted, the anti-cheat cannot initialise correctly. As a result, Valorant cannot verify system security and refuses to start.
• Antivirus or third-party software conflict
  Some antivirus programs, VPNs, firewalls, or system monitoring tools may block Vanguard from running. Because Vanguard works at a deep system level, security software may mistake it as a threat and stop it automatically.
• Outdated Windows or system drivers
  If your Windows version or drivers are outdated, they may not fully support Vanguard. After major Valorant updates, this can cause sudden compatibility problems even if the game worked before.
• Network or cache-related issues
  In rare situations, corrupted cache files or incorrect network settings can interfere with the Riot Client and Vanguard communication, leading to Error Code 57 and various other error codes.

We also compared Valorant to League of Legends in terms of profitability, which you can check out on our website.

How to Fix Error Code 57​ in Valorant

Below are the steps to fix error code 57 in VALORANT. As for the other VALORANT codes, please visit our website.

1. Restart your PC
   First, close Valorant and the Riot Client on your PC. Make sure they are not even running in the background. Then, restart your computer and open Valorant again. This is a simple restart, but it will reload system services and often fixes Error Code 57.
2. Check the Riot Vanguard service
   Press Windows + R, and then type services.msc, and press Enter. Scroll down and find the service named vgc in it. After you find it, you have to double-click it and set the Startup type to Automatic. If the service is stopped, click Start. Click Apply and OK, then restart your PC and launch Valorant again.
3. Reinstall Riot Vanguard
   If the error continues, close Valorant and the Riot Client. Open Windows Settings or Control Panel and uninstall Riot Vanguard. After uninstalling the Vanguard, restarting your PC is a must. After restarting, launch Valorant, and the game will automatically reinstall Vanguard. This step fixes problems caused by broken or missing files.
4. Update Windows and drivers
   Go to Windows Update and install all available updates. Restart your PC after updating. You should also update your graphics drivers from the official NVIDIA or AMD website to avoid compatibility issues.
5. Disable antivirus temporarily
   Turn off any third-party antivirus, firewall, or VPN and test Valorant. If the game opens, add Valorant and Riot Vanguard to the exception or safe list of that program.

Also, do not forget to check out our coverage on the best Valorant players on our website.