Valorant Error Code VAN 79 usually shows up when you are ready to play, not when you have time to troubleshoot.
- You launch the game.
- The Riot Client opens.
- Everything looks normal for a second.
- Then VAN 79 appears and blocks the session.
Most players search this error because they want two things: a fast fix and a clear reason. They do not want to break Windows settings, reinstall everything, or waste an hour trying random tips.
The good news is that VAN 79 is usually fixable. Start with the safer checks first, then move into Vanguard and network fixes only if the error keeps coming back.
What Is Valorant Error Code VAN 79?
Valorant Error Code VAN 79 is a connection-related Vanguard error.
In simple terms, Valorant cannot keep a clean connection between the Riot Client, Riot Vanguard, your PC, and Riot’s services. That can happen because Vanguard did not start correctly, your network settings are stuck, a firewall blocked the connection, or Riot services are having issues.
VAN 79 is not normally a ban message. It is also not a reason to jump straight into BIOS changes, Windows reinstall, or a full Valorant reinstall.
Fix the connection path first.
Most Common Causes of VAN 79
VAN 79 does not always come from one single issue. Most of the time, one part of the launch process fails and Valorant cannot complete the check.
| Cause | Why it can trigger VAN 79 |
| Riot services are down | Valorant cannot connect properly from your region |
| Vanguard did not start | The anti-cheat check fails before the game opens |
| vgc service is stopped | Vanguard’s background service is not running |
| Riot Client permission issue | The client cannot start or update the right files |
| DNS or Winsock conflict | Windows keeps old or broken network data |
| Firewall or antivirus block | Riot Client, Valorant, or Vanguard gets restricted |
| VPN or proxy conflict | The connection route changes or fails |
| Corrupted Vanguard files | Vanguard loads badly after an update or crash |
If VAN 79 appeared right after a Riot patch, Windows update, PC restart, or antivirus change, start with the fixes below in order.
Quick Checks Before Advanced Fixes
Do these first. They are safe and take only a few minutes.
- Check Riot service status.
- Restart your PC fully.
- Close Riot Client from the system tray and reopen it.
- Turn off VPN or proxy apps.
- Make sure Riot Vanguard is running.
- Run Riot Client as administrator.
Do not start with BIOS settings. Secure Boot, TPM, and BIOS changes are more relevant to other Vanguard errors, not the first fix for VAN 79.
If you are on a fresh PC, new Windows install, or separate setup, fix the error before blaming the account. Players who want a clean setup later can look at Valorant accounts, but VAN 79 itself usually starts from the client, Vanguard, or network path.
Step 1: Check Riot Service Status
Before changing files on your PC, check Riot’s side.
Open the official Riot Games Service Status page, select your region, and look for Valorant issues.
If Riot is running maintenance or dealing with a regional outage, wait. Reinstalling Vanguard or changing Windows settings will not fix a server-side problem.
If Riot status is clear and VAN 79 only happens on your PC, move to the local fixes.
Step 2: Restart Your PC Properly
A normal restart fixes more VAN errors than players expect.
Do not use sleep mode. Do not only close the Riot Client. Restart the full PC so Vanguard gets a clean boot.
After the restart:
- Open Riot Client
- Launch Valorant
- Check if VAN 79 returns
If the error disappears, it was likely a bad startup or temporary Vanguard issue.
Step 3: Check the Vanguard vgc Service
If VAN 79 comes back, check the vgc service.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type services.msc.
- Press Enter.
- Find vgc.
- Right-click it and open Properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic.
- Click Start if the service is stopped.
- Restart your PC again.
That last restart matters. Vanguard loads early with Windows, so opening Valorant again without rebooting may not be enough.
Step 4: Run Riot Client as Administrator
Close Valorant and Riot Client completely.
Then right-click Riot Client and choose Run as administrator.
This can help when the client opens normally but cannot start the background services it needs. It is also useful after Riot updates, Vanguard patches, Windows permission changes, or a fresh install.
If Valorant also shows install or anti-cheat dependency errors, use this Valorant required dependency fixes guide before reinstalling the full game.
Step 5: Reset DNS and Winsock
If Vanguard is running but VAN 79 still appears, reset the network stack.
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands:
- ipconfig /flushdns
- netsh winsock reset
Restart your PC after both commands finish.
This does not remove your Valorant account, skins, rank, settings, or progress. It only clears network data that may stop the Riot Client from making a clean connection.
Step 6: Check Firewall, Antivirus, VPN, and Proxy Apps
Security tools can block Riot files without showing a clear warning.
Turn off VPNs, proxy apps, packet filters, or strict antivirus features for a quick test. Then launch Valorant again.
If VAN 79 disappears, add exceptions for:
- Riot Client
- VALORANT
- Riot Vanguard
- vgc service
Do not leave your PC unprotected. The goal is only to find what blocked the connection, then whitelist the right Riot files.
Step 7: Reinstall Riot Vanguard
If vgc will not start, or VAN 79 keeps returning after every reboot, reinstall Riot Vanguard.
Use this order:
- Close Valorant and Riot Client.
- Open Apps & Features in Windows.
- Uninstall Riot Vanguard.
- Restart your PC.
- Open Valorant.
- Let Vanguard reinstall.
- Restart once more when asked.
Do not skip the second restart. Vanguard needs a clean boot before Valorant can use it again.
Should You Reinstall Valorant?
Do not reinstall the full game first.
For VAN 79, the issue is more often Vanguard, Riot Client permissions, firewall rules, or network settings. A full reinstall takes longer and may not fix the real problem.
Reinstall Valorant only if:
- Vanguard reinstall did not work
- Riot Client files seem damaged
- Multiple VAN errors appear together
- The error started after a broken update
- Riot Support recommends it
If you reach a clean uninstall step, this guide on how to uninstall Valorant can help you avoid leaving broken Vanguard files behind.
Do You Need Secure Boot, TPM, or BIOS Changes?
Usually, no.
Secure Boot, TPM, and BIOS-related fixes are more common with other Vanguard errors, especially on Windows 11. VAN 79 is usually closer to a connection, Vanguard service, or client communication issue.
Only change BIOS settings if Valorant clearly shows a Secure Boot, TPM, or Vanguard restriction message, or Riot Support tells you to do it.
For VAN 79, start with Riot status, PC restart, vgc service, admin launch, DNS reset, firewall/VPN checks, and Vanguard reinstall.
Is VAN 79 a Server Issue?
Sometimes, but not always.
If Riot servers are down, more players will usually be affected at the same time. You may see reports online, status updates, or other connection errors across the region.
If only your PC is affected, it is more likely local.
A good rule:
- Many players affected = check Riot status and wait.
- Only you affected = check Vanguard, network, firewall, and client settings.
How VAN 79 Impacts Ranked Play
VAN 79 does not directly remove RR or change your MMR.
The problem is timing.
If the error appears before ranked, it can stop your queue, delay a duo session, break your warm-up, or make you miss the time window where your team was ready. If you keep trying to launch the game during a ranked push, you can also lose focus before you even play.
That matters for competitive players because ranked progress is not only about aim. It is also about rhythm, confidence, and clean sessions.
Once Valorant is stable again, players focused on ranked momentum often go back to one of three goals: getting wins, climbing a target rank, or setting up a clean account for future games.
Players who want steadier RR progress after repeated interruptions may look at Valorant ranked wins, while longer climb goals fit better with Valorant rank boosting. These should come after the error is fixed, not before it.
Why Some Players Look for Alternatives During Errors
When VAN 79 keeps coming back, players usually do not lose interest in Valorant.
They lose patience with downtime.
That is when some players explore options that save time after the technical issue is handled. A fresh setup through Valorant accounts can make sense for players who want a separate profile, rare skins, or a different ranked starting point.
For players who already have an account and just want progress, ranked wins or rank boosting are more relevant than starting over.
The main point is simple: fix VAN 79 first, then choose the progress option that matches your goal.
How to Stop VAN 79 From Coming Back
Prevention is easier than fixing the same error every week.
Use these habits:
- Keep Vanguard enabled at startup.
- Restart your PC after Riot updates.
- Restart after major Windows updates.
- Avoid VPNs while playing Valorant.
- Keep Riot Client and Valorant whitelisted.
- Do not force-close Vanguard services.
- Keep Windows and network drivers updated.
- Avoid “PC optimizer” apps that disable background services.
- Do not ignore repeated vgc service failures.
If VAN 79 keeps returning after every update, the issue may be a conflict with security software or startup services. In that case, check what changed recently before reinstalling the game again.
When to Contact Riot Support
Contact Riot Support if:
- vgc will not start
- Vanguard reinstall fails
- VAN 79 appears after every reboot
- Riot status is normal but your client still cannot connect
- Other VAN errors appear with it
- DNS reset and Vanguard reinstall did not help
When you open a ticket, include your Windows version, region, connection type, and the fixes you already tried. Also mention whether the error started after a Riot patch, Windows update, driver update, antivirus change, or PC reset.
Check out some of our most popular Boosting services:
Final Takeaway
Valorant Error Code VAN 79 is annoying, but it is usually fixable.
Start with Riot service status, then restart your PC, check Vanguard and the vgc service, run Riot Client as administrator, reset DNS/Winsock, and check firewall or VPN conflicts. Reinstall Vanguard only if the basic fixes fail.
Most players do not need BIOS changes, a Windows reinstall, or a full game reinstall for VAN 79. Fix the client, service, and network path first.
FAQs About Valorant Error Code VAN 79
What does Valorant Error Code VAN 79 mean?
VAN 79 is a connection-related Valorant error linked to Riot Vanguard, Riot Client, or the network path between your PC and Riot’s services. It often appears when Vanguard does not start properly or the client cannot complete a clean connection.
How do I fix VAN 79 in Valorant?
Check Riot service status first, restart your PC, make sure the vgc service is running, and run Riot Client as administrator. If the error stays, reset DNS/Winsock, check firewall or VPN conflicts, then reinstall Riot Vanguard.
Is VAN 79 a ban?
No. VAN 79 is not normally a ban message. It is usually a technical error linked to Vanguard, Riot Client, or network communication.
Can Riot servers cause VAN 79?
Yes, Riot service issues can sometimes trigger connection errors. Check the official Riot Games Service Status page first. If there is no outage and only your PC is affected, troubleshoot Vanguard and your network.
Can Windows updates cause VAN 79?
Yes. A Windows update can change permissions, restart services, or create conflicts with Vanguard. If VAN 79 appears after an update, check the vgc service and restart your PC before reinstalling anything.
Do I need to reinstall Valorant to fix VAN 79?
Usually no. Reinstall Riot Vanguard first because VAN 79 often comes from Vanguard service or client communication issues. Reinstall the full game only if Vanguard, network, and permission fixes fail.
Does Secure Boot fix VAN 79?
Usually not. Secure Boot and TPM are more common with other Vanguard errors on Windows 11. For VAN 79, start with Riot status, Vanguard service, network reset, firewall checks, and Vanguard reinstall.
Does VAN 79 affect ranked MMR?
No. VAN 79 does not directly change MMR or remove RR. It can still hurt your ranked momentum by blocking queues, wasting warm-up time, or interrupting planned sessions.
Why does VAN 79 keep coming back?
VAN 79 can keep coming back if Vanguard does not start with Windows, firewall rules block Riot files, VPN/proxy apps interfere, or Windows/network settings keep resetting. Check the cause instead of reinstalling Valorant every time.
