Valorant is a smooth game when everything works. You click Play, pick your agent, and boom. Headshots. But then Valorant throws Error Code 152-4 at you like a surprise flashbang. Not cool. Do not panic. This guide will help you understand what it means and what to try first.
TLDR: Valorant Error Code 152-4 is often linked to Riot Vanguard, account security, or a hardware restriction. Start by restarting your PC, checking Riot server status, and reinstalling Vanguard. If the error stays, remove suspicious software, update Windows, and contact Riot Support. Do not use hardware spoofers or sketchy “instant fix” tools.
What Is Valorant Error Code 152-4?
Error Code 152-4 is not one of those friendly little errors that says, “Oops, your internet blinked.” It is more serious. Many players see it when Valorant or Riot Vanguard thinks something is wrong with the system, the account, or the hardware environment.
In simple words, Valorant is saying:
- “I do not trust this setup right now.”
- “Vanguard found something odd.”
- “This PC may be restricted.”
- “Please stop and check things.”
Sometimes it is a real ban or hardware restriction. Sometimes it is caused by software conflicts. Sometimes Vanguard is just being dramatic. Like a teammate who screams “rotate” after two footsteps.
Before You Try Anything
Take a breath. Do not smash your keyboard. That keyboard has seen enough.
Also, do not download random “Valorant 152 fixer” tools. These are often scams. Some may steal your Riot account. Some may install malware. Some may make things worse. If a website promises to “remove bans instantly,” run away. Fast.
Use safe steps only. Use official tools. Use common sense. Common sense is the real ultimate ability.
Step 1: Restart Your PC
Yes, this is the boring step. But it works more often than people admit.
Valorant depends on Riot Vanguard. Vanguard starts with Windows. If Vanguard loads badly, Valorant may refuse to run. A clean restart can fix a bad service launch.
Do this:
- Close Valorant.
- Close the Riot Client.
- Click Start.
- Choose Restart, not Shut Down.
- Open Valorant again.
If the error vanishes, great. You win the pistol round.
Step 2: Check Riot Server Status
Sometimes the problem is not you. It is the servers. Riot services can have outages, maintenance, or login problems.
Check Riot’s official server status page. Pick your region. Look for Valorant issues. If there is an outage, wait. Making changes on your PC during a server problem is like fixing your toaster during a power cut.
If servers are healthy, move to the next step.
Step 3: Fully Close Riot and Valorant
Valorant can leave small background processes running. These can get stuck. Let us clear them.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Open Task Manager.
- Find VALORANT, Riot Client, and Vanguard items.
- Click each one.
- Choose End Task.
Then reopen the Riot Client as administrator.
To do that, right click the Riot Client shortcut. Choose Run as administrator. This gives the client enough permission to repair small problems.
Step 4: Reinstall Riot Vanguard
This is one of the best quick fixes. Vanguard is Valorant’s anti-cheat system. If Vanguard is broken, Valorant can throw errors.
Here is the simple way:
- Press Windows key.
- Type Add or remove programs.
- Open it.
- Find Riot Vanguard.
- Click Uninstall.
- Restart your PC.
- Open Valorant.
- Let Vanguard install again.
- Restart your PC one more time.
Yes, two restarts. Vanguard loves restarts. It is needy like that.
Step 5: Make Sure the VGC Service Is Running
Vanguard uses a Windows service called vgc. If this service is stopped, Valorant may fail.
Check it like this:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type services.msc.
- Press Enter.
- Find vgc.
- Right click it.
- Click Properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic.
- Click Start if it is not running.
- Click Apply, then OK.
Now restart your PC and try Valorant again.
Step 6: Remove Suspicious Programs
This part matters a lot. Error Code 152-4 can happen when Vanguard detects tools it does not like. These may include real cheat tools, hardware spoofers, debuggers, strange macro tools, or shady background apps.
You may think, “But I only used it for another game.” Vanguard does not care. Vanguard is the strict school principal of your PC.
Look for programs like:
- Cheat engines
- Memory editors
- Hardware ID spoofers
- Script tools
- Macro software from unknown sources
- Cracked game tools
- Suspicious overlays
Uninstall anything risky. Then restart your PC. Also empty your Recycle Bin. Keep your setup clean.
Important: Do not try to bypass Vanguard. Do not try to spoof your hardware. This can lead to longer restrictions. It can also put your account at risk.
Step 7: Update Windows
Old Windows files can cause anti-cheat problems. Valorant likes a healthy system. Give it one.
To update Windows:
- Press Windows + I.
- Go to Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install everything important.
- Restart your PC.
This can fix driver issues, security issues, and service problems. It is not exciting. But neither is losing a ranked match because your game would not open.
Step 8: Update Your Drivers
Bad or outdated drivers can annoy Vanguard. Focus on the big ones.
- Graphics driver: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
- Chipset driver: From your motherboard or laptop maker.
- Network driver: Useful if Valorant has login trouble too.
Download drivers from official websites only. Avoid “driver booster” apps that install mystery files. Mystery files are not your friends.
Step 9: Check Secure Boot and TPM
This is most important on Windows 11. Valorant often requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. If these are off, you may see Vanguard errors.
Error Code 152-4 is not always caused by this. But it is worth checking if you recently changed BIOS settings, upgraded Windows, or built a new PC.
To check Secure Boot:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type msinfo32.
- Press Enter.
- Look for Secure Boot State.
To check TPM:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type tpm.msc.
- Press Enter.
- Check if TPM is ready.
If either one is off, you may need to enable it in BIOS. Be careful in BIOS. If you are unsure, check your motherboard guide or ask someone experienced.
Step 10: Reset Your Network Settings
This may help if the error appears with login issues. It is quick and safe.
Open Command Prompt as administrator. Then run these commands one at a time:
- ipconfig /flushdns
- netsh winsock reset
- netsh int ip reset
Restart your PC after that.
This is like giving your internet settings a tiny shower. Clean and fresh.
Step 11: Scan for Malware
Malware can mess with system files. It can also look suspicious to Vanguard. Run a full scan with Windows Security or another trusted antivirus.
Do this:
- Open Windows Security.
- Go to Virus & threat protection.
- Choose Scan options.
- Select Full scan.
- Start the scan.
Let it finish. Remove anything it finds. Restart after cleanup.
Step 12: Repair or Reinstall Valorant
If Vanguard reinstall did not help, try reinstalling Valorant too.
First, uninstall Valorant and Riot Vanguard. Then restart your PC. After that, download Valorant again from Riot’s official site. Install it fresh. Restart when asked.
This gives you clean game files and a clean Vanguard install. It takes longer. But it is still easier than explaining to your squad why you vanished before agent select.
What If Error Code 152-4 Means a Restriction?
Here is the serious part. In many cases, Valorant Error Code 152 is linked to a hardware restriction. That means Riot may have restricted the machine, not just the account.
If that is true, local fixes may not work. Reinstalling the game will not remove a real restriction. Changing random PC parts is not a smart plan. Using a spoofer is even worse.
If you believe the restriction is a mistake, contact Riot Support. Be polite. Explain the issue clearly. Include screenshots. Tell them what steps you tried. Do not spam tickets. One good ticket is better than twelve angry ones.
What to Include in a Riot Support Ticket
Make your ticket easy to understand. Support agents are human. Help them help you.
- Your Riot ID
- Your region
- The exact error code
- When the error started
- A screenshot of the error
- Recent PC changes
- Programs you recently installed
- Steps you already tried
Use a calm tone. Saying “your game is trash” will not speed things up. It may feel good for three seconds. Then nothing improves.
Quick Fix Checklist
Want the fastest path? Follow this order:
- Restart your PC.
- Check Riot server status.
- Close Riot Client in Task Manager.
- Run Riot Client as administrator.
- Uninstall and reinstall Riot Vanguard.
- Start the vgc service.
- Remove suspicious software.
- Update Windows and drivers.
- Check TPM and Secure Boot.
- Scan for malware.
- Reinstall Valorant.
- Contact Riot Support if it stays.
Final Thoughts
Valorant Error Code 152-4 can be annoying. It can also be scary. But you have a plan now. Start with the easy fixes. Restart. Reinstall Vanguard. Clean up risky software. Update your system.
If the error is caused by a real hardware restriction, only Riot Support can review it. Do not trust fake fix tools. Do not use spoofers. Keep your account safe.
With luck, you will be back in Valorant soon. Your team needs smokes. Or heals. Or someone to blame the lag. Either way, go fix that error and get back to clicking heads.
