Troubleshooting Valorant’s Windows 11 Compatibility Issue: Secure Boot and BIOS Configuration Tips
Are you encountering a frustrating error message when launching Valorant on Windows 11? The notification may read: “This version of Vanguard requires UEFI secure boot to be enabled in order to play.” Despite your efforts to confirm that Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are enabled in your system BIOS, you might still face this obstacle. In this article, we’ll explore the potential causes, the nuances of BIOS configuration, especially with Gigabyte motherboards, and safe practices to resolve the issue.
Understanding the Error and Its Requirements
Valorant’s anti-cheat system, Vanguard, relies on certain hardware security features to function correctly. Two key requirements are:
- UEFI Secure Boot: A security standard that helps ensure your PC boots using only trusted software.
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): A hardware component providing cryptographic functions necessary for secure boot and other security features.
Even when these are enabled in your BIOS, some users report persistent errors. This discrepancy often stems from how certain motherboards, including Gigabyte models, report or handle the Secure Boot status.
The Gigabyte B850 Gaming WIFI6 and Secure Boot Reporting
Many users with Gigabyte B850 motherboards have noted that BIOS may indicate that Secure Boot is enabled even when it isn’t properly active. Conversely, some BIOS settings can appear enabled but are not operational, leading the operating system or security software to detect the feature as inactive.
One recommended workaround is to toggle the Secure Boot setting:
- Disable Secure Boot in BIOS
- Save settings and restart
- Re-enter BIOS and enable Secure Boot again
- Save and reboot
This “toggle” process can sometimes resolve reporting inconsistencies and ensure that Secure Boot is truly active and recognized by Windows and the Vanguard system.
Is Toggling Secure Boot Safe?
Generally, yes—disabling and re-enabling Secure Boot is a common troubleshooting step. However, some precautions are advisable:
- Backup important data: As with any BIOS changes, it’s wise to have recent backups.
- Follow manufacturer instructions: Refer to your motherboard’s user manual for specific guidance on changing Secure Boot settings.
- Avoid abrupt power loss: Ensure your system remains powered during BIOS adjustments.
Unintended misconfiguration might prevent the system from booting properly or cause other
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