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Error 128 is one of the most common problems for Valorant players. This error occurs when system or third-party software interferes with the Vanguard anti-cheat or its “VGC” service. An initially flawed Vanguard installation is another reason for error 128 when starting Valorant.

How to fix error 128 in Valorant?

Method # 1 Disable Windows Test Mode

Test mode is a special mode of the Windows operating system for software developers who are working on creating new drivers without corresponding signatures. Test mode allows users to run unsigned drivers on their system that might conflict with Vanguard’s anti-cheat. To disable test mode, you need to do the following:

1. Call Command Prompt (Win + R -> cmd -> Ctrl + Shift + Enter).
2. Run the following series of commands:
   • bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF
   • bcdedit -set NOINTEGRITYCHECKS OFF
3. Open Valorant and then restart your computer.

Try running Valorant and see if error 128 has been resolved.

Method # 2 Automatic startup type of services

This error can also occur if the “VGC” service does not start the Vanguard antivirus driver when the Windows operating system boots. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Call Command Prompt.
2. Run the commands:
   • sc config vgc start = demand
   • sc config vgk start = system
3. Open Valorant and restart your PC.
4. Open the Command Prompt again.
5. We enter the following commands:
6. If the service check shows an error, you need to go about completely reinstalling Valorant and Vanguard antivirus. If the check gave you “vgc”, then in this case you need to start manually starting Vanguard. Call Command Prompt and execute:

Check if error 128 in Valorant has been resolved.

Method # 3 Recovering Valorant Files

Few people know about this, but Valorant has a feature thanks to which you can recover corrupted game files.

1. Go to this link and download the Valorant installer.
2. Run the installer and click on “Advanced Settings”.
3. Select the directory where Valorant is installed, for example D: Riot Games VALORANT.
4. Click the “Install” button, after which you will see the message “Recovery”.
5. After finishing the file recovery, launch Valorant.

If the case was indeed corrupted game files, then error 128 should go away after following the above steps.

Method # 4 Driver Verification

Windows has a special utility, thanks to which you can find unsigned drivers in your system and get rid of them if necessary. Perhaps the whole problem lies in such a driver.

1. Execute Win + R → sigverif.
2. Click on the “Start” button.
3. Please wait until the process of scanning the drivers in the system is finished
4. Search the net for the drivers you find to understand what they are.
5. Based on the information received, remove or update the problematic drivers.

Run Valorant again to check if error 128 has been resolved.

Method # 5 Enabling Data Execution Prevention

Data Execution Prevention is a service used by many anti-cheats to protect games from hacker DLL injectors. An extremely useful service, but some people disable it (for some reason), which puts the anti-cheat Vanguard into a stupor, as a result of which it prevents the player from starting Valorant, showing error 128. To enable the data execution prevention service, you need to do the following:

1. Call the Command Line in front of you.
2. Run the bcdedit.exe / set {current} nx OptIn command in it.
3. Restart your PC to start the PVP service.

If you still have not managed to get rid of error 128 in Valorant, then we recommend that you contact Riot Games technical support… Perhaps the developers themselves can help you.