Computer Hardware

Valorant Vanguard High CPU Usage

Valorant Vanguard's high CPU usage has been a cause of concern among players and professionals alike. With its unexpected impact on the system's performance, users have been left wondering about the reasons behind this issue.

Valorant Vanguard, a kernel-level anti-cheat system, was designed to ensure a fair gameplay environment by detecting and preventing cheats. However, its high CPU usage has raised questions about its efficiency and the potential impact on performance. This issue not only disrupts the gaming experience but also affects other tasks running in the background of the system. Finding a balance between security and system resources has become a significant challenge for the developers.



Valorant Vanguard High CPU Usage

Understanding Valorant Vanguard High CPU Usage

Valorant Vanguard is an anti-cheat software used in the popular online gaming platform Valorant. While it serves the purpose of maintaining a fair gaming environment, some users have reported experiencing high CPU usage when running Valorant with Vanguard enabled. This article aims to delve into the causes and potential solutions for Valorant Vanguard high CPU usage, helping gamers optimize their system performance while enjoying their gaming experience.

What Causes Valorant Vanguard High CPU Usage?

Valorant Vanguard high CPU usage can be caused by various factors, including:

  • Inefficient Code: The software might contain inefficiencies or bugs that cause it to use excessive CPU resources.
  • Scanning and Monitoring: Valorant Vanguard actively scans and monitors the system to detect cheats or unauthorized programs, which can require significant CPU power.
  • Conflicts with Other Applications: Compatibility issues or conflicts with other software running on the system can lead to increased CPU usage.
  • Hardware Limitations: If the computer's hardware is outdated or insufficient, it may struggle to handle the resource-intensive requirements of Valorant Vanguard.

Effects of Valorant Vanguard High CPU Usage

The high CPU usage caused by Valorant Vanguard can have several adverse effects on a user's gaming experience:

  • Decreased Framerate: High CPU usage can result in lower framerates, causing the game to appear choppy or laggy.
  • Increased Input Lag: Excessive CPU usage can lead to delayed responses to player input, negatively affecting gameplay.
  • Overheating: Intensive CPU usage generates more heat, potentially causing the system to overheat and impacting its overall performance.
  • System Instability: When the CPU is pushed to its limits, it can lead to system crashes, freezes, or unexpected shutdowns.

Troubleshooting Valorant Vanguard High CPU Usage

If you're experiencing high CPU usage while running Valorant Vanguard, here are some troubleshooting steps to help alleviate the issue:

1. Update Valorant and Vanguard

Ensure that you're using the latest version of Valorant and Vanguard. Developers often release updates to address performance issues and optimize resource usage.

To update Valorant, open the Riot Games launcher, and check for any available updates. For Vanguard, it should update automatically when launching Valorant.

If the issue persists after updating, move on to the next troubleshooting step.

2. Close Unnecessary Background Applications

Make sure to close any unnecessary background applications or processes that may be consuming CPU resources. These can include web browsers, video streaming services, or resource-intensive software.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager and navigate to the "Processes" or "Details" tab. Sort the processes by CPU usage and close any non-essential programs.

If the high CPU usage persists, continue to the next troubleshooting step.

3. Exclude Valorant Vanguard from Antivirus Scans

Some antivirus programs might flag Valorant Vanguard as suspicious, leading to continuous scanning and increased CPU usage. To avoid this, exclude Valorant and Vanguard from the antivirus scans.

Check your antivirus software's settings for exclusion or whitelist options and add the Valorant and Vanguard executable files to the list. This step may vary depending on the antivirus software you're using.

If the issue persists, try the next troubleshooting step.

4. Adjust Valorant Vanguard Settings

Within the Valorant game settings, you can adjust certain Vanguard settings to potentially reduce CPU usage:

  • Open the game and navigate to the settings menu.
  • Click on the "More" tab and locate the "Vanguard" section.
  • Toggle off the "automatically start Vanguard on system startup" option.

This step prevents Vanguard from starting automatically with your system, reducing its impact on CPU resources when not playing Valorant.

If the issue persists, try the final troubleshooting step.

5. Upgrade Your Hardware

If all else fails and your system is struggling to handle the CPU demands of Valorant Vanguard, consider upgrading your hardware. This can involve adding more RAM, upgrading your CPU, or installing a more powerful cooling system.

Consult with a computer hardware specialist to determine the best upgrades for your specific system.

Keep in mind that upgrading hardware should be considered a last resort and may involve additional costs.

Further Optimizing Valorant Vanguard High CPU Usage

To further optimize Valorant Vanguard high CPU usage, consider the following:

1. Keep Your System Updated

Regularly update your operating system, drivers, and software. Developers often release updates that improve performance and address known issues, including high CPU usage.

Check for updates regularly and install them as they become available.

2. Optimize System Resources

Ensure that your system resources are optimized for gaming performance:

  • Close unnecessary background applications.
  • Disable resource-intensive effects or animations in the operating system settings.
  • Run regular maintenance tasks such as disk cleanup and defragmentation.
  • Allocate more resources to Valorant in the Task Manager.

3. Monitor CPU Temperature

High CPU usage can lead to increased temperatures, potentially causing performance issues or damage to the hardware. Monitor your CPU temperature using software utilities and ensure it remains within safe limits.

If your CPU temperature is consistently high, consider improving your system's cooling, such as adding additional fans or upgrading the CPU cooler.

4. Consider Alternate Gaming Settings

If Valorant Vanguard high CPU usage persists even after troubleshooting, you may need to adjust your gaming settings:

  • Lower the graphics settings within Valorant.
  • Disable any unnecessary background processes or services.
  • Ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Valorant.
  • Consider closing any unnecessary applications not related to gaming.

While adjusting the gaming settings may impact the visual experience, it can help reduce CPU usage.

Identifying and resolving Valorant Vanguard high CPU usage issues can significantly improve your gaming experience by ensuring optimal system performance. By following the troubleshooting steps and considering the additional optimization techniques mentioned above, you can mitigate CPU usage and enjoy a smoother and more stable gameplay experience in Valorant.


Valorant Vanguard High CPU Usage

Valorant Vanguard High CPU Usage

Valorant is a popular free-to-play multiplayer online first-person shooter game developed and published by Riot Games. However, some players have reported experiencing high CPU usage while playing Valorant due to the Vanguard anti-cheat system.

Vanguard operates in the background to ensure fair gameplay and counteract cheating. While its intentions are good, it has been known to consume a significant amount of CPU resources, causing performance issues and FPS drops.

To address this issue, here are a few potential solutions:

  • Update Vanguard: Make sure to keep the Vanguard anti-cheat software up to date. Riot Games regularly releases updates to optimize its performance and fix any bugs.
  • Close Unnecessary Programs: Close any unnecessary background processes and applications to free up CPU resources for Valorant and Vanguard.
  • Adjust Valorant Settings: Lowering the in-game graphics settings and disabling features like V-Sync can help reduce CPU usage.
  • Check Hardware and Drivers: Ensure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Valorant and update your drivers to the latest versions.
  • Contact Support: If the issue persists, reach out to Riot Games' support for further assistance and troubleshooting.

Key Takeaways

  • Valorant Vanguard can cause high CPU usage on some computers.
  • This high CPU usage can lead to performance issues and system slowdown.
  • One way to lower the CPU usage is to adjust the graphics settings in Valorant.
  • Another solution is to disable or uninstall Vanguard, but this may affect the game's security.
  • Updating your graphics card drivers and keeping Windows up to date can also help reduce CPU usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about Valorant Vanguard and high CPU usage:

1. What is Valorant Vanguard?

Valorant Vanguard is an anti-cheat software developed by Riot Games for the popular online game Valorant. It is designed to identify and prevent cheaters from gaining an unfair advantage in the game.

This software runs in the background while playing Valorant and constantly monitors the system for any suspicious activity. It helps ensure a fair and enjoyable gaming experience for all players.

2. Why is Valorant Vanguard causing high CPU usage?

Valorant Vanguard uses a significant amount of CPU resources to perform its anti-cheat functions. This high CPU usage is necessary to thoroughly scan and monitor the game processes and prevent any potential cheating attempts.

While high CPU usage is normal for Valorant Vanguard, it should not cause any significant performance issues or impact gameplay for most users. However, in some cases, it may contribute to minor performance drops or minor system slowdowns.

3. How can I reduce Valorant Vanguard's impact on my CPU usage?

If you're experiencing performance issues related to high CPU usage caused by Valorant Vanguard, here are a few steps you can take to reduce its impact:

1. Close unnecessary background applications: Closing any unnecessary programs running in the background can free up CPU resources for Valorant Vanguard and the game itself.

2. Update your drivers: Make sure your graphics card and other system drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause conflicts and increase CPU usage.

3. Optimize in-game settings: Lowering graphics settings in Valorant can reduce the overall CPU usage, allowing more resources for Valorant Vanguard to run smoothly.

4. Is high CPU usage caused by Valorant Vanguard a security concern?

No, high CPU usage caused by Valorant Vanguard is not a security concern. It is a normal part of the software's operation and is necessary for it to perform its anti-cheat functions effectively.

Riot Games has designed Valorant Vanguard to be safe and secure, and it undergoes regular updates and maintenance to ensure its reliability and effectiveness.

5. Can I disable Valorant Vanguard to reduce CPU usage?

No, you cannot disable Valorant Vanguard to reduce CPU usage. The anti-cheat software is an integral part of Valorant's gameplay and security measures, and disabling it would prevent you from playing the game.

However, if you believe that Valorant Vanguard is causing significant performance issues on your system, you can contact Riot Games support for assistance and troubleshooting steps specific to your situation.



To summarize, Valorant Vanguard can cause high CPU usage on some systems. This issue can result in decreased performance and gameplay interruptions. It is important to understand that Vanguard's anti-cheat software runs in the background to ensure fair gameplay, which is why it utilizes significant CPU resources.

If you are experiencing high CPU usage while playing Valorant, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the issue. First, make sure you have the latest updates installed for both Valorant and your operating system. You can also try lowering your in-game settings to reduce the strain on your CPU.


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