How to Enable Secure Boot for Valorant: A Step-by-Step Guide

Valorant, a popular first-person shooter game developed by Riot Games, requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled for enhanced security and to ensure fair play. Enabling Secure Boot helps protect your system from malicious software and ensures that your operating system boots using only software trusted by the PC manufacturer. This guide will walk you through the process of enabling Secure Boot on your system so you can enjoy playing Valorant without any security issues.

What is Secure Boot?

Secure Boot is a security standard developed by members of the PC industry to help make sure that your PC boots using only software that is trusted by the PC manufacturer. When the PC starts, the firmware checks the signature of each piece of boot software, including firmware drivers (option ROMs), EFI applications, and the operating system. If the signatures are valid, the PC boots, and the firmware gives control to the operating system.

Why Enable Secure Boot for Valorant?

Valorant’s anti-cheat system, Vanguard, requires Secure Boot to be enabled to prevent unauthorized software from interfering with the game. This ensures a fair playing field by blocking cheats and hacks that can compromise the game’s integrity.

How to Enable Secure Boot

Enabling Secure Boot involves accessing your computer’s BIOS or UEFI firmware settings. The steps to access these settings can vary depending on the manufacturer of your motherboard or computer. Below is a general guide that should help you through the process.

Step 1: Access BIOS/UEFI Settings

1. Restart Your Computer:
   • Save any open work and restart your computer.
2. Enter BIOS/UEFI:
   • As your computer starts up, press the key that enters the BIOS/UEFI settings. Common keys are F2, F10, DEL, or ESC. The key to press is usually displayed on the screen during startup.

Step 2: Locate Secure Boot Settings

1. Find the Secure Boot Option:
   • In the BIOS/UEFI menu, navigate to the Boot or Security tab. The exact location can vary, but it is typically found under one of these tabs.
2. Enable Secure Boot:
   • Once you find the Secure Boot option, set it to Enabled. If Secure Boot is greyed out, you may need to set a Supervisor or Administrator password in the BIOS/UEFI to unlock it.

Step 3: Save Changes and Exit

1. Save Changes:
   • After enabling Secure Boot, navigate to the Save & Exit tab or look for the option to Save Changes and Exit. Confirm the changes when prompted.
2. Restart Your Computer:
   • Your computer will restart with Secure Boot enabled.

Step 4: Verify Secure Boot is Enabled

1. Check Secure Boot Status:
   • After your computer restarts, you can verify that Secure Boot is enabled by running the System Information tool in Windows. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. Look for Secure Boot State in the System Summary. It should say On.

Additional Tips for Enabling Secure Boot

• Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware: If you cannot find the Secure Boot option, make sure your BIOS/UEFI firmware is up to date. Check your motherboard or computer manufacturer’s website for updates and instructions.
• Disable Compatibility Support Module (CSM): Secure Boot may require CSM to be disabled. Look for the CSM option in the BIOS/UEFI settings and set it to Disabled.

Troubleshooting

Secure Boot Grayed Out

If the Secure Boot option is greyed out, try the following:

• Set BIOS/UEFI Password: Some systems require you to set a Supervisor or Administrator password to enable Secure Boot.
• Disable Fast Boot: Fast Boot can sometimes interfere with Secure Boot settings. Disable Fast Boot in the BIOS/UEFI settings and try again.
• Reset to Default Settings: As a last resort, you can reset the BIOS/UEFI settings to default and then attempt to enable Secure Boot.

Valorant Still Not Working

If Valorant still doesn’t launch, check the following:

• TPM 2.0: Ensure that TPM 2.0 is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. This is another requirement for Valorant’s anti-cheat system.
• Windows Update: Make sure your Windows operating system is up to date with the latest updates and patches.

Conclusion

Enabling Secure Boot is a crucial step to ensure that Valorant runs smoothly and securely on your system. By following this guide, you can easily enable Secure Boot and meet the requirements for Valorant’s anti-cheat system. This not only enhances your gaming experience but also protects your system from unauthorized software and potential threats. Happy gaming!