Fixing the VALORANT incompatible software component detected error
The VALORANT incompatible software component detected error is one of the most common launch problems players face. It usually appears as a Vanguard error (often labeled VAN) and prevents the game from starting. While frustrating, this issue is fixable once you understand what causes it.
This VALORANT error guide explains what the error means, why it happens, and how to fix it step by step.
What does the VAN incompatible software error mean?
When you launch VALORANT, Riot Vanguard scans your system before the game starts. Vanguard is a kernel-level anti-cheat, meaning it runs at a very deep system level. If Vanguard detects a driver, service, or background software that:
- Interacts with the kernel
- Modifies memory
- Hooks system processes
- Uses outdated or unsigned drivers …it will block the game and show the VAN incompatible software error.
Most of the time, this does not mean you are cheating. It usually means Vanguard flagged a legitimate tool that conflicts with its security rules.
You should know these before continuing
The error message usually lists a .sys file. These are driver files loaded at system startup. Frequently flagged files include:
- ene.sys: RGB lighting controllers
- rtcore64.sys: MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner
- EPMVolFlt.sys: Old disk or system drivers
- inpoutx64.sys: Low-level hardware tools
- AsIO.sys: ASUS motherboard utilities If you see one of these files in the error message, that file is the reason Vanguard is blocking VALORANT.
A common question: What is ene.sys in VALORANT?
ene.sys is a kernel-level driver created by ENE Technology Inc. It is most commonly installed by:
- RGB lighting software
- Motherboard utilities
- Fan and hardware monitoring tools You’ll usually find it on systems with motherboards from:
- ASUS
- MSI
- Gigabyte
- ASRock The file is typically located at:
- C:WindowsSystem32driversene.sys
- Its job is to allow software to directly communicate with motherboard hardware, especially RGB controllers and sensors.
So, how to fix the VALORANT incompatible software component detected error
Follow the steps below in order. Most users fix the VALORANT incompatible software component detected issue within the first two methods.
- Identify the exact incompatible software component detected by VALORANT.
- Uninstall the program that installed the conflicting driver.
- Manually remove the flagged .sys driver file from the system.
- Restart and confirm that the Riot Vanguard service is running correctly.
- Completely uninstall and reinstall Riot Vanguard.
- Update Windows and all critical system drivers.
- Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 on Windows 11 systems.
- Run a full malware and security scan to rule out hidden threats.
- Restart the computer and relaunch VALORANT.
- Contact Riot Support with the full error details if the issue persists. Here is how to execute them.
Step 1: Identify the exact file Vanguard is blocking
When the error appears, look closely at the message. It will show a path similar to:
- C:WindowsSystem32drivers tcore64.sys Write down:
- The file name
- The folder location This tells you which software installed the driver.
Step 2: Uninstall the software that installed the driver
This is the safest and recommended fix. Identify the exact incompatible software component detected by VALORANT.
- Press Windows + R
- Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter
- Look for related software such as:
- MSI Afterburner
- ASUS Aura
- Gigabyte RGB Fusion
- Corsair iCUE
- Old VPN software
- Select the program and click Uninstall
- Restart your PC After rebooting, launch VALORANT again. In most cases, the VALORANT incompatible software component detected error will be gone.
Step 3: How to delete ene.sys manually
Only do this if you are sure the file is not a Windows system driver.
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to the path shown in the error
- Right-click the .sys file and delete it
- Restart your PC
If Windows refuses to delete the file:
- Boot into Safe Mode
- Delete the file from Safe Mode
- Reboot normally This forces Vanguard to stop detecting the incompatible component.
Step 4: Restart the Riot Vanguard Service
Sometimes the driver is removed, but Vanguard still fails to start correctly.
- Press Windows + R
- Type services.msc
- Find vgc
- Right-click → Properties
- Set Startup type to Automatic
- Click Start
- Click OK
- Restart your PC This ensures Vanguard loads correctly at boot.
Step 5: Reinstall Riot Vanguard completely
If the VALORANT incompatible software component detected error still appears, do a clean reinstall.
- Right-click the Vanguard icon in the system tray
- Select Uninstall Vanguard
- Restart your PC
- Launch VALORANT
- Let Vanguard reinstall automatically
- Restart again when prompted A clean Vanguard install often fixes corrupted or outdated driver checks.
Step 6: Update Windows and all system drivers
Outdated drivers can cause false positives. Make sure to update:
- Windows (Settings → Windows Update)
- GPU drivers (NVIDIA / AMD / Intel)
- Chipset drivers (from motherboard manufacturer) After updating, reboot and test VALORANT again.
Step 7: Check secure boot and TPM (Windows 11 Only)
On Windows 11, Vanguard requires modern security features, like secure boot. Enter BIOS/UEFI and confirm:
- TPM 2.0 is enabled
- Secure Boot is enabled
- CSM / Legacy Boot is disabled If these are disabled, Vanguard may incorrectly flag drivers and trigger the VALORANT incompatible software component detected error.
Step 8: Scan for Malware (Optional but recommended)
If you do not recognize the file Vanguard flagged:
- Run Windows Defender Full Scan
- Or use a trusted third-party antivirus Some malware disguises itself as system drivers and will always be blocked by Vanguard.
Keep in mind: Software known to cause this error
Based on user reports, these tools commonly trigger the VALORANT incompatible software component detected issue:
- MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner
- ASUS Aura Sync
- Old RGB lighting utilities
- Legacy VPN software
- Kernel-level monitoring tools
- Outdated motherboard utilities If you need these tools, check for updated versions that use signed drivers. In most cases, the fix is simple:
- Identify the file
- Remove the related software
- Restart your PC Once resolved, VALORANT will launch normally and Vanguard will run without issues. If none of the fixes work, the final step is to contact Riot Support and include: The exact error message The blocked file name Your Windows version This helps them diagnose rare edge cases faster.