TL;DR
Riot Games has confirmed that its Vanguard anti-cheat system does not damage or ‘brick’ PCs, despite recent claims and user reports. The company clarified that the hardware issues are related to cheat devices, not the software itself.
Riot Games has publicly clarified that its Vanguard anti-cheat system does not ‘brick’ PCs, countering recent claims and user reports suggesting hardware damage following a recent update.
On May 22, 2026, Riot Games issued a tweet confirming that Vanguard does not cause physical or software damage to computers. The clarification came after widespread reports and claims on social media alleging that a recent Vanguard update had rendered PCs inoperable or damaged hardware components.
The company explained that the images circulating online, which appeared to show damaged hardware, actually depicted cheat hardware devices sold explicitly for cheating in Valorant. Riot stated that these devices are now rendered useless by the latest Vanguard update, which disables their functionality, but emphasized that the software does not ‘brick’ or physically harm PCs or their components.
Specifically, Riot highlighted that the alleged hardware failures were linked to cheat devices, not the Vanguard anti-cheat software itself. The company clarified that Vanguard operates at the kernel level to prevent cheating, but it does not impact the hardware or core software of players’ PCs beyond its intended anti-cheat functions.
Why It Matters
This clarification is significant because it addresses widespread concerns and misconceptions about the safety of Riot’s anti-cheat system. Allegations that Vanguard was damaging hardware had caused alarm among players and hardware manufacturers, potentially impacting trust in Riot’s security measures. Riot’s transparent response aims to reassure the gaming community that their systems remain safe and that the issues are related solely to cheat hardware devices being rendered ineffective.
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Background
Vanguard, Riot’s anti-cheat system, launched with Valorant in 2020 and was later integrated into League of Legends in 2024. Its kernel-level operation has made it effective at preventing cheating but also controversial due to concerns over privacy and hardware compatibility. Previous incidents, including high-profile cases involving streamer Nick ‘LS’ De Cesare, have raised questions about Vanguard’s impact on user hardware.
Recent reports on social media claimed that a Vanguard update caused PCs to become unbootable or damaged, prompting Riot to investigate and respond publicly. The company’s latest statement aims to dispel these claims and clarify the actual nature of the hardware issues reported.
“Vanguard now makes those devices worthless for Valorant, but does not in any way brick PCs or PC components or PC software.”
— Riot Games
“The image attached to the tweet shows cheat hardware devices sold explicitly for cheating in Valorant.”
— Riot Games
“Disabling IOMMU allows the cheat device to function again, but IOMMU will still be required to play our games. This means the cheat device won’t work with our games, but your PC isn’t ‘bricked.'”
— Riot Games
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What Remains Unclear
It remains unclear whether any hardware damage claims are due to user misuse or other factors unrelated to Vanguard’s software. The extent of hardware issues reported outside of cheat devices is still under investigation, and Riot has not confirmed any actual physical damage caused by its anti-cheat system.
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What’s Next
Riot is expected to continue monitoring user reports and may release further updates or clarifications. The company has also committed to transparency about Vanguard’s operations and will likely provide additional technical details or support if hardware issues persist.
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Key Questions
Does Vanguard cause physical damage to my PC?
No. Riot Games has explicitly stated that Vanguard does not cause physical damage or ‘bricking’ of PCs. Reports of hardware failure are linked to cheat devices, not the anti-cheat software itself.
What are cheat hardware devices, and how are they affected?
Cheat hardware devices are physical tools sold to cheat in Valorant. Riot’s latest update disables these devices, rendering them useless, but does not harm the PCs they are connected to.
Can Vanguard impact my PC’s software or hardware beyond anti-cheat measures?
No. Riot emphasizes that Vanguard operates at the kernel level for anti-cheat purposes but does not impact the core software or hardware of your PC outside of its intended function.
What should I do if I experience hardware issues after a Vanguard update?
If you experience hardware problems, Riot recommends consulting with hardware manufacturers or technical support. The company states that Vanguard itself does not cause hardware damage.
Source: reddit
