Valorant Secure Boot <Working>

Check if you are running "Custom Mode" for Secure Boot. Switch it to "Standard Mode". Also, ensure your boot drive is GPT formatted (not MBR).

There is a philosophical objection here. Many gamers argue that a video game should not have the authority to enforce system-wide security policies. They worry that if Riot can mandate Secure Boot, what happens if a bad actor exploits Vanguard’s kernel access? valorant secure boot

For Valorant , the enforcement of Secure Boot is a strategic necessity to ensure the integrity of the environment in which the game runs. By requiring Secure Boot, Riot Games ensures that the operating system has not been tampered with during the boot process. If a cheat developer attempts to load an unsigned or malicious driver—often required for kernel-level cheats—to hijack the system before the anti-cheat loads, Secure Boot will block the driver and prevent the system from starting or the cheat from functioning. This effectively forces cheaters to operate within the boundaries set by the operating system and the anti-cheat, stripping them of the ability to hide at the deepest levels of the machine. Without Secure Boot, Vanguard’s kernel-level access would be far less effective, as it could never be certain that the kernel itself was reporting accurate information. Check if you are running "Custom Mode" for Secure Boot

Secure Boot is a security standard built into modern motherboards (UEFI, not legacy BIOS). Think of it as a digital bouncer that checks the ID of every driver and bootloader before allowing them to run. There is a philosophical objection here

In conclusion, the requirement for Secure Boot in Valorant represents a paradigm shift in digital rights management and anti-cheat technology. It moves the battleground from the software level to the firmware level, acknowledging that true system integrity begins the moment the power button is pressed. While this requirement presents challenges regarding accessibility and user autonomy, particularly for Linux users and hardware enthusiasts, it serves as a formidable barrier against the escalating sophistication of kernel-level cheats. As the gaming industry continues to grapple with the economics of cheating, Riot’s strict enforcement of Secure Boot serves as a case study, suggesting that for high-stakes competitive gaming, the integrity of the sport may ultimately outweigh the flexibility of the platform.

So, take a deep breath, reboot into your BIOS, and flip that switch. The cheaters are praying you don't. And in the ranked lobbies of VALORANT , that’s a prayer we are happy to answer.

This must say UEFI . If it says "Legacy," you may need to convert your drive from MBR to GPT before enabling Secure Boot.