Fix Vanguard not starting on Windows 11
Fixed Vanguard not launching on Windows 11. Call of Duty: Vanguard (or simply "Vanguard") is the latest installment in the series. However, much like previous games in the series, it also suffers from some technical issues. For example, players on some forums have said that Vanguard doesn't seem to be working for them.
You're missing out on all the fun when Vanguard isn't running! Here's how to fix Call of Duty: Vanguard not launching on Windows 11 and 10.
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1. Fixed Call of Duty: First Aid game files
If any files in the game are corrupted and need repair, numerous Call of Duty: Vanguard issues may arise. Therefore, running a file scan for the game on Battlenet might be a good idea.
Here's how to use Battle.net to check the integrity of Vanguard game files. Repair and Scan Options.
- Open the Battle.net game client window.
- Click All Games View your library.
- choose Call of Duty: Vanguard game.
- Click Options gear icon Play Button.
- choose Scan and repair Repair the files in Pioneer.
- Make sure to wait for the Vanguard scan to complete completely.
2. Disable Xbox game bar
The Game Bar has some nice gaming features. However, it's said that the bar may conflict with Vanguard on some Windows 11 builds. Therefore, try disabling the Game Bar in Windows 11 as follows:
- First, launch Settings by selecting the Start menu shortcut for the pinned app.
- Click gamble View the navigation options for this tab.
- choose Xbox Games Options.
- closure Open the Xbox Games menu environment.
- choose application > Applications and featuresThen scroll down to the Xbox Games menu.
- Click the three-dot button in the Xbox Game Bar app to select Advanced Options.
- choose no way exist Background application permissions drop-down menu.
- Click termination Options.
3. Configure Vanguard to start with DirectX 11.

Did you select DirectX 12 graphics settings for Call of Duty: Vanguard before it stopped launching? If so, try configuring Vanguard to start with DirectX 11. You can do this in Battle.net using the following steps:
- Open the Battle.net game client software.
- Click Call of Duty: Vanguard to select it.
- Then click the gear icon to the right of Vanguards. Play Select the game settings using the button.
- choose Other command-line parameters Checkbox.
- enter -d3d11 In the command line box.
- Please press complete Button.
4. Update your PC's GPU driver.
Call of Duty: Vanguard is a graphics-intensive game. If your graphics card driver is several months old, you may need to update it to launch Vanguard. To ensure you have the latest drivers for your PC's GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), it is recommended to manually download the driver package from the NVIDIA or AMD website.
Check out our guide on how to update your graphics drivers for more details on updating your GPU drivers.
5. Check Windows Defender firewall settings.
It's not uncommon for firewalls to block game launches. Therefore, you might need to check if Vanguard allows access through the Windows Defender firewall. You can check the Windows Defender firewall settings for Call of Duty: Vanguard using the following methods:
- Start running using any of the methods mentioned in our guide on how to open the Windows Run command dialog box.
- Enter "control firewall.cpl" to run And click OK.
- choose Allow apps or features through Windows Defender Firewall Navigation options.
- Click Change Settings options.
- Select All Private/Public The checkboxes for Call of Duty: Vanguard.
- Make sure all the checkboxes for the Battle.net Launcher are selected here.
- Click OK Apply the new firewall settings.
If you cannot find Vanguard or Battlenet in the allowed apps settings of Windows Defender Firewall, please click [link/option]. Allow other applications Button. Then click. Browse Choose either Vanguard or Battle.net, then press [button]. Open and Add to Buttons. After adding these applications, you can configure their firewall settings as described above.
Users who have installed third-party antivirus software packages (some of which include their own firewalls) may need to disable such utilities. To do this, right-click the antivirus software's system tray icon to find the disable protection setting. Select an option to disable antivirus protection, at least temporarily, and then try launching Vanguard.
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6. Disable NVIDIA in-game overlay
Overlay conflicts may cause issues in Call of Duty and other Battle.net games. Have you enabled NVIDIA In-Game Overlay in GeForce Experience? If so, disabling it may be the solution to fix Call of Duty: Vanguard. You can disable NVIDIA In-Game Overlay like this:
- Open the GeForce Experience software.
- If needed, please log in with your NVIDIA account.
- Click set up The (cog) button in GeForce Experience.
- closure In-game stacking environment.
Other software packages with overriding capabilities may conflict with Battle.net games. For example, Discord, MSI Afterburner, and AMD RadeonPro are three other programs with overriding functionality. If you have any of these packages installed, ensure that their overriding is also disabled.
7. Configure Clean Boot
Configuring a clean boot using MSConfig settings will remove third-party programs and services from the Windows startup. A clean boot of your PC will free up system resources for Vanguard and may disable startup programs or services that conflict with the game. Here's how to configure a clean boot in Windows 11:
- Open the System Configuration Utility as described in our guide on how to open MSConfig.
- On MSConfig General In the tab, uncheck the "Load startup settings" checkbox.
- Switch to Serve Label.
- choose Hide all Microsoft services First, then click Disable all.
- Click Apply Save the new boot configuration options.
- choose OK Exit MSConfig, and then click restart.
Try launching Call of Duty: Vanguard after restarting your desktop or laptop. If the game runs subsequently, you can simply retain the launch configuration.
Alternatively, before restoring the original startup settings in MSConfig, try to identify which startup applications or services might be conflicting with Vanguard. You can manually re-enable disabled startup programs and services from Task Manager and the Startup and Services tab in MSConfig.
8. Reinstall Intel Management Engine
Intel Management Engine driver compatibility issues are another well-known reason why Vanguard may fail to launch in Windows 11. Therefore, reinstalling the Intel Management Engine driver may fix the problem for some users who cannot launch Vanguard. You can reinstall the driver like this:
- Open settings, then select it. application Label.
- Click Applications and features View the installed software there.
- Next, click the three-dot button to the right of the Intel Management Engine Components package listed here.
- choose uninstall Options for the Intel Management Engine component.
- Open this Intel driver download page.
- Type Intel Management Engine to search for the driver package.
- Click check the details Link to the Intel Management Engine driver package compatible with your Windows PC.
- Press blue download The button in the driver package.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the Intel Management Engine driver package.
- Double-click the MEISetup.exe file in the Intel Management Engine driver package.
- You can then reinstall the Intel Management Engine by following the installation wizard's instructions.
- Reinstall the Intel management driver and restart Windows.
9. Call of Duty: Vanguard
If no other options are available, reinstalling Call of Duty: Vanguard might be necessary. Since Vanguard is a large downloadable game, it's best to keep this potential solution as a last resort. You can reinstall the game via Battle.net as follows:
- Open Battle.net.
- Select your Vanguard game on Battle.net.
- Click Options exist Play Button.
- choose uninstall Delete the game.
- Then click Install The button will reinstall Pioneer.
Have fun with Call of Duty: Vanguard once again!
Try all the possible solutions mentioned above (preferably in the specified order) to find one that resolves the issue of Vanguard failing to launch on your PC. We can't guarantee they'll fix everyone, but they'll most likely get most Windows 11 players up and running. Then you can sit back and enjoy all the excitement of Call of Duty: Vanguard.