TL;DR
Riot Games has confirmed that its Vanguard anti-cheat system does not damage or ‘brick’ PCs. Recent claims suggested otherwise, but Riot clarified that only cheat hardware devices are affected, not the hardware or software of players’ systems.
Riot Games has officially stated that its Vanguard anti-cheat system does not ‘brick’ or damage players’ PCs, countering recent claims that an update caused hardware failures. The company clarified that reports of PCs being bricked are false and that only cheat hardware devices are affected.
On May 22, 2026, Riot Games issued a tweet confirming that Vanguard does not cause hardware or software damage to players’ PCs. This statement follows widespread reports and claims on social media suggesting that a recent Vanguard update led to PCs becoming unusable. Riot explained that the images circulated showing ‘bricked’ PCs actually depict cheat hardware devices sold for cheating in Valorant, which have been rendered useless by the latest update.
Riot clarified that Vanguard’s recent update disables cheat hardware devices by making them worthless, but it does not impact the functionality of PC components or software. The company emphasized that Vanguard operates at a kernel level to prevent cheating but does not harm the underlying hardware or software of players’ systems. Riot further explained that disabling IOMMU settings allows cheat devices to function again, but Vanguard requires IOMMU to operate, ensuring cheat devices remain ineffective without affecting the PC itself.
Why It Matters
This clarification is significant because it addresses widespread fears and misinformation about hardware damage caused by Vanguard, which could have led to player distrust and potential hardware issues. Riot’s transparency aims to reassure players that their systems are safe and that anti-cheat measures are designed solely to combat cheating without causing hardware failures. The incident underscores the ongoing tension between effective anti-cheat systems and user concerns about hardware security and privacy.
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Background
Vanguard was launched with Valorant in 2020 and later integrated into League of Legends in 2024. Its kernel-level operation has historically been controversial due to privacy and security concerns, with some players alleging hardware damage or system instability. Recent rumors suggested that an update might have exacerbated these issues, leading to claims of PCs being bricked. Riot’s latest statement aims to dispel these rumors by clarifying the nature of the hardware effects and emphasizing that only cheat devices are impacted. For more on how Riot is tackling cheating, see this article.
“Vanguard now makes those devices worthless for Valorant, but does not in any way brick PCs or PC components or PC software.”
— Riot Games
“Disabling IOMMU allows the cheat device to function again, but IOMMU will still be required to play our games.”
— Riot Games
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What Remains Unclear
It remains unclear whether individual cases of hardware issues reported by some users are related to other underlying problems or if they are entirely unrelated to Vanguard. Riot’s statement addresses the general concern but does not specify if any isolated hardware failures have been verified or investigated further.
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What’s Next
Riot is expected to continue monitoring reports and may release further updates or clarifications. Players are advised to follow official channels for guidance on system settings and to report any hardware issues directly to Riot for investigation. The company also indicated ongoing investment in anti-cheat technology and transparency about its operations. Learn more about Riot’s approach to security at their official site.
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Key Questions
Does Vanguard damage my PC hardware?
No. Riot has confirmed that Vanguard does not brick or damage PC hardware or software. Reports suggesting hardware damage are false, and only cheat hardware devices are affected by recent updates.
What exactly does the recent Vanguard update do to cheat devices?
The update disables cheat hardware devices by making them worthless, effectively rendering cheating tools unusable. This does not impact the overall functioning of your PC.
Can Vanguard cause my PC to become unbootable?
Riot states no; Vanguard does not cause PCs to become unbootable or ‘bricked.’ Any reports of such issues are not confirmed and may be due to unrelated hardware or software problems.
Will I need to reinstall Windows if I encounter issues after the update?
No. Riot clarified that the only fix for cheat device issues is adjusting IOMMU settings; a full OS reinstall is not necessary unless there are unrelated hardware failures.
Is Riot planning further changes to Vanguard?
Riot indicated ongoing development and transparency, suggesting future updates may continue to refine how Vanguard handles cheat prevention and hardware interactions.
Source: reddit
