Riot has responded to claims that Vanguard is bricking PCs after a Valorant update, pushing back on accusations that the anti-cheat is causing hardware failures.
The claims matter because Vanguard runs at a deep system level, and anti-cheat software often becomes a flashpoint when players experience crashes, boot issues or hardware problems. Riot’s response is aimed at separating verified issues from broader speculation.
Vanguard remains controversial
Vanguard has always been one of the most discussed parts of Valorant. Riot designed it to fight cheating aggressively, but its system-level behavior means players pay close attention whenever something goes wrong after an update.
When reports appear claiming that PCs are being damaged or made unusable, the situation can escalate quickly. That is why careful wording is important: player reports deserve attention, but hardware failure claims need evidence.
Riot pushes back on hardware failure claims
Riot’s response indicates that the company does not accept the idea that Vanguard is broadly bricking PCs. The company’s position is that the anti-cheat is not responsible for the kind of hardware damage being claimed by some users.
That does not mean every player issue is imaginary. Software conflicts, driver problems and system instability can still happen. But there is a difference between a PC crashing and a PC being permanently damaged.
What players should do
Players experiencing issues after a Valorant update should document the problem, check Riot’s official support channels, update drivers and avoid making firmware or BIOS changes unless they know what they are doing.
Riot disputes the bricking claims while continuing to face scrutiny over Vanguard’s role in the player experience.
Source: Riot Games