Introduction

Valorant, developed by Riot Games, is a popular competitive first-person shooter that has captivated the online multiplayer community. However, for many Windows PC players, the gaming experience can be marred by the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors while playing Valorant. These errors, often referencing drivers like INLINECODE0 or core Windows components such as INLINECODE1 , can cause instability, crashes, and disrupt gameplay.

This article offers an in-depth troubleshooting guide to diagnose and fix the common Valorant-related BSOD errors on Windows machines.

Understanding Valorant Blue Screen Errors

BSOD errors when playing Valorant usually implicate system-level failures tied to hardware drivers or system integrity. Some common error files and codes reported include:

  • INLINECODE2 : Related to Riot's anti-cheat system Vanguard, which integrates deeply at the kernel level.
  • INLINECODE3 : The Windows kernel executable that manages core OS functions.
  • BSOD error codes like INLINECODE4 , INLINECODE5 , and others indicating driver or memory faults.

These crashes can result from driver conflicts, security feature incompatibilities, corrupted system files, or even hardware issues such as RAM problems or overclocking instability.

Background: Riot Vanguard and Windows Security Features

Valorant employs Riot Vanguard, an anti-cheat software that operates with kernel-level privileges to detect cheating in real time. This low-level operation means Vanguard interacts with sensitive Windows components and driver interfaces.

With Windows 11’s security enhancements like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 support becoming mandatory for certain features, incompatibilities emerge if these hardware security features are disabled or misconfigured. Vanguard requires these to help prevent cheats from loading early in the boot process, improving game integrity but also creating new system requirements for players.

Common Causes of Valorant BSODs

  1. Outdated or Corrupt Graphics Drivers: Graphics drivers are critical and often the source of crashes during intensive games.
  2. Riot Vanguard Driver (INLINECODE6 ) Issues: Bugs or conflicts with Vanguard’s driver can cause system instability.
  3. Disabled or Misconfigured Secure Boot or TPM: On Windows 11, Valorant enforces Secure Boot and TPM activation, triggering VAN9003 errors or BSOD if disabled.
  4. Faulty or Incompatible RAM or Hardware: Memory errors indicated by BSOD codes like INLINECODE7 require hardware diagnosis.
  5. System File Corruption: Essential Windows files corrupted by malware or software conflicts.
  6. Overclocking Instability: Overclocked CPUs or GPUs can cause intermittent crashes.
  7. Fast Startup and Other Windows Settings: Certain power management settings can cause conflicts with game anti-cheat drivers.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Update and Reinstall Graphics Drivers

  • Download the latest official drivers from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel.
  • Use tools like DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to cleanly remove old drivers before reinstalling.

2. Check and Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0

  • Enter your BIOS/UEFI during restart (keys vary by manufacturer but commonly INLINECODE8 , INLINECODE9 ).
  • Navigate to security settings to enable Secure Boot and TPM (or PTT/fTPM on some boards).
  • Confirm Windows recognizes these settings via INLINECODE10 (Secure Boot State) and INLINECODE11 (TPM status).

3. Disable Fast Startup

  • Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power button does.
  • Uncheck Turn on fast startup under shutdown settings.

4. Run System File Checker and DISM

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

CODEBLOCK0

These commands scan for and repair corrupted Windows system files.

5. Check RAM for Faults

  • Use Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86+
  • Remove and reseat RAM sticks to ensure proper connection.
  • Test sticks individually to isolate faulty modules.

6. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

  • Check your motherboard manufacturer’s website for updates.
  • BIOS updates can resolve many driver and compatibility issues.

7. Adjust Overclocking Settings

  • Reset CPU/GPU clock speeds to factory defaults.
  • Avoid aggressive overclocking that can destabilize Windows and drivers.

8. Reinstall Riot Vanguard

  • Uninstall Vanguard via Windows Settings.
  • Restart PC and launch Valorant to prompt a fresh Vanguard installation.

Implications and Impact

Valorant’s kernel-level anti-cheat enforcement with Vanguard has raised the bar for cheat prevention but at the cost of complex system requirements. Many gamers must now ensure their PCs meet Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 standards and navigate BIOS settings unfamiliar to them.

This shift reflects the broader industry trend towards hardware-enforced security and hypervisor-level protections, which, while enhancing security, may alienate users with older or custom-built systems.

On the flip side, Riot’s requirement pushes the ecosystem towards safer, cheat-resistant gameplay, benefiting competitive integrity.

Conclusion

While encountering a blue screen error when launching or playing Valorant can be frustrating, it typically points to solvable issues ranging from driver conflicts, hardware malfunctions, to security feature misconfigurations. By systematically updating drivers, verifying BIOS settings, and scanning system files and hardware components, most users can restore stable gameplay.

For persistent or advanced issues, consulting official Riot support and verifying detailed minidump crash logs may provide more tailored solutions.