Enabling secure boot for VALORANT is the key to running the game on Windows 11. Vanguard, VALORANT's anti-cheat system, is rather keen on checking the status of secure boot and TPM 2.0, so you need to ensure they're both activated before launching VALORANT.

Throughout your VALORANT career, you may run into various errors like the competitive queue being disabled or the "Missing String Entry Table" chat prompt. These minor annoyances tend to be short-lived since they're often server-related, but there are more severe errors that may require players to turn on secure boot and TPM 2.0 settings.

How do you turn on Secure Boot and TPM for VALORANT?

To turn on secure boot and TPM for VALORANT, you need to change BIOS settings. Regardless of whether you're familiar with your PC's BIOS interface, applying the following changes should only take a few minutes.

• Restart your PC/laptop.
• Spam click the BIOS hotkey, which tends to be F10, F11, F12, or Del for most systems.
• After opening BIOS settings, navigate to Boot Options.
• Enable Secure Boot.
• Navigate to the Security section to ensure TPM is on and Boot Protocol is set to UEFI.

Following the changes above, you can save everything and restart your computer. If you can't seem to enable TPM, consider downgrading to Windows 10 with a fresh install since you won't be able to run VALORANT without TPM.

If you struggle with your BIOS interface and interactions, you can search for guide videos tailored to your respective motherboard manufacturer.

Why does VALORANT need Secure Boot and TPM?

VALORANT requires Secure Boot and TPM to ensure the integrity of Vanguard, the game's anti-cheat software. These features help Vanguard prevent unauthorized modifications that could enable cheats or exploits.

However, not all players can meet these requirements. Systems without TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot support require alternative solutions to be able to run VALORANT. Dual-booting is one of the more common solutions, as some players switch to Linux or Windows 10 to play VALORANT. Unlike Windows 11, Windows 10 is compatible with TPM 1.2—a standard supported by older hardware.

Overall, if you'd also like to stay on Windows 11, upgrading to modern hardware is the best long-term solution, but this may not be feasible for everyone. However, these alternatives help bridge the gap for players on a budget, keeping VALORANT accessible on older systems.