League of Legends is one of the most played competitive games worldwide, but nothing is more frustrating than facing an error just when you want to launch the game. One such issue is the Vanguard Error VAN 2266.

If you’re seeing this error when trying to start League of Legends, don’t worry — you’re not alone. The good news is that this problem is usually caused by network or client configuration issues, and you can fix it with a few simple steps.

In this detailed guide, we’ll go step by step through each solution, explaining not just what to do, but why it works. By the end, you should be able to launch the game without encountering VAN 2266 again.

---

1. What is Vanguard Error VAN 2266?

Before jumping into the fixes, let’s understand the problem.

• Vanguard is Riot Games’ anti-cheat software, designed to prevent unfair gameplay.
• When something goes wrong with your network connection, DNS settings, or Vanguard’s handshake with Riot’s servers, you may see Error VAN 2266.

This error typically means that your system is failing to establish a secure, stable connection with Riot’s servers. It’s not usually a game bug — instead, it’s often related to your internet connection, DNS setup, or cached network data.

Now that we know the cause, let’s fix it step by step.

---

2. Step One: Restart Your PC

Let’s start simple. Sometimes, Vanguard or the Riot client doesn’t load correctly on startup. Restarting the PC refreshes background services and clears temporary conflicts.

Steps to restart:

1. Save any open work.
2. Click on the Start menu → Power → Restart.
3. Once the system boots up, try launching League of Legends again.

💡 Why this works: A restart clears temporary memory and reloads essential background services like Vanguard, which may resolve minor glitches instantly.

If this doesn’t fix the issue, let’s move to the next step.

---

3. Step Two: Reset Your Router and Network Connection

A lot of game errors are caused by unstable or cached network connections. Resetting your router ensures you reconnect with a fresh session.

Steps to reset router:

1. Turn off your router by unplugging it from the power source.
2. Disconnect all cables attached to it.
3. Press and hold the router’s power button for about 20 seconds.
4. Reconnect the cables and plug it back in.
5. Wait until the connection stabilizes, then connect your PC to the internet again.

💡 Why this works: Routers can accumulate temporary issues, and clearing them helps establish a cleaner, faster connection to Riot’s servers. This step also resets your IP session with your ISP.

So far, we’ve refreshed the PC and the network. If the error persists, it’s time to optimize DNS settings.

---

4. Step Three: Configure DNS Settings for Stable Connectivity

By default, your system uses your ISP’s DNS (Domain Name System). Sometimes, these servers are slow or unreliable when connecting to gaming servers. Switching to Google DNS improves speed and stability. But before we change DNS, Riot Games themselves recommend disabling IPv6 to avoid conflicts.

🔧 Disable IPv6 (Riot Ticket Method)

Here’s the exact method Riot support suggests for turning off IPv6:

1. Open the Start menu and search for Control Panel.
2. Click into Network and Internet.
3. Select Network and Sharing Center.
4. In the left pane, click Change adapter settings.
5. Right-click the network connection you are using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and choose Properties.
6. In the list, uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
7. Click OK to save changes.

💡 Why this works: IPv6 is still not fully supported by many ISPs and can sometimes interfere with Vanguard’s handshake with Riot’s servers. Disabling it ensures your PC uses IPv4, which is more stable for gaming.

---

🔧 Set Google DNS Manually

Now that IPv6 is disabled, let’s move on to changing DNS to Google’s reliable servers:

1. While still in the network properties window, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
2. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:
   • Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
3. Click OK to save changes.

💡 Why this works: Google’s DNS is globally optimized for faster responses and fewer errors. By using it, you minimize latency and reduce chances of VAN 2266 returning.

---

5. Step Four: Flush DNS Cache in Windows

Even after setting DNS, your PC might hold on to old cached DNS records that conflict with Riot’s servers. Clearing this cache ensures your system uses the new settings.

Steps to flush DNS:

1. Click on Start menu → Type cmd.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt → Run as Administrator.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

4. You’ll see a confirmation: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

💡 Why this works: Flushing DNS removes outdated entries that may cause Vanguard to fail its server authentication, fixing connectivity issues.

---

6. Step Five: Relaunch the Game

Now that we’ve refreshed the PC, network, DNS, and cache, it’s time to test.

1. Open the Riot Client.
2. Launch League of Legends.
3. Vanguard should load correctly, and the Error VAN 2266 should no longer appear.

If the issue persists after all these steps, you may need to:

• Temporarily disable third-party firewalls or VPNs.
• Reinstall Vanguard and Riot Client.
• Contact Riot support if nothing else works.

But in most cases, the above fixes resolve the issue.

---

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What exactly causes VAN 2266 in League of Legends?
It usually happens due to unstable internet connections, incorrect DNS configuration, or cached network data interfering with Vanguard’s communication with Riot servers.

Q2. Do I need to reinstall Vanguard to fix this error?
Not always. Most of the time, network fixes like DNS changes and flushing cache solve the issue. Reinstallation is only necessary if Vanguard is corrupted.

Q3. Can using a VPN cause this error?
Yes, some VPNs block or reroute traffic in ways that Vanguard flags as suspicious. Try disabling VPNs when playing League.

Q4. Is disabling IPv6 safe?
Yes. Most games and ISPs still rely heavily on IPv4. Disabling IPv6 avoids unnecessary conflicts and doesn’t affect everyday internet use.

Q5. What if nothing works?
If you’ve tried all steps and still face VAN 2266, the issue could be on Riot’s side (server outage) or a deeper system conflict. In such cases, reinstalling Riot Client or contacting official support is the best option.

---

8. Final Thoughts

The Vanguard Error VAN 2266 may look intimidating, but in reality, it’s often caused by simple network misconfigurations. Restarting your PC, resetting your router, changing DNS to Google’s, flushing DNS cache, and relaunching the game are usually enough to fix it.

If you follow this complete guide, you should be back in Summoner’s Rift without interruptions. Just remember — most gaming errors have simple fixes if you approach them step by step.

So far, we’ve done a pretty good job walking through each method carefully. If you try them one by one, chances are you won’t have to face this error again anytime soon.

---

⚠️ Disclaimer

This guide is intended for troubleshooting purposes only. Changing network settings incorrectly can affect your connection. Always double-check inputs, and if you’re unsure, seek help from official Riot Games support.

---

Tags

League of Legends, Riot Games, Vanguard Error, VAN 2266 Fix, DNS Settings, Flush DNS, Network Troubleshooting, PC Gaming Errors

Hashtags

#LeagueOfLegends #VanguardError #VAN2266 #GamingFix #DNS #RiotGames #LoL

Jonathan Reed

Jonathan is a US-based gaming journalist with more than 10 years in the industry. He has written for online magazines and covered topics ranging from PC performance benchmarks to emulator testing. His expertise lies in connecting hardware reviews with real gaming performance, helping readers choose the best setups for play.

Website · More from this author