How to Enable Secure Boot for Valorant

With Riot Games’ enhanced security requirements, Valorant now requires both TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot to be enabled on your PC. Many gamers have encountered the frustrating “This build of Valorant requires TPM version 2.0 and Secure Boot to play” error message when trying to launch the game. If you’re facing this issue, don’t worry—this comprehensive guide will walk you through enabling Secure Boot to get you back to playing Valorant as quickly as possible.

Secure Boot is a security feature that prevents unauthorized operating systems and malware from loading during the system startup process. While it enhances your computer’s security, many gamers have it disabled by default, especially on custom-built PCs. Let’s fix that so you can jump back into your competitive matches.

What You’ll Need Before Starting

Before we dive into the steps, make sure you have:

• Administrator access to your computer
• About 10-15 minutes of time (your PC will need to restart)
• Patience (some BIOS interfaces can be confusing)
• A backup of important files (always recommended before BIOS changes)

Check if Secure Boot is Already Enabled

First, let’s check if Secure Boot is already enabled on your system:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter
3. In the System Information window, look for “Secure Boot State”
4. If it says “On,” Secure Boot is already enabled (check for other issues with Valorant)
5. If it says “Off” or “Unsupported,” continue with the following steps

Access Your BIOS/UEFI Settings

To enable Secure Boot, you’ll need to access your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings:

1. Restart your computer
2. During the boot process, press the BIOS key repeatedly
3. Common keys include: F2, F10, F12, DEL, or ESC (depends on your motherboard manufacturer)
4. You may see a message like “Press [key] to enter setup”
5. If you’re unsure which key to press, look up your motherboard model online or check your computer’s manual

Pro Tip: If you’re having trouble entering BIOS through restart, you can also access it through Windows:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery
2. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now
3. After restarting, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings

Enable Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI

Once you’re in the BIOS/UEFI settings, you’ll need to find and enable Secure Boot. The exact location varies by manufacturer, but here’s where to look:

ASUS Motherboards:

1. Navigate to the Boot tab
2. Find Secure Boot and set it to Enabled
3. If prompted, select Windows UEFI mode

MSI Motherboards:

1. Go to Settings > Security
2. Find Secure Boot and change it to Enabled

Gigabyte Motherboards:

1. Navigate to BIOS Features or Settings
2. Find Secure Boot and set it to Enabled

Dell Computers:

1. Navigate to Security tab
2. Find Secure Boot and change to Enabled

HP Computers:

1. Go to Security menu
2. Find Secure Boot Configuration
3. Set Secure Boot to Enabled

Lenovo Computers:

1. Navigate to Security tab
2. Find Secure Boot and set to Enabled

Important Note: If Secure Boot option is grayed out or unavailable, you may need to change your boot mode from Legacy to UEFI first:

1. Look for Boot Mode, Boot List Option, or similar setting
2. Change it from Legacy or CSM to UEFI or UEFI only
3. Save changes and restart again to access Secure Boot settings

Save Changes and Restart

After enabling Secure Boot:

1. Navigate to the Save & Exit tab (or similar)
2. Select Save Changes and Reset/Exit
3. Your computer will restart with Secure Boot enabled

Verify Secure Boot is Enabled

Once your computer has restarted:

1. Press Windows key + R again
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter
3. Check “Secure Boot State” – it should now say “On”

Step 6: Enable TPM 2.0 (If Needed)

If Valorant is still showing TPM errors, you may need to enable TPM 2.0 as well:

1. Access your BIOS/UEFI settings again
2. Look for TPM, Security Device, Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT), or AMD fTPM
3. Enable this setting
4. Save changes and restart

Troubleshooting Common Secure Boot Issues

1: “Secure Boot” Option Missing

• Look for CSM (Compatibility Support Module) settings and disable it first
• Check if your boot drive is formatted as GPT (required for UEFI/Secure Boot)

2: Boot Failures After Enabling Secure Boot

• If your system won’t boot after enabling Secure Boot, access BIOS again and disable it
• Ensure all hardware drivers are updated before trying again
• Some older graphics cards or hardware may require updated firmware

3: Valorant Still Shows Error After Enabling Secure Boot

• Verify both TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled
• Update your BIOS to the latest version
• Ensure Windows is fully updated
• Reinstall Valorant and Vanguard (Riot’s anti-cheat system)

4: Performance Issues After Enabling Secure Boot

• Update all drivers, especially graphics drivers
• Check if any background processes are consuming resources
• Verify your game settings are optimized

Benefits of Keeping Secure Boot Enabled

Beyond just playing Valorant, Secure Boot offers several advantages:

1. Enhanced Security: Protects against rootkits and boot-level malware
2. Windows 11 Compatibility: Required for Windows 11 installations
3. Better System Protection: Prevents unauthorized modifications to your system
4. Future Game Compatibility: More games may require this security feature in the future

FAQ About Secure Boot and Valorant

Does enabling Secure Boot affect performance?

No, enabling Secure Boot should not impact your gaming performance. It’s a security feature that operates during boot-up and doesn’t consume resources during gameplay.

Will I lose data when enabling Secure Boot?

No, enabling Secure Boot doesn’t affect your stored data. However, as with any BIOS change, it’s always wise to back up important files first.

Can I play Valorant without Secure Boot?

No, Riot Games now requires both TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot to be enabled to play Valorant as part of their anti-cheat measures.

Why does Valorant require Secure Boot?

Riot Games implemented this requirement to enhance their Vanguard anti-cheat system and prevent certain types of cheating methods.

Is it safe to enable Secure Boot?

Yes, Secure Boot is a standard security feature in modern computers. It’s completely safe and actually improves your system security.

Will enabling Secure Boot affect dual-boot systems?

It might. If you’re dual-booting with Linux or other operating systems, you may need additional configuration steps for compatibility.

Conclusion: Enjoying Valorant with Enhanced Security

Enabling Secure Boot for Valorant might seem technical, but it’s a straightforward process that enhances both your gaming experience and computer security. By following this guide, you’ve not only fixed the Valorant TPM and Secure Boot requirements but also improved your system’s protection against malware and unauthorized access.

Remember that Riot Games implemented these requirements to create a more secure and fair gaming environment. Once properly configured, you can enjoy all the competitive action Valorant has to offer without further security prompts.