Tried to restart the VGC service and Unable to start it?
Don’t we worry? You are at the right place.
Vgc.exe is optional for Windows OS, but you need the VGC service to run the games correctly.
VGC service prevents cheating and hacking in online multiplayer games by detecting and blocking unauthorized software and modification.
However, sometimes you need help to start the VGC service on your computers, and you will get an error message when you attempt to begin the VGC Service.
The message says “Services: Windows Could not start the VGC Service on Local Computer Error 1: Incorrect Function“.
The error occurs because of various reasons, including system-corrupted files.
This article will explain why the VGC service is not running and How to Fix it.
Understanding “Windows Could Not Start The VGC Service On Local Computer Error 1 Incorrect Function” Error
Windows could not start the VGC service means there is an issue with the files in the Riot Vanguard, which blocks you from launching the Service.
The VGC service is a Windows system service related to the gaming functionalities of the system. If this service fails to start, it could affect the performance of your games or even prevent them from running altogether.
The “Error 1 Incorrect Function” message indicates that there’s a problem in the system functions that prevents the VGC service from starting properly.
How To Fix “Windows Could Not Start The VGC Service On Local Computer Error 1 Incorrect Function” Error
1. Enable The VGC Service
Vanguard relies on a service called VGC to run correctly. If the VGC service stops working and crashes, you’ll get error code 1 on the screen. One of the first solutions to try is to restart the VGC service.
- Go to the Windows Search Box and Type Services
- Double-click on the Services app to launch it
- Find and locate VGC Service in the list of services
- Right-click on the VGC Service and click on properties
- Click on Startup type and set it as Automatic.
- Check the status column to make sure it is running.
- If not correct, click on the VGC service and click on Start.
See if you can start the VGC Service, and the error is gone. If not, repair the cache files.
2. Run System File Checker (SFC)
The System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.
- Open the command prompt as an administrator (search for “cmd”, right-click on the result, and select “Run as administrator”).
- In the command prompt, type
sfc /scannowand hit Enter. - The SFC tool will start scanning all protected system files on your computer and replace the corrupted ones with a cached copy located in a compressed folder at
%WinDir%\System32\dllcache. - Restart your computer once the scan is completed.
3. Uninstall Riot Vanguard
As discussed earlier, the VGC service has nothing to do with the Windows file; it is a background service related to Riot Vanguard.
Try to uninstall the Riot Vanguard.
- Type Add or Remove Program in the Windows Search bar
- Double-click on Add or Remove program option from the list
- Find and locate Riot Vanguard
- Right-click on it and Click on Uninstall.
- Wait till the process to completed and restart your system.
- Now try to restart VGC Service again, and You can start it without any error.
4. Perform Clean Boot; Expect VGC And Microsoft Services
Stopping all other services will free up disk space and RAM and boosts performance.
A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs so that you can determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or Program.
- In the Windows search box, Type msconfig
- Select System Configuration from the list and double-click on it
- On the services tab of System Configuration, Hide all Microsoft Services.
- Click on Disable all and Tap On Apply
- Click OK and close the system configuration application
- Open Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl+Shif+Esc button.
- Disable all the startup Items and Close the Task Manager
When you restart the computer, it’s in a clean boot environment.
- Now check the VGC service in the Services application and try to restart if it is on stop status.
If it is running fine, there is some other service conflict with the VGC service; also uninstall if you have any other antivirus software installed.
You can also check the guide here on how to identify and stop the conflicted services.
5. Set The VGC Service To Restart Automatically
If None of the above method work, repeat the below steps whenever the error occurs. The VGC Service will work fine.
Again open services application on your windows.
- Right-click on VGC and click on Properties
- Click on the Recovery Tab from the properties window
- Change the First Failure and Subsequent Failures to Restart the Service
- Click on Apply
- Now Start VGC, keep the services window open, and run Valorant as admin.
One of the above methods helps and you run the VGS Service successfully.
