How to Fix VALORANT “BootstrapPackagedGame.exe” Stuck?

When launching VALORANT, the game may sometimes fail to open. Instead, you might notice a process running in the Taskbar and Task Manager called “BootstrapPackagedGame.exe”.

BootstrapPackagedGame.exe represents the initialization phase of the game. During this stage, VALORANT prepares essential files and system data required to launch Vanguard (the game’s anti-cheat engine).

The real issue begins when this process gets interrupted or blocked. If that happens, the entire game launch sequence stops immediately.

There are several reasons why BootstrapPackagedGame.exe may fail to hand over control to Vanguard. Below are the most common causes of this problem:

• Outdated or Faulty Vanguard Service – When Vanguard fails to initialize properly or its service becomes stuck, the BootstrapPackagedGame.exe process cannot continue. This often occurs after a Windows update or when Vanguard is not restarted correctly.
• Missing or Corrupted Game Files – Damaged or incomplete VALORANT files can prevent the bootstrap process from finding essential resources, causing the launch to freeze or stop midway.
• Conflicting Background Processes – Third-party overlays, antivirus tools, or security software may interfere with the bootstrap sequence, blocking communication between the game and Vanguard.
• System Permission Issues – Both VALORANT and Vanguard require administrator-level privileges to modify kernel services. If these permissions are missing or restricted by Windows, the bootstrap service fails to proceed.

Now that you understand the potential causes, follow the steps below to fix the issue and get VALORANT running again.

1. Run VALORANT as an Administrator

After certain Windows or Vanguard updates, permission layers can block BootstrapPackagedGame.exe from starting Vanguard’s driver (vgk.sys). In this situation, the game process may appear to start but never actually hands off to Vanguard, stopping the launch midway. Running VALORANT with administrator rights restores the necessary permissions, allowing Vanguard’s kernel-level components to initialize properly.

1. Right-click the VALORANT desktop shortcut.
2. From the menu, select Properties, then open the Compatibility tab at the top.
3. Under Compatibility settings, check the box beside Run this program as an administrator to grant the game full access.
4. Click Apply to save the change, then OK. Finally, restart your PC to ensure the new settings take effect.

2. End All VALORANT-Related Tasks from Task Manager

Sometimes, BootstrapPackagedGame.exe fails because a previous VALORANT or Vanguard instance is still running in the background. These leftover processes block new sessions from starting, preventing the game from launching. Ending all related tasks ensures a clean startup, allowing Vanguard and the game to reinitialize correctly.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, scroll and locate any entries related to VALORANT or Vanguard (these usually appear as vgc or RiotClientServices.exe).
3. Right-click each related process and select End task to close them completely.
4. After ending the tasks, close Task Manager and try launching VALORANT again.
5. If you still receive a Vanguard error or the game doesn’t start, restart your computer and try again.

3. Whitelist VALORANT Game Folders in Your Antivirus

Because VALORANT’s anti-cheat system, Vanguard, operates at a deep system level, some antivirus programs may incorrectly flag it as a potential threat. When that happens, antivirus software blocks certain files, stopping BootstrapPackagedGame.exe from properly communicating with Vanguard. To prevent this, you need to tell your antivirus program explicitly: “Don’t block VALORANT.”

Many users have reported that excluding VALORANT and Vanguard folders from antivirus scans resolves this issue. For instance, recent Avast updates were known to block Vanguard until users either updated virus definitions or added VALORANT to the exclusion list. ^[Source]

Note: If you don’t use third-party antivirus software, the following example demonstrates how to whitelist VALORANT in Microsoft Defender. The general process is similar for most antivirus programs.

1. Open your antivirus or security suite from the system tray or Start menu.
2. Find the section labeled Exclusions or Whitelist (the name may vary depending on your software).
   • • C:\Riot Games\VALORANT
     • C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard

   Now, add these folders to your antivirus exclusion list to prevent it from interfering with VALORANT or Vanguard.

3. After adding the exclusions, click Apply or Save (depending on your software) to confirm. Restart your computer to make sure the new settings are applied.
4. Once your PC restarts, launch VALORANT to verify if the issue is resolved.

4. Clean Install VALORANT

If none of the above methods work, it’s possible that VALORANT’s installation or bootstrap files have become corrupted or mismatched due to failed updates, incomplete installations, or leftover Riot components from older versions.

When this happens, the game may appear in Task Manager as BootstrapPackagedGame.exe but never pass control to Vanguard, because one or more dependencies are broken.
Performing a clean reinstall removes all damaged files, cached data, and registry entries, allowing the system to rebuild the game environment correctly.

1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter to open the Programs and Features window.
2. Locate and uninstall both:
   • VALORANT
   • Riot Vanguard

   Right-click each entry and choose Uninstall to remove them completely.

3. After uninstalling, press Win + R again, type %localappdata%, and hit Enter. Delete any remaining folders named Riot Games or VALORANT.
4. Restart your PC to clear any active background processes.
5. Finally, download the latest version of VALORANT from the official Riot website and reinstall it.

This will ensure a clean installation with the latest bootstrap, Riot Client, and Vanguard components, eliminating any hidden corruption that could prevent the game from launching.

If the issue still persists after following all the above methods, the problem may be related to your Riot account configuration or a system-specific conflict that requires manual investigation. In such cases, contact the official Riot support team for assistance.

Visit the VALORANT Support Page and submit a detailed ticket describing the issue, along with screenshots of the BootstrapPackagedGame.exe process or any error messages you encounter. Riot’s support team can review your logs and apply fixes that are not available to users directly.