How to Fix Vanguard Kernel-Mode Driver Says “A driver cannot load on this device”

Today I will tell you How to fix the error "A driver cannot be loaded for this device" in the Vanguard Kernel-Mode driver

Riot Vanguard suddenly stopped working after the big Windows update, Microsoft's KB5041585 update, which prevented games that depended on it from running. This error message suggests that system security is blocking Vanguard from initializing due to an incompatibility or vulnerability.

 How to fix the error "A driver cannot be loaded for this device" in the Vanguard Kernel-Mode driver

Riot Vanguard suddenly stopped working after the big Windows update, Microsoft's KB5041585 update, which prevented games that depended on it from running. This error message suggests that system security is blocking Vanguard from initializing due to an incompatibility or vulnerability.

Because Vanguard is integrated with Valorant and is designed to enforce strict anti-cheat, it sometimes conflicts with Windows security features. These conflicts began after major Windows updates, when Microsoft required developers to update the kernel driver to ensure compatibility with Windows security features and policies.

If you dig deeper into the error message, it says: The driver cannot be loaded because it is incompatible with a Windows security mitigation called Hardware-Enforced Stack Protection. This feature prevents memory-based attacks and is part of Enhanced Security Mitigations.

Windows may block incompatible drivers from running to maintain system integrity. Given Microsoft's updated security features, Vanguard might be incompatible with these new improvements.

To restore the functionality of the Vanguard Kernel-Mode driver, you need to disable the hardware-enforced stack protection, as the error message suggests. If the driver continues to malfunction, you may also need to disable memory integrity. Both of these settings are components of Windows' core isolation features and can hinder drivers that do not align with Windows security policies.

This error has frustrated many users, as disabling these security features not only compromises system protection, but also allows unsigned or potentially harmful drivers to operate.

1. Completely disable hardware-enforced stack protection

 In order to resolve the error message, you need to disable hardware-enforced stack protection and since it reduces the security of your system, sorry, no other solution than to reduce system security until the developers update the driver to comply with Windows security policy.

When the Vanguard Kernel-Mode driver error screen appears, click “Disable” and then restart your computer to disable the hardware-enforced stack protection.

If the error persists, consider disabling memory integrity along with hardware-enforced stack protection by following these steps: 

• Open Settings by pressing the Win + I keys together.
• Navigate to Privacy & Security from the left pane and select the Windows Security page.
• Click Open Windows Security.
• Select Device Security from the sidebar and click Kernel Isolation Details.
• Disable both memory integrity and hardware-enforced stack protection.
• Restart your computer to apply the changes.
• This should resolve the error message.

By disabling hardware-enforced stack protection, you should no longer encounter this error message.

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