Vanguard crashes my Audio Driver
Since the last Update i started experiencing issues with my sound card while playing Valorant. After running Valorant for a while, the sound card driver crashes, I lose all audio, and the system starts to slow down. This exact issue with Creative Sound Blaster cards already existed 2–3 years ago. For me, it only started after the latest update. Creative Labs hasn’t updated its drivers or software in years… I’m using a Creative Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus. Maybe someone has a fix, or at least the same problem, so I know I’m not the only one dealing with it.
What I’ve tried so far:
Windows powershell commands:
sfc /scannow
Repair-WindowsImage -Online -RestoreHealth
I uninstalled and reinstalled the Audio Driver using DDU in Safe Mode.
I uninstalled and reinstalled Valorant
I uninstalled the last Windows Update
I tried previous Driver
When that didn’t help, I tried using the standard Windows driver, but that doesn’t work with my card because it requires Creative’s Command Center to switch between speakers and headset or to enable Direct Mode.
I also disabled exclusive mode for applications.
I found a Valorant Vanguard Guide and i tried to Enable IOMMU in my Bios... since that i cant enter my Bios anymore. I must clear my CMOS to solved that.
CPU: Ryzen 5800x
Soundcard: Creative Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus
Windows 11 Pro Build 26100.6584
Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.234.0
Last Update: 2025-09 Kumulatives Update für Windows 11 Version 24H2 für x64-basierte Systeme (KB5065426) (26100.6584)
Solution:Jump to solution
Anyway I would recommend removing the device if it cannot be used without its drivers
16 Replies
What an interesting choice
Not to roast you but you just spent money on a paperweight
Technically their drivers are cheating. As they did build in literal software to detect footsteps in games.
Because of that I don't think it's ethical for the drivers to be used and would recommend uninstalling them before you lose your account
Solution
Anyway I would recommend removing the device if it cannot be used without its drivers
🤣 What?
There are no cheats in Creative software. Yes, you can use Scout Mode to hear sounds better in theory, but it makes game sounds and Discord voices way too loud. It’s basically useless.
I’ve been using the sound card for years now. And why am I using a sound card? Simple: I’m used to it, because my first card was a Creative Sound Blaster Live and after that a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer with the Crystalizer, and it was an amazing sound card for games.
I have pretty much same problem here, since latest update, after i login valorant or try to login.
after 3mins 20/40secs,
all my audio gets removed from whole pc. then i have to Restart it in order to get sound again.
Im not a expert apon pcs, so thats why i came here. (yes i did the whole IOMMU in bios aswel)
i have tried most stuf.
uinstalling valorant - reinstalling. check files also the riot logs client.
but nothing to be found,
my pc overal says my audio is perfectly fine, not anywhere shown its not working.
only in valorant after 3mins and 20/40secs thats when its getting cut off entirely.
idk if this is usefull but i have an
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9600K CPU @ 3.70GHz (3.70 GHz)
Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.234.0
Windows 11 Education
16.0 GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 TI
I also have a soundblaster system - (Soundblaster Z SE)
let me know what potentional fixes/issues may cause this for me.
you can no longer use sound card
some ppl using the driver to spoof their dma so they can cheat
Thats why while you are playing valorant those devices will be disabled
plug your headset dirct to the pc and play
that does make sense, so then i just remove it from the back of my pc, and put up front and then it should work as its not linked to the driver?
there is no fix for it
well if you want to hear sound in val
Plug your headset to your motherboard directly
dont use sound card
its part of the anticheat now so you cant use sound card or anything similar to PCIE
I plugged my headset into motherboard now i dont have audio in general, idk what to do now.
are you win 11 or 10 ?
also what headset you have ? I
11
1sec
Strex Gaming Headset with Microfoon Voor - PC + PS4 + PS5 + Xbox One + Xbox Series
Type change sound system
open it
Go playback select your headset as defualt
then recored set your mic as defualt
Nd disable others
as i checked trough, theres no motherboard connection apon here, might be the issue.
no clue how i could fix that
Why you still connected to sound card ?
bc this is what its showing
send photo of the back of your pc
and photo of the cables of headset
alr sec