Start with the game’s own support article or the exact anti-cheat error. “Hypervisor support” is not one universal Windows requirement. Depending on the game, the check may involve processor virtualization, Virtualization-based Security (VBS), Memory Integrity (HVCI), TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI firmware, or IOMMU. Use Windows tools to identify your current state, then compare it with the requirement for that specific game.
A processor can support Intel VT-x or AMD virtualization while the feature is disabled in BIOS/UEFI. Conversely, enabling CPU virtualization does not prove that VBS, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or IOMMU is configured correctly.
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1. Find the exact requirement before changing anything
Record the game, anti-cheat system, complete error text or code, and the date of the game’s current support page. Search the exact code in the publisher’s official support center. Do not infer that an error mentioning a hypervisor means you need only one BIOS switch.
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Anti-cheat requirements are vendor- and configuration-specific. Riot Games says Vanguard can request one or more Windows security features depending on the PC. Its documentation lists TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Memory Integrity (HVCI/VBS), and IOMMU as separate possible requirements. FACEIT publishes its own checks and rollout guidance. A successful result for one feature does not satisfy another feature unless the game explicitly says so.
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Write down the wording that matters
- Exact error code, such as
VAN: RESTRICTION: 5orVAN 9005. - The named feature: CPU virtualization, VBS, Memory Integrity/HVCI, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI, or IOMMU.
- Whether the support article applies to your game edition, region, Windows version, and current anti-cheat release.
- The vendor’s stated restart, BIOS, driver, or support procedure.
- Any rollout date or scope. A requirement being introduced gradually by one anti-cheat does not make it a universal Windows rule.
Keep a copy of the article or note its publication date. For example, Riot’s Memory Integrity guide was published June 24, 2026, while its VAN 9005 article was published January 15, 2026; those pages address different conditions. Anti-cheat policies and rollout requirements can change, so use the live support center when you troubleshoot.
2. Know what each “virtualization” term means
| Term | What it describes | What a positive check does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| CPU virtualization extension | A processor capability. Microsoft’s VBS requirements call for a 64-bit CPU with virtualization extensions and SLAT. Intel commonly labels its extension VT-x; AMD commonly uses AMD-V. | That the feature is enabled in firmware or that Windows security features are running. |
| BIOS/UEFI virtualization setting | A firmware switch that exposes the processor’s virtualization capability to the operating system. Riot’s guide refers to Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) and AMD SVM Mode (Secure Virtual Machine). | That the CPU supports every other anti-cheat requirement. |
| VBS | Windows Virtualization-based Security, which uses the Windows hypervisor and has additional platform prerequisites. Microsoft describes its requirements as components that must be present and properly configured. | That Memory Integrity, TPM, Secure Boot, or IOMMU is enabled. |
| Memory Integrity/HVCI | Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity, a Windows security feature associated with VBS. | That VBS is merely available; the game may require it to be enabled and running. |
| TPM 2.0 | A separate hardware or firmware security module used by some game requirements. | That CPU virtualization or VBS is configured. |
| Secure Boot and UEFI | Firmware boot-security features that can be required alongside TPM and VBS. | That Memory Integrity or IOMMU is active. |
| IOMMU | An input-output memory-management feature that some anti-cheat systems check separately from CPU virtualization. | That Windows has an easy built-in status indicator for the exact support and firmware state. |
These terms describe different layers. A CPU capability is part of the hardware specification; the BIOS setting controls whether Windows can use it; VBS and HVCI describe a running Windows security environment; and TPM, Secure Boot, UEFI, and IOMMU are separate platform checks. Treating all of them as synonyms is the most common source of a misleading diagnosis.
3. Check Windows with System Information
Windows System Information gives you the processor, motherboard, and VBS status needed for a model-specific check.
- Press Windows + R.
- Enter
msinfo32and press Enter. - In System Summary, note the Processor entry.
- Note BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product. On a branded desktop or laptop, also record the system manufacturer and model.
- Find Virtualization-based security. Record whether it says Running or another state.
The VBS line answers whether Windows reports the security environment as running; it is not a complete test of every anti-cheat prerequisite. If the line is absent or shows that VBS is not running, follow the game’s specific guidance rather than assuming a CPU replacement is needed.
What the processor line tells you
The processor name lets you consult the CPU manufacturer’s specifications for a 64-bit virtualization extension and SLAT. It does not tell you whether the corresponding BIOS/UEFI switch is enabled. On a prebuilt PC or laptop, the computer manufacturer’s documentation is usually more useful than a generic motherboard guide because firmware menus may be customized.
Take a screenshot or write down the values before making changes. Support staff may ask for the exact processor, baseboard, system model, and VBS state. Capturing the original state also lets you compare the result after a restart.
4. Use Task Manager for the quick firmware check
- Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
- If necessary, select More details.
- Open Performance, then select CPU.
- Read the Virtualization value. It normally shows Enabled or Disabled.
Enabled means Windows can see that the firmware has exposed the CPU virtualization feature. Disabled commonly means the firmware switch is off, although a game may still require additional features. Task Manager does not replace the VBS status in System Information, and neither screen confirms TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or IOMMU.
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Use Task Manager as a quick indication, not as a pass/fail result for the game. If the game’s article asks only for processor virtualization, an enabled value may answer the immediate question. If it asks for HVCI, VBS, TPM, Secure Boot, or IOMMU, continue with that vendor’s separate checks.
5. Separate hardware capability from firmware enablement
There are three different questions:
- Does the processor support virtualization? Check the exact CPU model against its manufacturer specifications. Microsoft’s VBS requirements also include a 64-bit processor and SLAT.
- Is virtualization enabled in firmware? Check Task Manager and, if needed, the BIOS/UEFI setting.
- Is the Windows feature the game requires actually running? Check VBS in
msinfo32and use the game’s own instructions for Memory Integrity or other security checks.
A disabled firmware switch is not evidence that the processor lacks virtualization. It only shows that the capability is not currently exposed to Windows. Conversely, an enabled switch does not guarantee that an older system meets the game’s VBS, TPM, Secure Boot, or IOMMU requirements.
This distinction prevents two expensive mistakes. First, do not buy a CPU because Task Manager says “Disabled” until you have checked the firmware instructions. Second, do not stop troubleshooting after enabling VT-x or SVM if the error names a Windows security feature or a different platform requirement.
6. Identify the exact PC or motherboard
Use the manufacturer and model recorded in msinfo32 to find the official support page or manual for that exact machine. FACEIT specifically directs users to identify the board and processor, then consult manufacturer documentation for virtualization and IOMMU support because Windows does not provide a simple universal check for those details.
For a laptop or branded desktop
- Search the manufacturer’s support site for the complete model and hardware revision.
- Read the BIOS/UEFI section for virtualization, TPM, Secure Boot, and firmware-update instructions.
- Check whether the vendor documents a limitation on Memory Integrity, IOMMU, or VBS for that model.
- Use the computer maker’s instructions rather than a generic guide for a visually similar model. Laptop firmware menus are often customized or restricted.
For a custom-built PC
- Use BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product to identify the motherboard.
- Confirm the installed processor model separately.
- Use the motherboard manual for the exact menu names and supported firmware versions.
- Check the board maker’s notes for any firmware dependency affecting IOMMU or other security features.
Do not rely on screenshots from a different board or BIOS generation. Menu names and locations vary by manufacturer and model. If the baseboard fields are generic or incomplete, identify the system through the branded computer’s support page or the original motherboard documentation before changing firmware.
7. Check BIOS/UEFI carefully
Only change firmware settings when the game’s documentation indicates they are relevant. Riot warns that BIOS interfaces are highly variable and recommends using the computer or motherboard manufacturer’s support resources. Incorrect changes can prevent normal startup.
- Save your work and shut down or restart the PC.
- Enter UEFI setup using the key shown by the manufacturer, commonly displayed briefly during startup.
- Locate the vendor-documented setting. Intel systems often call it Intel Virtualization Technology or VT-x; AMD systems often call it SVM Mode or Secure Virtual Machine.
- Change only the setting required by the official instructions. Do not alter boot mode, storage mode, overclocking, or security options without a specific reason.
- Save and exit, allowing Windows to start normally.
- Restart once more if the vendor or game instructs you to, then repeat the
msinfo32and Task Manager checks.
Do not assume that a setting called “virtualization” controls every hypervisor-related feature. A board can expose CPU virtualization while still requiring separate options for IOMMU, Secure Boot, or other platform protections. Change those only when the game’s current instructions name them and the manufacturer documents the corresponding menu.
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If the machine fails to boot after a change, use the manufacturer’s recovery or firmware-reset procedure. Do not guess at settings from another model. If you are not comfortable recovering firmware or interpreting the menu, the manufacturer’s support channel is safer than repeated trial and error.
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| Example | Vendor-defined condition | What to verify | Remediation path |
|---|---|---|---|
Riot Vanguard, VAN: RESTRICTION: 5 |
Riot says Vanguard could not verify that Memory Integrity, also called HVCI/VBS, is enabled and running correctly. | Check VBS in msinfo32, confirm Memory Integrity according to Riot’s current instructions, and distinguish a running VBS state from mere CPU virtualization. |
Enable the relevant feature as Riot directs, restart, and contact Riot support if the restriction remains. |
Riot Vanguard, VAN 9005 |
Riot says Vanguard requires TPM 2.0 and UEFI-compliant firmware to use VBS but does not detect the required setup. | Check TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI mode, and Memory Integrity. CPU virtualization alone is not sufficient. | Follow the VAN 9005 article for the named checks, restart, and use Riot’s support route if the setup is still not detected. |
| FACEIT Anti-Cheat | FACEIT publishes its own hardware, firmware, and rollout requirements, including guidance about IOMMU and virtualization support. | Use msinfo32 to identify the board and processor, then follow the exact manufacturer and FACEIT instructions. Requirements can change as rollout continues. |
Use FACEIT’s documented checks and support process. Its FAQ notes that some older systems or systems with immature firmware may see a minor impact when requirements are enabled. |
These examples illustrate why an error code must be searched in the issuing vendor’s support center. They are not a universal checklist for other games. Compare any two anti-cheat paths by the exact feature required, the vendor’s verification method, whether the result concerns hardware or a disabled setting, the rollout scope and date, and the vendor-directed support path.
9. Troubleshoot by symptom
Task Manager says “Virtualization: Disabled”
Confirm the processor model, then consult the exact PC or motherboard manual for the VT-x, AMD-V, or SVM setting. If the manual does not document support, the system may have a firmware or hardware limitation. Do not conclude that the CPU is incompatible until its model specifications have been checked.
Task Manager says “Enabled,” but VBS is not running
CPU virtualization is available to Windows, but the required security layer is not active. Follow the game’s Memory Integrity or VBS article. Driver incompatibility, policy settings, firmware configuration, or another prerequisite can prevent VBS from running. If the official guidance identifies a driver, obtain an update from that driver’s manufacturer rather than making unrelated changes or installing an unrequested third-party utility.
VBS is running, but the game still reports an error
Read the error literally. The game may be checking TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI mode, IOMMU, or a combination. Recheck each named feature and verify that Windows is booting in the mode required by the vendor. Do not treat a “Running” VBS result as proof that every separate security feature is compliant.
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The support page mentions Memory Integrity but Windows reports a different state
Record the exact wording and state rather than translating it into “virtualization off.” HVCI is associated with VBS, but the game may require it to be enabled and running, not merely available. Use the vendor’s current instructions for the relevant Windows feature and restart before retesting.
Everything appears enabled, but the restriction remains
Restart after firmware or Windows-security changes, launch the game again, and repeat the exact checks. If the error persists, use the game’s official player-support route and provide the requested logs, screenshots, system information, and error code. Avoid registry edits, random BIOS changes, or unrelated driver utilities unless the vendor specifically directs them.
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10. When the PC may genuinely be unsupported
A replacement is justified only after the exact requirement and hardware limitation are established. Examples include a processor without the required virtualization extension or SLAT, a motherboard firmware that cannot provide a required security feature, or hardware lacking TPM 2.0. A PC that merely has virtualization disabled usually needs a documented firmware change, not new hardware.
Check the cost in the right order: first confirm the game’s requirement, then identify the missing capability, then ask whether the manufacturer provides a firmware or supported configuration change. Only after those steps should you compare a CPU, motherboard, or complete-PC replacement. Buying hardware before identifying the failed check can leave the actual TPM, Secure Boot, firmware, or IOMMU issue unresolved.
FACEIT notes that enabling its security requirements can have a minor impact on some older systems or systems with immature firmware. That observation is specific to FACEIT’s guidance and should not be generalized to every anti-cheat system. For any game, weigh the vendor’s documented compatibility information against the age and support status of the machine before spending money.
11. A repeatable checklist
- Identify the game, anti-cheat, exact error, and current official article.
- Note the article’s publication or update date and any stated rollout scope.
- Separate CPU virtualization, firmware enablement, VBS/HVCI, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI, and IOMMU.
- Run
msinfo32; record Processor, BaseBoard Manufacturer/Product, system model, and Virtualization-based security status. - Open Task Manager > Performance > CPU; record whether Virtualization is Enabled or Disabled.
- Use the exact PC or motherboard documentation for BIOS/UEFI menu names and supported features.
- Change only the setting the vendor requires, then restart.
- Repeat the checks and retry the same game.
- If the error remains, contact the game’s support team with its requested logs instead of making unrelated changes.
The reliable answer is therefore not “does my PC support hypervisors?” in the abstract. It is whether this PC satisfies this game’s current, specifically named anti-cheat checks—and whether each result reflects hardware capability, firmware state, or a Windows security feature that is actually running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does “Virtualization: Enabled” in Task Manager mean my game will work?
No. It shows that firmware has exposed CPU virtualization to Windows. The game may separately require VBS or Memory Integrity, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI, or IOMMU.
What is the fastest first check for a hypervisor-related error?
Search the complete error code in the game’s official support center, then run msinfo32 and record Processor, BaseBoard details, and Virtualization-based security status. Use Task Manager’s CPU page for the quick enabled/disabled virtualization indicator.
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No. It may only mean VT-x, AMD-V, or SVM is disabled in BIOS/UEFI. Check the exact processor specifications and the computer or motherboard manufacturer’s instructions before considering new hardware.
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Does VBS running prove that TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled?
No. VBS, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI, and IOMMU are distinct checks. Follow the game’s error-specific instructions for each feature it names.
Why does a game ask for Memory Integrity when virtualization is already enabled?
Memory Integrity, also called HVCI, is a Windows security feature associated with VBS. CPU virtualization makes the hypervisor possible but does not show that HVCI/VBS is enabled and running.
Can I use one anti-cheat vendor’s checklist for another game?
No. Riot Vanguard and FACEIT publish different requirements and verification procedures, and rollout policies can change. Search the exact game, anti-cheat, and error code instead.
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What should I do if the settings look correct but the error remains?
Restart after the change, repeat the exact checks, and retry the game. Then contact the game’s official support route with the requested logs, screenshots, system information, and error code.
Should I buy a new CPU or motherboard first?
No. Confirm the exact failed requirement and the hardware model first. A disabled firmware switch may need only a documented BIOS/UEFI change, while replacement is relevant only when the required capability genuinely cannot be provided.
The Bottom Line
Check the game’s current error guidance first, then separate three questions: whether the CPU has the required capability, whether BIOS/UEFI exposes it, and whether the Windows security feature is actually running. Use msinfo32, Task Manager, and the manufacturer’s model-specific documentation. Change only the named setting, restart, retest, and contact the game’s support team before buying hardware or making unrelated changes.
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