- League of Legends may not start on Windows 11 or 10 due to corrupted files, Riot client issues, or blocked permissions, which can cause the game not to launch or crash on startup.
- Various solutions include ending Riot tasks in Task Manager, running the game as an administrator, deleting corrupted settings files, disabling fullscreen optimization, and using Riot’s repair tool, all intended to resolve common startup problems.
- Additional fixes involve checking antivirus and firewall settings, performing a clean boot, updating or reinstalling graphics drivers, or even reinstalling the game completely to ensure smooth functionality of League of Legends.
If League of Legends won’t open on your PC in 2025, it’s not just a random bug—it’s usually tied to corrupted files, Riot client issues, or blocked permissions. Whether the League client refuses to start, crashes on launch, or simply shows nothing at all when you click the icon, this guide breaks down all working solutions.
This guide covers every reason League of Legends won’t open or why the League of Legends client won’t start, with tested fixes that work on Windows 11 and 10. Whether the Riot client is stuck or the game doesn’t respond, here’s exactly what you need to do.
What’s Causing League of Legends to Not Open?
There are multiple reasons why League of Legends won’t start, and the root cause often depends on your system. Here are the most common triggers:
- Riot Client not loading properly
- Background Riot processes are stuck
- Damaged or missing game files
- Outdated or corrupt GPU drivers
- Conflicts with antivirus, firewall, or overlays
- Admin permission errors
- Recent Windows update causing compatibility issues
League of Legends Won’t Open in 2025? 13 Fixes That Actually Work
End Riot and League Tasks from Task Manager
If League of Legends won’t open, it may be running in the background and getting stuck. You have to manually kill Riot tasks.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
- In the Processes tab, look for: RiotClientServices.exe, LeagueClient.exe, RiotClientCrashHandler.exe
- Select each one > click End Task
- Wait 5 seconds, then relaunch League
Many users find this fix works especially when the Riot Client won’t load but shows in Task Manager.
Run League of Legends as an Administrator
In some cases, League of Legends won’t open because it doesn’t have the permission it needs from Windows.
- Go to your League install folder: C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\
- Right-click LeagueClient.exe
- Click Properties > Go to Compatibility
- Tick the box: Run this program as an administrator
- Click Apply and OK
Now double-click to launch the game. This fix is simple but works in a lot of cases.
Delete League Client Settings File
One of the most common reasons why League of Legends won’t start is a corrupted config file.
- Navigate to: C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\
- Delete the file called LeagueClientSettings.yaml
- Don’t worry — the game will recreate it
- Launch the League client again
This helps reset client preferences and often resolves launch issues without reinstalling the whole game.
4. Disable Fullscreen Optimization and DPI Scaling
Windows sometimes applies settings that cause issues. If League won’t open after clicking, try disabling some visual scaling options.
- Go to: LeagueClient.exe file in the install folder
- Right-click > Properties > Compatibility tab
Tick:
- Disable fullscreen optimizations
- Override high DPI scaling behavior > Application
- Click Apply and OK
Now relaunch League of Legends and check if it opens properly.
Use Riot’s Official Repair Tool
If League of Legends won’t open after update, some files may have gotten corrupted. Riot has a built-in repair feature.
- Open Riot Client
- Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right
- Select League of Legends
- Click Initiate Full Repair
- Wait for the process (it may take 20–30 minutes)
Try launching again after repair. This fixes over 50% of cases where League of Legends won’t start due to file problems.
Reinstall Graphics Drivers (Clean Method)
If the League client won’t open, graphics issues might be the cause.
- Open your GPU brand’s site:
- NVIDIA Drivers
- AMD Drivers
- Search for your GPU model and download latest drivers
- Choose Clean Install (important)
- Restart your PC once done
Now launch League and see if it opens. This is essential if the League of Legends screen flashes but won’t start.
Check Windows Defender Firewall & Antivirus
Sometimes your firewall or antivirus might silently block League from opening.
- Temporarily turn off antivirus and try launching League
- Go to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall
- Click Allow an app through firewall
- Make sure these are allowed: LeagueClient.exe & RiotClientServices.exe
- If missing, click Allow another app and add them manually
This fix helps if League of Legends won’t open after login or appears to load then vanishes.
Try a Clean Boot (No Background Apps)
Background apps like screen recorders, overlays, or RGB software can cause League won’t open problems.
Do a clean boot:
- Press Windows + R, type msconfig, hit Enter
- Go to Services tab
- Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all
- Go to Startup tab > Click Open Task Manager
- Disable all startup apps
- Restart PC
Now try opening League. This eliminates third-party interference.
Reinstall League of Legends Completely
If you’ve tried everything and League still won’t open, a fresh install might be the only fix.
- Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a Program
- Remove League of Legends
- Delete leftover folders manually: C:\Riot Games
- C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Riot Games
- Restart PC
- Go to leagueoflegends.com and download the latest installer
- Install and launch
Make sure you install League on an SSD for faster load and fewer startup issues.
Create a New Local Windows Account
A rare but effective fix if League of Legends won’t start due to user profile corruption.
- Open Settings > Accounts > Other Users
- Click Add someone else to this PC
- Create a local user account
- Log into that account
- Download and launch League
If it runs here, your main Windows profile may be broken or misconfigured.
Check Event Viewer for Launch Errors
Still stuck? Use Event Viewer to find out why League won’t open silently.
- Press Windows + X > Choose Event Viewer
- Expand: Windows Logs > Application
- Look for recent errors involving:
- LeagueClient.exe
- RiotClientServices.exe
- Double-click entries to view technical reasons
You may find DLL issues, blocked permissions, or GPU errors here.
Use Compatibility Mode for Windows 10/8
If League of Legends won’t open on Windows 11, try running it in compatibility mode.
- Go to the LeagueClient.exe file
- Right-click > Properties > Compatibility
- Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: Choose Windows 8 or Windows 10
- Apply and try launching
This can help especially on newer Windows builds or unsupported hardware.
Run DirectX & .NET Framework Updates
Missing dependencies like DirectX or .NET can cause League to fail to launch.
Install these:
- DirectX: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
- .NET Runtime: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet
Install and restart your system. Try again.
Conclusion: League of Legends Won’t Open? Fix It for Good
If League of Legends won’t open, it’s almost always fixable without reinstalling Windows or changing your PC. Whether your League client won’t start, League of Legends won’t open after clicking, or the game silently crashes, the issue usually comes down to stuck processes, corrupt files, permission problems, or software conflicts.
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