If League of Legends will not open, start by identifying what fails: no response after clicking Play, a crash or freeze, a patch or installation error, a connection problem, or a VAN code. Those symptoms point to different fixes. Work through the relevant steps below in order, and stop as soon as the game launches. Riot’s guidance covers several possible causes; it does not establish one fix that works for every PC.
1. Identify the failure before changing settings
Note what happens after you click Play and copy any error message or code exactly. Also note whether the problem began after a game patch or a security-software change. That detail helps distinguish a launch failure from a patch problem or a Vanguard security error.
- Nothing appears: try the basic restart and background-app checks below.
- Riot Client opens, but League freezes or closes: check overlays, local game data, and security-software interference.
- Patching or installation fails: focus on the Riot Client, firewall, and connection checks.
- A VAN code appears: use Riot’s instructions for that exact code rather than applying unrelated launch fixes.
Riot Games Support describes multiple possible causes in its Troubleshooting Game Launching Errors guide.
2. Restart Windows and retry Riot Client
Restart the PC, then open Riot Client and try League again. This is a simple first check, not a guaranteed remedy. If the same error returns, record it and move to the step that matches the symptom.
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3. Close overlays and check for conflicting background apps
Close apps that hook into games or display overlays, then retry. Riot’s League troubleshooting guide names Discord, OBS, and Steam as examples of overlay applications that can contribute to crashes. If closing them is not enough, use Riot’s clean-boot procedure to test for a background-process conflict.
- Open Windows Search, type System Configuration, and open it.
- On the Services tab, select Hide all Microsoft services before disabling nonessential services.
- Use Riot’s clean-boot instructions for the remaining steps, then restart and test League.
- After the test, restore normal startup settings so you do not leave Windows running with services disabled.
See Riot’s Fix My League: The First Steps to Tech Help guide for its League-specific advice and clean-boot procedure.
4. Clear local game data for a system or critical error
If Riot Client reports a system or critical error, Riot’s launch-error guidance recommends removing the game’s local cache. This deletes local game data, so do not remove unrelated folders.
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- Close Riot Client and League.
- In File Explorer, enter
%localappdata%in the address bar and look for the relevant League of Legends folder. - Delete the game folder if it is present.
- Check the Riot Games folder in the same local application-data area and remove the relevant game folder there if present.
- Open Riot Client and let it recreate or repair the required files, then test the launch.
Folder names and installation locations can differ. If you are unsure which folder belongs to League, do not delete it; consult Riot’s launch-error instructions first.
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5. Check firewall and antivirus interference
A firewall or antivirus program can interfere with launching or patching. Riot recommends adding firewall exceptions for League and Riot Client. If the problem persists and you use third-party antivirus, a brief disable-and-test can help identify interference—but restore protection immediately afterward. Do not leave antivirus disabled.
For an issue specifically matching Riot’s article about League client crashes after patch 25.15, Riot recommends antivirus exclusions for the relevant League, Riot Client, and Vanguard executables. Use the paths in that article and match them to your actual installation; its advice is tied to that patch-related issue, not a permanent requirement for every installation. Riot also says Windows Defender should remain enabled if third-party antivirus is temporarily disabled. Check that compatibility mode is off for the affected executable. See Riot’s patch 25.15 antivirus exception instructions.
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6. Update Windows and your graphics driver
Install available Windows updates and check for a current graphics driver from your GPU manufacturer’s official source. Riot includes operating-system and graphics-driver updates among its League troubleshooting steps. There is no single driver version established here as necessary for every PC.
7. Follow the exact Vanguard instructions for a VAN error
Vanguard errors are their own troubleshooting branch. Use the exact code and Riot’s corresponding instructions; changing security settings without matching the code can create unnecessary risk.
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VAN 9002
Riot says VAN 9002 usually indicates that Windows Exploit Protection is disabled. Its instructions tell affected users to restore the listed system settings to Use default, remove custom Riot-related program settings, and restart. Follow Riot’s VAN 9002 guide for the specific settings.
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VAN: RESTRICTION: 5
This code means Vanguard could not verify Memory Integrity (HVCI/VBS). Virtualization and BIOS/UEFI security settings may also be involved. Follow Riot’s VAN: RESTRICTION: 5 instructions rather than casually changing firmware settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.8. Troubleshoot the network only when the symptom points to a connection
If Riot Client cannot connect, or the error is clearly network-related, try the relevant checks: disconnect from a VPN or proxy, update DNS settings or flush the DNS cache, check firewall rules, and update the network-adapter driver. A wired Ethernet connection can help isolate a Wi-Fi problem, but it is not a general fix for a game that never opens.
Riot’s PC connection troubleshooting guide covers these network checks.
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9. Use Riot Repair Tool, then consider a clean reinstall
If the earlier steps do not resolve the issue, use Riot’s Repair Tool or follow its clean reinstall process. Reinstalling is a higher-effort step and can remove local files. Before deleting League folders, copy any replays you want to keep from DocumentsLeague of Legends.
- Close Riot Client and League.
- Follow Riot’s uninstall and reinstall instructions to remove the game and relevant Riot/game cache data.
- Download and reinstall through Riot’s official League flow, then test the launch.
Use Riot’s supported removal and download steps; a third-party registry cleaner or uninstaller is not established as necessary.
10. Collect logs and contact Riot Player Support
If League still will not open, run Riot Repair Tool or gather the logs requested by Riot, then submit a support ticket. Include the exact error, when the problem started, whether a patch or security-software change preceded it, and which troubleshooting steps you tried. Riot’s launch-error guide directs players to logs and Player Support when its troubleshooting steps do not resolve the problem.
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