If Riot Client does nothing, opens and closes, or launches while a Riot game will not start, the fix depends on where the failure occurs. First check Riot’s service status, restart Windows, and identify whether the problem affects Riot Client, one game, or Vanguard. Do not reinstall every Riot game until the lower-risk fixes fail.
Start by identifying the failure
| What happens | Likely area | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing appears after clicking Riot Client | Stuck process, cache, permissions, security software, or damaged installation | Restart Windows, end Riot processes, then check security software |
| The window appears briefly and closes | Crash, corrupted cache, overlay, antivirus, or compatibility settings | Clear relevant cache and check Compatibility settings |
| Riot Client opens but one game does not | Game files, game-specific client, or Vanguard | Follow that game’s branch and read any error code |
A VAN code appears |
Riot Vanguard or Windows security requirements | Use Riot’s instructions for the exact code |
| Login or patching hangs | Network, firewall, patcher, or Riot service issue | Check service status and firewall history |
| Several Riot games fail together | Riot Client, Vanguard, Windows, or a service-wide incident | Check Riot status before changing the installation |
The steps below apply primarily to Windows 10 and Windows 11. macOS and console versions do not use these Windows paths or Vanguard procedures.
1. Check whether Riot is down
Open Riot’s official service-status page, select the relevant product and region, and look for incidents involving login, authentication, patching, or game services.
If Riot reports an incident, wait for it to be resolved rather than reinstalling the client or changing BIOS settings. A clear status page does not guarantee that your local installation is healthy, and a newly developing or regional issue may not appear immediately.
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2. Restart Windows and launch Riot Client directly
- Save your work and restart Windows fully.
- Open Riot Client from the Start menu or its installed shortcut, not an old game shortcut.
- Test the affected game once.
A restart can clear Riot processes and services that remain active after a visible window closes. Repeatedly clicking the icon can create additional stuck processes and make the problem harder to diagnose.
3. End stuck Riot processes
If no window appears, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. In Processes, look for Riot- or game-related entries such as:
- Riot Client
- Riot Client Services
- LeagueClient
- VALORANT
- Riot Vanguard-related processes, where visible
End only processes clearly associated with Riot or the affected game, then try launching Riot Client again. Do not terminate unfamiliar Windows security or system processes simply because their names are unfamiliar.
4. Clear the relevant local cache
Riot’s launch troubleshooting guidance includes clearing relevant local cache folders. Press Windows + R, enter:
%localappdata%Press Enter and remove only the Riot or game cache folders relevant to the failure. Do not delete the entire AppData directory or unrelated Windows folders. Then restart Windows and test Riot Client.
Cache deletion can reset local preferences or force files to be rebuilt. It does not delete your Riot account, purchases, champions, skins, or cloud-held progression.
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See Riot’s launch troubleshooting guidance for the current folder recommendations.
5. Check antivirus and firewall blocks
After a patch, antivirus software can quarantine or block changed Riot executables. Open your antivirus and Windows Security history and check for blocked or quarantined Riot files. Restore a file only when you have confirmed that it is from your genuine Riot installation.
Add narrow exceptions for the actual files installed on your PC. Riot documents these default examples:
C:Riot GamesRiot ClientRiotClientServices.exe
C:Riot GamesLeague of LegendsLeagueClient.exe
C:Riot GamesLeague of LegendsLeagueClientUx.exe
C:Riot GamesLeague of LegendsLeagueClientUxRenderer.exe
C:Riot GamesLeague of LegendsGameLeague of Legends.exe
C:Program FilesRiot Vanguardvgc.exe
C:Program FilesRiot Vanguardvgm.exeYour installation may use a different drive or folder. Do not whitelist an entire drive, download replacement executable files, or permanently disable antivirus or Windows Firewall. Riot’s documented antivirus test is temporary and controlled; use Microsoft Defender as the baseline protection while testing third-party antivirus interference, then restore normal protection.
Also check whether Windows Firewall is blocking Riot Client or the affected game. Riot’s post-patch troubleshooting page contains the current exception guidance.
6. Turn off Compatibility mode
Riot specifically advises checking Compatibility settings after some post-patch launch problems:
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- Right-click the Riot Client shortcut and select Properties.
- Open the Compatibility tab.
- Make sure Run this program in compatibility mode for is not enabled.
- Check the relevant Riot or game executable as well if the problem began after an update.
- Apply the change and retry.
Running as administrator can be a short diagnostic test, but it is not automatically required and should not be treated as a permanent security solution.
7. Update Windows
Open Settings → Windows Update, install available updates, and restart even if Windows does not immediately demand a restart. Outdated Windows components can interfere with Riot’s anti-cheat installation or launch process.
Do not assume one fixed Windows build or security requirement applies to every Riot title. Requirements vary by game, hardware, Windows version, and Vanguard error code.
If you see a VAN error
A VAN error points to a Vanguard-specific branch; it does not prove that Vanguard is responsible for every Riot Client failure. Use Riot’s current Vanguard error documentation for the exact code.
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VAN 9002: restore Exploit Protection defaults
Riot says VAN 9002 generally means Windows Exploit Protection is disabled or has custom settings. Press the Windows key, search for Exploit protection, and open Exploit protection settings.
Under System settings, return the Riot-relevant mitigations to Use default, including:
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Under Program settings, remove custom entries for Riot, Vanguard, or Riot games when Riot’s instructions identify them as the cause. Restart Windows and test again.
Other Vanguard codes
Other codes can involve a stopped service, a required restart, blocked or incompatible drivers, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, firmware, or motherboard security settings. Do not change BIOS settings blindly. Riot’s Vanguard security update explains why some VALORANT launch restrictions involve pre-boot security and firmware; use your motherboard manufacturer’s instructions when a specific code requires it.
Riot Client, a game client, and Vanguard are related but separate components. Vanguard includes driver and client components, so reinstalling a game does not necessarily repair every Riot Client or Vanguard problem. Do not manually delete Vanguard driver files or registry keys. Follow Riot’s official uninstall and reinstall process, including any required Windows restart.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If only one game fails
VALORANT
If Riot Client opens but VALORANT does not, read the complete Vanguard code first. Prioritize the exact Vanguard fix, Windows Update, and only then requirements such as Secure Boot or TPM if the displayed error calls for them.
League of Legends
Check League’s client and game files, antivirus exceptions, and League-specific logs. League and VALORANT do not have identical Vanguard launch behavior: Riot says League’s Vanguard session is created when the desktop client starts, while VALORANT’s anti-cheat session is created when the game client starts. See Riot’s Vanguard and League retrospective for that distinction.
After a League patch, changed client files may be quarantined, a cache may be stale, or an overlay or driver may conflict. Do not assume every post-patch failure is caused by Vanguard.
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8. Use a clean boot to find conflicts
Background software can interfere with Riot Client or a game. Follow Microsoft’s current clean-boot instructions rather than relying on outdated menu descriptions.
- Disable only non-Microsoft services and startup applications.
- Restart and test Riot Client.
- If it works, re-enable items in groups until the conflict returns.
Possible causes include third-party antivirus, hardware-monitoring or RGB utilities, overlays, recording tools, compatibility layers, and aggressive performance-tuning software. These are possibilities, not confirmed causes in every case.
9. Repair or reinstall only after the checks above
Use Riot’s official repair or reinstall path for the affected component. Reinstalling a game may not repair firewall rules, antivirus quarantine, Windows Exploit Protection, firmware requirements, or a service outage, so reinstalling first often wastes time.
Riot’s support resources identify the Riot Repair Tool as the appropriate way to gather logs. Treat it as a diagnostic collection tool, not a universal repair utility.
10. Contact Riot Support with useful evidence
If the client still will not launch, submit a ticket through Riot Support. Include:
- The exact error text or
VANcode - The affected game and whether other Riot games work
- Your Windows version
- Whether the issue began after a game patch, driver update, or security-software change
- Whether Riot Client works after a clean boot
- Riot Repair Tool output
- Screenshots and crash details
For League, Riot documents the default log location as:
C:Riot GamesLeague of LegendsLogsThe LeagueClient Logs folder is especially relevant to client and patcher problems. Your actual install location may differ.
Quick Recap
Quick troubleshooting map
| Symptom | Next action |
|---|---|
| Absolutely nothing happens | Restart, end Riot processes, check antivirus quarantine, disable Compatibility mode, clear relevant cache, then clean boot |
| Client opens and immediately closes | Clear cache, check overlays and antivirus, verify Compatibility settings, then clean boot |
| Client opens but VALORANT fails | Read the Vanguard code and apply its specific fix |
| Client opens but League fails | Check League files, exceptions, Vanguard restart behavior, and League logs |
| Login or patching is stuck | Check Riot status, firewall blocks, and network/security software |
| Failure began after a patch | Check quarantine, cache, Compatibility settings, overlays, Windows updates, and Riot’s current support notices |
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