A slow League of Legends download can come from competing traffic, Wi-Fi or ISP trouble, DNS or security filtering, a busy or nearly full drive, damaged game files, or a Riot-side issue. First check whether the client is still downloading or is busy unpacking and verifying files; then work through the low-risk checks before changing network or security settings. Slow patch downloads are separate from in-game ping and frame rate.
Find out what is actually slow
Network speed is usually reported in megabits per second (Mbps). Patching also requires the client to unpack, verify, and write files, so the progress bar can pause or show little network activity while local work continues.
Check activity in Task Manager
- Start or resume the patch in Riot Client.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Windows Task Manager.
- Check the Network, Disk, and CPU columns or performance graphs for Riot and League activity.
- If network use is low but disk or CPU activity is high, allow the client time to process files. If disk activity is near 100%, storage, free space, or security scanning may be the constraint rather than your internet connection.
Compare League with another download
Try another legitimate download or a speed-test service. A single speed-test result is not conclusive: the route from your ISP to its test server may differ from the route to Riot.
- Other downloads are slow too: investigate competing traffic, Wi-Fi, the router, ISP congestion, or the computer’s network adapter.
- Only League is slow: focus on Riot Client, patch files, firewall or antivirus permissions, DNS, and Riot service conditions.
- League slows only at certain times: congestion or a service-side issue is possible. Compare again later before changing system settings.
Try the low-risk fixes first
Pause competing traffic
Temporarily pause other game launchers and updates, cloud backups or sync, large browser downloads, torrents, uploads, livestreaming, and Windows Update. Downloads on other devices sharing the connection can also compete for bandwidth. If your router has bandwidth limits, quality-of-service rules, parental controls, or traffic-management features, check whether they are restricting the PC. A crowded 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi network can also be a factor.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- High-Performance Connectivity: This Cat 6 ethernet cable is designed for superior performance, with a 24 AWG copper wire core. It provides universal connectivity as an ethernet cord for LAN network components such as PCs, servers, printers, routers, and more, ensuring reliable and fast network connections
- Advanced Cat6 Technology: Experience Cat6 performance with higher bandwidth at a Cat5e price. This network cable is future-proof, ready for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and backwards compatible with any existing Cat 5 cable network. It meets or exceeds Category 6 performance according to the TIA/EIA 568-C.2 standard
- Reliable Wired Network Solution: Known variously as a Cat6 network cable, ethernet cable Cat 6, or Cat 6 data/LAN cable, this RJ45 cable offers a more secure and reliable connection than wireless networks. It's ideal for internet connections that demand consistency and security
- Durable and Secure Design: The connectors of this ethernet cable feature gold-plated contacts and strain-relief boots for enhanced durability. Bare copper conductors not only improve cable performance but also comply with communication cable specifications
- High-Speed Data Transfer: With up to 550 MHz bandwidth, this ethernet cord is ideal for server applications, cloud computing, video surveillance, and streaming high-definition video. It also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE, PoE+, PoE++) for powering devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points, ensuring fast and reliable network performance.
Restart Riot Client
- Exit League of Legends and Riot Client.
- Check the Windows system tray and quit Riot Client there if it remains open.
- If it is still stuck, open Task Manager and close remaining Riot or League processes only after attempting a normal exit.
- Reopen Riot Client and retry. Restart Windows if the client still will not progress.
Riot’s FAQ says Riot PC games launch through Riot Client from 2026 onward; desktop shortcuts continue to work by opening the game’s tab in that client: Riot Client FAQ.
Restart the modem or router
- Close Riot Client.
- Power off or unplug the modem and router.
- Wait at least 30 seconds, then turn them back on.
- Wait for the connection to return fully and retry the patch.
Compare Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and another connection
If practical, test with Ethernet, then compare your home network with a phone hotspot. Also check whether another device on the same network can download normally.
- Ethernet works, Wi-Fi does not: signal strength, distance, interference, channel congestion, or the wireless adapter may be involved. Ethernet is a useful stability test, not a guaranteed speed increase.
- A hotspot works, home internet does not: investigate the home router, ISP, DNS, or the ISP’s route to Riot.
- Only Riot is slow on both connections: client files, security filtering, or Riot service conditions become more likely.
Do not leave the router firewall disabled. Riot’s advanced connection guide cautions that this is risky; any firewall-off test should be temporary, and port forwarding is generally safer than leaving protection off: Riot advanced connection troubleshooting.
Rank #2
- Cat 6 performance at a Cat5e price but with higher bandwidth
- High Performance Cat6, 30 AWG, RJ45 Ethernet Patch Cable provides universal connectivity for LAN network components such as PCs,computer servers,printers,routers,switch boxes,network media players,NAS,VoIP phones
- Jadaol cat6 standard cable support Cat8 and Cat7 network and provides performance of up to 250 MHz 10Gbps and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)
- UTP(Unshielded Twisted Pair) patch cable with RJ45 gold-plated Connectors and are made of 100% bare copper wire, ensure minimal noise and interference
- The unique flat cable shape allows for a cleaner and safer installation. You can easily and seamlessly make the cable run along walls, follow edges & corners or even make it completely invisible by sliding it under a carpet.
Check storage, then repair the game
Make room on the installation drive
Updates may need temporary room for extraction, replacement, and verification as well as the final files. Riot lists insufficient disk space as one possible cause of update installation failures, but a universal amount of free space is not established because patch needs vary: Riot error-code guidance.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Open This PC in Windows Explorer and check the drive where League is installed.
- If it is nearly full, remove unneeded files or applications and clear temporary files using Windows’ storage tools.
- Retry the patch and watch Task Manager for disk activity.
Run Riot Client Repair
- Open Riot Client and sign in if prompted.
- Open the profile icon or account menu in the upper-right and select Settings.
- Select League of Legends in the game list, then choose Repair.
- Let the repair finish without closing the client. Restart Riot Client and retry the download.
Labels can vary by client build or language. Riot’s support instructions describe the route as profile icon, Settings, game selection, then Repair: Riot repair instructions. If Repair is missing, confirm League is installed and selected, fully exit and reopen Riot Client, and install any offered client update. Avoid deleting game folders by hand.
Check firewall and antivirus permissions
Security software can block Riot components or slow patching while scanning files. Prefer narrow allowed-app or exception rules over turning protection off. Riot’s guidance lists these executable paths for exception handling: Riot executable exceptions.
Rank #3
- 40 Gbps 2000 Mhz High Speed: The Cat 8 ethernet cable support max. 40 Gbps data transfer and 2000 MHz Brandwith, ideal for gaming and streaming, greatly improving upload and download speed, sound, image and resolution quality
- Excellent Anti-interference: The ethernet cable comes with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP), pure copper core and gold-plated RJ45 connector, reducing interference, noise and crosstalk, making network speed faster and more stable
- Marvelous Durability: Internet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use
- PoE Supported: All lengths of ethernet cord can support the PoE power supply function except 65ft. You don't need additional power supply when installing a PoE camera, which is very convenient and safe
- Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, network cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, X-Box and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5
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:Riot GamesRiot ClientRiotClientServices.exe
C:Program FilesRiot Vanguardvgc.exe
C:Program FilesRiot Vanguardvgm.exe- Update your antivirus and firewall software.
- Verify where League and Riot Client are installed; custom locations change the paths above.
- Add only the relevant Riot executables to the software’s allowed-app or exception list.
- Restart Riot Client and retry.
- If necessary, briefly pause third-party security software as a diagnostic test, then re-enable it immediately.
An exception reduces inspection of the files it covers, so use the narrowest option available. Never leave antivirus or Windows Firewall disabled, and do not download unofficial patch-fix utilities.
Refresh Windows network settings
If the download will not start, or connection behavior suggests stale local network or DNS information, refresh the Windows network lease and DNS cache. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdnsThen close Command Prompt, restart Riot Client, and retry. The first command releases the current DHCP address, the second requests a new network configuration, and the third clears locally cached DNS records. They do not increase your internet plan’s maximum speed. Riot documents this sequence in its advanced connection guide.
Rank #4
- High-Performance Connectivity: This Cat 6 ethernet cable is designed for superior performance, with a 24 AWG copper wire core. It provides universal connectivity as an ethernet cord for LAN network components such as PCs, servers, printers, routers, and more, ensuring reliable and fast network connections
- Advanced Cat6 Technology: Experience Cat6 performance with higher bandwidth at a Cat5e price. This network cable is future-proof, ready for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and backwards compatible with any existing Cat 5 cable network. It meets or exceeds Category 6 performance according to the TIA/EIA 568-C.2 standard
- Reliable Wired Network Solution: Known variously as a Cat6 network cable, ethernet cable Cat 6, or Cat 6 data/LAN cable, this RJ45 cable offers a more secure and reliable connection than wireless networks. It's ideal for internet connections that demand consistency and security
- Durable and Secure Design: The connectors of this ethernet cable feature gold-plated contacts and strain-relief boots for enhanced durability. Bare copper conductors not only improve cable performance but also comply with communication cable specifications
- High-Speed Data Transfer: With up to 550 MHz bandwidth, this ethernet cord is ideal for server applications, cloud computing, video surveillance, and streaming high-definition video. It also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE, PoE+, PoE++) for powering devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points, ensuring fast and reliable network performance.
Change DNS only if name resolution may be the problem
Riot documents cases where some ISP DNS resolvers make it difficult for the launcher to reach patch services and suggests public DNS as a possible test. This is most relevant when a download will not begin; DNS changes do not increase bandwidth and are unlikely to help a patch that is already downloading at normal speed. Riot’s older guidance notes that this issue historically occurred more often outside the United States and warns that custom network configurations may be affected: Riot DNS guidance.
The public DNS addresses Riot cites are Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. On Windows 11, a typical route is Settings → Network & internet → active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection → DNS or hardware settings → DNS assignment → Edit. Choose Manual, enable IPv4, enter the preferred and alternate addresses, and save. Windows wording can change between builds. Record your previous settings first so you can restore them; on a managed, school, work, or specially configured network, do not change DNS without the administrator’s approval.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check whether the problem is on Riot’s side
Before reinstalling or making more invasive changes, check Riot’s official service-status and support information for patching, login, or regional problems. Compare reports for your region and retry later if there is evidence of an incident. Third-party status reports can be an additional signal, but Riot’s own information should take priority. A regional service problem cannot be fixed by changing files on your PC.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchBest Value
- High Performance Cat6 Cable - The Cat6 ethernet cables 100ft supports frequencies of up to 500 MHz and high-speed 10GB internet connection for LAN network applications such as PCs,computer servers,printers,routers,switch boxes,network media players,NAS,VoIP phones and more, while remaining fully backward compatible with your existing network.
- Outdoor&Indoor Ethernet Cable - The cat 6 ethernet patch cable features 8 solid copper conductors 24 AWG. Each of the 4 unshielded twisted pairs (UTP) are separated by a PE cross insulation to isolates pairs and prevent crosstalk and covered by a 5.8mm PVC jacket with RJ45 connectors and gold-plated contacts. The molded strain relief boots help avoid snags that will damage your cables. They are molded for flexibility and resist common wear and tear.
- Lan Cable with RJ45 - UTP(Unshielded Twisted Pair) patch cable with RJ45 gold-plated Connectors, this cat6 cable support Cat8 and Cat7 network and provides performance of up to 500 MHz 10Gbps and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)
- High Quality Control - are designed with extremely well-matched components for outstanding uniform impedance and very low return loss, providing lower crosstalk, and a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Each Cat 6 internet cable 6 ft goes through rigorous testing to ensure a secure wired internet connection with exceptional speed and reliability.
- Support – Cat6 Ethernet cable with CM grade PVC jacket complies with TIA/EIA 568-C.2, is ETL verified and RoHS compliant. If an item is defective or breaks within a year, we will issue a replacement. For questions or concerns please contact our friendly, USA-based customer Support team.
When troubleshooting stalls: collect logs and contact Riot
If repeated retries still fail, stop changing settings at random. Riot’s updated-client patcher guidance asks players with patching errors to attach compressed League Client logs to a support ticket: Riot patcher issue guidance.
On a default Windows installation, the log folder is:
C:Riot GamesLeague of LegendsLogsLeagueClient LogsFor a custom installation, use the corresponding League folder. On macOS, Riot directs players to the game application’s contents and its Logs directory; Windows commands and executable paths in this guide do not apply there.
Include your Riot ID and region, operating system and version, error code or screenshot, approximate failure date and time with time zone, and whether the problem affects other downloads. Describe the results of Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or hotspot tests and note whether repair, disk cleanup, DNS refresh, or security exceptions changed anything. Attach the requested logs. Reinstall only if Riot’s guidance or support indicates it is appropriate: it can replace damaged files, but consumes time and bandwidth. Riot has retired the Hextech Repair Tool as the standard troubleshooting route; its support article directs players toward current repair, connection guidance, and support options: Riot notice on Hextech Repair Tool.
Quick Recap
Quick symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely areas | First action |
|---|---|---|
| Download never starts | Client state, DNS, firewall, Riot service | Restart Riot Client; refresh DNS; check security permissions and service status. |
| Downloads are slow everywhere | Competing traffic, Wi-Fi, router, ISP | Pause other traffic and compare Ethernet with Wi-Fi. |
| Only League is slow | Riot Client, patch files, DNS, security filtering, Riot route | Check Task Manager, run Repair, then test DNS or security permissions. |
| Network is quiet but disk is busy | Extraction, verification, storage, antivirus scanning | Allow processing time; check free space and disk activity. |
| Patch fails near completion | Free space, damaged files, security scanning | Free space and run Riot Client Repair. |
| Hotspot works but home internet does not | Router, ISP, DNS, routing | Restart router and compare the home connection with the alternate route. |
| Ethernet works but Wi-Fi does not | Wireless signal, interference, adapter | Use Ethernet if available and investigate Wi-Fi coverage or congestion. |
| Errors recur after every retry | Corruption, permissions, or service issue | Collect logs and contact Riot rather than deleting files at random. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
