Recommended Free Tools
A League of Legends black screen can happen at launch, after champion selection, or while the game is loading; the symptom alone does not identify one cause. Start with reversible checks—confirm system compatibility, update Windows and your graphics driver, and close overlays—then use the steps for the stage where the screen goes black. Save cache removal and reinstalling for later.
First, identify when the screen goes black
Note whether the black screen appears as League launches, after champion selection, on the loading screen, or in the lobby. Also check whether the client responds, audio continues, an error appears, or the problem began after an update. These details help narrow the next step; none proves a particular cause.
Riot lists a black screen at launch among common crash symptoms, and provides separate guidance for black or loading screens and failures to launch after champion selection. See Riot’s crash troubleshooting guide, Fix My League: The First Steps to Tech Help, and the post-champion-selection guide.
Check that your system meets League’s requirements
Riot’s requirements page, updated September 22, 2026, lists these minimums. Minimum specifications are not a guarantee of smooth play.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows 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 reinstall#1 Best Overall
- 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
- 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.
| Platform | Requirements listed by Riot |
|---|---|
| Windows | 64-bit; Windows 10 build 19041 or later, or Windows 11 with TPM 2.0 enabled; DirectX 11 feature level 11_0; 2 GB RAM; 1 GB VRAM; 16 GB HDD storage. |
| Mac | Apple M1; Metal-capable GPU; macOS 12; 8 GB unified memory; 40 GB available storage. Riot says Intel Macs may continue to play, but its support focus is primarily Apple Silicon. |
For the current requirements and recommended specifications, consult Riot’s requirements and crash troubleshooting information.
Update Windows and your graphics driver
On Windows, Riot recommends checking the graphics driver and operating-system updates as early troubleshooting steps. Drivers can include fixes and optimizations, while Windows updates can address operating-system and DirectX issues; an update is not guaranteed to fix a black screen.
Rank #2
- QHD Resolution (2560 x 1440) has 1.7 times the pixel density of Full HD for incredibly detailed pinsharp images
- HDR10 provides brighter highlights and nuanced shadow for added depth - making every scene feel more vivid and realistic
- The 180Hz refresh rate minimizes lag for gameplay with ultra-smooth action. Plus, the 1ms response time helps capture your moves in real-time, allowing you to react fast for gaming precision
- AMD FreeSync reduces choppiness, screen lag and image tearing, ensuring that your fast-paced, complex in-game action is stable with minimal stutter
- Ergonomic stand allows for tilt, pivot and height adjustments to maximize gaming comfort
- Press Windows + R, enter
dxdiag, and press Enter. Use the Display tab to identify your graphics hardware. - Download the driver through the graphics-card maker’s official support channel. Riot identifies NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel as common manufacturers.
- Run Windows Update, install available updates, and restart the computer before testing League again.
Riot’s instructions are in Troubleshooting Game Crashes. Avoid third-party driver download sites.
Close overlays and check for background conflicts
Overlay, capture, and chat applications can interfere with a game. Exit overlay-enabled apps such as Discord, OBS, or Steam, then try a custom game. If the black screen continues, a Windows clean boot can help isolate whether a background process is involved.
Rank #3
- Smooth motion: 240Hz refresh rate and fast 0.5ms response time provide crisp visuals and fluid movement with less input lag.
- Seamless gaming: FreeSync Premium and HDMI VRR eliminate tearing for smooth, responsive PC and console gameplay.
- Fast IPS: Faster 0.5ms response with excellent color accuracy across wide IPS viewing angles.
- Rich color: 99% sRGB color coverage delivers vivid, detailed imagery with strong accuracy.
- Eye comfort: TÜV Rheinland 3‑star certified display lowers blue light while preserving color quality.
A clean boot is a diagnostic test, not a recommendation to leave services disabled. Change startup settings carefully and restore normal startup after testing. Riot explains the clean-boot approach in its crash troubleshooting guide.
If the problem occurs after champion selection, Riot also flags firewall, antivirus, and security-authenticator software as possible sources of conflict. Check the software maker’s instructions or create a specific exception for League if appropriate; do not leave protection disabled as a permanent workaround. See Riot’s post-champion-selection troubleshooting steps.
Rank #4
- 27” 240Hz 1500R Curved FHD 1080P Gaming Monitor for Game Play.
- Prioritizes Gaming Performance: Up to 240Hz high refresh rate, more immersive 1500R Curvature, FreeSync, MPRT 1ms Response Time, Black Level adjustment(shadow booster), Game Modes Preset, Crosshair.
- Cinematic Color Accuracy: 130% sRGB & DCI-P3 95% color gamut, 4000:1 contrast ratio, 300nits brightness, HDR, Anti-flicker; Anti-Glare.
- Plug & Play Design: HDMI & DP1.4 & Audio Jack(No built-in speakers), durable metal stand, tilt -5°~15, VESA 100*100mm compatible.
- Warranty: Money-back and free replacement within 30 days, 1-year quality warranty and lifetime technical support. Pls contact SANSUI service support first if any product problem.
If League goes black after champion selection
Try Riot’s stage-specific checks before deleting local files or reinstalling:
- Disable compatibility mode. Open the game executable’s Properties, select the Compatibility tab, and make sure compatibility mode is not enabled.
- Repair the game in Riot Client. Open the client, select the profile icon, choose Settings, select League of Legends, then choose Repair.
- Check driver and security-software conflicts. Use the update and security guidance above, including the official instructions for any firewall or antivirus exceptions.
These steps come from Riot’s League of Legends Not Launching After Champion Selection article.
Best Value
- 1800R curve monitor the curved display delivers a revolutionary visual experience with a leading 1800R screen curvature as the images appear to wrap around you for an in depth, immersive experience
- Hdmi, VGA & PC audio in ports
- High refresh rate 75Hz.Brightness (cd/m²):250 cd/m2
- Vesa wall mount ready; Lamp Life: 30,000+ Hours
- Windows 10 Sceptre Monitors are fully compatible with Windows 10, the most recent operating System available on PCs.Brightness: 220 cd/M2
Use MinConfig only if graphics settings may be preventing a load
Riot provides MinConfig files that reduce League’s graphics settings to the bare minimum. This is an advanced fallback for a case where current settings are too high for the computer to load a game—not a first step for every black screen.
The procedure replaces game.cfg and PersistedSettings.json in the default Config folder, overwriting current in-game settings. Retain a copy of those files first if you may need the existing configuration. Follow Riot’s instructions on its crash and system requirements support page.
Clear local cache, reinstall, or contact Riot
If the post-champion-selection steps do not help, Riot lists clearing the League game folder under AppDataLocal and Riot Games local cache folders, followed by a clean reinstall if needed. Because clearing local folders can remove files or settings, preserve anything you need and follow Riot’s current instructions rather than deleting unrelated folders.
Riot’s Fix My League guide also describes the Riot Repair Tool, which can repatch and reinstall League automatically. If the black screen persists, note when it happens and any error details, then contact Riot Player Support. A black screen alone is not a reason to reinstall Windows or replace hardware.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
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.
