League of Legends launch failures usually come from one point in the launch chain: an unsupported Windows build, Riot Client or Vanguard not starting, blocked executables, damaged game files, or software that hooks into the game. Find the stage that fails, then use the least-destructive fix for that stage instead of reinstalling Windows or changing BIOS settings blindly.
Identify where launch stops
| What you see | Start with |
|---|---|
| Riot Client never appears | Stuck processes, Windows updates, permissions, antivirus blocks and damaged client files |
| Riot Client opens but Play does nothing | Vanguard, firewall permissions, stuck processes and overlays |
| A VAN code appears | The matching Vanguard error procedure |
| The game opens and immediately closes | Vanguard, antivirus, compatibility settings and graphics drivers |
| The game window is black or frozen | Graphics driver, display settings, overlays and configuration files |
| You return to the lobby after champion select | Firewall or antivirus exceptions for the game executable and Vanguard |
| The problem began after an update | Restart, Windows Update, Riot repair and a check for a known incident |
| League and VALORANT both fail | Vanguard, Windows security and Riot Client rather than League files alone |
Do this safe first pass
- Close Riot Client and League. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and end only clearly related Riot or League processes that are still running.
- Restart Windows normally. A restart is particularly important after Vanguard installs, updates or removal.
- Launch League from the current Riot Client, not an old desktop shortcut or the game executable.
- If Windows or League updated recently, restart once more before reinstalling anything.
- Note any VAN code or message; the code determines the next branch.
Check that Windows 10 is still supported
Press Windows key + R, enter winver, and read the version and build. Riot’s current requirements specify Windows 10 build 19041 or newer; an older feature update can trigger compatibility or VAN 9004 problems even though the screen says “Windows 10.” Install pending Windows updates, restart, and check the build again. See Riot’s minimum and recommended system requirements.
The PC must also support DirectX 11 feature level 11_0. Installing a runtime alone cannot add a missing hardware feature level. Verify the graphics adapter’s DirectX capability with the manufacturer’s specifications or Windows’ DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
Repair or reinstall Vanguard
Vanguard is a required League dependency. A VAN error, “Vanguard not running” message, a Play button that does nothing, or simultaneous League and VALORANT failures makes Vanguard a leading suspect. Riot describes reinstalling it as a recovery step when its driver or service does not complete startup; it is not a guaranteed cure for every launch problem. Riot’s explanation is in the Vanguard and League of Legends retrospective.
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Supported Vanguard reinstall
- Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features.
- Select Riot Vanguard and choose Uninstall through Windows’ normal uninstaller.
- Restart the PC.
- Open Riot Client and launch League. Allow Vanguard to reinstall when prompted.
- Restart Windows again, then test League.
Do not delete random Vanguard folders, registry keys or driver files. Do not leave Vanguard disabled: League requires it to play.
Fallback check for the vgc service
- Press Windows + R, type
services.msc, and press Enter. - Open vgc properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic. If it is stopped, select Start, then Apply.
- Restart Windows and test once.
A missing service, a service that stops immediately, or repeated startup failure is a reason to reinstall Vanguard or contact Riot, not to keep forcing the service. A secondary troubleshooting guide also lists this check alongside restart and Vanguard reinstallation: DTGRe’s patch and Vanguard troubleshooting.
Use the exact VAN error branch
| Code | What it points to | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| VAN 9002 | Exploit Protection is disabled or has conflicting custom settings | Restore the affected protections to Windows defaults |
| VAN 9001 | May require TPM 2.0 | Follow Riot’s exact code instructions before changing firmware |
| VAN 9003 | May require Secure Boot | Use the code-specific Riot guidance |
| VAN 9005 | May involve virtualization-based security | Use the code-specific Riot guidance |
| VAN 9004 | Can indicate an outdated Windows build | Update Windows and confirm build 19041 or newer |
These codes do not justify changing BIOS settings for everyone. TPM, Secure Boot, virtualization and UEFI changes can be risky and may be irrelevant to an ordinary client failure. Riot’s support hub contains the current error-code documentation: League of Legends Support.
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VAN 9002: restore Exploit Protection defaults
- Open Start and search for Exploit protection.
- Open Exploit protection settings.
- Under System settings, set the listed protections to Use default, including Control Flow Guard, Data Execution Prevention, Force randomization for images, Randomized memory allocation, High entropy ASLR, Validate exception chains and Validate heap integrity.
- Open Program settings and remove custom entries associated with Riot Games, Riot Vanguard or Riot titles.
- Restart the computer.
Do not randomly disable Windows security features. The official remedy is to remove conflicting custom rules and return the relevant protections to their defaults. See Riot’s VAN 9002 instructions.
Allow Riot and League through security software
If the client opens but the match executable never starts, or you are returned to the lobby after champion select, add the actual installed files as allowed applications in Windows Defender Firewall and your third-party antivirus or endpoint-security product:
C:Riot GamesLeague of LegendsLeagueClient.exeC:Riot GamesLeague of LegendsGameLeague of Legends.exeC:Program FilesRiot Vanguardvgc.exe
Your installation may use a different drive or folder. Browse to the real files rather than creating exceptions for paths that do not exist. Riot documents these exceptions for post-champion-select failures and connection troubleshooting in its champion-select launch guide and advanced connection troubleshooting.
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Never leave firewall or antivirus protection permanently disabled. If you briefly disable a protection layer to diagnose a block, re-enable it immediately and replace the test with a precise application exception.
Repair League files in Riot Client
- Open Riot Client.
- Open its settings and select League of Legends.
- Choose the available Repair or Full repair option. Labels vary by client version.
- Wait for the scan and download to finish, restart Riot Client, and test.
This repairs missing or damaged League files. It does not repair Vanguard, Windows security policies, firewall blocks, graphics drivers or a Riot-side outage.
When a clean reinstall is justified
Reinstall only after the build, Vanguard, security permissions and client repair paths fail, or when Riot Client itself is damaged. Back up screenshots and any configuration you need, uninstall League and Riot Client through Windows, restart, and reinstall from Riot’s official League page. Avoid unofficial installers, registry cleaners and “optimizer” tools. A reinstall cannot fix a blocked executable, incompatible Windows policy, firmware requirement or server incident.
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Isolate overlays and other conflicts
Vanguard protects the game from software that opens handles or installs hooks. Riot specifically discusses conflicts involving overlays, mods and passive benchmarking tools in its Vanguard retrospective. Test one category at a time, then re-enable software after each test:
- Discord and GPU overlays
- Recording or streaming tools
- Hardware-monitoring utilities and FPS counters
- Mod managers and third-party League tools
- Aggressive antivirus or endpoint-security modules
- Macro and input utilities
This controlled test identifies the conflicting program without leaving accessibility or security software disabled.
Compatibility mode and administrator rights
Open the executable’s Properties → Compatibility tab and make sure old Windows 7 or Windows 8 compatibility modes are unchecked. Community reports are inconsistent, and compatibility settings can conflict with a modern Riot Client or Vanguard; they are not a standard fix. “Run as administrator” can be a short permissions diagnostic, but it is not a guaranteed or permanent requirement.
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Black screen or an immediate crash
- Install the latest graphics driver from your GPU manufacturer.
- Close overlays, recording software and monitoring tools.
- Run Riot Client’s repair option.
- If the game window appears, restore basic in-game graphics settings and test.
- If you reset configuration files, back them up first; deleting
game.cfgor the entire Config folder resets graphics and keybinds and is not a universal fix.
If the window opens off-screen, check Windows display arrangement and disable overlays before reinstalling. A black screen caused by a display setting is different from a Vanguard or firewall failure.
After a Windows or League update
- Restart Windows.
- Install pending Windows updates and restart again.
- Check whether Riot Client reports a Vanguard update or restart requirement.
- Run Riot Client repair.
- Reinstall Vanguard only if those steps fail.
- Check Riot’s support channels for a known incident before performing a clean reinstall.
- If many players are affected or the patch is defective, wait for Riot’s fix; reinstalling locally cannot repair a server outage or broken patch.
When to contact Riot Support
Escalate through the Riot Games League of Legends support hub when the supported steps fail, Vanguard will not install or start, the Riot Client will not open after repair, or a work or school endpoint policy blocks the service. Collect:
- The exact VAN code or error text
- Your
winverversion and build - Whether VALORANT also fails
- The date of the relevant Windows or League update
- Riot Client logs and screenshots
- GPU model, Windows edition and antivirus or endpoint-security product
On a managed computer, an administrator or IT department may need to approve Vanguard; do not bypass a company security policy yourself.
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