6 Ways You Can Fix the Riot Client Not Opening

If Riot Client won’t open on Windows, start with quick checks for stuck processes, compatibility settings, and firewall access before moving to a reinstall. Riot Client is the launcher for League of Legends, Valorant, and Legends of Runeterra.

1. End the Riot Service Client Processes

Terminating Riot Client processes can sometimes fix the Riot client not opening. Then you can try restarting the client software. Try ending the Riot Client processes with Task Manager like this:

1. Right-click any space on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Next, select the Processes tab.
3. Right-click Riot Client processes and select End task.

The Task Manager

2. Set Windows 8 or 7 Compatibility

Try setting a Windows 8 or 7 compatibility mode to fix the Riot Client not opening. This potential fix configures the gaming client to run as it would on Windows 8 or 7, which can resolve compatibility issues. This is how you can set Windows 8 or 7 compatibility for the Riot Client:

1. First, right-click the Riot Client shortcut on the Windows desktop to select Properties > Compatibility.
2. Select “Run this program in compatibility mode” by clicking that checkbox.
3. Next, select Windows 8 within the drop-down menu.
4. Click Apply > OK to set the selected compatibility setting.
   
   

   The Compatibility tab

5. If Riot Client still doesn’t open, try going through the steps above again and select Windows 7.

3. Run the Compatibility Troubleshooter

If manually setting Windows 8 or Windows 7 compatibility does not help, run Windows’ compatibility troubleshooter for Riot Client instead. It can apply recommended compatibility settings automatically.

1. First, click the Riot Client with your mouse’s right button to select the Properties option and Compatibility.
2. Next, click on Run compatibility troubleshooter.
3. Select the Yes option.
4. Next, select the Riot Client software in the app list.
   
   

   The compatibility troubleshooter

5. Click the Program doesn’t display correctly.
6. Select Yes to apply recommended compatibility settings.
7. Try starting the Riot Client software again.

4. Disable Admin Rights for the Riot Client

Selecting the administrator rights option is usually a recommended troubleshooting method for kick-starting games. However, disabling admin rights is a confirmed way to fix the Riot Client not opening. You can disable admin rights for the Riot Client like this:

1. Right-click the Riot Client desktop icon and select Properties.
2. Click on Compatibility to view that tab.
3. Unselect the Run this program as an administrator checkbox.
   
   

   The Run this program as an administrator setting

4. Select Apply and OK to set options as configured.

5. Add the Riot Client to the Firewall’s Allowed Lists

Firewalls can block apps from launching. So, make sure the Riot Client is on the firewall’s allowed list. Check that the Riot Client is allowed through Windows Defender Firewall, like this:

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Select Allow an app through Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Click Change settings.
4. Select Allow another app. 
5. Add RiotClientServices.
6. Tick both Private and Public.

The Allowed apps list

6. Reinstall the Riot Client

Reinstalling is the last resort potential way to fix the Riot Client not opening. Use this as a final resort:

1. Uninstall Riot Client. 
2. Delete the leftover Riot Games folder at C:\Riot Games. 
3. Download the Riot Client installer again.
4. Run the installer and try opening Riot Client.

The Programs and Features Control Panel applet

Try launching Riot Client after each fix so you know which change worked. If the quicker options do not help, reinstalling the client is the final step to replace missing or corrupted files.