League of Legends is a popular multiplayer battle arena game for Windows PCs. However, some players can’t play LoL because of startup issues that prevent the game from launching. For example, one LoL player’s Reddit post said this: “I am clicking the shortcut on my desktop and nothing happens. Every other program that I use opens, but League of Legends is not opening.” Players can’t play League of Legends because of startup issues like that. These are some ways you may be able to fix League of Legends not launching on a Windows 11/10 gaming PC.
Run the LeagueClient.exe File As An Administrator
This potential is more specifically for fixing the League of Legends client when it doesn’t start. Some LoL players have said they fixed League of Legends not launching by running the LeagueClient.exe file with admin rights. You can select a Run as an administrator context menu option for that file. However, it’s better to permanently set the LeagueClient.exe file to run with elevated rights as follows.
- First, bring up Task Manager (utilize the Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and select Processes in that utility. Close any running League of Legends and Riot-related processes shown there by selecting them and clicking End task.
The End task option
- Press the Windows logo + X hotkey and click on the menu’s File Explorer shortcut.
- Open the League of Legends installation directory, which has this default path: C:Riot GamesLeague of Legends.
- Right-click the LeagueClient.exe file to select Properties.
- Select Compatibility inside The LeagueClient.exe Properties window.
- Click Run this program as an administrator to tick the checkbox for that setting.
The Compatibility tab
- Select the Apply option for saving settings.
- Click on OK to close the LeagueClient.exe Properties window.
- Double-click on the LeagueClient.exe file in the League of Legends folder.
Disable Fullscreen Optimizations for League of Legends
Disabling fullscreen optimization for the League of Legends.exe file is another fix some LoL players have confirmed to work for them. Aside from that, it’s also advised to select an Override high DPI scaling behavior setting for that LoL file. You can apply this potential resolution for League of Legends not launching like this.
- Open File Explorer and the League of Legends installation folder.
- Click the Game subfolder in the League of Legends directory to open it.
- Right-click the League of Legends.exe file in the Games folder to select Properties > Compatibility.
- Select the checkbox for the Disable fullscreen optimizations setting.
- Next, select Run this program as an administrator just beneath the Disable fullscreen optimization checkbox.
- Press the Change high DPI settings button.
- Select the Override High DPI scaling behavior checkbox.
The Override High DPI scaling behavior option
- Click OK on the DPI Properties window.
- Select Apply to save all the new property settings.
- Click on the OK option to exit the properties window for the LeagueClient.
Delete the League of Legends Config Folder
Erasing the League of Legends Config folder will restore in-game and client LoL settings to default, which some players have said has worked for them. This is how you can delete the League of Legends Config and Logs folder.
- Open File Explorer by clicking its shortcut (the library folder button) on the taskbar.
- Navigate to the Riot Games > League of Legends folder.
The Config folder
- Right-click on the Config folder and select the Delete context menu option.
The Delete option
- Next, right-click the Logs folder to select Delete.
Disable Antivirus Shields
Antivirus shields can cause League of Legends startup issues by wrongly quarantining some of that game’s files. For example, some players reported Avast Antivirus quarantining LoL files in this Reddit thread. So, try disabling antivirus shields before running League of Legends to ensure they can’t flag any of the game’s files. This webpage on the Microsoft site includes instructions for turning off Microsoft Defender with Windows Security.
The Real-time protection option
Players with third-party security software packages installed, such as Avast, will need to disable their shields. Most third-party security apps have context menu options for disabling real-time antivirus scanning. Right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray area of the Windows taskbar to select an option for temporarily turning off its antivirus shield.
Allow League of Legends Through Microsoft Defender Firewall
League of Legends is a multiplayer game for which internet connectivity is essential. So, make sure the Windows firewall isn’t blocking LoL by adding that game to its allowed list. Add the LeagueClient.exe and League of Legends.exe files to the Windows firewall by following the instructions provided on this Microsoft help page. Select the Private and Public checkboxes for the LeagueClient.exe and League of Legends.exe files within the firewall settings.
The allowed list for Windows firewall
LoL players with third-party firewall software packages should also add League of Legends to their exclusion lists. Some antivirus apps also have built-in firewalls. So, look for firewall exclusion list settings in whatever security software you have installed.
Set Windows 11/10 to Clean Boot
Conflicting programs (especially those with overlay features) can cause League of Legends startup issues to arise. Disabling third-party apps and services from automatically starting with Windows, otherwise called clean booting, can remedy that potential cause for League of Legends not launching. Check out this Microsoft help page for instructions about how to set a clean boot. Try running League of Legends after clean booting Windows 11/10.
The Services tab in MSConfig
Reinstall League of Legends
Reinstalling League of Legends is the best way to fix installation issues and corrupted or missing game files. So, try reinstalling LoL if other potential resolutions for League of Legends not launching fail. This Riot Games support page includes guidelines for uninstalling and reinstalling League of Legends.
The Programs and Features uninstaller tool
Other Ways to Fix League of Legends Not Launching
There are also other ways you may be able to fix League of Legends not launching beyond the more widely confirmed potential fixes covered above. Here are a few other suggestions:
- Install the latest driver for your PC’s graphics card.
- Repair corrupted Windows files with the System File Checker tool.
- Try selecting the Repair option for LoL in the Riot client. To do so, click the Profile button in the Riot client and select Settings to press the Repair button for League of Legends.
- Check if this Riot page includes any reported League of Legends service status issues. If there are, wait until the service status issues have been addressed.
Try kick-starting League of Legends with the potential resolutions above before contacting the game’s support service. There’s quite a good chance one of those possible solutions will fix League of Legends not launching on a Windows PC. You can send a message to Riot support by clicking Submit a Ticket on this help page if further potential resolutions are required.
