Alex Ruben
How To Resolve Riot Client Not Opening or Launching for Valorant and League of Legends
If you’ve ever double-clicked the Riot Client, waiting for it to open, only to get dead silence or just a flicker, it can be super frustrating. Sometimes it feels like a random glitch, but more often it’s something fixable—whether it’s network hiccups, corrupted files, or software conflicts. This guide walks through some practical troubleshooting steps that have helped others get their client back up and running. No fancy tech jargon, just tried-and-true stuff to get you back in game.
How to Fix Riot Client Not Launching
Check for Windows Updates — Make Sure the OS Isn’t the Problem
Windows updates are a pain sometimes, but they also fix compatibility glitches, especially with newer game clients. If your system isn’t fully up to date, especially on Windows 10 or 11, the Riot Client might struggle to launch or crash immediately. On some setups, launching the update check failed the first time, then worked after a reboot, so don’t give up if it’s stubborn.
- Press the Windows key and type Check for updates.
- Click Check for updates in the search results.
- Install any pending updates and restart if asked.
Disable VPN or Proxy — Clear Out Network Interference
This is a common culprit. VPNs and proxies add an extra layer of complication for Riot’s servers and your client. If you’re on one, try disabling it entirely to see if the client opens. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary by routing things weirdly, but at least turning off VPN usually helps.
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN or Proxy.
- Disconnect or toggle off any VPNs and proxies.
After doing that, restart the Riot Client. Sometimes it’s enough to get past connection glitches that prevent it from launching.
Verify Network Settings — Resetting TCP/IP Can Help
If your network configuration is out of whack or misconfigured, Riot might fail to verify credentials or download necessary data. Checking your adapter settings is worth it:
- Press the Windows key and then type View network connections.
- Click it, then right-click your active network adapter and hit Properties.
- Scroll to Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and hit Properties.
- Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.
- Hit OK and close everything.
This resets your network settings to default, often fixing connectivity issues that stop Riot from launching properly.
Flush DNS & Reset Winsock — Clear Out Corrupt Network Data
Sometimes, DNS cache gets corrupted or outdated, messing up the client’s ability to connect. Running a quick reset can fix things. Here’s what to do:
- Hit Windows and type cmd.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Type these commands, pressing Enter after each:
ipconfig /flushdnsnetsh winsock reset
After that, reboot your PC. Not sure why, but this often clears stuck network issues that stop the Riot Client from opening.
Reboot Your Machine — The Classic Fix
Once you’ve done all that, rebooting is still a good idea. It’s weird, but sometimes after changes, a clean start fixes lingering glitches. You’d be surprised how often a simple restart makes a difference.
Extra Tips & Common Problems
Other random things that might help — don’t skip these. Check that your antivirus isn’t blocking the client, and try running it as admin (right-click > Run as administrator). If none of this works, reinstalling is an option, but make sure to delete residual files first to avoid corrupt installs.
Wrap-up
Getting the Riot Client to open can be a real pain in the butt, but most issues boil down to simple network, permission, or outdated system stuff. Following these steps fixes the majority of launch problems. The key is patience and ruling out common causes. If everything’s updated and your network’s clean, most likely it’ll finally launch. Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid hours of head-scratching.
Summary
- Make sure Windows is up to date
- Disable VPN or proxies
- Check network and reset settings if needed
- Flush DNS and reset Winsock
- Restart your PC
- Run client as admin / check antivirus blocking
Final thoughts
Of course, sometimes Riot’s servers are the real issue, or bugs in the client itself. If none of this works, consider reinstalling or checking Riot’s support pages—they often post updates about ongoing outages or fixes. Usually, just tidying up your network and system permissions does the trick, so don’t lose hope. Hopefully, this shaves a few hours off the troubleshooting for someone out there.