League of Legends Not Opening: Why & How to Fix

League of Legends (LOL) is a highly popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game that offers an immersive gaming experience. However, like any other software, it can encounter issues that prevent it from opening or launching properly. If you’re facing the frustrating problem of League of Legends not opening on your Windows or macOS device, this comprehensive troubleshooting guide is here to help. We’ll explore the common causes behind this issue and provide effective methods to resolve it.

League of Legends (LOL) has captivated players around the world with its exciting gameplay and competitive nature. However, it can be incredibly frustrating when you encounter issues preventing you from launching or opening the game. Whether you’re facing a black screen, error codes, or simply nothing happening when you try to start the game, this guide will provide you with effective solutions to get League of Legends up and running again.

Common Causes of League of Legends Not Opening

Before diving into the troubleshooting methods, let’s understand the common causes behind the League of Legends not opening issue. By identifying the root cause, we can select the most appropriate solution for your specific situation. Here are the main culprits:

Damaged or Bad Game Files

In some cases, League of Legends game files may become damaged, corrupted, or missing, resulting in the game failing to respond when you try to launch it. These damaged files can prevent the game from starting properly and need to be addressed.

Issues with Antivirus Programs

Firewalls and antivirus programs are designed to protect your computer from potential threats. However, they can sometimes mistake League of Legends as suspicious and block its execution. This can lead to the game not opening or launching as expected.

Problems with Drivers

Outdated or faulty graphics drivers can also cause League of Legends to fail to open. The graphics driver is essential for optimal performance, and if it’s outdated or corrupted, it can prevent the game from launching correctly.

Faulty Shortcuts

Sometimes, the issue lies with the shortcut you’re using to launch League of Legends. A faulty shortcut can prevent the game from opening. By starting the game directly from the installation directory, you can bypass any issues related to shortcuts.

Now that we understand the common causes, let’s explore the methods to troubleshoot and resolve the League of Legends not opening issue.

Method 1: Run the Game from Installation Directory

If you’re unable to open League of Legends by double-clicking the shortcut on your desktop, try running the game directly from the installation directory. Here’s how:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the installation folder of League of Legends. By default, it is located atC:Riot GamesLeague of Legends.
2. Double-click onLeagueClient.exe to launch the game. Alternatively, you can right-click the.exe file and choose “Run as Administrator” to ensure elevated privileges.
3. If the game opens without any issues, it indicates that the shortcut you were using is corrupted.

Running the game from the installation directory bypasses any potential shortcut-related issues and allows you to launch League of Legends successfully.

Method 2: Disable All Running League of Legends Processes

Sometimes, League of Legends processes running in the background can interfere with the main game process and prevent it from launching. To address this issue, follow these steps:

1. Open Task Manager by pressingCtrl + Shift + Esc or right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager.”
2. In the Task Manager window, navigate to the “Processes” tab.
3. Look for the process named “League of Legends (32 bit)” and select it.
4. Click on the “End task” button to terminate the process.
5. Restart League of Legends and check if it launches without any issues.

By disabling all running League of Legends processes, you remove any potential obstacles that may be preventing the game from opening.

Method 3: Change user.cfg and Delete LeagueClient.exe

If the issue lies with theuser.cfg file, modifying it can help resolve the League of Legends not opening problem. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the installation directory of League of Legends (C:Riot GamesLeague of Legends) and navigate to theRADSsystem folder.
2. Right-click on theuser.cfg file and open it with Notepad.
3. Locate the line that saysleagueClientOptIn=yes and change it toleagueClientOptIn=no. Save the file.
4. Now, go back to the installation directory and delete theLeagueClient.exe file.
5. Double-click onlauncher.exe to launch League of Legends from the installation directory. If it still doesn’t start, try runninglauncher.admin.exe.

By modifying theuser.cfg file and deleting theLeagueClient.exe file, you can resolve any potential conflicts preventing League of Legends from opening.

Method 4: Force the Game to Update Itself

A corrupted system file due to an improper installation process can cause League of Legends not to open. To address this, you can force the game to update itself. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the installation directory of League of Legends and navigate toRADS > Projects.
2. Delete theleague_client andlol_game_client folders.
3. In the same directory, go to thesolutions folder and deleteleague_client_sin andlol_game_client.sin files.
4. Restart your computer and launch League of Legends again. The game should now force an automatic update.

Forcing the game to update itself by deleting specific files can resolve any issues caused by corrupted system files during the installation process.

Method 5: Repair the Installation

If the League of Legends installation itself is the issue, repairing it can help resolve the problem. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the League of Legends client shortcut on your desktop and select “Run as Administrator.”
2. When the launcher opens, click on the cogwheel icon located in the top-right corner and select “Initiate Full Repair.”
3. The repair process may take some time to complete. Once it finishes, restart the game and check if it opens without any issues.

Repairing the League of Legends installation can address any corruption or missing files that may be preventing the game from opening.

Method 6: Update Your Display Driver

Outdated or corrupted display drivers can often be the cause of the League of Legends not opening problem. To update your display driver, follow these steps:

1. Visit the manufacturer’s website for your graphics card and navigate to the driver download page.
2. Locate the latest driver version compatible with your operating system and download it.
3. Install the downloaded driver following the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Updating your display driver ensures optimal performance and compatibility, resolving any issues that may prevent League of Legends from opening.

Method 7: Allow League of Legends Through Windows Firewall

Sometimes, Windows Firewall can block League of Legends from opening. To allow the game through Windows Firewall, follow these steps:

1. In Windows 10, click on the Start menu and search for “Windows Defender Firewall.” Open the Windows Defender Firewall app.
2. From the left panel, click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.”
3. Scroll down in the “Allowed apps and features” section and look for “League of Legends.” If it’s not listed, click on “Change settings” and then “Allow another app…”.
4. Click “Browse…” and navigate to the installation folder of League of Legends. SelectLeagueClient.exe and click “Open.”
5. Check the boxes under “Domain,” “Private,” and “Public” for League of Legends. Click “OK” to save the changes.

By allowing League of Legends through Windows Firewall, you ensure that the game can establish the necessary connections and open without any interference.

Method 8: Reinstall League of Legends

If none of the previous methods have resolved the issue, reinstalling League of Legends is a final option. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start menu, type “Control Panel,” and select the Control Panel app.
2. In the Control Panel window, select “Uninstall a program” under the “Programs” category.
3. Look for “League of Legends” in the list of installed programs. Click on it and select “Uninstall.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
4. Alternatively, you can use a dedicated PC cleaning tool like CCleaner, which includes an uninstaller feature. This tool removes all associated files and registry entries, ensuring a clean uninstallation.
5. Once the game is uninstalled, navigate to the installation directory and delete any remaining files.
6. Reinstall League of Legends by following the official installation instructions provided by the game’s developer.

Reinstalling League of Legends ensures a fresh installation, eliminating any issues related to corrupted or missing files.

Conclusion

The League of Legends not opening issue can be frustrating, but with the methods outlined in this troubleshooting guide, you can resolve it effectively. By addressing common causes such as damaged game files, antivirus conflicts, driver problems, and faulty shortcuts, you can get back to enjoying the immersive world of League of Legends. Remember to follow the steps carefully and try different methods until you find the one that works for your specific situation. If you continue to experience difficulties, consider reaching out to League of Legends support for further assistance. Now, go ahead and launch League of Legends with confidence, ready to embark on thrilling battles and epic victories!