How to Fix League of Legends Not Opening Issue

League of Legends is a popular online multiplayer game enjoyed by millions of players worldwide. However, it can be incredibly frustrating when you encounter issues with the game not opening or responding. Whether you’re faced with error messages or simply nothing happens when you click the play button, we understand your frustration. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through several effective methods to troubleshoot and resolve the League of Legends not opening issue on Windows 10.

Let’s dive into each method in detail to help you get back into the game!

1. Verify System Requirements

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s essential to ensure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements to run League of Legends smoothly. The game demands specific hardware and software specifications to operate correctly. If your system falls short of these requirements, it may result in the game not opening or performing poorly. Refer to the official League of Legends website for the minimum and recommended system requirements and compare them with your PC’s specifications. If necessary, consider upgrading your hardware to meet the game’s requirements.

2. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Firewalls and antivirus programs play a crucial role in protecting your computer from potential threats. However, they can sometimes mistakenly block League of Legends, preventing it from launching. To ensure that your game has the necessary permissions to access the internet and run smoothly, you need to check your firewall and antivirus settings. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel on your Windows computer.
2. Search for “Windows Defender Firewall” and click on it.
3. Click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.”
4. Scroll down and look for “League of Legends” in the list of allowed apps and features. If it’s not present, click on “Change settings” followed by “Allow another app…”
5. Browse to the installation directory of League of Legends and select the main executable file (LeagueClient.exe).
6. Check the boxes next to “Domain,” “Private,” and “Public” to grant network access to the game.
7. Click “OK” to save the changes.
8. If you have third-party antivirus software installed, make sure to check its settings and whitelist League of Legends if necessary.

3. Update Graphics Card Drivers

Outdated or faulty graphics card drivers can often cause issues with launching games, including League of Legends. To ensure optimal performance and compatibility, it’s crucial to keep your graphics card drivers up to date. Here’s how you can update your graphics card drivers:

1. Identify the manufacturer and model of your graphics card. You can find this information in the Device Manager or by using a system information tool.
2. Visit the official website of the graphics card manufacturer (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and navigate to the driver downloads section.
3. Locate the appropriate driver for your graphics card model and operating system.
4. Download the latest driver and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
5. Once the driver installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Alternatively, you can use driver update software, such as Outbyte Driver Updater, to automate the process of finding and installing the latest drivers for your system. These tools can help save time and ensure that you have the most up-to-date drivers for your graphics card.

4. Repair or Reinstall the Game

If the above methods haven’t resolved the issue, it may be necessary to repair or reinstall League of Legends. This can help fix any corrupted or missing game files that are causing the game not to open. Follow these steps to repair or reinstall the game:

1. Close any running instances of League of Legends.
2. Open the Control Panel on your Windows computer.
3. Navigate to the “Programs” or “Programs and Features” section.
4. Locate “League of Legends” in the list of installed programs and select it.
5. Choose the option to repair or modify the installation. This will vary depending on your system.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.
7. If repairing the game doesn’t resolve the issue, uninstall League of Legends from your system.
8. Visit the official League of Legends website and download the latest version of the game.
9. Run the installer and follow the prompts to reinstall League of Legends.
10. Once the installation is complete, try launching the game again to see if the issue has been resolved.

5. Disable Conflicting Applications

Certain applications, such as Steam or Razer Synapse, have been known to cause conflicts with League of Legends, preventing it from launching correctly. To troubleshoot this issue, try closing any unnecessary applications and background processes before launching the game. Follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, locate any applications or processes that may interfere with League of Legends, such as Steam, Razer Synapse, or other gaming-related software.
3. Right-click on the application or process and select “End Task” to close it.
4. Once you’ve closed the conflicting applications, try launching League of Legends again to see if the issue persists.

6. Start the Game from the Installation Directory

If you’re experiencing issues with the game not launching from the shortcut, you can try starting League of Legends directly from the installation directory. Here’s how:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the installation directory of League of Legends (usually located at “C:\Riot Games\League of Legends”).
2. Double-click on “LeagueClient.exe” to start the game.
3. If the game launches successfully, create a new shortcut on your desktop for easy access in the future.

Starting the game from the installation directory bypasses any potential issues with shortcuts and ensures that the game launches directly.

7. Perform a Clean Boot

Performing a clean boot can help identify and resolve conflicts between League of Legends and other software running on your computer. By starting your system with only essential services and programs, you can isolate the cause of the issue. Here’s how to perform a clean boot:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter to open the System Configuration window.
3. In the General tab, select “Selective startup” and uncheck the box next to “Load startup items.”
4. Go to the Services tab and check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services.”
5. Click on “Disable all” to disable all non-Microsoft services.
6. Go to the Startup tab and click on “Open Task Manager.”
7. In the Task Manager, disable all startup programs by right-clicking on each entry and selecting “Disable.”
8. Close the Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
9. Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
10. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
11. Launch League of Legends and check if the game opens without any issues.

If the game launches successfully during the clean boot, it indicates that a third-party service or program was causing the conflict. You can then selectively enable services and startup programs until you identify the problematic one.

8. Scan and Repair System Files

Corrupted system files can often lead to issues with launching games and applications. Fortunately, Windows has a built-in tool called System File Checker (SFC) that allows you to scan and repair these files. Here’s how to use SFC to fix League of Legends not opening issue:

1. Press the Windows key and type “Command Prompt.”
2. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
3. In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
4. Wait for the scan to complete. The tool will automatically detect and repair any corrupted system files.
5. Once the scan is finished, restart your computer and try launching League of Legends again.

Running the System File Checker can help resolve any underlying issues with your system files that may be preventing the game from opening.

9. Disable Overlays and Streaming Software

Overlay and streaming software, such as Discord overlay or OBS, can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of League of Legends. To troubleshoot this issue, try disabling these programs before launching the game. Here’s how:

1. Open the overlay or streaming software you’re using, such as Discord or OBS.
2. Locate the settings or preferences related to overlays and streaming.
3. Disable any options or features that enable overlays or streaming while playing games.
4. Save the changes and exit the software.
5. Launch League of Legends to see if the game opens without any issues.

Disabling overlays and streaming software can help eliminate potential conflicts and ensure smooth gameplay.

10. Reset Winsock Catalog

Resetting the Winsock catalog can resolve network-related issues that may be preventing League of Legends from opening. Here’s how to reset the Winsock catalog:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

netsh winsock reset

3. Wait for the process to complete. Once finished, restart your computer.
4. Launch League of Legends to check if the game opens successfully.

Resetting the Winsock catalog can help resolve network-related issues that may be causing the game not to open.

11. Check for Windows Updates

Keeping your operating system up to date is crucial for optimal performance and compatibility with software, including games like League of Legends. Windows updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve issues with launching games. Here’s how to check for Windows updates:

1. Press the Windows key and type “Check for updates” in the search bar.
2. Click on “Check for updates” from the search results.
3. Windows will automatically check for available updates. If updates are found, click on “Install” to download and install them.
4. Once the updates are installed, restart your computer.
5. Launch League of Legends to see if the game opens without any issues.

Updating your Windows operating system can help resolve compatibility issues and ensure a smooth gaming experience.

12. Contact Support

If none of the above methods have resolved the issue, it’s recommended to reach out to the official League of Legends support team for further assistance. They have dedicated resources and expertise to help troubleshoot and resolve complex issues that may be specific to your system.

Remember to provide them with detailed information about the problem, including any error messages or symptoms you’re experiencing. They may ask for additional information or request diagnostic logs to aid in troubleshooting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the League of Legends not opening issue can be frustrating, but with the methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the problem. Remember to follow the steps carefully and be patient. Good luck, and enjoy your gaming experience!