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League of Legends can fail at different points: the Riot Client may not open, the game may close after champion selection, or it may freeze before or during the loading screen. Start by identifying where the launch process stops, then check Vanguard, background software, and security settings in that order.
These fixes cover Windows 10 and Windows 11 and reflect Riot’s documented guidance. They include Vanguard errors, clean-boot testing, antivirus and firewall exclusions, executable settings, and collecting logs for Riot Support.
First, identify the failure point
| What happens | Most likely area to check |
|---|---|
| Riot Client does not open at all | Riot Client process, antivirus, permissions, or a damaged installation |
| Champion selection finishes, but no loading screen appears | Background software, security software, or blocked League executables |
| The loading screen opens but remains frozen | Vanguard, graphics software, corrupted files, or a stalled game process |
| A VAN error appears | Riot Vanguard, TPM, Secure Boot, Exploit Protection, or Windows support |
| The client downloads or patches indefinitely | Riot Client permissions, antivirus scanning, network access, or damaged patch files |
Before changing system settings, restart Windows once and close other game launchers, overlays, hardware-monitoring tools, VPNs, and screen recorders. If the problem remains, work through the following sections in order.
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- Close League of Legends and the Riot Client.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- In Processes, end any remaining processes named LeagueClient.exe, LeagueClientUx.exe, LeagueClientUxRenderer.exe, RiotClientServices.exe, or League of Legends.exe.
- Restart the computer, open the Riot Client normally, and try again.
Do not repeatedly click the Play button while an old client process is still running. That can leave several client processes competing for the same files or ports.
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2. Check Riot Vanguard before repairing League
Vanguard must be running for League of Legends to start. Disabling Vanguard prevents the game from launching, and Windows must be restarted before Vanguard can be enabled again.
If you see a VAN code, use it to choose the correct fix:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| VAN 57 | Vanguard is not running. |
| VAN 9001 | TPM 2.0 is not enabled. |
| VAN 9002 | Windows Exploit Protection is disabled or has Riot-related custom settings that conflict with Vanguard. |
| VAN 9003 | Secure Boot is not enabled. |
| VAN 9004 or VAN 9006 | Your Windows version is no longer supported by Vanguard. |
| VAN 9005 | Vanguard requires TPM 2.0 and UEFI-compatible firmware, commonly when virtualization-based security is involved. |
| VAN 185 | The client may have been running for more than seven days, or the account may be logged in on multiple devices. |
A virtual machine is another edge case. Riot documents startup and connection failures when League and Vanguard are installed inside a virtual Windows instance. Install them in a normal Windows installation instead.
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Reinstall Vanguard
Try the normal uninstall method first:
- Press the Windows key and search for Add or remove programs.
- Press Enter and select Riot Vanguard.
- Select Uninstall, then confirm with Uninstall again.
- Restart Windows.
- Open the Riot Client and launch League. This should trigger Vanguard’s installation.
- Restart Windows again after Vanguard installs.
Removing League does not necessarily remove Vanguard if VALORANT or another Vanguard-dependent Riot game is still installed.
If the normal uninstall fails, Riot documents manual removal. Open Command Prompt as administrator—search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator. Run these commands one at a time:
sc delete vgc
sc delete vgk
Restart Windows before deleting the folder at C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.
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After deleting it, restart again, launch the Riot Client and League to reinstall Vanguard, and restart once more so its services load correctly.
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VAN 9002 means Windows Exploit Protection is disabled. Riot’s instructions also call for removing Riot-related custom settings that may conflict with Vanguard.
- Press the Windows key, type exploit protection, and open Exploit protection.
- Open the System settings tab.
- Set each of the following to Use default:
- Control flow guard (CFG)
- Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
- Force randomization for images (Mandatory ASLR)
- Randomized memory allocation (Bottom-up ASLR)
- High entropy ASLR
- Validate exception chains (SEHOP)
- Validate heap integrity
- Open Program settings.
- Inspect applications with custom settings. Expand entries associated with Riot Games, Riot Vanguard, League of Legends, or other Riot titles.
- Select each Riot-related entry and choose Remove.
- Restart Windows only after all applicable entries have been reset or removed.
Do not change unrelated program entries while troubleshooting this error.
4. Perform a clean boot to find software conflicts
Riot identifies background-process conflicts as a cause of League failing after champion selection. A clean boot starts Windows with non-Microsoft services and startup programs disabled, making it easier to identify the conflict.
- Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Open the Services tab.
- Check Hide all Microsoft services. Do not disable Microsoft services before checking this box.
- Click Disable all.
- Open the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.
- Disable the enabled third-party startup items.
- Close Task Manager, select OK in System Configuration, and restart.
- Test League.
If League works after the clean boot, one of the disabled services or startup programs is interfering. Re-enable items in small groups through msconfig and Task Manager, restarting and testing after each group, until you locate the offending software. Common examples include third-party antivirus, motherboard utilities, RGB controllers, overlays, macro tools, recording software, and aggressive performance tuners.
Return Windows to normal startup after testing: open msconfig, choose Normal startup on the General tab, apply the change, and restart.
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5. Add Riot executables to antivirus and firewall exclusions
A clean boot does not always bypass security software. Riot notes that antivirus products can continue blocking League even during a clean-boot test. Add exclusions manually in your antivirus and, where applicable, allow the programs through the firewall.
Riot’s listed default paths are:
- C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\LeagueClient.exe
- C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\LeagueClientUx.exe
- C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\LeagueClientUxRenderer.exe
- C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\Game\League of Legends.exe
- C:\Riot Games\Riot Client\RiotClientServices.exe
- C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgc.exe
- C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\vgm.exe
These are default locations. If you installed Riot games on another drive, use the actual paths. In File Explorer, right-click the shortcut you use to start League, select Properties, and check the Target field to locate the installation.
In Windows Security, typical firewall controls are under Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall. Your third-party antivirus may use different names, such as Exceptions, Exclusions, or Allowed applications.
Do not permanently disable Windows Firewall. If exclusions do not help, Riot recommends temporarily disabling the third-party antivirus as a diagnostic test. Keep Windows Defender enabled during that test rather than leaving the computer unprotected. Re-enable the third-party antivirus immediately after testing.
6. Clear Compatibility Mode and administrator settings
Compatibility settings can prevent Windows from launching Riot components correctly. For each executable listed above:
- Browse to the file in File Explorer.
- Right-click it and select Properties.
- Open the Compatibility tab.
- Clear Run this program in compatibility mode for, if selected.
- Clear Run this program as an administrator, if selected.
- Click Apply, then OK.
Riot’s newer guidance specifically says to leave Run this program as an administrator unchecked for the “Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file” problem. Older support articles recommended enabling it, but that should not be treated as the current default fix.
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7. Repair patching and collect League logs
If the Riot Client opens but cannot update, or the game closes immediately after patching, check that your security software is not quarantining a newly updated executable. Reapply the exclusions after a major patch if the file path or executable has changed.
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To package the client logs:
- Open the Logs folder.
- Right-click LeagueClient Logs.
- Select Send To > Compressed (zipped) folder.
- Attach the resulting ZIP to a Riot support ticket under I am having technical issues.
Riot also recommends using the Riot Repair Tool to gather logs when exclusions and compatibility checks do not restore launching. Include the generated files in your support request instead of sending only a screenshot of the error.
8. Check Windows security requirements
Some Vanguard errors cannot be fixed from the League client. They require firmware or Windows configuration changes:
- TPM 2.0: required for VAN 9001 and some VAN 9005 configurations. Check its state by pressing Windows key + R, entering tpm.msc, and reviewing the TPM information window.
- Secure Boot: required for VAN 9003. Its setting is controlled in UEFI firmware, not normally in the League client.
- UEFI firmware: VAN 9005 can require UEFI-compatible firmware alongside TPM 2.0.
- Supported Windows version: VAN 9004 and VAN 9006 mean the installed Windows version is no longer supported by Vanguard. Install current Windows updates before attempting deeper repairs.
Changing Secure Boot, TPM, or UEFI settings can affect disk encryption and other operating-system features. If you are unfamiliar with firmware settings, check your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s instructions first.
9. When to reinstall League
A full League reinstall is best left until Vanguard, exclusions, clean booting, and Windows security checks have been tested. Reinstalling the game does not automatically solve a blocked executable or a Vanguard service problem.
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If you do reinstall, close the Riot Client first, remove League from Settings > Apps > Installed apps, restart Windows, and install it again from Riot’s official client. If VALORANT remains installed, Vanguard may remain as well; repair or reinstall Vanguard separately if its service is the part that is failing.
What not to do
- Do not permanently disable Windows Firewall.
- Do not leave your antivirus disabled after testing.
- Do not enable Compatibility Mode for every League executable as a blanket fix.
- Do not set every Riot executable to run as administrator without a specific reason.
- Do not delete Vanguard’s folder before running the documented service-removal commands and restarting Windows.
- Do not assume uninstalling League also removed Vanguard when another Riot game uses it.
- Do not use old Windows XP-specific patcher instructions on a current Windows 10 or Windows 11 installation.
FAQ
Why does League get stuck after champion selection?
Riot identifies background-process conflicts and security software as common causes. Perform a clean boot, then add the League, Riot Client, and Vanguard executables to your antivirus and firewall exclusions. Security software can still block League during a clean-boot test.
Can League run if Riot Vanguard is disabled?
No. Vanguard must be running for League of Legends to start. If you disable it, restart Windows after enabling it again so its services can load.
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Not as a general fix. Riot’s newer executable-access guidance says to clear Run this program as an administrator and to disable Compatibility Mode for the relevant Riot executables.
What does VAN 9002 mean?
VAN 9002 means Windows Exploit Protection is disabled or has conflicting Riot-related custom settings. Set the listed System settings to Use default and remove Riot-related custom entries under Program settings, then restart.
Why did reinstalling League not remove Vanguard?
Vanguard may still be required by VALORANT or another Riot game. In that situation, uninstalling League alone does not necessarily uninstall the shared Vanguard component.
What should I send Riot Support if none of these fixes work?
Use the Riot Repair Tool to collect logs. You can also compress the LeagueClient Logs folder from C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\Logs and attach the ZIP to a support ticket under I am having technical issues.
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The Bottom Line
For a League launch failure, the most effective sequence is: restart and end stuck processes, identify any Vanguard code, reinstall Vanguard if its service is broken, clean-boot Windows, add Riot’s executables to security exclusions, clear Compatibility Mode and administrator settings, and then collect logs if the problem continues. Use firmware changes or a full reinstall only when the specific VAN error or repair result points in that direction.
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