League of Legends Not Working: What’s Going On and What to Do
When League of Legends is not working, the trouble can start in many places. The Riot Client won’t open, the login screen times out, a VAN error blocks the launch, the game hangs after champion select, or your ping spikes in the middle of a fight. Some of these problems sit on Riot’s side, and many come from your PC, your network, or where you’re playing from.
This guide covers each cause, shows how to tell an outage from a local issue, and explains where a tool like Planet VPN can help and where it can’t.
Why Is League of Legends Not Working?
League of Legends depends on a chain of parts: the Riot Client, the League client, the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat on Windows, your network, and Riot’s regional servers. A fault in any one of them can stop you before or during a match.
Outdated drivers, a firewall rule, damaged game files, a Windows security setting, or shaky Wi-Fi are all common triggers. Start with the quick checks below, then jump to the section that matches your symptom.
How to Fix
- Restart your PC, which also restarts Riot Vanguard.
- Check your region on Riot’s service status page at status.riotgames.com.
- Update Windows and your graphics and network drivers.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to a wired Ethernet connection.
- Run the Riot Repair Tool to fix game files and collect logs for support.
Is League of Legends Down, or Is It Just You?
Sometimes the problem really is on Riot’s end. Patches, scheduled maintenance, and unplanned server trouble can stop logins, matchmaking, or games in one region while others play normally. Messages like “Unable to connect to the login queue” often show up while an update is rolling out.
If friends on the same server are stuck too and Riot’s status page lists an incident, there is nothing to fix on your PC.
How to Fix
- Open status.riotgames.com and select League of Legends and your region.
- Check Riot’s official support and game accounts on X for patch or outage news.
- Ask a friend on the same server whether they can log in.
- Wait for maintenance to end, then restart the Riot Client.
- If only you are affected, move on to the local fixes below.
League of Legends Not Loading
League of Legends not loading usually shows up right after champion select. The match starts, but you get a black screen, a loading screen that never finishes, or a prompt to retry. Riot’s troubleshooting guide points to overlays, background apps, missing system updates, and damaged game files.
If the client loads but the game itself doesn’t, and the problem clears on its own a day later, a temporary server issue was the likely cause.
How to Fix
- Close overlays such as Discord, OBS, or Steam, then retry the match.
- Install any pending Windows or macOS updates.
- Do a clean boot to rule out background software.
- Turn on Low Spec Mode in the client settings if your PC is older.
- Reinstall League if the loading screen still hangs.
League of Legends Won’t Open
When League of Legends won’t open, the Riot Client may not launch at all, freeze on its splash screen, or get stuck updating. The usual causes are a stuck background process, an antivirus or firewall blocking the client, outdated graphics drivers, a full drive, or a broken install.
On Windows, Vanguard must be running before League will start. If you’ve just installed or re-enabled it, restart your PC first.
How to Fix
- End all Riot and League processes in Task Manager, then relaunch the client.
- Allow the Riot Client through Windows Defender Firewall on private and public networks.
- Add the Riot Games and Riot Vanguard folders to your antivirus exclusions.
- Update your graphics drivers and Windows.
- Uninstall League, delete the leftover Riot Games folders, restart, and reinstall.
League of Legends Login Problems
Login errors range from a spinning sign-in screen to “Unable to connect to the authentication service” or “Unexpected error with the login session.” Riot accounts are region-locked, so picking the wrong region is a common mistake. Riot also lists a wrong system clock, DNS problems, and Killer network software as causes.
A rejected password or a restricted account is a different matter. No network change will fix those.
How to Fix
- Check that the selected region matches the one your account was created on.
- Sync your system clock in Windows or macOS settings.
- Restart your router and your PC.
- Switch to a public DNS such as 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
- Reset your password at recovery.riotgames.com if your sign-in is rejected.
- Turn off Advanced Stream Detect if you use Killer network software.
League of Legends Stuck on Reconnect
A reconnect loop means the client keeps showing a Reconnect button after champion select, and the game never opens. Riot links it to compatibility settings on the game file, Windows debug memory dumps, and software that hooks into other processes, such as Citrix Workspace, Fasoo, or some security suites.
Unstable Wi-Fi and packet loss can throw you into the same loop in the middle of a match.
Tip: If you’re stuck on reconnect after champion select, open the Properties of League of Legends.exe and clear every box on the Compatibility tab. Riot names compatibility mode and “Run this program as an administrator” as frequent causes of this loop.
How to Fix
- Clear the Compatibility tab options for League of Legends.exe.
- Set “Write debugging information” to (none) in sysdm.cpl, then restart.
- Uninstall Citrix Workspace or Fasoo software if you don’t need it.
- Add Riot Vanguard and Riot Games to your security software’s exclusions.
- Use a wired connection to cut packet loss.
League of Legends Vanguard Error
Since patch 14.9 in May 2024, League of Legends on Windows needs Riot Vanguard, Riot’s kernel-level anti-cheat, to be running. If Vanguard can’t start or doesn’t trust your system, you get a VAN error and the game won’t launch. Vanguard also blocks some vulnerable drivers and doesn’t run in virtual machines or on Linux.
Some codes point to missing security features. VAN 9001 means TPM 2.0 isn’t enabled, and VAN 9005 means Vanguard can’t find the TPM 2.0, UEFI, and Secure Boot setup it needs. VAN 128 means Vanguard couldn’t finish its startup checks.
How to Fix
- Restart your PC, since many VAN errors clear after a reboot.
- Install all Windows updates, then restart again.
- Turn on TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in your BIOS or UEFI settings for VAN 9001 or 9005.
- Make sure the Vanguard (vgc) service is set to start automatically.
- Uninstall Vanguard, restart, then launch League to reinstall it.
- Do a clean boot to find software that conflicts with Vanguard.
League of Legends Keeps Crashing
If League of Legends keeps crashing, freezes, or shows “A critical error has occurred,” start with your hardware and drivers. Riot’s first checks are the minimum specs, up-to-date GPU and motherboard drivers, and current OS updates.
Overlays and recording tools often trigger crashes mid-game. When the client freezes and stops responding, damaged Windows system files can also be at fault.
How to Fix
- Check your PC against Riot’s minimum system requirements.
- Update GPU, chipset, and BIOS drivers from the manufacturer’s site.
- Turn off overlays and recording apps while you play.
- Turn on Low Spec Mode to ease the load on older hardware.
- Run sfc /scannow and DISM from an admin Command Prompt if the client freezes.
- Run the Riot Repair Tool, or reinstall the game.
League of Legends High Ping
High ping, rubber-banding, and lag spikes usually come from the connection between you and Riot’s server. Riot’s Lag Report says distance to the server is the biggest factor on a healthy connection, and packet loss should be as close to 0% as possible. League doesn’t need much bandwidth, but it does need a stable line.
Wi-Fi interference, old router firmware, damaged cables, and other devices streaming on your network are common causes. Sometimes the weak spot is your ISP’s route to Riot’s data center. A nearby VPN server can occasionally give a steadier path there, but it can also add ping, and Riot only recommends VPNs for routing tests.
How to Fix
- Play on a wired Ethernet connection.
- Pause downloads and streams on your network during matches.
- Restart your router and update its firmware.
- Play on the server for your own region to keep distance low.
- If your ISP’s route is poor, test a nearby VPN server and compare your ping.
Common League of Legends Errors
League of Legends shows a mix of Vanguard (VAN) codes and client messages. Most point to a connection, a security setting, or a file problem. Here are the ones you’re most likely to see.
| Error | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| VAN 0 | Vanguard needs to re-check your system, often after the PC has run for days | Close all programs and restart your PC. |
| VAN -81 | Vanguard lost its connection or didn’t start properly | Restart your PC, then reinstall Vanguard and League if it repeats. |
| VAN 68 | A connection error between your PC and Riot’s servers | Check your network and try with your firewall temporarily off. |
| VAN 128 | Vanguard couldn’t finish its startup or system trust checks | Update Windows, set the vgc service to automatic, and reinstall Vanguard. |
| VAN 9001 | Vanguard needs TPM 2.0 but can’t detect it | Turn on TPM 2.0 in your BIOS or UEFI settings. |
| VAN 9005 | Vanguard can’t find the TPM 2.0 and UEFI setup needed for Virtualization-based Security | Turn on TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, then check Memory Integrity. |
| VAN: RESTRICTION | Your account has a penalty or restriction | Review the notice and contact Riot support. Local fixes won’t help. |
| Unable to connect to the authentication service | The client can’t reach Riot’s login servers | Check server status, restart your router, and switch DNS. |
| Unable to connect to the login queue | Login is blocked by a patch, outage, or network issue | Wait for the update, check status, and restart your router. |
| Error 004 | The client failed to patch, often due to low storage | Free up disk space and run the Riot Repair Tool. |
| A critical error has occurred | The game crashed, often because of an overlay or driver | Turn off overlays and update your graphics drivers. |
Why Can’t I Access League of Legends?
Sometimes League works, but your network or location won’t let it through. School, office, and dorm networks often block gaming traffic, and some public Wi-Fi does the same. Some ISPs also filter DNS or throttle game traffic.
For these network blocks, a VPN is the practical fix. It sends your traffic through an encrypted tunnel, so the local filter can’t single out League. Country restrictions are different: Riot cut off players in Iran and Syria in 2019 to comply with US sanctions, and a VPN doesn’t change those legal limits or Riot’s terms.
How to Fix
- Test League on a mobile hotspot. If it works there, your network is blocking it.
- Connect to a nearby VPN server to get past a school, work, or Wi-Fi block.
- Switch to a public DNS if your ISP filters the connection.
- Check router parental controls or firewall rules at home.
- On work or school devices, remember the network owner’s rules still apply.
When a VPN Can Help with League of Legends
A VPN helps with a narrow set of League problems. It can get you past school, work, or public Wi-Fi blocks, avoid ISP throttling or DNS filtering, and protect your Riot login on public networks. Sometimes it can also give a steadier route to Riot’s servers than your ISP’s default path, though it often adds a little ping.
It can’t fix a Riot outage, a banned or restricted account, a wrong password, a VAN error, missing TPM or Secure Boot settings, or crashes caused by drivers. If you want to try one, Planet VPN has gaming servers built for low ping, and you can read more on the VPN for League of Legends page.
League of Legends Not Working With a VPN
When League stops connecting with your VPN on, the cause is usually extra distance or an unstable tunnel. Riot’s own guide warns that VPNs and proxies can cause connection problems, and a crowded shared server, a protocol that handles game traffic poorly, or a DNS leak can make it worse.
Your account stays on its home region whatever VPN location you pick, so a far-away server only adds lag.
How to Fix
- Pick a VPN server close to your region’s Riot data center.
- Disconnect, then start a fresh VPN connection.
- Switch protocol, for example to WireGuard, which usually suits games better.
- Flush your DNS cache and turn on DNS-leak protection.
- Use Split Tunneling to keep League outside the VPN if you only need it for other apps.
- Turn the VPN off to test, and contact VPN support if the problem only appears with it on.
How to Prevent League of Legends Problems in the Future
Keep Windows, your drivers, and the Riot Client up to date, and restart your PC at least once a week so Vanguard can refresh its session. Once TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are on, leave them on.
Play on a wired connection, keep overlays to a minimum, and leave free disk space for patches. If your network often blocks or throttles games, set up a VPN in advance so you’re not scrambling before a ranked match.
Conclusion
When League of Legends isn’t working, go in order: check Riot’s status page, restart your PC, test your connection, then match your symptom or VAN code to the fixes above. Most problems come from the client, Vanguard, drivers, or the network, and clear up in minutes. If League runs everywhere except one network, a local block is the likely cause, and that’s where a VPN like Planet VPN can get you back into queue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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1. Why is League of Legends not working today?
Usually it’s a patch, maintenance, or a server issue in your region, or a local problem like a stuck client or unstable Wi-Fi. Check status.riotgames.com first. If your region shows no incident, restart your PC and router and run the Riot Repair Tool.
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2. Is League of Legends down right now?
Riot’s service status page lists incidents and maintenance by region. If your region shows an incident, wait for Riot’s update. If it’s clear and friends can play, the problem is on your side.
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3. Why won’t my League of Legends open?
A stuck Riot process, an antivirus or firewall block, outdated drivers, or Vanguard not running are the usual causes. End Riot processes in Task Manager, allow the client through your firewall, restart your PC, and reinstall if it still won’t launch.
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4. How do I fix “Unable to connect to the authentication service”?
It means the client can’t reach Riot’s login servers. Check the status page, restart your PC and router, sync your system clock, and try a public DNS like 8.8.8.8. Make sure you’re signing in to the right region.
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5. Why do I keep getting a VAN error in League?
VAN errors come from Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat League needs on Windows. Many clear with a restart. VAN 9001 and VAN 9005 need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot turned on, and VAN: RESTRICTION is an account penalty only Riot support can review.
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6. Why is League stuck on the loading screen?
Overlays, background apps, missing system updates, or damaged files are common causes. Close Discord and recording overlays, update your system, do a clean boot, and reinstall League if it keeps hanging.
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7. Can a VPN fix League of Legends lag?
Sometimes. If your ISP throttles games or routes you badly, a nearby VPN server may give a steadier connection. If the lag comes from Wi-Fi, distance, or packet loss at home, a VPN won’t help and can add ping.