Introduction

Experiencing troubles with the Riot Client on your Windows PC can be quite a hurdle, especially when you're geared up for an intense gaming session. It's common to face issues where the Riot Client refuses to launch or open correctly, but fret not, as there are several actionable solutions to this quandary. This article delineates a series of troubleshooting steps, ranging from running the client as an administrator, refreshing background processes, updating graphics drivers, to even reinstalling the Riot Client anew. So, before the next game beckons, let's dive into resolving this irksome issue and get you back on the virtual battlegrounds posthaste.

Grant Administrative Privileges

One initial step to resolve the Riot Client not launching is to run it as an administrator since at times, elevated permissions are needed for proper functionality. Simply:

Right-click on the Riot Client shortcut or executable.
Select "Run as administrator" from the contextual menu.

This action could potentially bypass any launching issues.

run as administrator — Riot Client > Run as Administrator

Terminate Background Processes

It might be the case that the Riot Client is operational in the background, but not appearing on your screen. Here's a quick fix:

Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Look for any ongoing Riot Client or related processes.
Right-click and choose End Task on each of these processes.

Now, try relaunching the Riot Client to see if the problem persists.

end riot client tasks — Task Manager > Processes > Riot Client

Refresh Your Graphics Driver

Outdated graphics drivers might induce compatibility issues with the Riot Client. Here’s how to update them based on your graphics card:

NVIDIA Users:
1. Open the GeForce Experience application.
2. Navigate to the Drivers section.
3. Click on Check for Updates to download and install the latest driver.
AMD Users:
1. Launch the AMD Radeon application.
2. Head over to the Drivers & Software section.
3. Click on Check for Updates to fetch and install the newest driver.

Keeping your graphics driver up-to-date ensures a smoother interaction between your system and the Riot Client.

update graphics driver — GeForce Experience > Drivers > Download

Fresh Install of Riot Client

Sometimes, a fresh installation can be the key to resolving the Riot Client not launching issue. Here's how you can go about it:

Uninstall the current version of Riot Client from your system.
Download the latest version directly from the official Riot Games website.
Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

Tip: Third-party software with overlay features like Discord or OBS could interfere with Riot Client's functionality. Temporarily disabling or uninstalling these programs may help in identifying and resolving the conflict.

reinstall game client — Download the Riot Games client

Whitelist Riot Client in Firewall

There's a chance your antivirus or Windows Defender firewall could be blocking the Riot Client, mistaking it as a threat. Here’s a step-by-step guide to allow Riot Client through the firewall:

Type “Firewall” in your start menu search, and open Firewall & Network Protection system settings window.
Click on “Allow an app through firewall”.
Click on “Change settings” and then locate the “Riot Client” app. Check both the checkboxes next to it.
- If the Riot Client app isn't listed, click on “Allow another app”, then “Browse” to locate it in your file explorer.

By adjusting the firewall settings to include Riot Client in the exception list, you're on a good path to fix startup issues associated with the client.

allow riot client through firewall — Allow apps to communicate through Windows Defender Firewall

The Riot Client may not launch due to lack of admin permissions, running background processes of the client, outdated graphics drivers, or conflicts with third-party software. Ensuring that your Riot Client and graphics drivers are updated, and running the client as an administrator can often resolve these issues.
Right-click on the Riot Client shortcut or executable file on your desktop, and select "Run as administrator" from the context menu. This grants the necessary permissions for the client to operate correctly.
Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), locate any Riot Client or related processes, end those tasks, and then try launching the client again. This ensures that any previous instances that may have been stuck in the background are closed.
If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, use the GeForce Experience application; AMD users can use the AMD Radeon application. Navigate to the “Drivers” section and download the latest driver, which will be installed automatically.
Search for “Firewall” in your start menu, open Firewall & Network Protection system settings, click on “Allow an app through firewall”, then “Change settings”. Locate “Riot Client” and check both boxes next to it. If it's not listed, click on “Allow another app” and then “Browse” to locate it.