How to Repair League of Legends: A Comprehensive Guide to Troubleshooting Common Issues

League of Legends (LoL) is a popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game enjoyed by millions worldwide. However, like any complex software, it can occasionally run into issues, from minor glitches to game-breaking errors. When faced with problems like persistent crashes, slow loading times, or connection issues, knowing how to repair League of Legends is crucial for getting back into the action. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various troubleshooting steps, from basic fixes to more advanced techniques, ensuring you can resolve most common League of Legends problems effectively.

Why Does League of Legends Need Repairing?

Before diving into the repair process, understanding why issues occur can help you prevent them in the future. Here are some common culprits:

• Corrupted Game Files: During updates, downloads, or even due to hardware issues, game files can become corrupted, leading to instability and errors.
• Outdated Drivers: Especially graphics card drivers, outdated drivers can cause conflicts with the game, resulting in crashes and graphical glitches.
• Network Problems: Unstable internet connections, firewall restrictions, or DNS issues can hinder the game’s ability to connect to servers.
• Software Conflicts: Other applications running in the background might interfere with LoL’s performance, leading to various problems.
• Operating System Issues: An outdated or malfunctioning operating system can also cause compatibility problems with the game.
• Insufficient System Resources: Running LoL on a system that doesn’t meet the minimum requirements can lead to performance issues and crashes.
• League of Legends Client Issues: The client itself might encounter errors that need to be addressed.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Before resorting to more complex fixes, try these basic troubleshooting steps. These can often resolve simple issues quickly.

1. Restart Your Computer

The classic solution, but often effective. Restarting your computer can clear temporary files, close unnecessary programs, and refresh your system, which can resolve a lot of minor glitches and conflicts. Simply shut down your computer completely, wait for about 30 seconds, and then power it back on.

2. Restart Your Router and Modem

A faulty internet connection is a common cause of LoL issues. Unplug your router and modem from the power source, wait for about a minute, and then plug them back in. Allow them a few minutes to fully restart and reconnect to the internet. This can often resolve connection problems and improve network stability.

3. Close Background Applications

Certain background applications might conflict with League of Legends. Close all unnecessary programs running in the system tray (usually located at the bottom right of your screen) and in the Task Manager.

1. Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Go to the ‘Processes’ Tab: Check which applications are running.
3. End Unnecessary Processes: Select the programs you don’t need, and click the ‘End Task’ button. Be careful not to close any important system processes.

Some common culprits include streaming software, other games, and resource-heavy applications.

4. Run League of Legends as Administrator

Running the game with administrator privileges can prevent permission issues. Right-click on the League of Legends shortcut on your desktop or in the installation folder, then select ‘Run as administrator’. This ensures that the game has all necessary permissions to access system resources.

5. Check System Requirements

Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements to run League of Legends. These requirements can change slightly with updates, so it’s good to double-check periodically. Here are the current recommended and minimum requirements:

• Minimum Requirements:
  • CPU: Intel Core i3-530 or AMD A6-3650
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9600GT or AMD Radeon HD 6570
  • Storage: 16 GB
  • OS: Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11 (64-bit)
  • DirectX: Version 11
• Recommended Requirements:
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-3300 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • GPU: Nvidia GeForce 560 or AMD Radeon HD 6950
  • Storage: 16 GB
  • OS: Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11 (64-bit)
  • DirectX: Version 11

Using the League of Legends Repair Tool

League of Legends has a built-in repair tool that can detect and fix many common issues related to corrupted or missing game files. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the League of Legends Client: Launch the League of Legends client.
2. Go to Settings: Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner of the client.
3. Click on ‘General’: Locate the ‘General’ tab within the Settings menu.
4. Initiate Full Repair: Find the option to ‘Initiate Full Repair’ or similar, usually under a heading like ‘Troubleshooting’. Click this button.
5. Wait for the Repair Process: The repair process can take some time, depending on the size of the issue and your system speed. Let the client complete its scan and repairs without interruption. Do not close the client during this process.
6. Restart the Client: Once the repair is complete, restart the League of Legends client and try launching the game.

If the repair tool does not fix the issues, then proceed to the more advanced solutions.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

If the basic steps and repair tool haven’t resolved the issues, it’s time to try some more advanced troubleshooting techniques.

1. Update Your Graphics Card Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are a major cause of game issues. Here’s how to update them:

Nvidia Graphics Cards

1. Visit the Nvidia Website: Go to the official Nvidia website.
2. Navigate to Drivers: Find the ‘Drivers’ section, usually under the ‘Support’ tab.
3. Select Your Product: Choose your graphics card model from the list, or use the auto-detect feature.
4. Download the Latest Driver: Download the most recent driver for your operating system.
5. Install the Driver: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

AMD Graphics Cards

1. Visit the AMD Website: Go to the official AMD website.
2. Navigate to Drivers & Support: Find the ‘Drivers & Support’ section.
3. Select Your Product: Select your graphics card from the list.
4. Download the Latest Driver: Download the latest driver for your operating system.
5. Install the Driver: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Intel Integrated Graphics

1. Visit the Intel Website: Go to the Intel support page.
2. Navigate to Drivers & Software: Find the section for drivers and software.
3. Download the Latest Driver: Use the automatic driver update tool or manually select your integrated graphics model.
4. Install the Driver: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Make sure you select the correct version of the driver that corresponds to your operating system to avoid compatibility issues. After updating drivers, check if the issues are resolved by launching the game.

2. Reinstall League of Legends

If the issues persist, a complete reinstallation might be necessary. This ensures that all game files are fresh and properly installed. Here’s how to do it:

1. Uninstall League of Legends: Go to ‘Control Panel’ (Windows) or ‘Applications’ (macOS). Locate League of Legends in the list of installed programs, and select ‘Uninstall’.
2. Delete Any Remaining Files: After the uninstallation, navigate to the directory where LoL was installed (usually ‘Riot Games’ in ‘Program Files’ or similar). Ensure to delete the entire folder along with any temporary or related files.
3. Download the Game Client: Go to the official League of Legends website and download the latest client installer.
4. Install the Game: Run the installer, following all the prompts and instructions. Make sure to choose a suitable directory with adequate storage space.
5. Launch the Game: After installation, launch the League of Legends client and log in. Let the game download and install all necessary updates.

The reinstallation process might take time due to downloading the game client. After the reinstallation, ensure the game loads without errors.

3. Check Your Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Firewall and antivirus software can sometimes block League of Legends from accessing the internet or performing necessary operations. Here’s how to check these settings:

Windows Firewall

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall: Search for ‘Windows Defender Firewall’ in the Start Menu and open it.
2. Allow an App Through Firewall: Click ‘Allow an app through Windows Firewall’.
3. Locate League of Legends: Find ‘League of Legends’ and ‘LeagueClient.exe’ in the list.
4. Ensure Both are Enabled: Make sure both are checked and set to allow access for both ‘Private’ and ‘Public’ network settings.
5. Add Exceptions Manually (If Missing): If you can’t find it, click ‘Allow another app’, and browse for the ‘League of Legends.exe’ and the ‘LeagueClient.exe’ executables (usually located in the installation directory of LoL). Make sure to add exceptions for both executable files.
6. Save Settings: Click ‘OK’ to save changes.

Antivirus Software

Different antivirus programs have different interfaces, but the general steps are usually similar.

1. Open your Antivirus: Open the antivirus software you are using.
2. Locate Exception Settings: Find the section for exception lists or allowed programs.
3. Add LoL to the Exception List: Add the ‘League of Legends.exe’, ‘LeagueClient.exe’ and any other relevant game executable files to the exception list. Make sure you add both executable files.
4. Save Settings: Save the changes.

Temporarily disabling your firewall or antivirus should only be done for troubleshooting purposes. Always re-enable them after completing tests.

4. Check Network Settings and DNS

Faulty DNS settings can interfere with the game’s connection to its servers. Here’s how to try using public DNS servers:

Windows

1. Open Network and Sharing Center: Right-click on the network icon in the system tray and select ‘Open Network and Sharing Center’.
2. Click on Change Adapter Settings: Choose ‘Change adapter settings’ from the left-hand menu.
3. Right-Click Your Connection: Right-click on your network adapter (usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select ‘Properties’.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4): Double-click on ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’.
5. Use Custom DNS Servers: Choose ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’ and enter the following:
   • Preferred DNS Server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS Server: 8.8.4.4
6. Confirm Changes: Click ‘OK’ to save and exit the window.

macOS

1. Open System Preferences: Go to the Apple Menu and click on System Preferences.
2. Click on Network: Select the Network option.
3. Select Your Network: Select your current network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the left-hand list.
4. Click on Advanced: Choose Advanced.
5. Click on DNS Tab: Select the DNS tab.
6. Add New DNS Servers: Click on the ‘+’ symbol to add a new DNS server. Use the following:
   • 8.8.8.8
   • 8.8.4.4
7. Confirm Changes: Click ‘OK’ and then click Apply.

Using Google DNS can improve connection stability, especially if the issue comes from your current DNS servers. If the issue persists consider reaching out to your internet service provider.

5. Perform a Clean Boot

Sometimes, third-party applications or services can interfere with League of Legends. A clean boot helps determine if such software is the source of your problems. Here’s how to perform one:

Windows

1. Open System Configuration: Press Windows Key + R, type ‘msconfig’, and hit Enter.
2. Go to the ‘Services’ Tab: Select the ‘Services’ tab.
3. Hide All Microsoft Services: Check the box labeled ‘Hide all Microsoft services’.
4. Disable All Services: Click ‘Disable all’.
5. Go to the ‘Startup’ Tab: Switch to the ‘Startup’ tab.
6. Open Task Manager: Click ‘Open Task Manager’.
7. Disable All Startup Programs: Disable all the programs listed in the Startup tab of the Task Manager.
8. Apply the Changes: Close the Task Manager and click ‘OK’ in the System Configuration window.
9. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to apply the changes.

After rebooting, launch League of Legends. If the issue is resolved, you’ll need to enable services and startup programs one by one to identify the culprit.

6. Check Your Game Settings

Sometimes game settings can be the issue of performance and gameplay issues. To resolve this, you can reset all game settings to their default. You can also experiment with lowering graphic settings or using the integrated mode when using a laptop.

1. Open the League of Legends Client: Launch the League of Legends client.
2. Go to Settings: Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner of the client.
3. Click on ‘In-Game’: Select the ‘In-Game’ tab within the Settings menu.
4. Reset Game Settings: Find the option to ‘Reset to default’. Click this button.
5. Check Graphics Settings: Check your current graphics settings and make necessary adjustments by either setting the game to ‘Low’ or using the ‘Integrated Graphics Mode’ setting when playing on a laptop.
6. Save and Restart: Save all the settings and restart your game to apply the changes.

Contacting League of Legends Support

If you’ve tried all the above steps and are still experiencing issues, it’s time to contact League of Legends support. Here’s how:

1. Visit the Support Website: Go to the official League of Legends Support website.
2. Submit a Ticket: Log in to your account, and submit a ticket detailing all the issues you’re experiencing and the troubleshooting steps you have already taken.
3. Provide Detailed Information: Be as detailed as possible when explaining your issues, including the error codes, screenshots, and your system specifications.
4. Wait for a Response: Support agents will review your ticket and provide personalized guidance. The time it takes to receive a response will vary based on volume.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting League of Legends issues can sometimes be frustrating, but following these detailed steps should help resolve most common problems. Remember to approach the process systematically, starting with the basics and gradually moving to more advanced solutions. Regularly updating your drivers, keeping your system clean, and understanding the game’s settings can prevent many problems. If all else fails, the League of Legends support team is there to assist you. By staying informed and proactive, you can continue enjoying your favorite game without unnecessary interruptions. Good luck, summoner!