Installing the Riot Client on PC is the first step to playing League of Legends, and the whole process takes under ten minutes on a modern connection. The Riot Client is Riot Games' unified launcher — once it's on your machine you can install and switch between League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, VALORANT, and Wild Rift from a single app.
What you need before you start
- A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC (the Riot Client no longer supports Windows 7 or 8)
- At least 12 GB of free disk space (the Riot Client itself is small; League of Legends needs roughly 9 GB)
- Administrator rights on the machine — the installer requires them to set up Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat driver
- A stable internet connection for downloading game files after installation
How to install the Riot Client on PC
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Step 1: Visit the official League of Legends website
Open your browser and go to leagueoflegends.com. Click Play Free in the top navigation, or look for the prominent Download Now button on the homepage. Always download from the official Riot Games site to avoid unofficial or modified installers.
Head to leagueoflegends.com and click the gold Download Now button. -
Step 2: Run the downloaded installer file
Your browser will save a small file called something like Install_League_of_Legends.exe (around 50 MB). Find it in your Downloads folder — or click Open file in your browser's download bar — and double-click it. Windows will show a User Account Control (UAC) prompt asking whether to allow the app to make changes. Click Yes to continue; this is expected and safe for the Riot Games verified installer.
Click Yes on the UAC dialog — the installer is signed by Riot Games, Inc. -
Step 3: Wait while the Riot Client installs
The setup wizard copies files, installs Riot Vanguard (the kernel-level anti-cheat), and downloads the core Riot Client shell. A dark progress window shows a percentage counter. The whole process usually takes one to three minutes depending on your PC speed. Do not close the installer window while it is running, as this can leave Vanguard in a broken state that requires a manual repair.
The dark setup window shows real-time progress — let it finish on its own. -
Step 4: Sign in or create a free Riot account
Once the Riot Client launches for the first time, it presents a sign-in screen. If you already have a Riot account, type your username and password and click Sign In. If this is your first Riot game, click Create Account — it is completely free and only takes a minute. Your Riot account gives you access to every Riot title, so one registration covers League of Legends, VALORANT, TFT, and more.
Sign in or register for free — one Riot account works across all Riot games. -
Step 5: Install League of Legends from the Riot Client
After signing in you'll see the Riot Client's game library. Select League of Legends in the left sidebar (it should be highlighted by default). Click the large Install button in the centre panel. The client will download and install all remaining game files — roughly 9 GB. You can monitor the download bar at the bottom of the client. Once the progress bar completes, the Install button changes to Play, and you're ready to jump in.
Select League of Legends in the sidebar and click Install to begin the game download.
Useful tips
- Keep the PC on and connected. The game download pauses if you close the Riot Client or lose your internet connection, but it will resume from where it left off when you reopen the client.
- Change the install location. During the initial installer run there is an option to pick a different drive. This is useful if your C drive is low on space.
- Let Vanguard start on boot. Riot Vanguard runs as a Windows service that starts with your PC. You can't play ranked games or some other modes if Vanguard is disabled, so leave it enabled for the smoothest experience.
- Firewall and antivirus. Some security software may flag Vanguard or pause the download. If your download stalls, temporarily whitelist the Riot Client folder (
C:\Riot Games\by default) in your AV software. - Other Riot games are optional. You do not need to install VALORANT, TFT, or Wild Rift — just League of Legends. Each game has its own Install button inside the client.
Troubleshooting common issues
The installer stops or gives an error right away
Make sure you have enough disk space (at least 12 GB free) and that your Windows Defender or antivirus isn't blocking the installer. Right-click the .exe and choose Run as administrator if the standard double-click doesn't work.
Riot Vanguard won't install or shows an error
Vanguard requires Windows 10 version 1903 or later (and Windows 11 with Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled). If your system doesn't meet these requirements, update Windows first via Settings > Windows Update.
The download is stuck at a certain percentage
Close the Riot Client, reopen it, and the download should resume automatically. If it remains stuck, try disabling your VPN (if any), then relaunch the client. You can also run the Hextech Repair Tool available on the Riot support pages to diagnose and repair a stuck installation.
The Riot Client opens but shows a black screen
This is usually caused by an outdated graphics driver. Update your GPU drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel), then restart your PC and reopen the Riot Client.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Riot Client free to download?
Yes. The Riot Client and League of Legends are both completely free to download and play. You only spend money if you choose to buy cosmetic items like skins, and those purchases are entirely optional.
Can I install the Riot Client on Windows 10?
Yes. The Riot Client officially supports Windows 10 (version 1903 or newer) and Windows 11. It does not support Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 as of 2024.
Do I need to reinstall the Riot Client if I already have VALORANT?
No. If VALORANT (or any other Riot game) is already installed, you already have the Riot Client. Just open it, select League of Legends in the left sidebar, and click Install — no new download of the client itself is needed.
How long does installing the Riot Client on PC take?
The client shell installs in about one to three minutes. Downloading the full League of Legends game files (~9 GB) can take anywhere from five minutes to over an hour depending on your internet speed.
Can I move the Riot Client installation after the fact?
Riot does not provide an official "move installation" tool. The safest approach is to uninstall and reinstall the Riot Client, choosing your preferred drive during the new installation. Your account data and progress are stored server-side, so nothing is lost.
Ready to play
Installing the Riot Client on PC is a quick five-step process: download the small installer from the official League of Legends website, run it and approve the UAC prompt, let the Riot Client set itself up, sign in or create a free Riot account, and then install League of Legends from within the client. Once the game download finishes the Play button lights up and you're in. Good luck on the Rift.
