Why Does League of Legends Keep Crashing? Troubleshooting & Solutions

League of Legends (LoL) crashing can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re in a ranked match or about to clutch a victory. Several factors can cause these crashes, ranging from hardware issues to software conflicts. This comprehensive guide will explore the common culprits and provide detailed solutions to get you back into the game.

Understanding Why LoL Crashes

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand the typical causes of LoL crashes:

  • Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: Graphics drivers are essential for running games smoothly. Outdated or corrupted drivers can lead to instability and crashes.
  • Insufficient System Resources: LoL, while not the most demanding game, still requires sufficient RAM, CPU power, and storage space. If your system is struggling to keep up, crashes can occur.
  • Software Conflicts: Other programs running in the background can sometimes interfere with LoL, leading to crashes. This includes antivirus software, overlays, and other gaming-related applications.
  • Game File Corruption: LoL’s game files can become corrupted due to various reasons, such as incomplete updates or disk errors.
  • Overheating: If your CPU or GPU is overheating, it can cause the system to become unstable and crash.
  • Network Issues: Although less frequent, unstable network connections can sometimes trigger crashes, especially during critical game events.
  • Hardware Problems: Failing hardware components, like RAM or the GPU, can also result in crashes.

Troubleshooting Steps: Fixing LoL Crashes

Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting and resolving LoL crashes:

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are a common cause of game crashes. Follow these steps to update them:

  • Identify Your Graphics Card: Press Windows Key + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. Under the “Display” tab, you’ll find your graphics card information (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT).
  • Download the Latest Drivers: Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA or AMD) and download the latest drivers for your specific card and operating system.
  • Install the Drivers: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Choose the “Clean Installation” option to remove any old driver files.

2. Check System Requirements & Resource Usage

Ensure your computer meets the minimum and recommended system requirements for LoL. Also, monitor your system’s resource usage:

  • Minimum System Requirements:
    • CPU: Intel Core i3-530 or AMD A6-3650
    • RAM: 2GB
    • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT or AMD Radeon HD 6570
    • Storage: 16GB free space
  • Recommended System Requirements:
    • CPU: Intel Core i5-3300 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
    • RAM: 4GB
    • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 560 or AMD Radeon HD 6950
    • Storage: 16GB free space
  • Monitor Resource Usage: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Monitor CPU, Memory, and Disk usage while playing LoL. If any of these resources are consistently at 100%, it could be causing the crashes. Close unnecessary background applications to free up resources.

3. Close Unnecessary Background Programs

Background programs can consume system resources and conflict with LoL. Close any unnecessary applications before launching the game:

  • Identify Resource-Intensive Programs: Use Task Manager to identify programs consuming significant CPU, Memory, or Disk resources.
  • Close Unnecessary Applications: Close any applications that are not essential for running LoL, such as web browsers, streaming software, or other games.
  • Disable Startup Programs: Some programs automatically launch when you start your computer. Disable unnecessary startup programs to improve system performance. You can do this through Task Manager (Startup tab).

4. Repair or Reinstall League of Legends

Corrupted game files can cause crashes. Use the LoL repair tool or reinstall the game:

  • Repair Tool: Open the LoL client and click on the settings icon (gear icon). Select “Repair” and let the tool scan and fix any corrupted files.
  • Reinstallation: If the repair tool doesn’t resolve the issue, uninstall LoL completely and reinstall it. Make sure to download the latest version from the official League of Legends website.

5. Check for Overheating

Overheating can lead to system instability and crashes. Monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures:

  • Monitor Temperatures: Use monitoring software like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to track your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing LoL.
  • Acceptable Temperature Ranges:
    • CPU: Ideally below 80°C (176°F) under load.
    • GPU: Ideally below 85°C (185°F) under load.
  • Solutions for Overheating: If your temperatures are too high, consider improving your computer’s cooling system by cleaning the fans, reapplying thermal paste, or installing a better cooler.

6. Disable Overlays

Overlays from programs like Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, or AMD Radeon Software can sometimes conflict with LoL. Disable these overlays to see if it resolves the crashing issue.

  • Discord Overlay: Go to Discord settings, select “Overlay,” and disable “Enable in-game overlay.”
  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience Overlay: Open GeForce Experience, click on the settings icon, and disable “In-Game Overlay.”
  • AMD Radeon Overlay: Open Radeon Software, click on the settings icon, and disable “In-Game Overlay.”

7. Run League of Legends as Administrator

Running LoL as an administrator can grant it the necessary permissions to access system resources and prevent crashes:

  • Right-Click the LoL Shortcut: Right-click on the League of Legends shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
  • Select “Run as Administrator”: Choose the “Run as administrator” option from the context menu.

8. Check Your Internet Connection

While less common, a unstable internet connection can lead to disconnects that appear as crashes. Ensure that your internet connection is stable, restart your modem and router, and/or consider contacting your ISP if the issue persists.

9. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a background program is causing the crashes.

  • Open System Configuration: Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  • Disable Startup Services: In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab. Check the box labeled “Hide all Microsoft services” and then click “Disable all.”
  • Disable Startup Programs: Go to the “Startup” tab and click “Open Task Manager.” Disable all startup items in Task Manager.
  • Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
  • Test LoL: Launch LoL and see if the crashing issue is resolved. If it is, you can gradually re-enable startup services and programs to identify the culprit.

10. Check for Hardware Issues

If none of the above steps work, there might be a hardware issue causing the crashes. Consider running memory diagnostics or consulting a professional technician.

  • Memory Diagnostics: Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to check for RAM issues. Press Windows Key + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Professional Help: If you suspect a hardware issue, consult a qualified technician to diagnose and repair your computer.

Conclusion

League of Legends crashes can be frustrating, but by systematically troubleshooting and applying the solutions outlined in this guide, you can identify the root cause and get back to playing without interruptions. Remember to keep your drivers updated, monitor system resources, and address any potential hardware issues. Good luck on the Rift!