For millions of players worldwide, League of Legends offers fast-paced, competitive action. But nothing breaks the momentum like launching a game—only to be met with a black screen instead of Summoner’s Rift. This frustrating issue has affected players across all skill levels and hardware setups, turning excitement into confusion in seconds.
So, what causes the black screen at game start in League of Legends, and how can it be fixed? Here’s a breakdown of the most common culprits and the solutions that actually work.
The Symptom: Black Screen After Champion Select
The issue typically appears right after champion select. Instead of loading into the game, players see a completely black screen. The mouse cursor may still be visible, and the game music may continue to play, but no visuals load. In some cases, the game crashes entirely or becomes unresponsive.
For ranked players, this can be especially stressful—it may lead to early AFK penalties or lost LP before the match even begins.
Common Causes of the Black Screen Bug
- Graphics Driver Issues
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are a leading cause. If your GPU driver isn’t optimized or has a conflict with recent League patches, the game may fail to render properly. - Compatibility Problems
Sometimes the game doesn’t launch correctly due to OS or hardware conflicts—especially if you’re using an older version of Windows or have missing DirectX components. - Game Client Bugs
Riot’s client has seen its fair share of launch bugs. Some patches may introduce temporary instability, particularly if certain files fail to update properly. - Third-Party Software Conflicts
Background apps like screen recorders, overlays (such as Discord or GeForce Experience), or even antivirus programs can interfere with how the game launches. - Corrupted Game Files
If a game file is damaged or missing, the game may load incorrectly or not at all.
How to Fix the League Black Screen Issue
- Update Your Graphics Drivers
Check your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) for the latest drivers. Keeping them current is essential for compatibility with the latest League patches. - Use the Hextech Repair Tool
Riot’s official Hextech Repair Tool can automatically detect and fix many client-side problems. It’s available from Riot’s support site and can:
- Reinstall missing files
- Reset network settings
- Collect logs for more advanced support
- Run the Game as Administrator
Sometimes permission issues prevent proper loading. Right-click the League client and select “Run as Administrator” to ensure full access. - Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Navigate to the game’s .exe file (typically in Riot Games > League of Legends), right-click it, select Properties > Compatibility, and check “Disable fullscreen optimizations.” - Turn Off Third-Party Overlays
Disable apps that run overlays during gameplay, including Discord, GeForce Experience, MSI Afterburner, or any screen recording software. These can conflict with DirectX or full-screen rendering. - Reinstall League of Legends
If all else fails, a clean reinstall may fix deep-rooted file issues. Uninstall the game completely and download the latest version directly from Riot’s website.
Preventing Future Black Screens
Once you’ve resolved the issue, a few habits can help prevent it from returning:
- Keep your operating system and drivers updated.
- Regularly launch the Riot Client before scheduled patches to avoid corrupted updates.
- Limit the number of background apps running during gameplay.
When to Contact Riot Support
If none of the common fixes work, and the black screen persists across multiple attempts, it might be time to escalate the issue. Riot Games has a dedicated support team that can help identify deeper client or account-related problems.
Before contacting support, it’s a good idea to:
- Run the Hextech Repair Tool and include the logs it generates in your ticket.
- Take note of when the issue occurs (e.g. only after champion select, only on fullscreen mode, etc.).
- Mention any recent system or client changes (such as a Windows update or a new driver installation).
You can submit a support ticket directly through Riot’s official support portal.
A Problem That Comes and Goes
One of the most frustrating aspects of the black screen bug is its unpredictability. Some players experience it consistently, while others might only encounter it after certain patches or updates. The issue may also be tied to specific hardware combinations, background apps, or unstable network conditions.
Because League of Legends runs on a wide range of systems worldwide, Riot is constantly adjusting its client to improve performance and reduce technical hiccups. However, every new patch introduces the potential for new conflicts, which makes knowing how to troubleshoot essential for regular players.
A Community-Based Workaround Culture
Interestingly, much of what we know about the black screen issue comes not from Riot’s official statements, but from the player community. Reddit threads, YouTube guides, and Discord help channels have all contributed to a shared knowledge base of quick fixes and system tweaks.
It’s a reflection of the League community’s persistence—despite technical issues, players are willing to dig deep to get back into the game.
Closing Thoughts
Technical glitches like a black screen at game start are more than just minor inconveniences—they can disrupt gameplay, cost ranked LP, and leave players feeling disconnected from a game they love. But with the right tools, a bit of patience, and some troubleshooting savvy, most players can resolve the issue and get back to climbing the ladder.
League of Legends is ultimately a game about mastery—and that extends beyond just gameplay. Sometimes, mastering the tech is just as important as mastering the mechanics.
Written by:
Christian