🎮 Game Error Codes What it means & how to fix it

League of Legends Error Codes

League of Legends errors are mostly patcher/client problems (003, 004, RADS) and connection/login issues. Here's what each common one means and the fix that clears it.

Error codes

Error Code 003 The patcher/updater failed

Cause: The League client updater couldn't repair or download files — corrupted patch data or a permissions problem.

Fix:
  1. Run the League client as administrator.
  2. Run the built-in repair (Settings › General › Initiate Full Repair).
  3. Reinstall the client if repair fails.
Error Code 004 The client couldn't start / unexpected error

Cause: A corrupted client file or a conflict preventing the client launching.

Fix:
  1. Restart the PC and relaunch as administrator.
  2. Delete the client 'Config' and 'Logs' folders and let them rebuild.
  3. Repair or reinstall the client.
Error Code 0 / RADS Error Legacy patcher/kernel error

Cause: A leftover process or a corrupted patcher on older installs.

Fix:
  1. End all League/RiotClientServices processes in Task Manager, then relaunch.
  2. Delete the 'RADS' folder (older clients) and repair.
  3. Reinstall to the latest client.
Bugsplat The game crashed mid-match

Cause: A driver conflict, corrupted game files, or an overlay/third-party app interfering.

Fix:
  1. Update your GPU drivers.
  2. Run a full repair in the client settings.
  3. Disable overlays (Discord, GeForce Experience) and close background apps.
'Login Server Is Down' / Failed to Connect Can't reach Riot's login service

Cause: A Riot outage, a login queue, or a firewall/VPN block.

Fix:
  1. Check the Riot/LoL service status page.
  2. Disable VPN and allow the client through the firewall.
  3. Wait if a login queue is in effect at peak times.
Unspecified Error (Reconnect Loop) Client stuck reconnecting to a game

Cause: A dropped connection to a live match, usually local network instability.

Fix:
  1. Restart your router and use a wired connection.
  2. Restart the client and reconnect to the game.
  3. Flush DNS (ipconfig /flushdns).
VAN-1067 Riot Vanguard failed to initialize

Cause: Vanguard (LoL anti-cheat) crashed on startup, usually blocked by unusual/incompatible software or outdated drivers.

Fix:
  1. Restart your PC so Vanguard can load with the kernel driver.
  2. Update Windows and your GPU/chipset drivers.
  3. Do a clean boot (msconfig) to rule out conflicting background software.
  4. Reinstall Riot Vanguard if it still fails.
VAN-9001 Windows security features required by Vanguard are off

Cause: Vanguard requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and Exploit Protection to be enabled; one of them is disabled in BIOS/UEFI or Windows.

Fix:
  1. Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
  2. Turn on Memory Integrity / Exploit Protection in Windows Security.
  3. Ensure Windows is fully updated, then reboot.
VAN-128 Vanguard is not running or is being blocked

Cause: The Vanguard service is stopped or blocked by another program, so the game refuses to launch.

Fix:
  1. Restart your PC to relaunch the Vanguard service.
  2. Enable TPM 2.0 and UEFI/Secure Boot if prompted.
  3. Reinstall Vanguard, then restart before launching League.
VAN-152 Hardware-ID (HWID) ban

Cause: Not a routine error — Vanguard has applied a hardware ban to this machine, blocking any account from playing on it.

Fix:
  1. Contact Riot Support if you believe the ban was applied in error.
  2. A HWID ban cannot be fixed by reinstalling or changing accounts.
Error 7 Riot servers are overloaded

Cause: Too many players are trying to log in at once (patch day / peak hours), so the login queue rejects new sessions.

Fix:
  1. Wait a few minutes and retry — this is a server-side load issue.
  2. Check the Riot service status page for your region for outages.
Error Code 0U PBE client fails to load

Cause: The Public Beta Environment client is corrupted or stuck after a PBE patch.

Fix:
  1. Run the Hextech Repair Tool and force a patch or full reinstall of the PBE client.
  2. Uninstall and reinstall the PBE client.
  3. Restart your PC after repairing.

Fixes that work for most League of Legends errors

  1. Check the game's official server status page or its X/Twitter — if servers are down or under maintenance, no local fix will help; wait it out.
  2. Fully close and restart the game and its launcher (Steam / Epic / EA App / Battle.net / Riot Client).
  3. Restart your router and, on PC, flush DNS (open Command Prompt and run: ipconfig /flushdns).
  4. Verify or repair the game files in your launcher so a corrupted update is re-downloaded.
  5. Make sure the game and your OS are fully updated — most 'version mismatch' errors are an out-of-date client.

FAQ

How do I fix League of Legends error code 003?

Error 003 is a patcher failure. Run the League client as administrator, then use Settings › General › Initiate Full Repair. If repair fails, reinstall the client.

Why does League keep saying the login server is down?

It means the client can't reach Riot's login service — usually an outage, a peak-time login queue, or a VPN/firewall block. Check Riot's service status, disable any VPN, and allow the client through your firewall.

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