The fastest way to close Riot Client

The Riot Client closes like most desktop programs: click the X button in the top-right corner of the window (Windows) or top-left corner (Mac). This shuts down the launcher and any game running through it. If the X button does not respond, or if the client is frozen, you can force it closed through your system settings.

The Riot Client is the launcher that opens when you start League of Legends, Valorant, or other Riot games. Closing it does not delete your account or game files — it simply shuts down the program. You can reopen it the same way you opened it the first time.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the X button in the top-right corner (Windows) or top-left corner (Mac) to close the Riot Client normally.
  • If the client is frozen or unresponsive, use Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on Mac to force it closed.
  • Closing the Riot Client does not affect your game account, saved progress, or installed game files.
  • The client may take a few seconds to shut down completely, especially if a game is still running.

Close the Riot Client on Windows

On Windows, the standard way to close the Riot Client is to look for the X button in the top-right corner of the window and click it. The window will close immediately, and the Riot Client process will stop running.

If you have a game open (like League of Legends or Valorant), closing the client will also close the game. The client will ask you to confirm before closing if a match is in progress. If you close anyway, you may receive a penalty in that game.

If the X button does not work or the window is frozen, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Look for "Riot Client" in the list of running programs. Click it once to select it, then click the "End Task" button at the bottom right. The client will close immediately.

Close the Riot Client on Mac

On Mac, the close button is in the top-left corner of the window — a red circle with an X inside it. Click it to close the Riot Client. Like Windows, closing the client will also close any game running through it.

If the client is frozen or the close button does not work, open Activity Monitor. You can find it by pressing Command + Space, typing "Activity Monitor," and pressing Enter. Look for "Riot Client" in the list. Click it once, then click the "X" button labeled "Force Quit" at the top of the window.

What happens when you close the Riot Client

Closing the Riot Client stops the launcher from running but does not delete anything. Your account, game progress, skins, and all installed game files remain on your computer. The next time you open the launcher, everything will be exactly as you left it.

If you close the client while a ranked match is in progress, you will receive a penalty — usually a temporary ban from ranked play that lasts 5 to 20 minutes depending on how many times you have left recently. Your team will also be at a disadvantage during the match. Closing the client during a normal match has no penalty, but your team will still lose a player.

When the Riot Client will not close normally

Sometimes the Riot Client becomes unresponsive and the X button stops working. This usually happens if the program is using too much memory or if your internet connection drops during a game. Waiting 30 seconds often fixes this — the client may be processing something in the background.

If waiting does not work, use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to force the client closed, as described above. After you force it closed, restart your computer before opening the client again. This clears out any stuck processes that might cause problems the next time you launch.

If the Riot Client freezes every time you open it, try uninstalling and reinstalling the launcher. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find "Riot Client," click it, and select Uninstall. On Mac, open Finder, go to Applications, find Riot Client, and drag it to the Trash. Then download the client again from the official Riot Games website.

Closing the game without closing the launcher

If you want to close your game but keep the Riot Client open, close the game window instead of the client window. On Windows, click the X button on the game window itself (not the launcher). On Mac, do the same. The launcher will stay open and you can start a new game or do something else without restarting the client.

You can also close the game by pressing Alt + F4 on Windows or Command + Q on Mac while the game window is active. This closes only the game, not the launcher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing the Riot Client delete my game files?

No. Closing the client only shuts down the launcher program. All your games, skins, account data, and settings stay on your computer and in your Riot account. Reopen the client and everything will be there.

What if I close the client during a ranked match?

You will receive a penalty — usually a 5 to 20 minute ban from ranked play. Your team will also lose a player during the match. Avoid closing the client while a ranked game is in progress.

Can I close the Riot Client from the system tray?

The Riot Client does not have a system tray icon like some other programs. You must close it through the window itself or through Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac).

Why does the Riot Client take so long to close?

The client may take a few seconds to shut down, especially if a game is running or if it is uploading match data. This is normal. If it takes more than 30 seconds, the client may be frozen and you should use Task Manager or Activity Monitor to force it closed.

Do I need to close the Riot Client before shutting down my computer?

No. Windows and Mac will close all running programs when you shut down, including the Riot Client. You can shut down your computer without closing the client first.