The reigning MOBA king, League of Legends has sold countless dollars through its brutal gameplay and powerful metagame. However, even the most powerful games are able to have hiccups – and the most common is the “Unable to Connect to Server” error. 

League of Legends: How to Solve “Unable to Connect to Server” Error?

Common League of Legends problem: “Unable to Connect to Server.” This could occur for many different reasons – complete servers, short-term server downtimes – or common problems with the game or your internet connection.

This specific error stops players from playing the game as they are able to log in on the League of Legends client but not the game servers. This error usually happens when joining a server, and you are trapped in the client without any direction to go.

Causes of “Unable to Connect to Server” Error

Before we dive into the solutions, it’s essential to first determine what could cause this error. Typical reasons for not connecting to the League of Legends server include:

Server maintenance or Outages

Riot Games (the developers of League of Legends) regularly runs server Maintenance or fixes technical problems that temporarily halt server connectivity.

Issues with Internet Connections

An unstable or unsecure internet connection may stop you from connecting to the game servers correctly – causing the “Unable to Connect to Server” error message.

Firewall or antivirus Interference

Your firewall or antivirus might be blocking the game’s traffic from reaching the servers.

Conflicts with Proxy Servers

If you use a proxy Server to increase online privacy or security it may be conflicting with League of Legends, causing connection problems.

Cache or system Configuration Issues

Corrupted game cache files or broken System configurations can also cause the “Unable to Connect to Server” error in League of Legends.

Solutions for “Unable to Connect to Server” Error

Now you know the possible causes, let’s talk about some tested solutions to get you back on the field:

League of Legends server status

Before trying any other fix, make sure you check the Server Status. See Riot Games’ official server status website or third-party sites such as DownDetector to see if game servers are down or being maintained. If the servers are down then you have to wait until Riot Games irons it out.

Check your internet connection

An unstable or slow Internet connection is often the source of the “Unable to Connect to Server” error. Turn off your router – once it’s been turned off for a couple of seconds – then plug it back in and watch it reconnect. You might try connecting your computer straight to the modem to check out your router for problems.

Swap to an alternative DNS

In case your internet connection is okay but you will always get the “Unable to Connect to Server” error, consider changing to another DNS. A common alternative are Google’s public DNS servers (8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4) which generally resolve connectivity problems.

Disable Proxy Server Connections

If you use a Proxy Server to boost online security or privacy, it may be hindering League of Legends’ connection to the servers. Turn off any active proxy server connections temporarily and see if that fixes the problem.

Clear the game cache

Corrupted Game Cache files can sometimes lead to connection problems. To clear the cache, do these:

    • Stop all League of Legends background processes.
    • Open the game’s installation directory and delete all cache folders other than “LocalContent” and “Disclaimer.”
    • Reboot your computer and launch the game again.

Reset the network adapter

Resetting the network adapter should resolve some underlying Network configuration problems causing the “Unable to Connect to Server” error. Reset your IP address with the Command Prompt, and afterwards clear the DNS cache.

Disable IPv6

Sometimes disabling IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) will fix connectivity problems with League of Legends. Follow these steps:

    • In the Control Panel click Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings.
    • Click on your active connection to the internet and click “Properties” – Uncheck “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6”).
    • Restart your machine and try connecting to the game servers again.

Run League of Legends as an Administrator

Running the game with admin privileges may sometimes fix permission issues that may be blocking League of Legends from connecting to servers. Click the shortcut or executable file of the game and opt for “Run as Administrator.”

Change League of Legends to the firewall exception list

If your Firewall is blocking League of Legends from accessing the internet, you should add the game to the Exception List. This particular process varies with your firewall software but typically involves finding the game’s executable file and adding it to the permitted list of programs.

Uninstall & reinstall League of Legends

In case not one of the above-mentioned methods works for you, your ultimate choice might be reinstalling and uninstalling League of Legends. This should clear up any underlying issues with the game’s installation or settings.

Conclusion

League of Legends is an annoying game with the “Unable to Connect to Server” error – however with the proper solutions you are able to get back into the action. Knowing what could be the cause and using the tested solutions provided here will mean you can fix it and keep playing.

Be patient and methodical: some solutions are best tried and tested until you find the right one. Persistence and the right troubleshooting will see you through the “Unable to Connect to Server” error and on your way to being a League of Legends great.