Fixing the "League of Legends Critical Error Occurred" Error
The dreaded "Critical Error Occurred" message in League of Legends can be incredibly frustrating. It halts your game, often mid-match, and leaves you scrambling for a solution. This error indicates a serious problem preventing the game from running correctly. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.
Common Causes and Initial Troubleshooting
Before diving into more complex solutions, let's address some common culprits:
- Outdated Drivers: Especially graphics card drivers. Nvidia and AMD release updates frequently.
- Corrupted Game Files: League of Legends files can become damaged, leading to errors.
- Insufficient Permissions: The game might lack the necessary permissions to access certain files or folders.
- Background Programs: Conflicting applications can interfere with League of Legends.
Start with these basic steps:
- Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
- Update Your Graphics Card Drivers: Visit the Nvidia or AMD website and download the latest drivers. A clean install is recommended.
- Run League of Legends as Administrator: Right-click the League of Legends shortcut and select "Run as administrator."
- Close Unnecessary Background Programs: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to close programs you aren't using, especially those that might interfere with gaming.
Advanced Solutions and Further Steps
If the initial troubleshooting steps don't work, try these more advanced solutions:
Repairing or Reinstalling League of Legends
The League of Legends client has a built-in repair tool that can fix corrupted game files. You can find this option in the client settings (the gear icon in the top right corner). Click "Repair." This process can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the extent of the damage.
If repairing doesn't work, a complete reinstallation might be necessary. Uninstall League of Legends through the Control Panel or Settings app. Then, download the latest installer from the official League of Legends website and reinstall the game. Remember to delete any remaining League of Legends folders after uninstalling.
Checking System Files and Compatibility
Sometimes, the error stems from a deeper system issue. Run the System File Checker (SFC) to scan for and repair corrupted system files. Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for "cmd" in the Start menu, right-click, and select "Run as administrator") and type sfc /scannow. This process can take a while to complete.
Finally, ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for League of Legends. While the game isn't particularly demanding, outdated hardware can still cause problems. Consult the official League of Legends website for the latest system requirements. If all else fails, contacting Riot Games support is the best course of action. They have access to more detailed information and can provide personalized assistance.