Riot Client is Still Running [Fix The Uninstall]

Picture of Sarfaraz Ahamed
Sarfaraz Ahamed

A common issue when trying to remove the Riot Client is the message:

Riot Client is still running. Please close the Riot Client and try again.

This occurs when background services or processes remain active even after the application window is closed. Vanguard, Riot’s anti cheat service used by Valorant, can also block file access, preventing normal uninstallation.

This guide covers every method required to manually stop all related components and complete the uninstall process successfully.

Step 1. Terminate all Riot processes manually

  1. Open Task Manager using Ctrl + Shift + Esc
  2. Select the Processes tab
  3. Locate and end the following processes if they appear:
Riot Client
RiotClientServices.exe
VALORANT.exe
League of Legends.exe
Any Riot background service

Right click each process and select End task

Scroll through the Background Processes list to verify no Riot or Vanguard services remain running.

Step 2. Disable background patching (optional but helpful)

If the client is still open or running in the tray:

  1. Open Riot Client
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Disable Start with Windows and Run in background
  4. Check the Windows system tray and right click the Riot Client icon
  5. Select Exit or Quit

Step 3. Uninstall Vanguard first

Riot Vanguard operates at kernel level and can prevent uninstalling the client. Remove it before attempting to uninstall any games.

  1. Open Windows Settings
  2. Go to Apps > Apps and features (or search Add or remove programs)
  3. Locate Riot Vanguard
  4. Select Uninstall
  5. Restart the computer immediately

Restarting is required because Vanguard drivers remain loaded until system reboot.

Step 4. Uninstall Riot Client and Games

After reboot, all client processes should be inactive.

  1. Open Apps and features again
  2. Uninstall VALORANT or League of Legends if installed
  3. Uninstall Riot Client

At this point the error should no longer appear.

Step 5. Advanced cleanup if uninstall still fails

If Windows still reports the application is running:

  1. Open File Explorer
  2. Navigate to:
C:\Riot Games
  1. Delete the Riot Games folder manually
  2. Return to Apps and features and remove leftover entries

Removing the executable prevents Windows from treating the process as active.

Additional Resources

REFramework (RE Engine modding and scripting framework)
https://reframework.dev

Riot Client GitHub resources and tools:
https://github.com/RiotGames

Community uninstall and troubleshooting discussions:
https://support-valorant.riotgames.com

Result

Following the sequence below resolves the issue in most cases:

Terminate Riot processes
Remove Vanguard and reboot
Uninstall games and client
Force delete the installation directory if required

  • Related Article​
  • Helpfull Guids