If you’re a long-time Linux user who’s grown tired of dual-booting into Windows just to queue up for a Summoner’s Rift match, you’ve probably asked: does League of Legends run on Linux? You’re not alone. I used to keep a separate Windows installation just for LoL, until I tried running it on Linux earlier this year and never looked back. Over the past few years, Linux gaming has exploded in popularity, thanks to major improvements in compatibility layers that make running Windows-exclusive games far easier than it used to be. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to get LoL running on your Linux distro, plus how to fix common issues and get performance that matches what you’d get on Windows.
Does League of Legends Run on Linux Natively?
The short answer to this question is no, there is no official native Linux build of League of Legends released by Riot Games. But that doesn’t mean you can’t play it reliably on your system. Up until late 2023, Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat was the biggest barrier to running LoL on Linux, as it actively blocked compatibility layers like Proton and Wine. That all changed when Riot rolled out official Vanguard support for Linux-based operating systems, opening the door for smooth, ban-free gameplay for Linux users. You don’t have to worry about getting your account banned for using a compatibility layer now, as long as you’re using official, unmodified versions of the tools we cover in this guide. Never use third-party modified clients or anti-cheat bypasses, as these will result in a permanent account ban.
Supported Methods to Install League of Legends on Linux
You don’t need advanced coding skills to get LoL up and running on your Linux system, as there are multiple pre-built, user-friendly installation methods available for every type of user. The right method for you will depend on what tools you already use for gaming on your system, and how much control you want over the installation process. The three most reliable, widely used methods are:
- Steam Proton: This is the most popular option for most users, especially if you already use Steam for other games. Proton is Valve’s built-in compatibility layer that translates Windows game code to run on Linux, and it’s fully supported for LoL now. All you have to do is add the League of Legends installer as a non-Steam game, set the Proton version to the latest stable release, and run the installer as you would on Windows.
- Lutris: Lutris is a dedicated Linux game manager that comes with pre-built installation scripts for thousands of games, including League of Legends. You just search for LoL in the Lutris library, click install, and the tool will handle all the necessary driver, Wine, and dependency setup for you automatically. This is a great pick if you don’t use Steam and want a one-click install process.
- Wine (Manual Setup): If you prefer full control over your installation, you can set up LoL manually using the latest stable version of Wine. This method requires a bit more work to install required dependencies and adjust Wine settings, but it’s a good option if you already use Wine for other Windows applications on your system.
What Performance Can You Expect Running LoL on Linux?
I’ve tested LoL on three different Linux distros (Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, and Manjaro) over the past six months, and the performance is almost identical to what you’d get on Windows on the same hardware. On a mid-range build with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and RX 6600, I consistently get 144+ FPS on max settings at 1080p, with no frame drops during team fights or loading screens. The only minor difference I’ve noticed is that the initial client boot time is about 5 to 10 seconds longer on Linux than it is on Windows, which is barely noticeable for most players. There are a few small tweaks you can make to boost performance even more, if you’re looking for smoother gameplay. Turning off the in-game client overlay and disabling unnecessary background processes can give you an extra 10 to 15 FPS on lower-end systems. You can also adjust the Proton or Wine priority settings to give LoL more system resources, which helps reduce stutter during busy in-game moments. Keep in mind that performance will vary slightly depending on your distro and hardware, but most users will not notice a meaningful difference between playing on Linux vs Windows.
Common Fixes for LoL on Linux Issues
Even with official support, you might run into small issues when you first set up LoL on Linux, most of which are easy to fix in a minute or two. The most common issue is Vanguard failing to launch, which is almost always caused by missing 32-bit dependencies on your system. You can fix this by installing the lib32gcc1 and lib32stdc++6 packages for your distro, then restarting your system before launching the game again. Another common problem is the game crashing when you try to enter a match, which is usually tied to outdated Proton or Lutris scripts. Make sure you’re running the latest version of Proton (8.0 or higher) or the most up-to-date Lutris LoL install script to avoid this error. If you’re having audio issues, like crackling or no sound at all, you can adjust the Wine audio settings to use PulseAudio or PipeWire, depending on what your distro uses by default. Rarely, you might run into an issue where your in-game store doesn’t load, but this is almost always a temporary server-side issue that resolves itself in a few hours, just like it does on Windows. Never download custom fixes from untrusted sources, as these can contain malware or trigger anti-cheat bans. It’s also worth noting that Riot’s official support does not cover Linux-specific issues, but there are huge active communities of Linux LoL players on Reddit and Discord that can help you troubleshoot less common problems you might run into.
You don’t have to give up your favorite Linux distro just to play League of Legends, and the days of complicated workarounds and ban risks are long gone. With official Vanguard support and easy, one-click install options available for every type of user, getting set up takes less than 20 minutes for most people. If you’ve been wondering does League of Legends run on Linux well enough to skip dual-booting, the answer is a resounding yes for almost all players. Just follow the steps we’ve outlined above, double check that you have all the latest updates for your drivers and compatibility tools, and you’ll be queuing up for your next ranked match in no time.