League of Legends Settings Recovery
Reset Graphics, Hotkeys, HUD, and Config Files Safely
Fix settings that will not save, broken keybinds, incorrect resolution, misplaced interface elements, and corrupted configuration files without deleting everything first.
Last updated: July 11, 2026
League of Legends settings may become stuck after a patch, return to their previous values after restarting, or stop applying correctly. Common symptoms include an incorrect resolution, unwanted window mode, broken QWER keybinds, missing smart cast, a misplaced chat window, or an FPS limit that does not save.
You do not need to delete the entire configuration folder for every problem. Reset the smallest affected area first. Restore only graphics settings when the display is wrong, reset only hotkeys when keybinds are broken, and rebuild the full Config folder only when several settings fail together.
Safest reset order
Capture the current settings → restore defaults inside the game → reset only hotkeys → back up and recreate individual configuration files → rename the Config folder → run Full Repair → reinstall only as a final step.
Do not permanently delete the Config folder first
The folder may contain graphics, interface, camera, chat, and hotkey preferences. Copy it to another location or rename it so the previous settings can be restored if the reset does not help.
Jump to a section
- Identify what needs to be reset
- Choose the correct reset level
- Back up hotkeys and settings
- Restore in-game defaults
- Reset only the hotkeys
- Recreate individual settings files
- Rebuild the full Config folder
- Fix settings that will not save
- Run Riot Client Full Repair
- Restore important settings afterward
- Problems a settings reset cannot fix
- Follow the final recovery order
- Frequently asked questions
Identify What Needs to Be Reset
Match the symptom to the smallest reset that can reasonably fix it. This avoids losing working keybinds and interface preferences unnecessarily.
| Symptom | Reset first | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution or window mode is incorrect | Video settings defaults | Monitor, refresh rate, and selected display |
| QWER, smart cast, or item keys are broken | Hotkey defaults | Capture custom keybinds before resetting |
| Chat window or HUD position is wrong | Relevant settings files | HUD size and chat position may reset |
| Settings return after every restart | Config files and write access | Close Riot processes before editing files |
| FPS cap or V-Sync does not apply | Video defaults, then Config | Check graphics-driver overrides |
| Several settings are broken together | Full Config folder | Rename or back up the folder first |
| Client is black, frozen, or stuck loading | Client repair, not only Config | Settings reset may not repair client files |
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Begin with the smallest reset
A single graphics problem does not justify rebuilding every hotkey, interface, camera, and chat preference.
Choose the Correct Reset Level
Level 1: Restore one menu
Use the in-game default button for Video, Interface, Sound, or Hotkeys when only that area is affected.
Level 2: Reset keybind information
Use this when hotkeys, smart cast, attack move, camera keys, or chat position continue to return incorrectly.
Level 3: Rebuild the full Config folder
Use this when graphics, keybinds, interface, and other settings fail together or cannot be saved.
Level 4: Full Repair or reinstall
Use repair when installation files may be damaged. Reinstall only after repair and configuration recovery have failed.
Back Up Hotkeys and Settings First
Before resetting anything, take screenshots of the settings that would be difficult to recreate from memory.
- Quick cast and quick cast with indicator
- Attack move and attack-move click
- Target Champions Only
- Camera lock and ally-camera keys
- Item slots and trinket key
- Interface scale and minimap size
- Chat window position
- Resolution and window mode
- Graphics quality, shadows, V-Sync, and FPS limit
- Sound output and volume levels
Close both League of Legends and the Riot Client before copying configuration files.
The path may be different when League was installed on another drive or in a custom directory. Open the League of Legends installation folder and locate the Config folder.
Copying the entire folder is the easiest backup
Copy the Config folder to the desktop and add the date to its name. This provides a simple way to restore the previous settings.
1. Restore Defaults Inside the Game
Use the built-in reset before editing files. This is the safest option when only one menu contains an incorrect value.
- Enter Practice Tool or a custom game.
- Press Esc to open Options.
- Select Video, Hotkeys, Interface, Sound, or Game.
- Select the default or restore-defaults option.
- Apply the changes.
- Exit the match normally.
- Close League and open it again.
- Check whether the new settings remain saved.
Do not force-close the game immediately afterward
League may save configuration changes while the match and client close. Apply the setting and exit normally before checking the files.
2. Reset Only the League Hotkeys
When graphics and interface settings are normal but keybinds are incorrect, reset the Hotkeys menu without rebuilding the full Config folder.
- Enter Practice Tool.
- Press Esc.
- Open Hotkeys.
- Review Q, W, E, R, summoner spells, item slots, and trinket.
- Check quick cast and quick cast with indicator.
- Check attack move, camera, and Target Champions Only.
- Select the hotkey default option.
- Reassign only the custom keys you need.
- Exit the game normally and restart League.
Check for duplicate assignments
One physical key may have been assigned to multiple actions or replaced by a mouse, macro, keyboard, or overlay application.
3. Recreate Individual Configuration Files
When hotkeys, chat position, or other input-related preferences continue to return after using the in-game reset, recreate only the affected files before resetting the entire folder.
- Exit League of Legends.
- Exit the Riot Client from the system tray.
- Open Task Manager.
- Confirm that League and Riot processes are no longer running.
- Open the League Config folder.
- Copy PersistedSettings.json and input.ini to the desktop when both files are present.
- Rename the originals by adding .backup to the end.
- Launch League and enter a custom game.
- Play for one or two minutes.
- Exit the match and client normally.
- Check whether new settings files were created.
The exact files present can differ
Do not create empty files manually. Back up the files that already exist and allow League to generate the required configuration after launch.
Display file extensions before renaming
In File Explorer, open View → Show → File name extensions so that JSON, INI, and backup files can be identified correctly.
4. Rebuild the Full Config Folder
Use this method when graphics, hotkeys, interface, camera, and chat settings are broken together or when individual files do not solve the problem.
- Close League of Legends.
- Exit the Riot Client from the system tray.
- Open Task Manager and close remaining Riot or League processes.
- Open the League installation folder.
- Copy the Config folder to the desktop.
- Rename the original folder to a name such as Config_backup_20260711.
- Launch the Riot Client.
- Start League and enter Practice Tool or a custom game.
- Play for two to five minutes.
- Exit the match and client normally.
- Open the installation folder and confirm that a new Config folder was created.
- Reconfigure only the settings you actually use.
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Renaming is safer than permanent deletion
If the new folder does not help, close every Riot process, remove the newly generated folder, and rename the backup folder to Config.
When League Settings Will Not Save
| Problem | Possible cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Keybinds return after restarting | Files changed while the client was running | Close all Riot processes before editing |
| A settings file is read-only | Write access is blocked | Remove an unintended read-only setting |
| Changes disappear after a forced exit | Configuration was not written normally | Enter a custom game and exit normally |
| Only one account has the problem | Account-specific settings conflict | Compare another account and contact Riot Support |
| Security software blocks changes | Folder protection or quarantine | Review Windows Security protection history |
| Settings change after patches | Updated defaults or rewritten configuration | Compare the current files with the backup |
Check the read-only property
- Right-click the affected configuration file.
- Select Properties.
- Check whether Read-only was manually enabled.
- Remove it when it was not intentionally configured.
- Apply the change.
- Launch League, change one setting, and exit normally.
Avoid permanently locking Config files as read-only
A read-only workaround can prevent legitimate settings updates and create conflicts after a patch. Keep configuration files writable while troubleshooting.
5. Run Riot Client Full Repair
Resetting Config creates new personal settings. Full Repair performs a different task: it scans the installed game files and replaces damaged or missing content.
- Open League of Legends and the Riot Client.
- Open the client settings using the gear icon.
- Select League of Legends when required.
- Find the repair or Initiate Full Repair option.
- Start the repair.
- Keep the client open until the scan finishes.
- Restart Windows.
- Test Practice Tool before changing advanced settings.
Config reset and Full Repair are different
Reset Config when personal options are broken. Run Full Repair when installation files, patching, launching, or repeated client errors suggest file corruption.
Settings to Restore After the Reset
| Category | Check again | Commonly missed setting |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Resolution and window mode | Game may return to Borderless or Windowed |
| Graphics | Shadows, effects, anti-aliasing, and V-Sync | FPS cap may return to a default value |
| Hotkeys | Quick cast, attack move, and items | Target Champions Only and duplicate keys |
| Camera | Lock mode and movement speed | Y, Space, and F1–F5 ally-camera keys |
| Interface | HUD, minimap, cursor, and chat size | Chat window position |
| Sound | Master, music, voice, and effects volume | Selected Windows output device |
FPS became lower after the reset?
Review the League of Legends low-FPS settings guide and check resolution, window mode, shadows, effects, V-Sync, and frame limit.
Problems a Settings Reset Cannot Usually Fix
| Symptom | Check instead | Relevant guide |
|---|---|---|
| Champions teleport or ping spikes | Ethernet, router, uploads, jitter, and packet loss | League High Ping and Ping Spikes |
| FPS drops during large fights | Effects, CPU load, overlays, cap, and temperature | League Teamfight FPS Drops |
| FPS is low from the beginning | Graphics, active GPU, Windows, drivers, and power | League Low FPS and Stuttering |
| Game crashes to the desktop | Driver, memory, overlays, Vanguard, and damaged files | Use Riot repair and crash logs |
| Client is black or stuck loading | Client processes, cache, patching, and repair | Use client repair before repeated Config resets |
Final League Settings Reset Checklist
Key takeaway
Restore only the affected setting first. Reset hotkeys separately, back up configuration files before changing them, and rename the full Config folder only when several settings are broken. Full Repair checks installation files and is not the same as resetting personal options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete the League of Legends Config folder?
League can recreate configuration files, but graphics, interface, camera, chat, and hotkeys may be reset. Copy or rename the folder instead of permanently deleting it first.
Will resetting Config delete skins or account progress?
No. Champions, skins, purchases, ranks, and account progress are stored with the account. Local gameplay and interface preferences may be reset.
Can I reset only the hotkeys?
Yes. Restore defaults from the Hotkeys menu first. Recreate the relevant configuration files only when the in-game reset does not persist.
Why do my League settings reset after every restart?
Possible causes include editing files while Riot processes are active, read-only files, blocked write access, abnormal shutdown, security software, or an account-specific settings conflict.
Why is FPS lower after resetting the settings?
The reset may have changed resolution, window mode, shadows, effects, V-Sync, or the FPS cap. Compare the new settings with the screenshots taken before the reset.
Are Config reset and Full Repair the same?
No. Config reset creates new personal settings. Full Repair checks the installed game files for damaged or missing content.
Will reinstalling League always reset every setting?
Not necessarily. Existing configuration files or synchronized account settings may remain. Back up and recreate Config before using a full reinstall solely for settings problems.
Will resetting settings lower my ping?
Usually not. High ping, jitter, and packet loss are network problems. Check Ethernet, background traffic, the router, VPNs, the ISP, and Riot service status.
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