Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must reside in C:\Program Files\Riot Games\Riot Client\RiotTelemetry.exe
Warning
Telemetry activity is expected
Often runs alongside Riot Client components; not all processes are malicious
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disable via Riot Client settings or System Startup options
What is RiotTelemetry.exe?
riot-telemetry is the telemetry collector used by the Riot Client to gather performance, usage, and crash data to help Riot Games diagnose issues and improve gameplay. It runs in the background while the client is active and can operate in quiet mode.
Riot Telemetry utilizes a modular, multi-process approach to gather anonymized metrics, sending them securely over TLS to Riot servers. Data collection is designed to minimize impact and respect user privacy with opt-in controls.
Quick Fact: Riot pioneered client-side telemetry to rapidly identify issues across games and regions, enabling faster hotfixes and updates.
Types of Riot Telemetry Components
- Telemetry Collector: Gathers event data from the Riot Client and games
- Crash Reporter: Captures crash dumps and diagnostics
- Health Monitor: Watches client health and uptime
- Network Beacon: Sends encrypted telemetry packets
Is riot-telemetry Safe?
Yes, riot-telemetry is safe when it is the legitimate file from Riot Games downloaded from official sources.
Is riot-telemetry a Virus or Malware?
The real riot-telemetry is NOT a virus. Malware sometimes mimics names to trick users.
How to Tell if riot-telemetry is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location:: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Riot Games\Riot Client\RiotTelemetry.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Riot Games\Riot Client\RiotTelemetry.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
- Digital Signature:: Right-click the file in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Riot Games, Inc.".
- Resource Usage:: Normal telemetry runs at low CPU (0.5-6%) and modest memory. Constant high usage or unusual network activity is suspicious.
- Behavior:: Legitimate riot-telemetry operates only with Riot Client and during active sessions; unrelated background tasks may indicate malware.
Red Flags: If riot-telemetry is located outside Riot directories, lacks a valid digital signature, or runs when the Riot Client isn't active, run a full antivirus check and inspect with a malware scanner.
Why Is riot-telemetry Running on My PC?
riot-telemetry runs to collect performance metrics and crash data for the Riot Client games. It can operate during active gameplay or when background updates occur.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Riot Client Session: The Riot Client and games are running; telemetry collects events and performance signals in real time.
- Background Data Collection: Telemetry monitors stability and usage even when no gameplay is active, to prefetch issues.
- Update and Diagnostics: During updates, telemetry captures logs to verify successful patch deployment.
- Crash Reporting: If a game or client crashes, telemetry collects dumps for analysis.
- Health and Telemetry Hubs: Riot installs services to surveil client health and ensure telemetry channels stay open.
Can I Disable or Remove riot-telemetry?
Yes, you can disable riot-telemetry. It can be stopped when the Riot Client is closed, and you can adjust startup or background options in the client settings.
How to Stop riot-telemetry
- End Client Sessions: Close the Riot Client completely to stop telemetry
- Disable Startup: In Windows Task Manager → Startup, disable Riot Client to prevent telemetry at login
- Adjust Background Settings: Riot Client settings → Privacy or Telemetry → Turn off background collection if available
- Block Network Access: If allowed, use a firewall rule to block riot telemetry endpoints
- Uninstall Riot Client: Uninstalling Riot Client will remove telemetry with it
How to Uninstall Riot Client
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Riot Client → Uninstall
- ✔ Reboot after uninstall
- ✔ If reinstalling, install from official Riot Games site: riotgames.com
Common Problems: Telemetry May Impact Performance
If riot-telemetry is causing noticeable issues, review these typical problems and fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Riot Applications Running: Close extra Riot Client instances; ensure only one client handles telemetry
- High Telemetry Data Volume: Reduce or pause telemetry collection in settings; clear logs to free space
- Background Services Interference: Disable nonessential Riot background services via Riot Client settings
- Outdated Client: Update Riot Client to latest version (Riot Client → Settings → About)
- Antivirus/Firewall Blocking: Whitelist Riot client binaries and telemetry endpoints
- Network Congestion: Schedule telemetry during off-peak hours or disable on restricted networks
Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Close and relaunch Riot Client to reset telemetry sessions
3. Reduce telemetry level in Riot Client settings
4. Update to the latest Riot Client version
5. Check firewall/antivirus rules for telemetry endpoints
6. Review logs in Riot Client to identify long-running telemetry tasks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is riot-telemetry safe?
Yes. Riot telemetry is designed to collect anonymized usage and performance data. Ensure the Riot Client is installed from official sources to verify integrity.
Why is riot-telemetry running?
Telemetry runs to monitor client health, gather crash reports, and improve game stability. It may run during active play or background updates.
Can I disable riot-telemetry?
Yes. You can disable telemetry via Riot Client privacy settings or by adjusting startup and background options. You can also uninstall Riot Client if desired.
Does riot-telemetry collect personal data?
Riot telemetry is designed to minimize personal data collection, focusing on performance and stability metrics. See privacy policy for details.
How do I stop telemetry at startup?
Disable Riot Client startup in Windows Task Manager → Startup, or disable startup options within the Riot Client.
Where are telemetry logs stored?
Telemetry logs are stored in C:\ProgramData\Riot Games\Telemetry\ or within the Riot Client directory under Logs; refer to client settings for log locations.