A Riot account is the single login behind League of Legends, Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, and Legends of Runeterra — so recovering it brings everything back at once. How you recover depends on what you've lost: just the password, access to your email, or the whole account to a hacker. Here's the right route for each, what proof Riot asks for, and how to keep a purchased account from ever being recovered out from under you.
The three recovery situations
Before you start, identify which case you're in — each has a different path:
- You forgot your password but still control the email on the account.
- You lost access to the email tied to the account, so a normal reset won't reach you.
- Your account was hacked and someone else changed the details.
1. Forgot your password (you still have the email)
This is the easy case. On the Riot sign-in screen, use "Forgot password" and enter the email or username on the account. Riot sends a reset link to that email; open it, set a new password, and sign back in. While you're there, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) so future resets need email confirmation. No support ticket required.
2. Lost access to your email
If you can't receive the reset email, self-service won't work — you'll need to open a Riot Support ticket (support.riotgames.com) and prove you own the account. The more evidence you provide, the faster it resolves. Riot typically asks for:
- The original email the account was created with (even if you've lost access to it).
- Proof of purchase — order or transaction IDs from RP or VP purchases (these are strong ownership evidence).
- The account's approximate creation date and region.
- Previous usernames / summoner names and any past display names.
- Any phone number that was linked to the account.
Submit the ticket under the account-recovery category and include as much of the above as you can.
3. Hacked or stolen account
Act quickly. If you still have any access, change the password and email immediately and sign out other sessions. If you're locked out, open a Riot Support ticket right away, flag it as a compromised account, and supply the same ownership proof above — billing and transaction records are the most persuasive. Once recovered, change the email and password, enable 2FA, and review any linked logins.
Recovering an account you bought — what buyers must know
This is the part that matters most on a marketplace. When you buy a Riot account, the previous owner still knows the original email — and an unscrupulous seller can try to "recover" the account back using it. Protect yourself the moment you take ownership:
- Get full email access first. A legitimate sale includes the account's email inbox, not just the game login.
- Change the email to your own, then the password, then enable 2FA — in that order. This is what actually transfers control. (See our step-by-step guide to changing your Valorant/Riot email.)
- Buy through a verified marketplace with buyer protection. Platforms that vet sellers ban anyone who attempts recovery on a sold account and refund the buyer — which a direct DM deal can't offer.
Our full walkthrough is in the how to buy a game account safely playbook and the is it safe to buy LoL accounts guide.
How to avoid ever needing recovery
- Enable 2FA on your Riot account so a password alone can't take it over.
- Secure the email that controls the account with its own strong password and 2FA.
- Never share credentials or enter them on third-party "boosting" sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Riot account recovery take?
A self-service password reset is instant. A Riot Support ticket (for a lost email or a hacked account) depends on the queue and how much ownership proof you provide — strong evidence like purchase receipts speeds it up considerably.
Can I recover a Riot account without the original email?
Yes, but only through a Riot Support ticket where you prove ownership another way — most reliably with proof of past RP/VP purchases, the creation date, region, and previous usernames.
Can a seller recover an account I bought?
They can attempt it if you don't secure the account. Prevent it by getting full email access, changing the email and password, and enabling 2FA immediately — and by buying through a verified marketplace that bans sellers who attempt recovery and refunds you.
How do I contact Riot Support?
Through the official support site (support.riotgames.com) by submitting a ticket. Riot does not handle account recovery through social-media DMs — treat anyone who offers that as a scam.
Buying an account and want it locked down for good? Browse verified listings on the League of Legends and Valorant marketplaces, then follow our change-your-email and buy-safely guides to secure it the moment it's yours.