Many League of Legends players rely on the familiar WASD layout for camera control or customized movement setups. When those key bindings suddenly stop working or vanish from the settings menu, it can disrupt gameplay and cause unnecessary frustration. Fortunately, the issue is usually tied to configuration conflicts or minor in-game glitches rather than permanent bugs. Understanding how to restore WASD functionality quickly can help players return to competitive form without reinstalling the entire game.
TL;DR: If the WASD settings are not showing in League of Legends, the issue is often caused by incorrect input configuration, corrupted keybind profiles, or conflicting hotkey settings. Resetting in-game hotkeys, restoring default input files, disabling conflicting options, or creating a new settings profile typically resolves the problem. In most cases, players can fix the issue within minutes directly from the settings menu. Reinstalling the game should only be considered as a last resort.
Why WASD Settings May Not Be Showing
League of Legends does not use WASD for champion movement by default. Instead, the keys are typically reassigned for camera movement or customized hotkey layouts. When these settings disappear or stop responding, several causes may be responsible:
- Corrupted configuration files
- Accidental reset to default hotkeys
- Input method conflicts
- Read-only configuration files
- Game client updates overriding settings
Before assuming the problem is severe, players should check whether the keys are simply unbound in the Hotkeys menu.
Fix #1: Reassign WASD in the Hotkeys Menu
The most straightforward solution is to manually rebind WASD.
Image not found in postmeta- Open the Settings Menu (press Esc in-game).
- Navigate to the Hotkeys tab.
- Scroll to the Camera Control section.
- Assign W, A, S, and D to the desired camera movement options.
- Click Confirm or Okay.
Sometimes after a patch, bindings may appear blank. Simply reassigning them restores functionality instantly. Players should also ensure there are no duplicate bindings causing conflicts.
Fix #2: Restore Default Settings and Reconfigure
If manual reassignment does not work, restoring default settings can resolve hidden conflicts.
- Open Settings.
- Select Hotkeys.
- Click Restore Defaults.
- Apply changes and exit the menu.
After resetting, reassign WASD again. This method clears corrupted hotkey data inside the current profile. Many players reports that after major updates, resetting the hotkeys fixes missing input fields.
Tip: Be sure to double-check Quick Cast settings after restoring defaults, as those preferences may also revert.
Fix #3: Delete or Reset the Input Configuration File
In certain cases, the issue originates from corrupted configuration files stored locally on the computer.
Image not found in postmetaTo reset configuration files:
- Close the League of Legends client completely.
- Navigate to the installation folder (usually C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\Config).
- Locate the input.ini or PersistedSettings.json file.
- Rename or delete the file.
- Restart the client.
When the game relaunches, it creates fresh configuration files automatically. This often restores missing key bind options, including WASD settings.
Important: Make a backup of configuration files before deleting them. This prevents permanent loss of personalized setups.
Fix #4: Disable Conflicting or Overlapping Key Binds
Sometimes the issue is not that WASD is missing, but that another binding is interfering. League of Legends prevents the same key from controlling multiple high-priority functions.
Players should check for:
- Ability upgrades bound to WASD
- Item slots assigned to WASD
- Pings or emotes mapped to those keys
- External macro software conflicts
Clearing overlapping assignments ensures that the camera controls can properly register. After removing duplicates, reassign WASD and test the setup in Practice Tool.
Fix #5: Use Practice Tool to Confirm Settings Save Properly
Sometimes changes seem to save but revert automatically during matches. This can happen if settings are not properly confirmed.
To ensure changes stick:
- Assign WASD in the Hotkeys menu.
- Click Okay instead of pressing Esc to close the menu.
- Load into Practice Tool.
- Test camera movement thoroughly.
- Exit the match and reopen settings to confirm the keys remain assigned.
If the keys unbind after restarting, the configuration folder may be set to Read-only. Right-click the Config folder, go to Properties, and uncheck Read-only before applying changes.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If none of the five fixes restore WASD functionality, players may try these additional steps:
- Run the client as Administrator
- Disable third-party overlays
- Update keyboard drivers
- Switch input language to standard keyboard layout
- Repair the game via the Riot Client
Rarely, large client updates may temporarily reset input behavior. In such instances, waiting for a minor patch may also resolve the problem.
Preventing the Issue in the Future
To avoid repeated problems with missing WASD settings, players should take several preventative measures:
- Backup configuration files before major updates
- Keep a written record of custom hotkeys
- Avoid binding critical commands to overlapping keys
- Always exit settings using the Confirm button
Consistency in configuration management minimizes the chance of hotkey corruption.
When to Reinstall the Game
Reinstalling League of Legends should only be used as a last resort. In most cases, hotkey problems stem from corrupt config files or menu glitches rather than full installation corruption.
However, reinstalling may be necessary if:
- Settings menus fail to load entirely
- Multiple configuration resets do not save
- The client crashes repeatedly when changing hotkeys
Before reinstalling, players should attempt a full repair through the Riot Client settings. This often repairs missing or damaged files without requiring a complete download.
Conclusion
When League of Legends WASD settings are not showing, the problem is rarely permanent. Most issues stem from configuration conflicts, accidental resets, or corrupted local files. By manually reassigning keys, restoring defaults, resetting config files, clearing overlapping binds, or verifying settings in Practice Tool, players can quickly regain control.
These in-game fixes are efficient, safe, and usually take less than 10 minutes to complete. With the correct approach, key bind functionality can be fully restored without sacrificing personalized setups or reinstalling the game.
FAQ: League of Legends WASD Settings Not Showing
1. Why are my WASD keys not working in League of Legends?
In most cases, the keys were either unbound after an update or overwritten by another hotkey. Checking the Hotkeys menu and reassigning them often solves the issue.
2. How do I reset my key binds completely?
Open the Settings menu, navigate to the Hotkeys tab, and select Restore Defaults. Apply the changes and then customize your bindings again.
3. Can corrupted files cause missing WASD settings?
Yes. Corrupted configuration files in the Config folder can prevent key bindings from loading correctly. Deleting or renaming these files forces the game to create new ones.
4. Why do my WASD settings reset after each match?
This usually happens if the configuration folder is set to Read-only. Removing this restriction allows the game to save changes permanently.
5. Should I reinstall League of Legends to fix this issue?
Reinstallation is rarely necessary. Most WASD key issues can be resolved with in-game fixes or by resetting configuration files.
6. Does League of Legends officially support WASD movement?
League of Legends does not support WASD champion movement by default. Players typically use these keys for camera control or custom configurations.
7. Can third-party software interfere with key bindings?
Yes. Keyboard macro tools, overlays, or driver software may override certain inputs. Disabling them can help restore normal functionality.
