You can change your Riot sign-in username, but only once every 90 days

Riot Games lets you change the username you use to log in to your Riot account. The change takes effect when ready, and you use your new username the next time you sign in. However, Riot enforces a 90-day waiting period between changes — if you changed your username recently, you will have to wait until that window closes before you can change it again.

This is different from your in-game display name (the name other players see in Valorant, League of Legends, or other Riot games). Your sign-in username is what you enter on the login page. Your display name can be changed more often and is managed separately within each game.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your sign-in username through the Riot account settings page at account.riotgames.com, not through the game client.
  • The new username takes effect right away, and you must use it the next time you log in.
  • Riot enforces a 90-day cooldown between username changes, so you cannot change it again until that period passes.
  • Your sign-in username is separate from your in-game display name, which can be changed through the game client on a different schedule.
  • If you forget your new username after changing it, you can recover it by using your email address or phone number on the login page.

Steps to change your sign-in username

Go to account.riotgames.com and sign in with your current username and password. Once you are logged in, look for the account settings or profile section — this is usually in the top right corner or in a menu on the left side of the page.

Find the option labeled "Username" or "Sign-In Name" and click the edit or change button next to it. Enter your new username in the text field. Riot usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot contain spaces. After you type your new username, Riot will check whether it is already taken. If it is available, you will see a confirmation message. Click the button to confirm the change.

Your new username is active when ready. Sign out of your account, then sign back in using your new username and your password. If you have the Riot client installed on your computer, you may need to sign out and back in there as well, or the client may prompt you to update your login information.

What happens if you forget your new username

If you change your username and then forget what you set it to, you can still log in using your email address or phone number instead. On the Riot login page, enter the email address or phone number associated with your account in the username field, then enter your password. Riot will recognize the email or phone number and let you in.

Once you are logged in, go back to account.riotgames.com and check your username in the account settings. Write it down or save it somewhere you will remember it for next time.

The 90-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you cannot change it again for 90 days. This cooldown is measured from the date of your last change. If you changed your username on January 15, you cannot change it again until April 15.

Riot enforces this rule to prevent account takeovers and to keep usernames stable so other players can find you. If you change your username by mistake or want to change it again before 90 days have passed, you cannot do so through the normal settings. Contact Riot Support through the support portal at support.riotgames.com if you believe your account was compromised or if you have an urgent reason to change your username sooner.

Sign-in username versus in-game display name

Your sign-in username is what you type into the login page at login.riotgames.com. It is tied to your Riot account and is the same across all Riot games. Your in-game display name is the name that appears above your character in Valorant, League of Legends, or other games, and other players see it when they play with or against you.

You can change your in-game display name through the game client itself, usually in the settings or profile section. The rules and cooldown periods for display names vary by game — Valorant, for example, lets you change your display name once every 30 days. Your sign-in username change does not affect your display name, and vice versa.

What to do if your username is taken

If you try to change your username and Riot tells you it is already taken, you will need to choose a different one. Riot does not hold usernames in reserve, so if someone else has claimed the username you want, you cannot use it. Try adding a number, underscore, or hyphen to make it unique — for example, if "shadowplayer" is taken, you could try "shadowplayer1" or "shadow_player".

Usernames that are inactive or unused for a very long time may eventually be recycled by Riot, but there is no way to request a specific username or to know when one might become available. If there is a particular username you want, your best option is to try variations until you find one that is not taken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my in-game display name when I change my sign-in username?

No. Your sign-in username and your in-game display name are separate. Changing one does not change the other. You can keep your display name the same while changing your sign-in username, or change both if you want.

What if I signed up with an email address instead of a username?

You can still set a sign-in username. Go to account.riotgames.com, sign in with your email and password, and look for the username field in your account settings. If you have not set one yet, you will see an option to create one. After that, you can use either your email or your username to log in.

Will changing my username affect my rank, skins, or game progress?

No. Your username is just the name you use to log in. All your in-game progress, ranked rating, cosmetics, and account data stay exactly the same. Only the name you type on the login page changes.

Can I change my username if my account is locked or suspended?

No. If your account is locked for security reasons or suspended due to a violation, you cannot change your username until the lock or suspension is lifted. Contact Riot Support to resolve the account issue first.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new sign-in username takes effect when ready on the login page. However, if you are logged into the Riot client or a game, you may need to sign out and back in for the client to recognize the change. This usually happens within a few minutes.