Louis was a son of the Elector Palatine Frederick I (1425–1476) from his morganatic marriage with Clara Tott.

She had been a lady-in-waiting at the court of the Duke of Bavaria in Münich where Frederick met her in 1459.

However, at some point in time, Philip absolved his uncle from this promise and Frederick had secretly married Clara.

In 1492, Louis acquired the Lordship of Abstatt, including Wildeck Castle.

On 24 February 1484, he was elevated to Imperial Count by Maximilian I, who was King of the Germans at the time.