In the world of League of Legends, Riot Games has made it crystal clear: they want a level playing field where everyone has a good time. To keep things fair, they’ve put systems in place to deal with disruptive behavior – one of the most well-known being the Low Priority Queue.
Let’s break down exactly what this queue is, how it works, and what you can do to avoid the dreaded wait time penalty.
What Exactly Is the Low Priority Queue in LoL?
Think of it like detention, but for League players. The Low Priority Queue is Riot’s way of saying, “Hey, stop ruining games for everyone else.” It’s triggered when players repeatedly leave matches early or go AFK (away from keyboard).
Once you’re flagged, you’re hit with a hefty time delay before getting into your next game. It’s not just annoying – it’s designed to make quitting mid-game feel not worth it. Riot’s goal is to nudge players into sticking with their team until the end, no matter how things are going.
But how does Riot keep track of who’s behaving and who isn’t? That’s where LeaveBuster comes in.
Meet LeaveBuster: Riot’s In-Game Watchdog
Leave a game too early? Stay idle for too long? LeaveBuster sees it all.
This system automatically monitors your activity. If you’re caught going AFK or disconnecting too often, you’ll be placed in the Low Priority Queue. And if you keep it up? The penalties ramp up fast.
First few offenses: A small time penalty.
Repeat behavior: Full queue lockouts, where you can’t play at all for a set period.
That’s right – you could be temporarily banned from any mode that involves other players.
And it doesn’t stop there.
AFK/Leaving Penalty Tiers – Breakdown
When a player goes AFK or leaves a match, penalties escalate across several tiers, each more severe than the last. Here’s how the system works:
Tier 0:
Penalty: 1-minute delay before joining your next game
Applies For: 1 match onlyTier 1:
Penalty: 5-minute matchmaking delay
Applies For: Next 5 gamesTier 2:
Penalty: 10-minute matchmaking delay
Applies For: Next 5 gamesTier 3:
Penalty: 15-minute matchmaking delay
Applies For: Next 5 gamesTier 4:
Penalty: Full 24-hour matchmaking lockout
After Lockout: You must complete 1 game with a Tier 3 penaltyTier 5:
Penalty: 3-day matchmaking lockout
After Lockout: You must complete 1 game with a Tier 3 penaltyTier 6:
Penalty: 7-day matchmaking lockout
After Lockout: You must complete 1 game with a Tier 3 penaltyTier 7:
Penalty: 14-day matchmaking lockout
After Lockout: You must complete 1 game with a Tier 3 penalty
The system is designed not just to discourage repeated offenses, but to give players a clear path to re-enter the game responsibly. The deeper the tier, the steeper the price — with every step offering a chance for accountability and improvement.
Additional Penalties for Ranked Games
In ranked matches, the consequences are even worse.
Leave once: Lose 3 League Points (LP).
Keep doing it: Lose at least 10 LP per offense.
Repeat offenders: XP loss, MMR drops, and longer match queues. Plus, more reports = higher chances of a real ban.
Essentially, Riot punishes you in every direction: ranking, matchmaking, and your ability to even enter a game.
How to Escape the Low Priority Queue (And Stay Out)
Luckily, getting out of the penalty box isn’t impossible. But it does require some discipline:
Play 5 games in a row without leaving – and they must be completed without dodging, AFKing, or failing to accept the queue.
Don’t miss the ready check. Skipping even one resets the entire progress.
Yes, you’ll need to stay sharp and glued to your screen for five full games. But once you’re through, the penalty lifts.
The New Tier System for Penalties (As of Sept 2023)
Riot revamped the penalty system by adding more layers:
Old system: 4 tiers, starting with a 1-minute delay.
New system: 4 more tiers, ending with a full queue lockout that can last up to 14 days.
And here’s the kicker – even after the lockout ends, you’ll still be placed in the highest non-lockout delay tier. In other words, the punishment continues until Riot’s system is convinced you’ve learned your lesson.
Is the Low Priority Queue Helping the Community?
This system isn’t without controversy. Plenty of players argue that it’s too harsh, especially when technical issues are to blame.
Let’s be real – nobody chooses to get disconnected or have their PC crash. But unfortunately, LeaveBuster doesn’t care why you went AFK. It only cares that you did.
While Riot could improve how it detects genuine accidents versus toxic behavior, the goal remains the same: better matches and less frustration for the majority of players.
And with Riot’s new anti-cheat system Vanguard rolling out, it’s clear they’re taking the fight against disruptive play even more seriously.
Final Thoughts: Play Nice, or Pay the Price
The Low Priority Queue isn’t just a slap on the wrist – it’s Riot’s way of cleaning up the Rift. The system isn’t perfect, but the message is clear: if you want to keep playing, you need to play fair.
Being that player who leaves games early doesn’t just hurt your own experience – it ruins it for nine others who queued up to have fun. So if you’re tempted to rage-quit or dodge, take a breath. It’s not worth the 20-minute wait and LP loss.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About LeaveBuster and Low Priority Queue
Q: Is LeaveBuster active in all LoL game modes?
A: Not all. It doesn’t apply to modes like TFT or Clash, but it does affect Ranked, Draft, Blind Pick, and Co-op vs AI.
Q: Can I fix Low Priority Queue penalties by playing ARAM or faster modes?
A: Nope. You have to complete standard matches like Ranked or Normal Summoner’s Rift games to reduce your penalty.
Q: How long is the Low Priority Queue delay?
A: It depends on how many times you’ve been penalized. One offense? Might be short. But if you’re a frequent offender, the wait can stretch to 10–20 minutes or more.
Q: What happens during peak hours?
A: You’ll still face the full penalty delay first, and only then will matchmaking begin. Even during busy times, you won’t be able to skip the line.
Bottom line? Don’t leave your team hanging. Play it out. Win or lose, you’ll thank yourself later.
