Anyone who has spent time playing League of Legends knows that consistency and behavior are crucial for both competitive integrity and overall enjoyment. Riot Games has implemented various systems to promote good conduct and discourage toxic or disruptive actions. One of these systems is known as the queue lockout, a penalty that prevents players from entering matchmaking queues for a certain period. While it can be frustrating to encounter, the queue lockout serves a specific purpose in maintaining a healthier gameplay environment. Understanding how this penalty works, why it is enforced, and how to avoid it is essential for all players aiming to climb the ranks or just enjoy fair games.
What Is a Queue Lockout in League of Legends?
Definition and Purpose
A queue lockout in League of Legends is a disciplinary action that temporarily prevents a player from joining any matchmaking queue. This includes normal games, ranked matches, ARAM, and sometimes even rotating game modes. The primary purpose of the lockout is to penalize players who consistently display negative behavior, such as leaving games, going AFK, or dodging champion select repeatedly.
Types of Queues Affected
The lockout applies broadly across multiple modes:
- Ranked Solo/Duo
- Ranked Flex
- Normal Draft or Blind Pick
- ARAM (All Random All Mid)
- Event Modes (when applicable)
It is important to note that a queue lockout differs from other penalties like low priority queue. A lockout completely disables access to matchmaking, while a low priority queue simply delays the player’s queue time.
Why Players Receive Queue Lockouts
Frequent Dodging
One of the most common reasons for receiving a queue lockout is excessive dodging. While dodging champion select once in a while may result in a minor LP loss or a short timer, repeatedly dodging within a short time frame leads to more severe punishments. Riot Games monitors dodge frequency, especially in Ranked, and will issue escalating penalties.
Going AFK or Leaving Matches
Players who regularly leave matches or go AFK mid-game are also subject to queue lockouts. This behavior ruins the experience for other players and affects the outcome of the match. Riot’s automated systems, such as the LeaverBuster, track player activity and issue queue bans accordingly.
Behavioral Reports and Penalties
In extreme cases, consistent toxic behavior such as verbal abuse, griefing, or intentional feeding can contribute to a queue lockout. Though these actions more commonly result in chat restrictions or account suspensions, they may also trigger time-based lockouts from matchmaking.
Duration of Queue Lockouts
Initial Penalties
For first-time offenses, a queue lockout may last just a few minutes to an hour. However, this is usually accompanied by a warning and the requirement to complete low priority queues once the lockout ends.
Escalating Lockout Times
Repeated offenses lead to longer durations. The penalty system escalates over time, applying stricter punishments to players who do not adjust their behavior:
- First offense: 5-minute lockout + 5 low priority games
- Second offense: 15-minute lockout + 5 low priority games
- Third offense: 30-minute lockout + 5 low priority games
- Further offenses: 12-hour or even 24-hour lockouts, possibly more
These durations may vary depending on server region and severity of the behavior, but the general pattern remains consistent repeat offenses result in increasingly harsher penalties.
Impact on Player Progression
Ranked Climbing
Queue lockouts can seriously hinder progress in ranked gameplay. If you’re trying to climb the ladder during a season and get locked out, that lost time may affect your end-of-season rewards or placement in promotional series. Players who dodge promotion matches, for instance, may find themselves reset or demoted entirely after a lockout.
Time Wasted
For many, the most frustrating aspect of a queue lockout is time lost. Not only does it block you from playing for a period, but when paired with low priority queue penalties, it can take hours before you’re back in normal matchmaking. This is particularly painful during events or double XP weekends.
Reputation and Matchmaking Quality
Players who receive queue lockouts frequently may be flagged in Riot’s systems and matched with other negatively flagged players. This can create a feedback loop of poor match quality and toxic environments, making it harder to enjoy the game or improve performance.
How to Avoid Queue Lockouts
Stay Committed to Games
The simplest way to avoid a queue lockout is to complete the games you enter. Avoid dodging unless absolutely necessary (such as a teammate clearly trolling). If you must leave your keyboard, use the break between matches rather than going AFK mid-game.
Communicate Effectively
Good communication reduces conflict in champion select and during matches. Try to resolve role disputes calmly and avoid engaging in toxic behavior. If a situation becomes uncomfortable or heated, muting the player rather than fighting back can save your account from penalties.
Respect Champion Select
Champion select dodging often stems from disagreements or poor team composition. While it’s understandable to want ideal conditions, sometimes it’s better to adapt and try your best rather than risk receiving a dodge penalty. Repeated dodges add up quickly.
Monitor Penalty Warnings
Riot often issues warnings before harsher penalties. If you see a message after a game warning you about leaving or dodging, take it seriously. It means you’re approaching a threshold, and the next action may lead to a lockout or low priority queue.
What to Do If You Get Locked Out
Wait It Out
If you’ve already received a queue lockout, there’s no shortcut you’ll need to wait. Use the time to take a break, review strategies, watch pro matches, or work on improving mechanics in custom games or the practice tool.
Reflect on Behavior
Often, queue lockouts serve as a wake-up call. Consider what led to the penalty. Was it constant dodging? Poor behavior? Leaving games? Changing your habits is the only reliable way to avoid future penalties.
Check Riot Support
If you believe the penalty was applied in error such as due to a crash, power outage, or server issue you can submit a ticket to Riot Support. While reversals are rare, in cases of widespread technical issues, Riot may lift or adjust penalties accordingly.
Queue lockouts in League of Legends may be frustrating, but they are an important part of Riot’s commitment to maintaining a fair and enjoyable game environment. Understanding what causes these penalties, how long they last, and how they affect your gameplay is crucial for any serious player. By playing responsibly, minimizing dodging, and maintaining good behavior, you can avoid lockouts entirely and keep your path to ranked success uninterrupted. Whether you’re a casual player or pushing for Challenger, staying in good standing with the queue system ensures a smoother and more rewarding League experience.