League of Legends uses an escalating AFK/LeaverBuster ladder in 2026. The current Riot Support page, updated June 2, 2026, starts with a one-minute queue delay and can escalate all the way to a two-week queue lockout. Ranked adds LP consequences on top of the queue penalty, and the system applies across most matchmade modes.
What triggers LeaverBuster?
If the system detects that you leave matches or remain idle during gameplay, you can enter the AFK/Leaver penalty ladder. Riot warns players before an actual punishment and notifies them when they enter a new tier.
Full AFK/Leaver penalty ladder
- Tier 0: 1-minute queue delay for 1 game.
- Tier 1: 5-minute queue delay for 5 games.
- Tier 2: 10-minute queue delay for 5 games.
- Tier 3: 15-minute queue delay for 5 games.
- Tier 4: 24-hour queue lockout, then Tier 3 recovery.
- Tier 5: 3-day queue lockout, then Tier 3 recovery.
- Tier 6: 7-day queue lockout, then Tier 3 recovery.
- Tier 7: 2-week queue lockout, then Tier 3 recovery.
A leaver game always counts as a loss
Riot states that if you are considered a leaver because you were AFK for part of a match, that game counts as a loss for you even if your team wins.
Ranked adds LP penalties
If you are flagged AFK/Leaver at the end of a Ranked game, Riot notifies you that your LP will be reduced. This applies to wins and losses in the same Ranked queue.
The LP effect can continue into later games
Other players in the lobby are told that the flagged AFK/Leaver will receive less LP over the next several games. Riot also says that if you would pass 100 LP but the AFK penalty pushes you back below 100, you do not promote.
Ranked Flex is separated from other Ranked queues
Riot specifically says that if you leave a Ranked Flex match, that LP penalty affects Ranked Flex only.
Which modes can trigger AFK penalties?
- Swiftplay.
- Co-Op vs AI.
- Draft Pick.
- Ranked Solo/Duo.
- Ranked Flex.
- ARAM.
- Arena.
- Rotating modes such as ARURF.
The practical rule is simple: if it is a matchmade mode, assume LeaverBuster applies unless Riot says otherwise.
Custom and Training Mode are exempt
Riot says leaving Custom or Training Mode matches does not create an AFK/Leaver penalty. If a warning appears after a custom match, it can be tied to an earlier infraction.
How Queue Delay works
Queue Delay is time you must wait before entering matchmaking. The timer appears when you try to queue, and if you do not wait through the full duration, it resets to the full time.
A game must last at least 10 minutes to reduce the penalty
To count toward clearing a Queue Delay penalty, the match must last at least 10 minutes.
/remake does not count
If the match ends early through /remake, Riot says it does not reduce the number of penalty games you still owe.
Another AFK game also does not count
If you are flagged AFK or Leaver again during a match, that match does not count toward reducing the penalty.
Dodging after the delay wastes the wait
If you finish the delay timer and then dodge Champion Select, the Queue Delay resets and the remaining number of penalty games does not decrease.
If someone else dodges, your completed delay is preserved
Riot makes an important distinction: if another player dodges after your delay finishes, you can enter queue immediately again.
What happens at Tier 4 or higher?
At Tier 4+, Riot fully locks you out of affected matchmade modes until the lockout expires.
What happens when the lockout expires?
You do not return directly to normal. Riot says you downgrade to Tier 3 and then face a 15-minute Queue Delay for five consecutive games.
Can an accidental disconnect still count?
Yes. Riot acknowledges emergencies, internet drops and power outages, but says the impact on teammates is the same. The system therefore escalates based on detected leaving/AFK behavior, not on your explanation of intent.
Can Riot remove the penalty?
Riot says the normal way to remove it is to wait out Tier 4+ lockouts or complete the required games for Tiers 1–3.
Can Riot restore LP or MMR lost from AFK?
The AFK FAQ states that Riot cannot restore MMR or LP lost as a result of leaving or going AFK.
What should you do if the problem is technical?
If crashes, packet loss or disconnects are causing repeated leaves, stop requeueing until the underlying issue is stable. Riot points players to technical troubleshooting and support tickets.
Use logs if the connection keeps dropping
Riot’s Connection Troubleshooting Log Reader can inspect game network logs for latency, packet loss and jitter. On Windows, GameLogs are normally stored under C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\Logs\GameLogs.
Example: Tier 1
You receive a five-minute Queue Delay for five games. Each qualifying game must be at least 10 minutes long and you must avoid another AFK flag.
Example: your match remakes
The remake may save match time, but it does not reduce your remaining Queue Delay games.
Example: you wait 15 minutes, then dodge
If you are on Tier 3, finish the 15-minute wait and then dodge Champion Select, the delay resets and the penalty game count does not go down.
Example: Tier 5
A Tier 5 player is locked out for three days. After the lockout ends, Riot sends the account back to Tier 3 recovery: 15-minute delays for five consecutive games.
Example: AFK in a Ranked win
Even if the team wins, your game is treated as a loss if you are classified as a leaver, and Ranked LP reduction rules can also apply.
What not to do
- Do not repeatedly requeue while your internet is unstable.
- Do not expect /remake games to clear penalty progress.
- Do not intentionally dodge after finishing the delay.
- Do not assume a win cancels the leaver result.
- Do not expect Custom/Training behavior to clear an existing prior penalty.
Recovery checklist
- Identify your current tier from the client notification.
- For Tiers 1–3, complete the required qualifying games.
- Make sure each penalty-clearing game lasts at least 10 minutes.
- Avoid AFK/Leaver detection during those games.
- For Tier 4+, wait out the lockout first.
- After Tier 4+, expect Tier 3 recovery with five 15-minute delays.
- If disconnects are technical, troubleshoot before queueing again.
Bottom line
LeaverBuster is an escalation ladder, not a single timeout. Low tiers impose 1/5/10/15-minute Queue Delays, while repeated leaving can produce 24-hour, 3-day, 7-day and 2-week lockouts. Ranked can add LP penalties, a leaver game counts as a loss even if your team wins, and clearing the penalty requires qualifying games or waiting out the lockout. If the problem is technical, fixing the disconnect is more useful than trying to brute-force the penalty.
Official sources
Riot Games Support — Away From Keyboard (AFK) FAQ: https://support.riotgames.com/en-us/league-of-legends/penalties/away-from-keyboard-afk-faq | Connection Troubleshooting Log Reader: https://support.riotgames.com/en-us/league-of-legends/connectivity/connection-troubleshooting-log-reader/