If you’ve ever seen the message “Low Priority Queue” after logging into League of Legends, you’re not alone. It’s a frustrating experience—and one that often leaves players wondering: How long does this penalty last? And more importantly, how can it be avoided?
Here’s a deep dive into what the low priority queue is, how long it lasts, and why it exists in the first place.
What Is Low Priority Queue?
The Low Priority Queue is a matchmaking penalty issued to players who disrupt games through negative behavior. This includes:
- Going AFK (away from keyboard)
- Leaving matches early
- Repeatedly dodging champion select
- Intentional feeding or trolling
It’s Riot Games’ way of discouraging players from ruining the game experience for others without immediately resorting to bans. When you’re placed in low priority, you can still play—but you’ll have to wait out a delayed queue timer before each game.
How Long Does It Last?
The penalty lasts for five games, with a waiting period of 5 to 20 minutes before each match. The exact length of the delay depends on how often you’ve been penalized in the past.
- For a first offense, the wait time is typically 5 minutes per game.
- Repeat offenses can increase that wait to 10, 15, or even 20 minutes.
The punishment kicks in before champion select, meaning you must wait out the timer before even entering the lobby.
Can It Expire on Its Own?
No. The low priority queue won’t go away with time alone. You must complete all five low priority games for the penalty to be lifted. If you take a break from playing, the penalty will still be there when you return.
However, if you avoid further offenses after serving your time, future penalties may take longer to reappear or escalate less quickly.
What Causes It?
Riot’s system takes several types of disruptive behavior into account:
- Leaving games or disconnecting
- Consistent AFK behavior
- Frequent dodging in ranked mode
- Unsportsmanlike conduct
Even if you have technical issues, like crashes or disconnections, they can still trigger the penalty if they happen often enough. Riot recommends resolving hardware or internet problems before jumping into ranked games.
How to Avoid Low Priority Queue
The best way to avoid this penalty is simple: stay in your games and play them out. Here are some tips:
- Don’t leave matches early—even if things look grim
- Only dodge champion select in extreme cases, and try not to do it often
- Fix internet or hardware issues before you queue up.
- Communicate with your team, but avoid toxic behavior
Final Thoughts
The low priority queue in League of Legends is designed to protect the player experience and encourage fair play. While it’s annoying to deal with, it’s also entirely avoidable. If you’ve found yourself stuck with a queue delay, take it as a signal to play more consistently—and to treat every match, win or lose, with a bit more care.
After all, nothing slows your climb through the ranks quite like waiting 20 minutes just to press “lock in.”
Written by:
Christian