Riot Disables Broken Arena AFK System ⇒ See Fixes Now

League of Legends players diving into Arena mode during patch 25.18 encountered a major issue: Riot Games’ newly implemented AFK (Away From Keyboard) detection system was mistakenly penalizing active players. The tool, although well-intentioned, flagged users incorrectly and disrupted gameplay integrity. Riot quickly acknowledged the problem, with game developer Mike Breese publicly addressing the situation. The system has since been temporarily disabled while fixes are underway.

Riot’s Arena AFK Detection Backfires

Patch 25.18 introduced a bespoke AFK detection system tailored for Arena mode, specifically to address disruptive gameplay caused by players leaving mid-match. Since Arena lacks tools like early surrender or game remakes due to its smaller player format, AFK behaviors are particularly damaging to the overall player experience. The update aimed to automatically recognize and penalize non-participating users, offering teammates stuck in 1v2 scenarios a way to exit without waiting out a loss.

Under the now-disabled system, these were the key thresholds:

Inactivity Warning: After 70 seconds of non-qualifying activity.
Activity Definition: Includes player movement, attacking, casting abilities, interacting with augments or anvils, shopping, or spectating in progress.
Not Counted as Activity: Simply taking damage, being teleported, or dying.
Forfeit Vote Disabled: After 180 seconds of inactivity.
Auto-Disconnect: After 300 seconds of inactivity.

However, within days of deployment, player reports flooded forums and social media claiming false AFK flags. These users insisted they were actively participating, yet received warnings and penalties. Riot responded swiftly by disabling the system and launching a full investigation into the underlying code failure.

Public Acknowledgment from Riot

Hey Arena players

In 25.18 we did some work to detect AFK players in Arena. We dropped the ball and have gotten some false positives where players were flagged as afk when they weren't.

We've disabled the feature and are working to rectify all accounts that were impacted.

— Mike Breese (@RiotRogueFool) September 10, 2025

Riot developer Mike Breese, known as @RiotRogueFool on X (formerly Twitter), publicly addressed the incident. He admitted that Riot “dropped the ball” with this rollout and acknowledged the system’s erroneous penalties. The AFK detection tool has since been disabled and will not return until all bugs are resolved.

Players seeking to restore their record or remove unjust punishments should reach out to Riot through their verified support portal: Submit a support ticket.

Looking Ahead: What Players Can Expect

Riot’s development team is actively reworking the AFK detection logic behind the scenes. The goal is to reintroduce the system in a future patch, but only after confirming that active users won’t be penalized incorrectly. To that end, Riot has committed to reviewing all player accounts affected by false AFK punishments.

Until the fix is rolled out, players must rely on traditional gameplay resolution methods in Arena. Riot has emphasized that accuracy and fairness will be the top priority in any future detection rollout to renew player trust.

Why Arena Needs a Reliable AFK System

Arena mode is uniquely vulnerable to AFK behavior due to its compact team structure and focused pacing. When a player is absent, their teammate is placed in a severe 1v2 disadvantage with no standard escape option. Riot’s intention behind the AFK detection update was to create a more responsive and balanced experience by addressing these situations directly.

Nevertheless, the current approach fell short of the necessary execution quality. While the system was designed to be fair and flexible, its misfiring risked undermining user confidence. Disabling the system in its flawed state is seen as the lesser evil compared to penalizing engaged players.

Players should stay tuned for future patch notes detailing the refined AFK system and any policy changes it introduces. Until then, manual reporting and direct support remain key tools for resolving AFK-related issues in Arena matches.

For more League of Legends news, gameplay updates, and system overhauls, visit LoLNOW.gg.

Explore the full patch details, including balance updates and item adjustments, in the Official League Patch 25.18 Notes.

For a video breakdown, watch the concise analysis by 3 Minute League of Legends on YouTube:
Patch 25.18 Explained

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened with AFK detection in Arena?

The AFK system introduced in patch 25.18 incorrectly flagged active Arena players as non-participating, resulting in unjust penalties. Riot has disabled the system and is addressing the issue.