You’ve been excited to dive into the world of Arc Raiders, but after launching the game, you’re met with a frustrating sight: a server queue. You’re not alone. This is a common experience, especially following a game’s launch. This guide will explain why these queues happen, what to expect, and provide actionable tips to potentially reduce your wait time.
Why Arc Raiders Has a Server Queue
A server queue is essentially a digital waiting line. It’s not a bug; it’s a deliberate system implemented by the developers, Embark Studios, to manage server load and ensure a stable experience for everyone who gets in.
The primary reason for a queue is massive player demand. When thousands, or even millions, of players try to log in simultaneously at launch or during peak hours, the game’s servers can become overwhelmed. The queue acts as a traffic controller, allowing players to enter the game in a controlled manner. This prevents the servers from crashing, which would cause widespread disconnections, lag, and a poor gameplay experience for everyone.
Average Arc Raiders Queue Times: What to Expect
Queue times are not fixed and can fluctuate dramatically based on several factors. Here’s a general breakdown of what you might experience:
Peak Hours (Long Waits): During evenings and weekends in major regions like North America and Europe, expect the longest queues. Wait times can range from 5 to 15 minutes on average, but during extreme surges, they can extend to 45 minutes or more.
Off-Peak Hours (Short Waits): If you play during the morning on weekdays or very late at night, you’ll find significantly shorter queues. It’s common to wait less than 5 minutes, and you might even get in instantly without any queue.
The in-game queue indicator will show your position, giving you an estimate. If the number is moving down steadily, the system is working. If it’s stuck, it may indicate a server issue.
How to Skip the Wait or Shorten the Arc Raiders Queue
While you can’t magically bypass the queue entirely, these proven strategies can help you get into the action faster.
1. Play During Off-Peak Hours
The simplest and most effective method is to adjust your play schedule. Try logging in before the evening rush hour or after a daily server reset/maintenance. Early mornings are typically the quietest.
2. Check Server Status and Change Region
Before you queue, check the official Arc Raiders Twitter account or Discord server for real-time updates on server status and queue times. If your region’s servers are packed, you can often change your server region in the game’s settings to a less populated one (e.g., switching from Europe to Asia-Pacific outside of Asia’s peak times). Be aware that this may increase your in-game latency (ping).
3. Avoid Logging Out During Peak Times
If you manage to get into the game during a peak period, try to stay logged in for your session. Repeatedly logging in and out will land you back at the end of the queue each time.
4. Be Patient After Updates
After a new content update or a hotfix is released, there is often a fresh surge of players logging in to see the changes. Queues may be longer than usual for a few hours following an update.
5. Let the Queue Do Its Job
If you are in a queue, the best thing to do is wait. The system is designed to get you in as soon as possible while ensuring the servers remain stable. Embark Studios is continuously working to add server capacity and improve technical infrastructure to reduce wait times for all players.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Is the Arc Raiders server queue a sign that the game is broken?
A: No. A queue is a standard and healthy sign of a popular game managing high player demand to prevent total server crashes, which would be a much bigger problem.
Q: My queue timer is stuck. What should I do?
A: If your position in the queue hasn’t changed for a long time (e.g., 10+ minutes), it might be frozen. The safest action is to quit the game completely, relaunch it, and re-join the queue. This often resolves the issue.
Q: Will I have to deal with queues forever?
A: No. Server queues are most common in the first few weeks after a game’s launch. As player numbers stabilize and developers add more server capacity, queues typically become shorter and less frequent, eventually disappearing for all but the most massive content updates.
Q: Where can I get official server status information?
A: Follow the official Arc Raiders and Embark Studios accounts on Twitter (X) and join their official Discord server. These are the primary channels for real-time announcements regarding server maintenance, issues, and queue times.
Conclusion
Encountering a server queue in Arc Raiders is a temporary hurdle born from the game’s success and the developers’ desire to provide a stable experience. While waits can be frustrating, understanding why they happen—server overload management—is key. By employing strategies like playing during off-peak hours, checking server status, and potentially switching regions, you can significantly reduce your wait time. Remember that Embark Studios is actively working on improvements behind the scenes. A little patience and strategic timing are your best tools for getting past the queue and into the fight against the ARC.