AFK (Away From Keyboard)

AFK stands for “away from keyboard,” describing a player who is not at their controls and therefore not participating in the game. It can be brief and harmless, like grabbing a drink, or a serious problem when someone abandons a competitive match and leaves teammates a player down.

In team games, going AFK is one of the most damaging things a player can do, which is why many titles detect inactivity and apply penalties such as reduced rewards, queue bans, or lower priority. Repeated AFK behavior can also lower an account’s standing, so a clean record adds to its value.