---
title: "Understanding the matchmaking cooldown"
description: "Why FNLB makes you wait between bot-lobby matches and how category owners can adjust the cooldown."
canonical: https://fnlb.net/support/troubleshooting/matchmaking-cooldown
markdown: https://fnlb.net/support/troubleshooting/matchmaking-cooldown.md
---

# Understanding the matchmaking cooldown

Why FNLB makes you wait between bot-lobby matches and how category owners can adjust the cooldown.

## There is a short wait between matches

After a bot-lobby match the bot waits roughly **20 minutes** before it will matchmake again. Back out and ready up too soon and the bot holds matchmaking until the cooldown ends.

This keeps bot lobbies healthy and avoids overloading Fortnite matchmaking.

## What to do during the cooldown

- Use the time to sort your next quest and loadout
- Browse the shop or change cosmetics - the bot still responds to [cosmetic commands](https://fnlb.net/support/bot-setup/change-cosmetics.md)
- If you run several bots, switch to one that is not on cooldown
- Set up your next lobby so you are ready the moment it ends

## Disabling the cooldown

Category owners can remove the wait. In the FNLB App, open the category **gear** icon, go to **Limits and Behavior**, and turn on **Disable Matchmaking Cooldown**.

> **Warning:**
> Removing the cooldown is at your own risk - matchmaking too quickly can fail or drop your lobby into a normal match.

Still not seeing bot lobbies? See [My lobby is not full of bots](https://fnlb.net/support/troubleshooting/lobby-not-bots.md).