Playing Fortnite sometimes requires taking a short break without leaving your team, or you might want to skip a match to give friends a chance to play without losing your spot in the lobby. 

The Sitting Out feature in Fortnite's lobby is a useful option for players who want to stay connected with their team but need a short pause from playing. Here’s a complete guide on how to use this feature and tips on making it most beneficial.

What Does Sitting Out Mean in Fortnite?

In Fortnite, "Sitting Out" means staying in the lobby or team, but not participating in the current match. This allows you to stay connected with friends, watch their game, or chat without actively participating in the match. It's ideal for situations when you need to step away briefly or just want to watch others play.

How to Sit Out in Fortnite

Here are the steps to skip a match in Fortnite, regardless of your gaming platform.

Step 1: Join a Team

Before you can choose the Sitting Out feature, you need to be part of a team or lobby. This means joining friends or other players and being part of a team.

Step 2: Open the Social Menu

Once you are in the lobby:

• On PC, press ESC to open the menu.
  
  
• On console (PS4, PS5, Xbox, etc.), press the Options/Menu button on the controller.
  
  
• On mobile, tap the menu button located at the top of the screen.

This will open a list of all players in your team, including yourself. In the menu, find your profile or name in the team members list.

Step 3: Change Participation Status

After selecting your name, a menu with various options will appear. Find the option Participation. If you are actively playing, it will be marked as Playing.

➤ Click or select this item.

➤ Then choose Sitting Out.

Your status will change to Sitting Out, indicating to other team members that you won't participate in the next match.

Step 4: Press Ready Up (if needed)

In some cases, you might still need to press the Ready button after opting for Sitting Out. This won't bring you into the game, but it allows your team to start the match without you.

Step 5: Observe or Take a Break

Now you are Sitting Out. You remain in the lobby while your friends play the game. You can watch the match (if Fortnite settings allow it) or communicate with your team while you wait.

How to Return to the Game After Sitting Out

When you're ready to return to the game, the process is just as simple:

1. Open the social menu using the same steps as before.
   
   
2. Select your name from the team members list.
   
   
3. In the Participation section, change your status from Sitting Out to Playing.
   
   
4. Once you switch back to Playing, you will join the next match when the team is ready.

Why Use the Sitting Out Feature in Fortnite?

There are many reasons you might need to skip a match. These can depend on both external and internal factors. That’s why the Sitting Out feature becomes handy.

Break. The feature allows you to take a short pause while you go AFK for your real-life needs.

Help Friends Play. Sometimes only a limited number of players can join a match, like in duo or trio modes. By skipping a match, you allow others to play while you wait for your turn.

Watch and Learn. By skipping a match, you can observe your team and learn their strategy, which can help improve your own gameplay.

Additional Tips for Sitting Out in Fortnite

Communication

If you decide to use the Sitting Out feature, it's best to let your friends know why and how long you'll be away. This helps avoid misunderstandings and disappointments, especially if your team is waiting for you to be ready.

Don’t Sit Out Too Long

While the feature is great for short breaks, prolonged sitting out can slow down your team's game. If you plan to be absent for a long time, it's better to leave the team and rejoin later.

Spectator Mode

Depending on the game mode and current Fortnite settings, you may be able to observe your friends’ game while in Sitting Out mode. This is a great way to pick up tips and tricks from your teammates, or simply watch the match from their perspective.

Character Customization

During Sitting Out, you can use this time to customize your character or gear for the next match. You can change skins, pickaxes, emotes, and more while waiting for the match to end.

Useful for Larger Teams

In larger teams, where there are more players than can fit in a single match, the Sitting Out feature helps organize who will play next without forcing players to leave the team. This is a great way to manage rotations.