When does an editor fail? Let's assume that a journal editor has been allocated a submission, started reviewing it himself, but stopped responding to the managing editor (= you) despite a long time since the authors had sent the submission (a little less than 3 years).  The submission is longer than each of the papers accepted during the last 5 years, but historically, even longer papers were accepted. The authors are aware of the length issue, but they are concerned.  The editor's Web page gets updated (say, new teaching contents appears), so, she/he is presumably still alive, but simply unresponsive.

The journal has no written, formal deadlines in its guidelines.  How long is it acceptable for the managing editor (= you) to wait after the first unanswered message to the editor before replacing the editor? What is typical in the field of computer science?
How long is it acceptable for the managing editor (= you) to wait after the first unanswered message to the editor before replacing the editor?


If the lack of contact is unexpected and unannounced, then wait three weeks with weekly email reminders.

If it is expected or announced, then negotiate with the authors.  The authors might prefer to wait out an editor's absence if the editor has suitable expertise.