Fix Fortnite Not Loading [Resolve Crash & Technical Issues]

How would you feel if I told you to find a needle that is lost in a desert? Yep, figuring out a solution to why Fortnite does not load can give you an awful taste of it.

See, there can be numerous reasons why you can not enjoy the game. Luckily, I have rounded up the fixes in this article.

So, why should you delay? Let’s have a look.

Why Fortnite is Not Loading on Your PC?

One of the main reasons why Fortnite stops loading on most PCs is due to a problem with the network connection. It could be that Fortnite’s servers are down or your internet connection is facing some issues. As it is a multiplayer game, solid internet connectivity is mandatory.

Now Fortnite’s game client itself can cause some problems. Your game files can be damaged or the additional executables which are required (Direct X, Visual C Redistributable, Easy Anti Cheat) are maybe missing. This can stop the game from starting in some cases. So that’s something to keep in mind.

Finally, outdated Graphics Drivers can also cause startup problems for Fortnite. Updates contain improvements in performance from games. If you are someone who is too lazy to update the GPU driver, then that could be a problem for you.

How to Fix Fortnite Not Loading

Verifying the game files, repairing Visual Studio C++ redistributable files, running Epic Games as Adminstrator, enabling .NET framework 3.5, and switching to DX11 mode can solve Fortnite not loading. Apart from that, updating the graphics drivers and reinstalling the game can fix the stuck-on-loading screen problem.

It’s not just it; several methods can work for anyone who plays Fortnite; you never know. This is due to compatibility between a large number of hardware devices and operating systems. So try the methods mentioned here one by one and see which one works for you

Here are the methods to resolve Fortnite not loading:

1. Ensure Your PC Meets Minimum System Requirements

So, the very first thing you should check is that your PC corresponds to the minimum system requirements to run Fortnite. It’s the list of PC components that is mandatory to run a game; at least at a low graphical preset. Otherwise, Fortnite will not be able to run.

This may sound a bit eerie, but sometimes login fails because your rig is not fast enough to load the game.

To make sure you’re on the safe side, compare your hardware with the game requirements.

Take a quick look at Fortnite system requirements:

Now, it’s time to check your system configuration in detail to determine whether you have a compatible rig.

Here’s how you can review your computer’s specifications:

• Press Windows+R, type dxdiag, and hit Enter.
• Check the details on the hardware of your computer such as OS, Processor, Memory & DirectX Version.
• Switch to the Display tab and check your video card model and memory.

If you possess the equivalent or better hardware than the minimum requirements, you should be able to play Fortnite on your PC.

For a persistent loading issue despite having a capable system, follow the subsequent methods to get your game up and running.

2. Restart Fortnite & Your PC

The most common and easiest fix is a system restart. These types of problems such as the game not loading, no audio, crashing etc., mostly happens due to temporary bugs. Restarting the game or your PC helps the program to start operating from a default state.

So, try restarting Fortnite itself. If it doesn’t help, reboot your PC, and Fortnite shouldn’t be stuck at the loading screen anymore.

3. Enable Microsoft Net Framework 3.5

Most games require the .net framework 3.5 to even launch. So, check if your computer is missing this, and install it. On Windows 7, it came preinstalled. But from Windows 8 and up, it was not installed by default.

Here’s how to enable net framework 3.5 on your computer:

• Type features in the Windows search bar.
• Select Turn Windows Features on or off.
• Click and select the .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) checkbox.
• Hit Ok.
• Choose Let Windows Update download the files for you.

Windows will automatically install it in a few minutes. After a successful process, try to re-launch the Epic games launcher and open Fortnite. Move on to the next fix if there’s no positive response.

4. Repair Visual C++ Redistributables

Corrupted or missing Visual Studio C++ files will create issues like no response while launching a game such as Fortnite. So you should repair them to shove aside the possibility.

Here is the process to repair C++ redistributable files:

• Download the Visual Studio C++ programs from Microsoft’s redistributable page.
• Ensure you’ve downloaded x86 and x64 files of each version such as 2022, 2019, etc.
  Note: Get the files from 2012 to 2022.
• Double-click on each program and install them.
• Choose repair if these files are already installed on your system.

Once you are through with all the files, restart the computer and launch Fortnite. It should work this time.

5. Verify Fortnite Game Files Integrity

Verify Fortnite game files from the Epic Launcher to ensure intact game files. If any corrupted or broken files are found, the launcher will re-download and fix them. Even if the game keeps crashing, integrity check will work it out as magic.

Here are the steps to verify the game file integrity:

• Open up the Epic launcher.
• Go to your game library.
• Find Fortnite and click on the three-dot options at the bottom of the thumbnail.
• Select Verify.

Your game files will be rechecked to see if there are any missing or flawed files, which will be fixed.

6. Switch to DirectX 11

Running the game on DX12 API may glitch out for no reason. In such circumstances, switch to DX11 to play Fortnite.

Here’s how you can use DirectX 11 for Fortnite:

• Start Epic Games Launcher.
• Select the Display Avatar from the top right corner.
• Access Settings.
• Find Fortnite and expand it.
• Click on the box next to Additional Command Line Arguments to check it.
• Type d3d11 and save it.

Now, start the game and check if it’s loading. If you want to go back to the DX12 API, uncheck the box.

7. Update Your Graphics Drivers

GPU manufacturers roll out updates regularly to fix glitches and improve performance. Make sure to keep your graphics drivers up to date.

Note: I recommend keeping the drivers updated all the time. Not only to fix the Fortnite crashing issue but to mitigate the chance of facing any unexpected freezing, stuttering, or issues with any games.

Here are the steps to check for video card driver updates via Windows:

• Go to your Start Menu.
• Type Device Manager in the search box at the bottom.

• Select Device Manager from the shown results.
• Look for Display adapters and click on them to expand.
• Right-click on your GPU and select Update Driver.
• Select Search automatically for drivers.
• Update the driver if there is a new version.

You can also download and install the graphics driver from the manufacturer’s website. But remember to uninstall the old graphics driver before installing the new one.

Here’s how to download and update the driver from the manufacturer’s official websites:

• Visit your GPU Manufacturers’ website.
• Select your graphics card, operating system, OS type, etc.
• Download the .exe files on your PC
• Double-click on the setup file and follow on-screen instructions to install the latest driver.
• Restart your PC.

Note: To run Fortnite seamlessly, you also have to make sure you have DirectX 11 installed.

8. Run in Compatibility Mode

Incompatible Windows mode can make a program not respond at all. You click on it, and nothing happens— nada, zip! And Fortnite is no exception. So run this game in compatibility mode to avoid this scenario.

Here are the steps to run Fortnite in compatibility mode:

• Navigate to C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\ to access the binary file.
• Look for FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe.
• Right-click on the file and access Properties.
• Switch to the Compatibility tab.
• Check Run this program in compatibility mode for the box and choose Windows 8 from the drop-down.
• Click and check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
• Hit Apply and Click Ok.

Now, relaunch the game and check if it works as you expect. Restart your PC if necessary.

9. Run Fortnite as an Administrator

Sometimes, the problem lies in the administrative privileges of the Fortnite game or the Epic launcher. Maybe the game doesn’t have complete control over the files it needs to create or edit, hence the loading & launcher busy issues.

So, you can try running the game as an administrator, which is a temporary solution. Or you can permanently change the access control for Fortnite.

Here are the steps to run the game as an administrator:

• Right-click on the Fortnite game icon/Epic launcher icon and select Run as administrator.
• Click Yes to confirm, or provide the password if asked.

However, changing the setting permanently is a bit tedious process. But let me guide you through.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Open your File Explorer and navigate to the Fortnite installation folder (Default installation folder in Windows: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite).
• Right-click the Fortnite folder and select Properties.
• Go to Security.
• Click on the Edit button to change permission settings.
• Select your user account and check the box for allowing Full Control.
• Click Apply and OK.

Relaunch the game to see if your issue resolves. If not, don’t worry! I have some more workarounds up my sleeve.

10. Repair EasyAntiCheat

Fortnite uses EasyAntiCheat service (installs automatically while installing the game) to detect hackers and cheaters to provide a toxicity-free gameplay experience.

However, in some cases, it might stop Fortnite from loading correctly. It usually happens because of a glitch in the EasyAntiCheat or a broken service for unknown reasons. Repairing the service can fix the game loading issue in Fortnite.

Here are the steps to repair the EasyAntiCheat:

• Open your File Explorer and navigate to the Fortnite folder (Default location: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite).
• Navigate to the following directory: FortniteGame > Binaries > Win64/Win32 > EasyAntiCheat.
• Find the exe file, double-click on it, and a setup window will appear.
• Select Fortnite from the drop-down list.
• Click on Repair Service.
• Restart your PC.
• Launch Fortnite.

The reason why EasyAntiCheat randomly gets broken out of nowhere is not very clear. But Epic constantly works on developing and removing glitches in integrating EasyAntiCheat with Fortnite.

11. Close Background Applications

Some applications keep running even after you close the window. It’s because they are set to minimize to the system tray on exit. The background apps prevent other applications from initiating.

Games also suffer from this phenomenon.

So check and close if any application is running in the background. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager. Right-click on the program that is running and hit End task.

Go back to Epic Launcher and start Fortnite after doing this.

12. Install/Move Fortnite to Your SSD

Nowadays, apps and games are optimized for faster storage access. These apps and games have a hard time loading from an old-school mechanical hard drive compared to a modern SSD.

It’s not just that Fortnite takes longer to load when installed on HDD; sometimes, it does not load textures and maps properly. Or worse, it freezes and obstructs you from returning to the home screen to restart the game.

Installing or moving the game to an SSD is a solution I have applied for Fortnite and games like Valorant, Apex Legends, etc. It does solve the problem in many cases.

Here are the steps to move Fortnite to SSD:

• Copy the entire Fortnite folder from your installed directory (Default C:/Program Files/Epic Games) and paste it elsewhere as a backup.
• Delete the original Fortnite folder.
• Go to Epic launcher, look for Fortnite, and initiate the installation.
• Select your desired installation location, which is your SSD.
• Cancel the installation once 1 or 2% completes.
• Copy the contents of the backup Fortnite folder into the new directory.
• Go to Epic launcher again. You will see the Resume option instead of Install; select it.
• Wait for the Epic launcher to verify the files.
• Launch the game.

This time, it will take a few seconds to open and get to the game home screen.

13. Look for Network Issues

Different sorts of network issues cause Fortnite to bog down on the connecting screen. Follow the methods below to resolve them one by one.

Check Fortnite’s Server Status

If your game is still stuck on the loading screen, it might be a server issue. Or it could be from your end, too. So, you need to check Epic’s server status as well as your network connection.

To check the Fortnite game server condition, visit Epic Games Support Website.

You will see Fortnite as the first option on the page. Click on it to expand. Fortnite services with their corresponding online status will be visible right away.

If you see some services are down, wait for some time. Epic will fix the issue and get the servers back online. As a bonus, if you can’t join the server, it will resolve that issue.

If, however, everything is normal on Epic’s end, you should check your network status. Restart the router to fix any temporary issue. For lingering problems, contact your ISP.

Fix Packet Loss

Packet loss issues can happen due to data exchange failure from the clients’ end to the Fortnite game server. It causes the infamous game-loading error. You can resolve it with a simple command added to the epic launcher.

Here’s how to prevent packet loss on Fortnite:

• Fire up the Epic game launcher.
• Go to Settings.
• Scroll down and find Fortnite.
• Click to check the box next to Additional Command Line Arguments.
• Write -limitclientticks and save.

This should sort out the packet loss problem and force the game to load correctly. But for a sustained issue, you must go back and forth with your internet service provider to resolve it permanently.

Choose Matchmaking Region to Auto

Can’t get into the game for incorrect matchmaking region! I know it sounds comical. But I’ve experienced it several times.

Imagine you are from the States and trying to find a game in Asia. It might cause the game to get stuck on the loading screen. So change the region to auto to find a match depending on your location.

Here’s the process to set the matchmaking region to auto:

• Start Fortnite.
• Choose Battle Royal.
• Click on the Hamburger icon in the top right corner.
• Hit on the gear icon from the left pane.
• Select Settings.
• Choose Auto from the Matchmaking Region option.

Start a game. In a few moments, you’ll be in the match.

Why is Fortnite Not Loading On Consoles & Android

Consoles such as Xbox One, Series X, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, etc., users also get struck with Fortnite loading problems. Even on Android phones, this issue is well-pronounced.

To shake off this error, check for the latest game updates on the corresponding stores of each platform. Once the developers roll out a new update or a patch, download it immediately. Make sure you have enough storage on your device.

If updates don’t fix the problem, reinstall the game. This will ensure every file is in fine fettle and in harmony with the latest update. But before that, uninstall the previous version completely.

When all the attempts let you down, get in touch with your device’s support, such as PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo.

Conclusion

So, here you go the most effective methods to get rid of the issue. Let me know in the comment section which one worked in your case.

However, if your issue still exists, it might be an issue with your account.  Then report the issue you are facing to the Fortnite support team.