Network Issue Fortnite

Fortnite Connection Error to Epic Games Servers - Troubleshooting Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 9 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

The primary fix is to verify the status of Epic Games servers and, if operational, perform a DNS flush on your local system using the command prompt.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The "error occurred while trying to connect to Epic servers" message is a network connectivity failure between the Fortnite client and Epic Games' authentication and game servers. This error affects all platforms where Fortnite operates, including Windows PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Android. The issue manifests across all live game versions and updates. It is a common occurrence, often correlated with major content updates or infrastructure maintenance. The severity is game-breaking, as it prevents initial authentication and blocks access to all online game modes. The exact error message presented is: "An error occurred while trying to connect to Epic servers. Please try again later." A related variant, "Login timed out," also indicates a failure in the initial handshake protocol.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application initiates and proceeds to the initial login or lobby connection phase. A network timeout occurs during the authentication handshake with Epic Games services. The system displays a modal dialog box containing the exact error text: "An error occurred while trying to connect to Epic servers. Please try again later." The application does not crash; it returns to the initial screen or remains in a retry state. Concurrent network functionality on the affected device, such as web browsing or other online services, often remains operational, indicating the issue is specific to the Fortnite client-server pathway. The error is reproducible on consecutive launch attempts.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: Epic Games server infrastructure is undergoing maintenance, experiencing high load, or is partially offline. The client's connection requests time out or are rejected at the server endpoint. Why this causes the problem: The local client cannot establish a valid TCP/UDP session with the required backend services for authentication and matchmaking.

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: Local DNS cache contains stale or incorrect records for Epic Games server domains (e.g., epicgames-dns1.com, fortnite.com). This directs the client to invalid IP addresses. Why this causes the problem: The client attempts to connect to an incorrect or non-responsive IP address, resulting in a connection timeout.

Category: Configuration Error

Specific technical explanation: Local firewall (Windows Defender Firewall, third-party security suite) or router security settings are blocking outbound/inbound traffic on ports required by Fortnite (e.g., UDP 5222, 5795-5847, TCP 443, 80). Why this causes the problem: Network packets from the Fortnite client are silently dropped before reaching the internet, preventing the completion of the connection protocol.

Category: Software Conflict

Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or outdated network driver stack (Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter drivers) introduces packet loss or latency spikes during the critical connection sequence. Why this causes the problem: Unstable network drivers cause the SYN-ACK handshake to fail, triggering the client's internal timeout threshold.

Category: Game Bug / Configuration Error

Specific technical explanation: Corrupted local game cache or launcher data within the %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame directory. This includes invalid session tokens or damaged configuration files. Why this causes the problem: The client sends malformed or expired authentication data, causing the server to reject the connection attempt immediately.

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: ISP-level routing issue or regional internet service disruption creates an unstable path between the client and the game servers. Why this causes the problem: Even with functional servers and client, network hops between the user and Epic's data centers fail, dropping packets.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Verify Epic Games Server Status

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: High for diagnosis Prerequisites: Internet browser access. Steps:

Open a web browser and navigate to the official Epic Games Status page at https://status.epicgames.com.
Locate the "Fortnite" service section on the page.
Check for any icons or indicators showing "Major Outage," "Partial Outage," or "Degraded Performance" for components like "Login," "Matchmaking," or "Cloud Gaming."
If a service-wide outage is confirmed, no local troubleshooting is effective. The resolution requires waiting for Epic Games engineers to restore service.

Technical Explanation: This step determines if the fault origin is on the service provider's infrastructure. Client-side fixes cannot resolve server-side outages. Verification: The status page explicitly indicates an ongoing incident. Monitor the page for updates until services return to "Operational" status.

Solution 2: Flush Local DNS Cache and Renew IP

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrative command prompt access. Steps:

Press Windows Key + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Execute the following command to flush the DNS resolver cache: ipconfig /flushdns
Execute the following command to release the current IP address: ipconfig /release
Execute the following command to renew the IP address from the router: ipconfig /renew
Close the command prompt and restart the computer.
Attempt to launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: Corrupted DNS cache maps domain names to incorrect IP addresses. Flushing it forces the system to fetch fresh, correct records from the ISP's DNS servers. Releasing and renewing the IP address resolves local DHCP conflicts. Verification: The command prompt displays "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache." Subsequent connection attempts in Fortnite proceed past the initial server handshake.

Solution 3: Perform a Clean Restart of Network Hardware

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Physical access to modem and router. Steps:

Shut down the computer running Fortnite.
Locate the router and modem (they may be a combined unit).
Unplug the power cables from both the modem and router.
Wait for 60 seconds to ensure all capacitors discharge and temporary memory clears.
Plug in the modem first and wait for all status lights to stabilize (typically 1-2 minutes).
Plug in the router and wait for its status lights to stabilize.
Boot the computer and attempt to launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: This clears the NAT table and session state on the router, which can become saturated or corrupted. A full power cycle also forces the modem to re-establish a clean connection with the ISP's network. Verification: The Fortnite client establishes a connection where it previously timed out. General network connectivity may also show improved latency.

Solution 4: Configure Firewall and Antivirus Exceptions

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Administrative rights on the computer. Steps:

Press Windows Key + S, type Allow an app through Windows Firewall, and select it.
Click Change settings (requires admin rights).
Click Allow another app... and then Browse.
Navigate to the Fortnite installation directory (default: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64).
Select FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe and click Open, then Add.
Ensure both Private and Public checkboxes are checked for the new entry in the list.
If using a third-party antivirus or firewall suite, consult its documentation to add the same .exe file to its allow/exception list. Temporarily disable the suite as a test if necessary.
Restart the computer and attempt to launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: Overly restrictive firewall rules can block the outbound UDP packets Fortnite uses for its initial connection. Adding an explicit exception ensures the game's network traffic is permitted. Verification: The connection error no longer appears. Monitor the firewall/antivirus logs to confirm they are no longer blocking the Fortnite process.

Solution 5: Repair or Reinstall the Epic Games Launcher and Fortnite

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 30-60 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Stable internet connection for re-downloading. Steps:

Close the Epic Games Launcher completely via the system tray.
Press Windows Key + R, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.
Locate and delete the EpicGamesLauncher folder.
Navigate back and open the ProgramData folder (usually C:\ProgramData).
Locate and delete the Epic folder.
Uninstall the Epic Games Launcher via Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Download the latest Epic Games Launcher installer from the official website.
Reinstall the launcher, then log in and install Fortnite.
Alternatively, use the launcher's built-in repair function: Click the three dots next to Fortnite > Verify.

Technical Explanation: This removes all local cached data, configuration files, and potentially corrupted installation files for both the launcher and game, replacing them with a fresh state. Verification: A fresh installation completes without errors, and the login process connects successfully to Epic servers.

Solution 6: Update Network Adapter Drivers

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 20 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Administrative rights, internet access (via another device if primary is broken). Steps:

Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Network adapters section.
Right-click on your primary network adapter (e.g., Intel, Realtek, Killer, or a wireless adapter) and select Properties.
Navigate to the Driver tab and note the Driver Date and Driver Version.
Visit the manufacturer's website (e.g., Intel, motherboard manufacturer) on a separate device.
Download the latest stable driver for your specific adapter model and Windows version.
Back in Device Manager, right-click the adapter and select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers.
Navigate to the downloaded driver file and install it.
Restart the computer.

Technical Explanation: Outdated or buggy network drivers can mishandle high-frequency UDP traffic, causing timeouts. Installing the latest manufacturer-provided driver ensures optimal protocol handling and stability. Verification: The Device Manager shows an updated driver version. Network-intensive applications, including Fortnite, demonstrate stable connections.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain regular updates for network adapter drivers and the Epic Games Launcher. Configure static DNS servers (such as Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 or Google's 8.8.8.8) in your router or network adapter settings to bypass unreliable ISP DNS. Schedule router reboots monthly to clear NAT tables and memory leaks. Before major game updates, check the Epic Games Status page to anticipate potential service instability. Avoid modifying core game files or installing unauthorized plugins that can corrupt the installation and trigger connection failures.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Player Support only after exhaustively testing all client-side solutions during a confirmed period of server stability. Essential diagnostic information to provide includes: the exact error message, your platform, ISP name, and the results of a traceroute to Epic servers (run tracert epicgames.com in Command Prompt). Locate and attach relevant log files from %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs. Official support channels are accessible via https://www.epicgames.com/help.