Game Error Fortnite

Fortnite Controller Input Freezing - PC Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 2 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Disable Steam Input for Fortnite and ensure the Epic Games Launcher is set as the primary controller handler to resolve input conflicts causing the freeze.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The Fortnite controller input freezing error is a software-level input processing failure. The application's input stack fails to process new controller commands while continuing to execute the last registered input, creating a "stuck input" state. This error primarily affects the Windows PC platform when using third-party or non-XInput controllers, particularly through middleware like Steam Input. The problem manifests in Fortnite Chapter 6 and subsequent updates. Analysis classifies this as a common issue within specific configurations. The severity is game-breaking, as it renders precise control impossible, especially in modes like Festival. No formal error code is generated; the failure is silent within the application's input pipeline.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application's input processing thread enters a hung state for 1-5 seconds. During this period, the game continues to render, but the controller input buffer ceases to update. The last valid input command repeats until the thread recovers. This occurs during standard gameplay, with higher frequency observed in menu navigation and the Festival game mode. The user experiences a continuous, unintended action (e.g., perpetual character movement, held button input) despite physical controller neutrality. The game window remains responsive, and system-level controller checks confirm the hardware is functional.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Concurrent controller handling by Steam Input and the Epic Games Launcher. Both applications attempt to manage the same DirectInput/XInput device, creating a resource lock that freezes the input stream. Why this causes the problem: The conflict causes the game's input polling to wait indefinitely for a mutex lock held by the conflicting service. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect Steam Controller configuration for Fortnite, forcing a non-native API translation (e.g., mapping DirectInput to XInput) that introduces buffer overflow under rapid input. Why this causes the problem: The translation layer cannot keep pace with Fortnite's high-polling-rate input demands, causing the buffer to stall. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A known issue with Fortnite's Chapter 6 input stack related to the "Raw Input" and "Controller Subsystem" settings when non-standard controllers are detected. Why this causes the problem: The game's internal input handler fails to properly flush the input queue after certain UI events, causing a repeated last command. Category: Hardware Issue Specific technical explanation: USB controller power management suspending the device. The Windows USB Selective Suspend feature interrupts the data stream. Why this causes the problem: The brief disconnection and reconnection cycle corrupts the active input state within the game. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Overlay software interference (Discord, Xbox Game Bar, NVIDIA GeForce Experience) hooking into the DirectInput API. Why this causes the problem: The overlay injects code into the input pipeline, which can deadlock when Fortnite's anti-cheat (Easy Anti-Cheat) validates the input stream. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Outdated or corrupted controller driver firmware, specifically for devices using the HID-compliant game controller driver. Why this causes the problem: The driver provides inconsistent data packets, which Fortnite's validated input system rejects, causing it to rely on cached data.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Disable Steam Input for Fortnite

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Fortnite launched via Steam Steps:

Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
Right-click on *Fortnite* and select Properties.
In the Properties window, select the Controller tab.
Click the dropdown menu labeled "Override for Fortnite".
Select "Disable Steam Input" from the list.
Close the Properties window. Launch Fortnite through Steam. The Epic Games Launcher will handle controller input directly.

Technical Explanation: This eliminates the software conflict by allowing the Epic Games Launcher's native controller support to manage the device exclusively, removing the translation layer that causes buffer stalling. Verification: Navigate to Fortnite's in-game settings > Controller settings. The configuration options should reflect native Xbox or PlayStation prompts instead of Steam's generic prompts.

Solution 2: Configure Epic Games Launcher Controller Handling

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 3 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Epic Games Launcher installed Steps:

Close Fortnite and the Epic Games Launcher completely via the system tray.
Open the Epic Games Launcher.
Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.
Scroll down to the MANAGE GAMES section and find Fortnite.
Expand the Fortnite options and locate "Enable Controller Configuration".
Ensure this option is checked.
Also, locate "Use Xbox Configuration Support" or "Use PlayStation Configuration Support" and check the appropriate box for your controller.
Restart the Epic Games Launcher and launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: This forces the Epic Games Launcher to initialize its integrated controller driver before the game launches, establishing proper DirectInput/XInput handshake priority. Verification: The controller is recognized in the Epic Games Launcher library navigation before launching the game.

Solution 3: Adjust Fortnite In-Game Controller Settings

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Access to Fortnite's settings menu Steps:

Within Fortnite, open the main menu and go to Settings (gear icon).
Select the Controller tab from the left sidebar.
Scroll to the Advanced section at the bottom.
Set Controller Input Method to "Direct Input" if using a PlayStation or generic controller, or "Xbox Input" for an Xbox controller.
Set Controller Configuration to "Old".
Disable "Controller Rumble" as a test.
Apply the settings and restart the game.

Technical Explanation: Reverting to the "Old" configuration profile uses a more stable, legacy input stack from pre-Chapter 6 updates, bypassing the buggy current implementation. Verification: The input freeze does not occur during a full match or Festival session. Controller rumble remains off.

Solution 4: Update and Reinstall Controller Drivers

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Administrator access Steps:

Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the "Sound, video and game controllers" and "Human Interface Devices" sections.
Right-click on your controller device (e.g., "HID-compliant game controller", "Xbox Peripherals") and select "Uninstall device". Check "Attempt to remove the driver for this device" if available.
Repeat for all entries related to your controller.
Unplug the controller from the USB port.
Restart the Windows PC.
After restart, plug the controller directly into a motherboard USB 2.0 port (not a hub or front-panel port).
Windows will automatically install the default driver. Test the controller in Windows via "Set up USB game controllers" in the Control Panel.

Technical Explanation: This clears corrupted driver data and power management profiles, allowing a clean installation with stable power delivery from a standard USB 2.0 port. Verification: The controller appears in the Windows Game Controllers control panel (joy.cpl) and all inputs register without lag.

Solution 5: Disable Conflicting Overlays and Power Management

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 4 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Administrator access Steps:

Disable Discord Overlay: Open Discord > User Settings (gear icon) > Overlay. Toggle "Enable in-game overlay" to off. Under "Game Activity", find Fortnite and toggle "Enable in-game overlay" off.
Disable Xbox Game Bar: Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. Go to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar. Toggle "Enable Xbox Game Bar" to Off.
Adjust USB Power Settings: Open Windows Control Panel > Power Options. Click "Change plan settings" next to your active plan, then "Change advanced power settings". Expand "USB settings" > "USB selective suspend setting". Set it to "Disabled". Click Apply.
Restart the computer.

Technical Explanation: This prevents external code injection into the input pipeline and stops the USB root hub from suspending the controller device to conserve power. Verification: No overlays appear when pressing the designated hotkeys (Win+G for Game Bar) in-game. The controller device no longer disappears from Device Manager during idle periods.

Solution 6: Verify Game Files and Run as Administrator

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Low Prerequisites: Epic Games Launcher Steps:

In the Epic Games Launcher Library, click the three dots under the Fortnite tile.
Select "Manage" and then click "Verify".
Wait for the process to complete. This checks the integrity of all game files, including input configuration scripts.
After verification, locate the Fortnite executable. The default path is C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe.
Right-click the executable, select Properties, then the Compatibility tab.
Check the box for "Run this program as an administrator".
Click Apply and OK. Launch the game from this executable once to test.

Technical Explanation: Verification replaces corrupted configuration files in \FortniteGame\Config\. Running as administrator ensures the process has sufficient priority to maintain the input thread. Verification: The game launches with a User Account Control prompt. Input freezing is absent.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a stable controller software environment by avoiding changes to Steam Input settings for Fortnite after a working configuration is established. Set the Epic Games Launcher to automatically apply game updates to ensure the input stack receives official patches. Perform a monthly clean reinstallation of the controller driver via Device Manager to prevent data corruption. Monitor the FortniteGame.log file located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs\ for recurring input-related warnings. Disable all non-essential system overlays before launching the game.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all solutions fail and the input freeze is reproducible with multiple controllers. Provide the full FortniteGame.log and Launch.log files from %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs\. Include a detailed system specification report from dxdiag. Document the exact controller model and its firmware version. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games website under Help > Customer Service. Escalate only after confirming the issue persists on a clean Windows user profile.