Network Issue Fortnite

Fortnite Forces WiFi to Disconnect on PC - Network Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 5 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

The primary fix is to run the Realtek Win10/Win11 Auto Installation Program (NDIS) repair tool to resolve a Hardware I/O error in the network controller driver.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The error is a network disconnection event triggered by Fortnite gameplay that forces the host PC's WiFi adapter to reset. This problem manifests as a hardware or driver-level conflict between the game's network stack and the system's wireless network interface controller (NIC). The affected platform is Windows, specifically Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems utilizing certain Realtek or other vendor NICs. The issue occurs across multiple Fortnite versions and updates, indicating a platform-specific conflict rather than a singular game patch. This is a common error for systems with specific NIC drivers. The severity is game-breaking, as it terminates the active network session, resulting in a "Network Connection Failed" error and removal from the match. The exact observable error is the "Network Connection Failed" message within Fortnite, accompanied by system-level network disconnection events.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The WiFi adapter enters a cycle of disconnection and reconnection immediately upon loading into a Fortnite match or during intensive gameplay. The system tray network icon shows a temporary loss of connectivity. The Fortnite client displays the "Network Connection Failed" error message. The disconnection is transient, with automatic reconnection occurring after several seconds, but is sufficient to terminate the game session. Network-dependent applications on the PC experience simultaneous interruption. The event occurs predictably under the network load of a live game session but not during idle periods in the lobby or launcher. The Windows Event Viewer logs a Hardware I/O error for the network adapter at the time of the disconnection.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Hardware/Driver Conflict Specific technical explanation: A faulty or corrupted Realtek network driver, particularly versions associated with 2.5GbE or WiFi 7 controllers, contains a bug that triggers a Hardware I/O error under high UDP packet throughput. Why this causes the problem: The driver fails to handle the sustained packet rate from Fortnite, causing the driver to fault and the Windows kernel to reset the network interface. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: The Epic Games Launcher or Fortnite anti-cheat service (Easy Anti-Cheat) conflicts with a Windows networking component or a third-party firewall/antivirus driver. Why this causes the problem: The conflict results in the forced termination of network sockets or the injection of faulty packets that the NIC driver interprets as an error condition. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect Power Management settings for the WiFi adapter allow Windows to suspend the device to save power. Why this causes the problem: Under high load, the driver's power state management conflicts with operational demands, forcing a reset to reconcile the state. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Router or modem firmware has issues with NAT acceleration or hardware offloading for the specific traffic pattern generated by Fortnite. Why this causes the problem: The network hardware may send malformed packets or reset signals back to the PC, confusing the network adapter. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: Fortnite's network code uses a specific socket option or packet flag that is improperly handled by a subset of network driver versions. Why this causes the problem: The driver encounters an unexpected condition and halts, requiring a reinitialization of the network link. Category: Operating System Conflict Specific technical explanation: A Windows system file related to networking (e.g., winsock.dll, tcpip.sys) is corrupted or has a version mismatch with the driver. Why this causes the problem: The driver relies on these core components; their instability causes cascading failures under load.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Repair Realtek Network Drivers

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access, internet connection (via alternate means if primary is down). Steps:

Identify your network adapter manufacturer and model via Device Manager (devmgmt.msc) under "Network adapters."
If the adapter is a Realtek model, download the Win10/Win11 Auto Installation Program (NDIS) from the official Realtek website.
Execute the downloaded installer. In the setup window, select the Repair option instead of a standard installation.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the repair operation. Restart the computer when instructed.
After reboot, verify the driver version in Device Manager. Test Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: This repair operation replaces corrupted driver files, resets registry configurations to default, and reinstalls the NDIS interface layer, resolving the underlying Hardware I/O error that causes the adapter reset. Verification: The Windows Event Viewer no longer shows "Hardware I/O" errors for the network adapter under System logs during Fortnite gameplay, and the disconnection cycle ceases.

Solution 2: Disable Advanced Power Management for WiFi Adapter

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: None. Steps:

Open Device Manager by pressing Win + X and selecting "Device Manager."
Expand the "Network adapters" section.
Right-click your wireless adapter and select "Properties."
Navigate to the "Power Management" tab.
Uncheck the box labeled "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
Click "OK." Navigate to the "Advanced" tab in the same properties window.
Locate properties named "ARP Offload," "NS Offload," "Preferred Band," and "Roaming Aggressiveness."
Set "ARP Offload" and "NS Offload" to Disabled. Set "Preferred Band" to 5 GHz if available. Set "Roaming Aggressiveness" to the lowest setting.
Click "OK" and restart the PC.

Technical Explanation: This prevents the Windows power manager from placing the NIC in a low-power state during operation and disables offloading features that can conflict with game traffic, ensuring the adapter remains at full operational capacity. Verification: The adapter maintains a consistent connection under load. Monitor connection status in ncpa.cpl (Network Connections) during gameplay; the icon should not show "Disabled" or "Network cable unplugged" status flashes.

Solution 3: Perform a Clean Network Stack Reset

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access. Steps:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Execute the following commands in sequence, pressing Enter after each:

netsh winsock reset catalog netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log ipconfig /flushdns

Close Command Prompt and restart the computer.
After reboot, open PowerShell as Administrator and reset the Windows Socket Broker with: Reset-NetAdapterBinding -Name "*" -ComponentID ms_tcpip
Restart the computer a final time.

Technical Explanation: This sequence resets the Windows networking subsystem to default configurations, clears corrupted socket states, flushes the DNS resolver cache, and re-establishes the binding between the TCP/IP stack and the network adapter. Verification: Network connectivity is restored with default settings. The command netsh int ipv4 show config displays reset counters and confirms a clean state.

Solution 4: Configure Router QoS and Port Forwarding

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Access to router admin interface. Steps:

Access your router's administrative interface (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
Locate Quality of Service (QoS) settings. Disable any form of "Traffic Prioritization," "Bandwidth Limiter," or "Smart QoS."
If disabling QoS is not viable, assign your PC's IP address a "High Priority" or "Gaming" profile.
Locate the Port Forwarding or Virtual Servers section.
Create rules to forward the following UDP ports to your PC's local IP address: 5222, 5795, 7777, 7787, 7790, 7797, 7798, 7799, 7800, 7801, 8700-8999, 9000, 9001, 9050, 9051, 27000-27100.
Apply settings and reboot the router.

Technical Explanation: Router-based traffic shaping can incorrectly throttle or drop Fortnite's UDP packets, causing the client to spam retransmissions that overwhelm the NIC. Port forwarding ensures a direct, unmanaged path for game traffic. Verification: Use a tool like Wireshark to monitor traffic on port 7777; packets should flow continuously without large retransmission clusters during gameplay.

Solution 5: Disable IPv6 and Configure Network Adapter Properties

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 7 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: None. Steps:

Open ncpa.cpl to access Network Connections.
Right-click your active WiFi connection and select "Properties."
In the list, uncheck "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)."
Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties."
Click "Advanced..." and navigate to the "WINS" tab.
Select "Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP."
Navigate to the "DNS" tab. If using automatic DNS, consider using public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Click "OK" on all windows. In Device Manager, under the adapter's Advanced properties, also disable "Large Send Offload (IPv4)" and "Large Send Offload (IPv6)."

Technical Explanation: IPv6 can create conflicting network paths, and NetBIOS generates background traffic. Large Send Offload (LSO) shifts packet fragmentation to the NIC, which can fault under game loads. Disabling these features simplifies the network path. Verification: The command ipconfig /all shows no IPv6 address for the adapter, and nbtstat -n shows NetBIOS over TCP/IP as inactive.

Solution 6: Perform a Clean Boot and Isolate Software Conflict

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 20 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Administrator access. Steps:

Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
In the System Configuration utility, go to the "Services" tab.
Check "Hide all Microsoft services" and then click "Disable all."
Navigate to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager."
In Task Manager, disable every startup item.
Close Task Manager, click "OK" in System Configuration, and restart.
After booting into a clean environment, test Fortnite.
If the issue is resolved, re-enable services and startup items in groups via msconfig to identify the conflicting software.

Technical Explanation: This process eliminates third-party services and applications from interfering with network operations, allowing identification of security software, VPN clients, or optimization utilities that conflict with the game's network access. Verification: Fortnite operates without disconnections in the clean boot state. The conflicting service is identified when the error reappears upon its re-enablement.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain network driver updates directly from the component manufacturer (e.g., Realtek, Intel) rather than relying on Windows Update or motherboard vendor utilities. Schedule a monthly verification of adapter Power Management settings to ensure they remain disabled. Configure a static IP address for the gaming PC within the router to ensure consistent port forwarding rules. Monitor the Windows Event Viewer's System logs periodically for recurring "Hardware I/O" warnings related to the network adapter. Establish a system restore point before installing any new network-related software or driver updates to allow for rapid rollback.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all solutions fail and the error persists exclusively with Fortnite on multiple, distinct networks. Provide the full diagnostic report from the Epic Games Launcher (Help > Diagnostics) and relevant Windows Event Viewer logs from the time of the disconnection. Also provide the network adapter model, driver version, and a detailed description of the error timing. Official support channels are located within the Epic Games website under Help > Customer Service. Escalate to your network hardware manufacturer if the disconnection occurs with multiple intensive network applications, indicating a hardware defect.