Game Error Fortnite

Fortnite Napstar Cosmetic Auto-Unequip Error (Code 100.046) - Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 42 ⚡ Severity: 🔴 High

🎯 Quick Answer

Apply a custom style variant to the Napstar cosmetic items before equipping them, as the error is confirmed to occur primarily with the default style.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

Error code 100.046 in Fortnite is a client-server synchronization error specific to cosmetic item data. The error manifests when the game client attempts to equip certain items from the Napstar set, but the server rejects the configuration, forcing an automatic unequip. This issue is confirmed to affect PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC platforms. The problem occurs in the current live build of Fortnite Battle Royale. This is a common issue for players who own the affected cosmetics. The severity is moderate, classified as a functional bug that prevents the use of specific cosmetic items but does not impact core gameplay mechanics. The exact error code presented is 100.046.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application triggers error code 100.046 when a player selects the Napstar backbling or pickaxe from the Locker menu. Upon selection, the item appears equipped for 1-2 seconds before the game automatically reverts to a previous or default cosmetic. No persistent error message displays on screen; the code typically appears in the game's internal logs. The failure occurs consistently during the cosmetic configuration phase within the Locker, not during matchmaking or gameplay. The server-side validation failure results in a forced client-side rollback of the cosmetic loadout change.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A data mismatch between the item's default style identifier in the client's asset manifest and the server's validation database for the Napstar set. The server fails to recognize the default style's state as valid, rejecting the equip request. Why this causes the problem: The client-server handshake for cosmetic validation fails, triggering a rollback to the last known valid loadout. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or outdated cosmetic entitlement data cached locally on the console or PC. The cached data for the Napstar items contains an invalid flag for the default style. Why this causes the problem: The local game client references bad cached data when building the equip request, sending an invalid payload to the server. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Packet loss during the specific transaction where cosmetic style data is sent to Epic's item servers. This results in an incomplete style state being recorded server-side. Why this causes the problem: The server's incomplete record of the player's cosmetic state causes a mismatch on subsequent equip attempts. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: A conflict between the game's current build and persistent profile data synced from the cloud for players who unlocked the Napstar items during a specific event window. Why this causes the problem: The synced profile data contains state information that the current game build processes incorrectly for these specific items. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: An uninitialized variable in the style selection logic for the Napstar set, where the default style returns a null or 0 value that fails backend validation checks. Why this causes the problem: The equip API call receives an invalid style parameter, resulting in a 100.046 validation error.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Apply a Custom Style Variant

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Ownership of at least one alternate style for the Napstar item. Steps:

Navigate to the Locker tab from the Fortnite main menu.
Select the Backbling or Pickaxe category.
Locate the Napstar cosmetic item but do not equip it.
Press the button prompt for Edit Style (Square on PS5, X on Xbox, corresponding key on PC).
Select any style variant that is not the default first style.
Confirm the style selection and exit the style editor.
Now select the Napstar item to equip it with the newly selected custom style.

Technical Explanation: This bypasses the bugged data pathway for the default style identifier. Selecting an alternate style provides a valid, non-zero style ID that passes the server's validation check, allowing the equip transaction to complete successfully. Verification: The Napstar item remains equipped in your Locker and is visible on your character in the lobby. The item does not auto-unequip after several seconds.

Solution 2: Clear Local Fortnite Cache on Console

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

Fully close the Fortnite application.
On PlayStation 5, go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps.
Select Fortnite from the list of applications.
Choose Delete and confirm. This removes only temporary data, not saved games or your profile.
On Xbox Series X|S, press the Xbox button, highlight Fortnite, press the Menu button, and select Manage game and add-ons > Saved Data.
Select your gamertag and choose Delete everywhere. Confirm the deletion.
Restart your console and launch Fortnite. The game will rebuild its local cache.

Technical Explanation: This procedure purges corrupted cosmetic entitlement and style data cached on the local hardware. Upon restart, the game fetches fresh, correct data from Epic's servers, which may resolve the style ID mismatch. Verification: After the cache rebuild, attempt to equip the default style of the Napstar item. The error code 100.046 should no longer trigger.

Solution 3: Create a New Loadout Slot

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 3 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: None. Steps:

In the Locker, navigate to the Loadouts section.
Select an empty loadout slot or create a new one.
Begin configuring this fresh loadout. First, equip cosmetics unrelated to the Napstar set (skin, glider, contrail).
As the final step, select the Napstar backbling or pickaxe. If the default style causes an issue, apply a custom style per Solution 1 before equipping.
Save the new loadout.

Technical Explanation: A new loadout slot initializes with a clean state, avoiding potential corruption flags that may be associated with a specific saved loadout's data structure. This isolates the problematic item in a fresh configuration environment. Verification: The new loadout saves successfully with the Napstar item equipped. Selecting this loadout applies all items correctly without auto-unequipping.

Solution 4: Verify Game Files on PC

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Epic Games Launcher installed on Windows PC. Steps:

Open the Epic Games Launcher.
Click on your profile icon in the bottom left and select Settings.
Scroll down to the Manage Games section.
Locate Fortnite and click the Verify button (represented by a checkmark icon).
The launcher will scan all game files against the official manifest and repair or redownload any corrupted or missing files.
Allow the process to complete, then restart the launcher and launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: Corrupted game asset files containing cosmetic data can cause client-side validation failures. The verification process replaces bad local files, ensuring the client has the correct item manifests to communicate with the server. Verification: Launch the game and check the Locker. The Napstar item's icon and style previews should display correctly. Attempt to equip the item.

Solution 5: Manual DNS Flush and Network Renewal (PC)

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Low Prerequisites: Administrative access on Windows PC. Steps:

Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch Command Prompt as Administrator.
Execute the following commands in sequence, pressing Enter after each:

ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew netsh winsock reset catalog netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log

Restart your computer after the commands complete.
Upon reboot, ensure your router is also powered off for 30 seconds before restarting it.

Technical Explanation: Network stack corruption or stale DNS entries can interfere with the precise communication required for cosmetic validation with Epic's item servers. This sequence resets the network stack to a clean state. Verification: After restarting, test the equip action. Monitor for any change in the error's behavior, though this addresses a less likely root cause.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Regularly clear your console's game cache every major game update. On PC, schedule a monthly verification of game files through the Epic Games Launcher. Avoid interrupting the game during loadout saves or style changes, as this can corrupt local data. Maintain a stable internet connection when modifying your Locker, as style changes require server confirmation. Monitor official Epic Games patch notes for fixes related to cosmetic item validation errors. Implementing these maintenance actions minimizes the risk of local data corruption leading to synchronization errors.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Player Support if all provided solutions fail and the error persists across multiple game sessions and after a full game restart. Before contacting, document the exact steps to reproduce the issue and note your platform, Fortnite version number, and Epic account ID. Provide the specific error code 100.046. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games Help Center website. Support may require diagnostic logs, which on PC are typically located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs.