Network Issue Fortnite

Fortnite "Retrying in 10...0...10" Connection Loop - Server Status & Troubleshooting Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-06 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-06 👥 Reports: 12 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

The "Retrying in 10...0...10" loop indicates a widespread service outage; first verify server status via Epic Games Status, then perform a full network stack reset if the issue persists.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The "Retrying in 10...0...10" connection loop is a network timeout error that prevents the Fortnite client from establishing a handshake with Epic Games' authentication and matchmaking services. This error affects all platforms where Fortnite operates, including Windows PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Android. The issue manifests across all game versions (Battle Royale, Creative, Save the World) when the client attempts to log in. This is a common error during major service disruptions but can occur occasionally due to local network configuration. The severity is game-breaking, as it completely blocks access to the game's online functionalities. The exact error message presented is the cyclical countdown text: "Retrying in 10...0...10".

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The primary symptom is a failed connection attempt during the initial login sequence, immediately after the title screen. The application displays a persistent on-screen message stating "Retrying in 10...0...10". This countdown cycles indefinitely without progressing to the lobby. The network operation times out after each 10-second interval, triggering an automatic retry. No error code accompanies this message. The application remains responsive but is functionally stuck in this retry state, unable to authenticate the user's account or retrieve online services data.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Epic Games server infrastructure experiences a partial or complete outage, causing the authentication endpoints (e.g., account-public-service-prod.ol.epicgames.com) to become unreachable or return timeouts. Why this causes the problem: The client's connection request fails at the TCP/UDP level or receives an HTTP/HTTPS 5xx series error, triggering the built-in retry logic. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Local router or modem firmware contains a bug that incorrectly handles or drops the persistent SSL/TLS connections required by Epic Games services. Why this causes the problem: The secure tunnel for account authentication cannot be established, causing the client to interpret the failure as a server-side issue. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: The local DNS cache contains stale or incorrect records for Epic Games domains, pointing the client to deprecated or non-responsive server IP addresses. Why this causes the problem: Network requests are routed to invalid destinations, resulting in connection timeouts that mimic a server outage. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Security software (firewall or antivirus) or VPN client software implements an overzealous packet inspection rule that interferes with the game's traffic on ports 443 (HTTPS), 5222 (XMPP), or range 7777-7787 (UDP game traffic). Why this causes the problem: Legitimate game traffic is blocked or throttled before it leaves the local machine, preventing the completion of the login sequence. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A corrupted local installation of Fortnite, specifically damaged or outdated EasyAntiCheat bootstrapper files or network configuration manifests. Why this causes the problem: The game client cannot properly initialize its network and security subsystems, causing it to fail before the connection attempt reaches the wider internet. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: The Windows Hosts file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) contains manual entries that redirect or block Epic Games domains. Why this causes the problem: The operating system bypasses DNS resolution for blocked domains, forcing the connection to fail at the network layer.

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 on a device separate from your gaming platform (e.g., a phone).
Navigate to the official Epic Games Status page: https://status.epicgames.com.
Check the status indicators for "Fortnite" and all related services (Login, Matchmaking, Parties, etc.).
If any core service shows "Major Outage" or "Degraded Performance," the issue is confirmed as server-side. No local action is required; wait for Epic Games to resolve the incident.

Technical Explanation: This confirms whether the error originates from Epic Games' infrastructure, eliminating unnecessary local troubleshooting during widespread outages. Verification: The status page displays an active incident. The local error will resolve automatically once Epic Games services return to operational status.

Solution 2: Perform a Full Network Stack Reset

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access on PC or access to router admin panel. Steps:

On a Windows PC, open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Execute the following commands in sequence, pressing Enter after each:

ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset

Restart the computer after the commands complete.
Power cycle your network hardware: unplug the power cables from your modem and router. Wait 60 seconds. Plug in the modem first, wait for all lights to stabilize, then plug in the router.

Technical Explanation: This clears corrupted DNS caches, resets TCP/IP stack and Windows Socket configurations to default, and refreshes the local IP address, removing any network-layer obstructions. Verification: After restart, open Command Prompt and run ping epicgames.com. You should receive replies with low latency and no packet loss. The Fortnite client should progress beyond the retry loop.

Solution 3: Configure DNS to Public Servers

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Access to network adapter settings. Steps:

Open Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > More network adapter options.
Right-click your active network connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Select "Use the following DNS server addresses."
Enter 8.8.8.8 as the Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as the Alternate DNS server (Google DNS). Alternatively, use 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare DNS).
Click OK, then OK again. Open Command Prompt as Admin and run ipconfig /flushdns.

Technical Explanation: Using reliable, public DNS servers bypasses potential failures in your ISP's DNS resolution, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records for Epic Games servers are retrieved. Verification: Run nslookup fortnite.com in Command Prompt. The output should show the resolved IP addresses using the newly configured DNS servers (e.g., Google or Cloudflare).

Solution 4: Temporarily Disable Conflicting Software

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Administrator rights to modify security software. Steps:

Disconnect from any active VPN service.
Open Windows Security via the system tray or Start Menu.
Navigate to Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall.
Click Change settings. Ensure both Fortnite and EasyAntiCheat are listed and both Private and Public boxes are checked. If not present, click Allow another app and browse to C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe.
Temporarily disable third-party antivirus/firewall suites via their system tray icons. Consult the software's documentation for exact steps.

Technical Explanation: This removes artificial barriers created by security applications that may misidentify Fortnite's network traffic as malicious, allowing clean outbound/inbound communication on required ports. Verification: Attempt to log into Fortnite with the security software disabled. If successful, re-enable the software and add the necessary exceptions to its allow list.

Solution 5: Repair or Reinstall Fortnite

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 30-60 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Sufficient bandwidth to re-download the game. Steps:

Open the Epic Games Launcher.
Click on your Library.
Locate Fortnite and click the three dots (...) below the game tile.
Select Uninstall, then confirm. Wait for the uninstallation to complete.
Restart your computer.
Reopen the Epic Games Launcher, navigate to your Library, and click Install on Fortnite.
Allow the full download and installation to complete on a primary drive (e.g., C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite).

Technical Explanation: A fresh installation replaces all game binaries, configuration files, and anti-cheat components, eliminating corruption that can prevent the client from initializing its network modules correctly. Verification: The Epic Games Launcher shows "Launch" instead of "Install." Launching the game initiates a first-time setup for EasyAntiCheat before proceeding to the login screen.

Solution 6: Clear Console-Specific Cache and Data

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox console. Steps: For Nintendo Switch:

From the HOME Menu, select System Settings > Data Management.
Select Manage Save Data/Screenshots > Delete Save Data.
Select Fortnite, then choose the user profile. Select Delete All Save Data for This Software. This only deletes local settings, not account progress.

For PlayStation 4/5:

From the home screen, highlight Fortnite, press the Options button, and select Delete.
Restart the console.
Reinstall Fortnite from your Library.

For Xbox One/Series X|S:

Press the Xbox button, go to My games & apps > See all > Games.
Highlight Fortnite, press the Menu button, and select Manage game and add-ons.
Select Saved data, choose your profile, and select Delete everywhere. Then uninstall the game.
Restart the console via Settings > Power & startup > Restart now.
Reinstall Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: Consoles store network and configuration data within the game's saved data. Corrupted local cache can cause persistent connection routines to fail. A clean reinstall resets this state. Verification: After reinstallation, the game performs a first-time boot and downloads the latest title update before allowing a login attempt.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a stable network environment by scheduling monthly router reboots. Configure static DNS settings to use public DNS servers (Google or Cloudflare) permanently. Ensure the Epic Games Launcher and Fortnite are set to auto-update, and apply system and graphics driver updates promptly. Before launching the game after a major patch, verify server status via the Epic Games Status page. Regularly clear the Epic Games Launcher cache by navigating to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved and deleting the webcache folder.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Player Support only if all local solutions fail *and* the Epic Games Status page confirms all systems are operational for an extended period (over 24 hours). Prepare to provide the output of the Epic Games Launcher logs located in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved\Logs. Include your platform, ISP details, and a detailed timeline of the error and troubleshooting steps attempted. Official support contact is available via https://www.epicgames.com/help.