Crash/Freeze Fortnite

Fortnite Won't Launch or Crashes at 100% Loading - Complete Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 1 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

The most effective solution is to verify the integrity of the game files through the Epic Games Launcher, which repairs corrupted or missing data causing the crash.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The Fortnite launch failure at 100% loading is a critical process termination error. This error manifests as the game client closing without an error message immediately after the initial loading bar completes, typically during the connection phase to Epic Games services. The issue primarily affects the Windows PC version of Fortnite, though similar behaviors have been documented on macOS. It occurs across multiple game versions, particularly following major content updates or system driver revisions. This is a common error classification with a high severity impact, as it constitutes a complete game-breaking failure that prevents application execution. The exact error is often silent, but underlying system logs may contain entries related to anti-cheat service initialization failure or memory access violations at the point of handoff from the launcher to the executable.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The primary observable symptom is the Fortnite game process terminating abruptly. The sequence begins with a standard launch from the Epic Games Launcher. The game window opens, and the initial loading progress bar displays, advancing to 100%. At the moment the loading completes and the process attempts to transition to the main menu or authentication screen, the application window closes without warning. No error dialog box is presented to the user. The process disappears from the Windows Task Manager. In some instances, the user is returned directly to the Epic Games Launcher interface, which may display a "Launch" button as if the game is not running.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: The Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) or BattlEye service fails to initialize correctly due to a conflict with background processes, particularly overlay software (Discord, Xbox Game Bar, MSI Afterburner) or security software. Why this causes the problem: The anti-cheat is a mandatory pre-launch module. If it is blocked or encounters an incompatible driver, the game executable is forced to terminate. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or missing game files, specifically in the FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\ directory or the EasyAntiCheat folder, prevent the executable from loading required dependencies. Why this causes the problem: The game client reaches 100% loading of cached data but cannot proceed because a critical .dll or .pak file is invalid, causing a silent crash. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible graphics card drivers (NVIDIA GeForce/AMD Radeon/Intel Arc) contain bugs that cause a memory fault during the DirectX 12 or Unreal Engine 4/5 initialization sequence. Why this causes the problem: The driver is the interface between the game and GPU. A fault at this stage halts rendering initialization, crashing the application. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect or corrupted local user configuration files located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Config\WindowsClient\ force the game into an unsupported display or performance state. Why this causes the problem: The game reads invalid settings (e.g., a resolution of 0x0) on launch, which the engine cannot handle, resulting in immediate termination. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A bug within the Fortnite client related to specific hardware configurations or Windows feature sets, such as certain core isolation or virtualization-based security (VBS) settings. Why this causes the problem: The game code attempts an operation that is prohibited or unsupported by the current Windows security configuration, triggering a forced closure by the operating system. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Aggressive firewall or antivirus rules block the game's post-launch network communication on required ports, even after the initial launcher handshake. Why this causes the problem: The client cannot establish a secure connection to Epic's matchmaking or authentication servers after loading, causing it to abort.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Verify Game Files via Epic Games Launcher

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10-20 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Epic Games Launcher installed and logged in. Steps:

Launch the Epic Games Launcher.
Navigate to your Library.
Locate Fortnite and click the three dots (...) below the game title.
Select Manage from the dropdown menu.
Click the Verify button. The launcher will scan all game files and compare them to the official version.
Allow the process to complete. It will automatically download and replace any missing or corrupted files.
Attempt to launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: This process runs a checksum validation on every game file. It replaces files that do not match the official hash, correcting corruption from incomplete updates or disk errors. Verification: The verification log in the launcher shows "Verified successfully." Fortnite launches past the 100% loading point and reaches the main menu.

Solution 2: Update or Clean Install Graphics Drivers

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access, internet connection. Steps:

Identify your GPU model via Device Manager (Open Run dialog with Win+R, type devmgmt.msc, expand Display adapters).
Visit the manufacturer's website: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
Download the latest Game Ready Driver (NVIDIA) or Adrenalin Edition Driver (AMD) for your specific GPU model and operating system.
Before installation, download and run the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) tool from www.guru3d.com.
Boot Windows in Safe Mode. Run DDU and select "Clean and restart" for your GPU type.
After restarting into normal Windows, install the freshly downloaded driver package using the "Custom (Advanced)" install option and check "Perform a clean installation."

Technical Explanation: A clean installation removes all previous driver files and registry entries, eliminating conflicts and corrupted shader caches that cause initialization crashes. Verification: The device manager shows the new driver version without warning symbols. Fortnite successfully initializes DirectX and proceeds past the loading screen.

Solution 3: Disable Conflicting Overlay and Recording Software

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

Close the Epic Games Launcher completely via the system tray.
Exit all non-essential background applications, focusing on:

* Discord (disable in-game overlay in Discord Settings > Overlay) * Xbox Game Bar (disable via Windows Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar) * NVIDIA GeForce Experience Overlay (disable in GeForce Experience Settings > General) * Steam (if running) * MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner Statistics Server, or any screen capture tool.

Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus or firewall software (consult its documentation). Ensure Windows Defender Firewall remains active.
Relaunch the Epic Games Launcher and attempt to start Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: These applications inject code hooks into the game process for overlays. This injection can conflict with Easy Anti-Cheat, which monitors all code injections, resulting in a termination of the game. Verification: With overlays disabled, Fortnite launches without interference. The crash at 100% loading no longer occurs.

Solution 4: Reset Local Game Configuration Files

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Epic Games Launcher closed. Steps:

Press Win+R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved, and press Enter. This opens the local settings directory.
Rename the entire Saved folder to Saved_Backup.
Launch the Epic Games Launcher and start Fortnite. The game will generate a new, clean Saved folder with default configuration files.
If the game launches successfully, you can manually copy specific subfolders (like Cosmetics or SaveGames) from Saved_Backup to the new Saved folder to restore your keybinds and cosmetic loadouts. Avoid copying the Config folder initially.

Technical Explanation: This removes corrupted GameUserSettings.ini or Engine.ini files that contain invalid graphical, audio, or network settings which crash the game during the initial load sequence. Verification: A new Saved folder is created upon launch. The game starts with default settings and proceeds to the main menu.

Solution 5: Repair Easy Anti-Cheat Service

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

Navigate to the Fortnite Easy Anti-Cheat installation directory: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\EasyAntiCheat.
Locate and run EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe as Administrator.
In the setup window, ensure "Fortnite" is selected in the dropdown menu.
Click the Repair Service button.
Follow any on-screen prompts and allow the process to complete.
Restart your computer.
Attempt to launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: This repair routine reinstalls or fixes the Easy Anti-Cheat service and its kernel-level driver (EasyAntiCheat.sys), resolving installation corruption that prevents the anti-cheat from loading. Verification: The Easy Anti-Cheat splash screen appears briefly during launch, and the game continues loading instead of terminating.

Solution 6: Execute a Clean Boot and Selective Startup

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: Low Prerequisites: Administrator access. Steps:

Press Win+R, type msconfig, and press Enter to open System Configuration.
Navigate to the Services tab.
Check the box "Hide all Microsoft services," then click Disable all.
Go 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 your PC.
After booting into a clean environment, launch only the Epic Games Launcher and attempt to start Fortnite.
If successful, re-enable services and startup items in groups to identify the specific conflict.

Technical Explanation: A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, isolating and eliminating software conflicts from non-Microsoft services that interfere with game processes. Verification: Fortnite launches successfully in the clean boot state. The conflicting software is identified when the crash reoccurs after re-enabling a specific service group.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

To prevent recurrence, maintain a regular system maintenance schedule. Configure Windows Update to install updates automatically, but delay major feature updates by 30 days. Schedule a monthly verification of game files through the Epic Games Launcher. Before updating GPU drivers, use the manufacturer's clean installation option. Establish a standard practice of closing all non-essential overlay and utility software before launching Fortnite. Monitor the C:\ProgramData\Epic\EpicGamesLauncher\Data\Manifests directory for update logs to confirm successful patch installations. Avoid manually editing game configuration .ini files unless following documented procedures.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all solutions fail and the crash persists across multiple Windows user accounts on the same system. Essential diagnostic information to provide includes the Fortnite game logs from %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs and the Easy Anti-Cheat setup log from C:\ProgramData\EasyAntiCheat\EpicGames. Include a complete DirectX Diagnostic (dxdiag) report and system specifications. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games Help Center at epicgames.com/help.