Crash/Freeze Fortnite

GPU Crash - Fortnite Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-06 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-06 👥 Reports: 12 ⚡ Severity: 🟡 Medium

🎯 Quick Answer

Update your graphics driver to the latest version, then verify the integrity of Fortnite's game files through the Epic Games Launcher.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

A GPU crash in Fortnite is a fatal error that causes the game process to terminate unexpectedly due to a failure in the graphics processing pipeline. This error primarily affects the Windows platform, with isolated incidents reported on macOS. The crash occurs across multiple game versions, including Chapter 5 and subsequent updates. This is a common error with a high severity impact, as it results in a complete application crash, typically during gameplay or loading screens. The exact error message varies but often includes references to the graphics driver (e.g., "DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG" or "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered"). The problem is isolated to Fortnite when other applications and games function normally, indicating a software or configuration conflict specific to this title.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application terminates abruptly during gameplay or at the loading screen. A system notification may appear stating, "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered." The game window freezes, becomes unresponsive, and then closes without warning. In some instances, the screen may display graphical artifacts or a solid color before the crash. The Windows Event Viewer logs an error under Source "Application Error" with Faulting Module often pointing to a graphics driver file (e.g., nvlddmkm.sys for NVIDIA or amdkmdag.sys for AMD). The crash returns the user to the desktop or the Epic Games Launcher.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: An outdated, corrupted, or incompatible graphics driver version conflicts with Fortnite's rendering engine, particularly when using DirectX 12 or specific in-game settings. Why this causes the problem: The driver fails to process a specific shader or rendering command, triggering a timeout detection and recovery (TDR) event that forces the game to halt. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Fortnite is configured to use DirectX 12 Rendering Mode on a system with unstable driver support or hardware that does not fully support the feature set. Why this causes the problem: DirectX 12's lower-level API exposes driver and hardware instability that DirectX 11's higher-level abstraction may mask, leading to crashes. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or missing game files within the Fortnite installation directory prevent the engine from loading necessary assets or executing code correctly. Why this causes the problem: The game attempts to access a corrupted *.pak file or DLL, causing a memory access violation that crashes the GPU process. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Overlay applications from Discord, Xbox Game Bar, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, or MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner inject code that interferes with Fortnite's anti-cheat (Easy Anti-Cheat) or rendering cycle. Why this causes the problem: The overlay hooks into the DirectX pipeline, creating a conflict that results in a device removal or hang error. Category: Hardware Issue Specific technical explanation: The GPU is operating outside stable parameters due to factory overclocking, manual overclocking, or insufficient power delivery from the PSU. Why this causes the problem: During high load scenarios in Fortnite, the GPU exceeds its stable voltage/frequency threshold, causing a hardware fault that manifests as a driver crash. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Windows power management settings or the GPU control panel is configured for maximum performance, causing the GPU to overheat and throttle. Why this causes the problem: Inadequate thermal management triggers hardware protection mechanisms, forcing the driver to reset.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Update Graphics Driver with Clean Installation

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access, internet connection Steps:

Identify your GPU model by pressing Win + R, typing dxdiag, and navigating to the "Display" tab.
Download the latest driver from the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
Before installation, download and run the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) utility from www.guru3d.com.
Boot Windows in Safe Mode. Execute DDU, select your GPU vendor, and click "Clean and restart."
After reboot, install the newly downloaded driver package. Select "Custom Installation" and check "Perform a clean installation."
Restart the system after installation completes.

Technical Explanation: This process removes all remnants of previous driver installations, including registry entries and leftover files, ensuring a pristine installation that eliminates conflicts from corrupted driver states. Verification: Launch Fortnite and complete a full match or use the "Creative" mode for at least 15 minutes without a crash. Confirm the driver version in GPU control panel matches the newly installed version.

Solution 2: Verify Integrity of Game Files

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5-15 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Epic Games Launcher installed Steps:

Launch the Epic Games Launcher.
Navigate to your Library and click the three dots below the Fortnite game tile.
Select "Manage."
Click the "Verify" button. The launcher will compare local files against the server manifest and download any missing or corrupted files.
Allow the process to complete. Do not launch the game during verification.

Technical Explanation: This function uses a checksum validation to detect and replace altered, missing, or corrupted game files in the installation directory (C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\ by default), which are a common source of engine instability. Verification: The Epic Games Launcher displays "Verified" upon completion. Launch the game and observe if the crash persists during the initial loading sequence.

Solution 3: Switch to DirectX 11 Rendering Mode

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Ability to launch game to settings menu Steps:

Launch Fortnite from the Epic Games Launcher.
From the main menu, navigate to the Settings cog (top right).
Select the "Video Settings" tab.
Locate the "Rendering Mode" setting.
Change the setting from "DirectX 12" to "DirectX 11."
Apply the settings and restart the game as prompted.

Technical Explanation: DirectX 11 is a more mature and stable API with broader compatibility. Switching to it bypasses known instabilities in the DirectX 12 pipeline and driver stack that can cause device-hung errors. Verification: The game restarts using the DirectX 11 renderer. Monitor stability during gameplay; the crash should not recur if the issue was specific to DirectX 12.

Solution 4: Disable All Overlay Software

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Knowledge of installed background applications Steps:

Close Fortnite and the Epic Games Launcher completely via Task Manager.
Disable the Discord in-game overlay: Open Discord > User Settings > Game Overlay > Toggle "Enable in-game overlay" to OFF.
Disable Xbox Game Bar: Press Win + I > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar > Toggle "Enable Xbox Game Bar" to OFF.
Disable NVIDIA GeForce Experience Overlay: Open GeForce Experience > Settings (cog icon) > General > Toggle "In-Game Overlay" to OFF.
Exit MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner Statistics Server from the system tray if running.
Restart the computer and launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: Overlays function by injecting a DLL into the game's process, which can create conflicts with Fortnite's own rendering calls and anti-cheat system, leading to access violations and crashes. Verification: Launch Fortnite and confirm the crash does not occur. Re-enable overlays one by one to identify the conflicting software.

Solution 5: Adjust Graphics Card Control Panel Settings

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin Software installed Steps for NVIDIA:

Right-click the desktop and open "NVIDIA Control Panel."
Navigate to "Manage 3D settings" > "Program Settings."
Select "Fortnite" from the dropdown or add C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe.
Set "Power management mode" to "Prefer maximum performance."
Set "Texture filtering - Quality" to "High performance."
Click Apply.

Steps for AMD:

Open AMD Adrenalin Software.
Go to Gaming > Fortnite > Graphics.
Disable "Radeon Anti-Lag," "Radeon Boost," and "Image Sharpening."
Set "Texture Filtering Quality" to "Performance."

Technical Explanation: These settings prevent the GPU from downclocking aggressively during gameplay (power management) and reduce strain from post-processing features that may conflict with the game engine. Verification: Launch Fortnite. The changes force the GPU to maintain consistent clock speeds, which can resolve crashes related to power state transitions.

Solution 6: Perform a Clean Boot to Isolate Software Conflict

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

Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
In the System Configuration window, go to the "Services" tab.
Check "Hide all Microsoft services," then click "Disable all."
Navigate to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager."
Disable every startup item in Task Manager.
Close Task Manager, click OK in System Configuration, and restart the computer.
Launch only the Epic Games Launcher and Fortnite to test.

Technical Explanation: A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, eliminating third-party software conflicts as the cause of the GPU crash. Verification: If Fortnite runs without crashing in the clean boot state, a background process is the culprit. Re-enable services and startup items in groups to identify the conflict.

Solution 7: Monitor and Address GPU Thermals

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Low (but critical if applicable) Prerequisites: Hardware monitoring software (e.g., HWMonitor) Steps:

Download and install a monitoring tool like HWMonitor.
Launch the tool and then launch Fortnite in a windowed mode.
Play for 5-10 minutes while monitoring the GPU temperature sensor.
If the GPU temperature consistently exceeds 85°C (185°F), this indicates thermal throttling.
Physically clean the laptop or PC vents of dust using compressed air. Ensure the system has adequate airflow.

Technical Explanation: Excessive heat causes the GPU silicon to become unstable. The driver will crash to prevent permanent hardware damage when thermal limits are exceeded. Verification: After cleaning, monitor temperatures again under the same load. A reduction in peak temperature and the absence of a crash confirm a thermal issue.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a regular schedule for graphics driver updates, checking monthly for stable releases. Configure Windows Update to deliver driver updates automatically. After any major game update, verify the integrity of Fortnite's game files through the Epic Games Launcher. Keep the system physically clean to ensure optimal thermal performance; inspect and clear air intakes quarterly. Avoid using experimental or beta graphics drivers for primary gaming systems. Establish a stable system configuration and avoid frequent changes to overclocking profiles or advanced graphics settings.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all solutions fail and the crash persists exclusively in Fortnite. Provide the full diagnostic report generated by the Epic Games Launcher (Help > Diagnostics) and the latest crash logs located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs. Include your complete system specifications from dxdiag. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games website under "Help" or within the launcher's support section. Escalation is necessary when the error indicates a reproducible game bug requiring a patch.