Game Error Fortnite

Can't Ready Up in Blitz Royale - Fortnite Matchmaking Error Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-06 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-06 👥 Reports: 2 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

The primary fix is to disable the "Preload Streaming Video" setting in Fortnite's Video options, as this feature conflicts with the rapid matchmaking sequence of Blitz Royale.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

This error is a matchmaking sequence failure that occurs when attempting to queue for a subsequent match from within an active or concluding Blitz Royale lobby. The system fails to properly terminate the current session's network connections and initialize a new matchmaking handshake, resulting in a timeout. The error affects all platforms where Fortnite and the Blitz Royale mode are available, including Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. This issue is most prevalent during the active periods of the Blitz Royale limited-time mode. The frequency classification is common for users who attempt the "Ready Up" function from the in-game lobby. The severity impact is a minor gameplay interruption, as it prevents seamless re-queueing but does not corrupt save data or prevent gameplay via the main menu. Exact error messages documented include "Network Connection Failed," "Failed to load game in time," and a generic "Matchmaking Error."

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The observable symptom is a failure to transition from the Blitz Royale end-of-match lobby to a new matchmaking queue. The action of selecting the "Ready Up" button initiates a loading screen that persists for 120-180 seconds. The application then terminates the loading sequence and returns the user to the Fortnite main menu or lobby. This return is accompanied by one of several on-screen error notifications: "Network Connection Failed," "Failed to load game in time," or "Matchmaking Error." The network timeout occurs during the matchmaking handshake phase. The process functions correctly only if the user manually leaves the Blitz Royale lobby to the main menu before initiating the "Ready Up" sequence.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Game Bug / Configuration Error

Specific technical explanation: The "Preload Streaming Video" setting, when enabled, attempts to buffer video assets during the matchmaking load screen. This process conflicts with the accelerated matchmaking protocol of Blitz Royale, causing a resource allocation deadlock. Why this causes the problem: The system prioritizes video preloading over establishing the new game server connection, resulting in a network timeout.

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: Network Address Translation (NAT) or firewall rules on the local router or Windows Firewall do not allow rapid re-establishment of the required UDP ports (5222, 5795, 7777-7787, 9000-9999) for a new session. Why this causes the problem: The quick succession of session termination and initiation in Blitz Royale's Ready Up flow is interpreted as a port conflict or security threat, blocking the connection.

Category: Software Conflict

Specific technical explanation: Outdated or corrupted Epic Games Launcher files, particularly the EOSOverlayRenderer-Win64-Shipping.dll or other Easy Anti-Cheat modules, fail to re-initialize correctly between back-to-back matches. Why this causes the problem: The anti-cheat service does not receive a proper termination signal from the first session, preventing a clean handshake for the second.

Category: Configuration Error

Specific technical explanation: DNS cache contains stale or incorrect records for Fortnite's matchmaking servers (e.g., .ol.epicgames.com, .matchmaking.gameservices.epicgames.com). Why this causes the problem: During the rapid re-queue, the client uses cached, potentially invalid IP addresses, leading to connection failures.

Category: Game Bug

Specific technical explanation: A latent state corruption in the game client's party management system when the "Ready Up" function is triggered from a non-standard lobby state (i.e., the post-match Blitz screen). Why this causes the problem: The client sends mismatched state parameters to the matchmaking service, which rejects the request after the timeout period.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Disable Preload Streaming Video

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: None Steps:

From the Fortnite main menu, open the Settings menu (gear icon).
Navigate to the Video settings tab.
Scroll to the Advanced Graphics section.
Locate the Preload Streaming Video option and set it to Off.
Apply the settings and restart the Fortnite client completely.
Reproduce the issue by entering a Blitz Royale match and using the "Ready Up" function post-match.

Technical Explanation: This setting forces the client to download streaming video assets during loading screens. Disabling it removes the resource contention, allowing the network stack to dedicate full bandwidth and priority to the matchmaking handshake required by Blitz Royale's fast-paced queue system. Verification: After disabling the setting and restarting, the transition from the Blitz Royale end screen to a new matchmaking queue completes within 30 seconds without displaying an error message.

Solution 2: Flush DNS and Renew Network Configuration

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Administrator access on Windows PC Steps:

Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch Command Prompt as Administrator.
Execute the command to flush the DNS resolver cache: ipconfig /flushdns
Execute the command to renew the IP address: ipconfig /release
Execute the command to obtain a new IP address: ipconfig /renew
Reset the Windows Socket catalog: netsh winsock reset
Restart the computer. Upon reboot, launch Fortnite and test the Ready Up function in Blitz Royale.

Technical Explanation: This procedure clears locally cached DNS entries that may point to deprecated matchmaking servers and resets the TCP/IP stack, ensuring the client establishes fresh, correct connections to Epic Games services. Verification: Successful execution of all commands completes without errors. Post-restart, the ping prod.ol.epicgames.com command in Command Prompt returns a successful reply, indicating clean DNS resolution.

Solution 3: Verify Game Files via Epic Games Launcher

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10-20 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: None Steps:

Open the Epic Games Launcher.
Navigate to your Library.
Click the three dots (...) under the Fortnite game tile.
Select Manage.
Click the Verify button. This initiates a scan of all game files against the latest manifest.
Allow the process to complete. The launcher downloads and replaces any missing or corrupted files.
Launch Fortnite and attempt to reproduce the Ready Up issue in Blitz Royale.

Technical Explanation: Corrupted or outdated game files, particularly in the FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\ or FortniteGame\Content\Paks\ directories, can cause state management errors during lobby transitions. Verification replaces these files. Verification: The Epic Games Launcher displays "Verification Complete" with a list of any files repaired. The game launches without prompting for additional updates prior to the title screen.

Solution 4: Configure Router Port Forwarding and NAT

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Access to router admin panel; knowledge of your device's local IP address. Steps:

Assign a static IP address to your gaming device within your router's DHCP settings.
Access your router's admin panel (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
Locate the Port Forwarding or Virtual Servers section.
Create new rules for the static IP of your device for the following TCP and UDP ports:

- TCP: 443, 5222, 5795-5847 - UDP: 5795-5847, 7777-7787, 9000-9999

Apply settings and restart the router.
On Windows, also create inbound/outbound rules in Windows Defender Firewall to allow Fortnite (FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe) and the Epic Games Launcher on all the above ports.

Technical Explanation: Port forwarding ensures unsolicited return traffic from matchmaking servers is correctly routed to your device. An Open NAT type eliminates session conflicts when rapidly closing and opening new connections. Verification: Within Fortnite's Settings > Account > Network Information, the NAT Type displays Open. Network diagnostics show 0% packet loss.

Solution 5: Perform a Clean Reinstall of Easy Anti-Cheat

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Fortnite must not be running. Steps:

Navigate to the Fortnite Easy Anti-Cheat directory: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\EasyAntiCheat\
Run the EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe file as Administrator.
In the setup window, select Fortnite from the game list.
Click the Uninstall button and confirm.
Close the setup window.
Re-run the EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe as Administrator.
Select Fortnite and click Install.
Launch Fortnite. The game will re-initialize the anti-cheat service.

Technical Explanation: A corrupted Easy Anti-Cheat service may not properly release its hooks between matchmaking sessions, causing a conflict. A clean reinstall ensures a correct installation and registration. Verification: The Easy Anti-Cheat splash screen appears normally during game launch. The EasyAntiCheat service is running in Windows Task Manager > Services tab.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

To prevent recurrence, maintain the "Preload Streaming Video" setting in a disabled state. Establish a monthly schedule to verify Fortnite game files through the Epic Games Launcher. Configure your router to reserve a static IP address for your gaming device to maintain consistent port forwarding rules. Monitor your network status within Fortnite's settings menu before engaging in limited-time modes with rapid matchmaking cycles. Ensure the Epic Games Launcher is configured for automatic updates to receive timely game patches that address matchmaking logic.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all documented solutions fail and the error persists exclusively in Blitz Royale mode. Escalation is required when the issue manifests across multiple different networks or hardware configurations. Prepare to provide diagnostic information including network diagnostics from Fortnite's settings, the FortniteGame.log file located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs\, and a detailed description of the error message and sequence of events. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games Help Center at epicgames.com/help.