Game Error Fortnite

Easy Anti-Cheat Error Code 20006 (216) - Fortnite Fix Guide

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

🎯 Quick Answer

Run the Easy Anti-Cheat service repair tool as an administrator to resolve the StartService failure causing error 20006 (216) in Fortnite.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The error code 20006 (CANNOT CREATE SERVICE- (STARTSERVICE FAILED: 216)) is a Windows service initialization failure for the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system. The error occurs specifically during the Fortnite launch sequence when the EAC service cannot be started by the Windows Service Control Manager. This error is platform-specific to Windows installations, particularly those sourced from the Xbox PC application. The issue manifests in current game versions where EAC is a mandatory component. This error classification is occasional but has a high severity impact, as it is game-breaking and prevents the application from launching entirely. The exact error message includes the primary code 20006 and the nested Windows system error code 216.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application terminates during the initial launch sequence, immediately after the Epic Games Launcher or Xbox app process initiates the game. The user observes a dialog box with the title "Easy Anti-Cheat" containing the exact error text: "ERROR CODE: 20006 (CANNOT CREATE SERVICE- (STARTSERVICE FAILED: 216))". The Fortnite process fails to progress to the splash screen or main menu. The game client closes completely after the error dialog is dismissed. This behavior is consistent upon every launch attempt.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect or corrupted Easy Anti-Cheat service installation from the Xbox PC app package. The Xbox app installation may deploy the EAC files without proper service registration or with incorrect permissions. Why this causes the problem: The game executable attempts to start the unregistered or misconfigured EasyAntiCheat_EOS service via the Windows Service Control Manager, which returns error 216. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Third-party security software (antivirus, anti-malware) or system optimization utilities actively blocking or quarantining the EasyAntiCheat_EOS_Setup.exe or its associated .sys driver file. Why this causes the problem: The service installation or runtime driver load is prevented, causing the StartService Windows API call to fail. Category: Permission Error Specific technical explanation: The user account or the launching application lacks the necessary administrative privileges to create or start a Windows service. Why this causes the problem: The CreateService or StartService API functions require SC_MANAGER_CREATE_SERVICE and SERVICE_START permissions, which fail under restricted contexts. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: An incomplete or failed game update from the Xbox PC app, resulting in a version mismatch between the Fortnite client files and the installed Easy Anti-Cheat module. Why this causes the problem: The EAC bootstrapper expects specific client binaries; a mismatch causes the service initialization routine to abort. Category: System Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: The Windows TrustedInstaller or system file permissions on the C:\Program Files\Easy Anti-Cheat or C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy Anti-Cheat directories are altered or corrupted. Why this causes the problem: The Easy Anti-Cheat service cannot access its own executable or configuration files, leading to a start failure. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: A previous installation of Easy Anti-Cheat for another game creates a registry key or service conflict that prevents the Fortnite-specific EAC instance from installing correctly. Why this causes the problem: Service name or display name collisions in the Windows registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services cause setup to fail.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Repair Easy Anti-Cheat Service Installation

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access required. Steps:

Close the Epic Games Launcher and Xbox apps completely via the System Tray.
Navigate to the Fortnite game directory. The default path for Xbox PC app installations is C:\XboxGames\Fortnite\Content.
Inside the game directory, locate and enter the EasyAntiCheat folder.
Right-click the file named EasyAntiCheat_EOS_Setup.exe and select Run as administrator.
In the setup dialog, select Fortnite from the game list and click the Repair Service button.
Wait for the process to complete and confirm with "OK".
Restart your computer and launch Fortnite from the Xbox app.

Technical Explanation: This executes the official Easy Anti-Cheat setup utility with elevated privileges, forcing it to re-register the EasyAntiCheat_EOS Windows service, repair file permissions, and restore correct registry entries. Verification: Open Windows Services (services.msc) and locate the EasyAntiCheat_EOS service. Verify its Status is blank (not running) and its Startup Type is set to "Manual". The game should now launch past the EAC screen.

Solution 2: Manual Service Registration via Command Line

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 7 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access required. Steps:

Press Windows Key + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Navigate to the Easy Anti-Cheat directory. Use the command: cd /d "C:\XboxGames\Fortnite\Content\EasyAntiCheat".
Unregister any existing faulty service instance with: EasyAntiCheat_EOS_Setup.exe uninstall.
Reinstall the service with: EasyAntiCheat_EOS_Setup.exe install.
After both commands complete, execute the following to verify the service exists: sc query EasyAntiCheat_EOS.
The output should show STATE as 1 STOPPED or 4 RUNNING. If it shows 1060 (does not exist), repeat steps 3-4.
Reboot the system and attempt to launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: This bypasses any graphical installer issues and uses direct command-line switches to interface with the setup binary, ensuring the service is cleanly removed and added to the Windows Service Database. Verification: The sc query command returns valid service information without error. Fortnite launches without the 20006 error dialog.

Solution 3: Configure Antivirus and Windows Defender Exclusions

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

Add the entire Fortnite game directory to your security software's exclusion list. For the Xbox app, add: C:\XboxGames\Fortnite\.
Add the Easy Anti-Cheat directory as a separate exclusion: C:\XboxGames\Fortnite\Content\EasyAntiCheat\.
For Windows Security, go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings under Exclusions > Add or remove exclusions. Add both folder paths.
Add the following process exclusions if your software supports it: EasyAntiCheat_EOS_Setup.exe and FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe.
Temporarily disable any "ransomware protection" or "controlled folder access" features during the first game launch after repair.
After adding exclusions, re-run the EAC repair tool (Solution 1) and restart your PC.

Technical Explanation: Real-time scanning can intercept and lock files during service installation or startup. Exclusions prevent the security software from interfering with the EAC driver (EasyAntiCheat_EOS.sys) loading into the kernel. Verification: Check your security software's log/history to confirm no blocks or quarantines occurred on EAC files after a launch attempt.

Solution 4: Verify Game File Integrity via Xbox App

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 15-30 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Stable internet connection. Steps:

Open the Xbox PC app and navigate to My Library.
Find Fortnite, click the "..." (More options) button, and select Manage.
Click on Files and then select Verify and Repair.
Allow the process to complete. This will compare local files with the store version and replace any missing or corrupted files, including Easy Anti-Cheat components.
After verification, navigate again to the game's EasyAntiCheat folder and run EasyAntiCheat_EOS_Setup.exe as administrator (see Solution 1, Step 4).
Restart the computer and launch the game.

Technical Explanation: The Xbox app's repair function ensures all game components, including auxiliary anti-cheat files, match the canonical version on the distribution servers, resolving version mismatches or partial updates. Verification: The Xbox app reports "Your game is ready to play." Launching Fortnite proceeds without file validation errors preceding the EAC error.

Solution 5: Clean Reinstall of Easy Anti-Cheat

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

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Locate the EasyAntiCheat_EOS service. If present, right-click it, select Stop, then right-click again and select Properties. Change Startup Type to Disabled, click Apply, and then OK.
Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy Anti-Cheat and C:\Program Files\Easy Anti-Cheat. Rename any existing folder related to EAC (e.g., Easy Anti-Cheat_old).
Go to the Fortnite game directory (C:\XboxGames\Fortnite\Content\EasyAntiCheat). Run EasyAntiCheat_EOS_Setup.exe as administrator.
In the setup window, select Fortnite and choose Uninstall. Wait for completion.
Restart your computer.
After reboot, navigate back to the same folder, run EasyAntiCheat_EOS_Setup.exe as administrator again, and this time select Install.
Restart the computer once more and launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: This performs a stateful reset of the EAC installation. Disabling and removing old service entries and files prevents conflicts, allowing a fresh installation to establish correct registry keys and system dependencies. Verification: A new Easy Anti-Cheat folder is created in C:\Program Files (x86). The service in services.msc shows a recent "Path to executable" and starts successfully when the game launches.

Solution 6: System File and Permission Check

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

Run System File Checker. Open an Admin Command Prompt and execute: sfc /scannow. Allow it to complete and repair any corrupted system files.
Run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool. In the same Admin Command Prompt, execute: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
Reset permissions on the game folder. Open an Admin Command Prompt and run: icacls "C:\XboxGames\Fortnite" /reset /T /C /Q.
Reboot the system after all commands complete.
Re-apply Solution 1 (Repair EAC Service) after the reboot.

Technical Explanation: Corrupted Windows system files can break the Service Control Manager's functionality. The icacls command resets NTFS permissions to inherited defaults, resolving access denials that prevent the EAC service from reading its configuration. Verification: The sfc /scannow command reports "No integrity violations found" or "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them." Game launch proceeds.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain regular updates for the Windows operating system, particularly servicing stacks that affect the Windows Service Manager. Configure antivirus software with permanent exclusions for the Fortnite and Easy Anti-Cheat directories to prevent future blocking. Before initiating any major Windows feature update, verify the integrity of the Fortnite game files via the Xbox app. Monitor the Windows Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) under Windows Logs > Application for any recurring errors related to "EasyAntiCheat" or "Service Control Manager" after successful gameplay sessions to detect early signs of permission drift.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all documented solutions fail and the error persists across a full uninstall and reinstall of Fortnite via the Xbox app. Before contacting, gather the diagnostic log from C:\ProgramData\Easy Anti-Cheat\FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping\Logs\EAC_*.log. Provide your full system specifications, the exact Windows build version (from winver), and a screenshot of the error. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games Help page at epicgames.com/help.