Graphics Issue Fortnite

Fortnite Black Screen on Startup - Bootstrapper Error Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-06 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-06 👥 Reports: 1 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Force close the Epic Games Launcher via Task Manager, then launch Fortnite with administrative privileges to bypass the bootstrapper conflict.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The Fortnite bootstrapper black screen error is a startup failure where the game client initializes but does not progress beyond a blank, unresponsive display. This error primarily affects the Windows PC version of Fortnite, launched through the Epic Games Launcher. The issue occurs across multiple game versions and seasonal updates. It is a common error with a high severity impact, as it is game-breaking and prevents the application from launching. The error often requires a forced system restart, as the process becomes non-responsive and cannot be terminated through standard methods. No specific error code is presented to the user; the primary symptom is a persistent black window that hangs indefinitely during the launch sequence initiated by the FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe bootstrapper.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application window opens but displays only a solid black screen. The process enters a non-responsive state, consuming system resources but providing no visual feedback beyond the black window. This occurs immediately after the Epic Games Launcher executes the game's bootstrapper. The Windows cursor may default to a loading animation or a standard pointer. The application fails to progress to the introductory cinematic, login screen, or main menu. Standard window closure methods, such as clicking the 'X' or using Alt+F4, are ineffective. The process must be terminated via Task Manager, and in severe cases, a full system restart is required to clear the hung state.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: The Epic Games Launcher process (EpicGamesLauncher.exe) maintains an active handle that conflicts with the game bootstrapper, preventing proper initialization of the DirectX or Vulkan rendering pipeline. Why this causes the problem: The bootstrapper cannot acquire necessary resources or overwrite temporary files, resulting in a hung state. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect or corrupted graphics settings in the GameUserSettings.ini file, such as an invalid resolution or fullscreen mode that the display adapter cannot handle. Why this causes the problem: The game engine attempts to initialize a display mode that is unsupported, causing the rendering context to fail silently. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible graphics card drivers, particularly for NVIDIA GeForce 531.x series or AMD Adrenalin 23.x series, which have known issues with anti-cheat handshakes. Why this causes the problem: The driver fails to properly communicate with the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) or BattlEye service during the secure boot process, stalling execution. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: The game lacks necessary administrative permissions to access protected directories or modify required files in C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\. Why this causes the problem: The bootstrapper cannot write to or verify critical launch files, causing the process to halt. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Overlay applications from Discord, Xbox Game Bar, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, or MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner inject into the game process and cause a conflict during the anti-cheat initialization phase. Why this causes the problem: The anti-cheat service flags or blocks the injected overlay code, resulting in a terminated or frozen game process. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A corrupted or incomplete installation of the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) service module within the Fortnite directory. Why this causes the problem: The bootstrapper cannot complete the mandatory security check, preventing the game engine from loading.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Clean Restart with Administrative Privileges

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 3 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator account Steps:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Under the "Processes" tab, locate and select every instance of "EpicGamesLauncher".
Click "End task" for each instance.
Navigate to the Fortnite installation directory: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\.
Right-click on FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe.
Select "Run as administrator".

Technical Explanation: This ensures the bootstrapper executes with full system permissions and without conflict from the parent launcher process, allowing it to create necessary temporary files and registry entries. Verification: The game window opens and progresses past the black screen to display the Epic Games logo or login interface.

Solution 2: Reset Graphics Configuration

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

Press Win + R, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.
Navigate to the FortniteGame folder, then Saved, then Config, then WindowsClient.
Locate the file GameUserSettings.ini.
Rename this file to GameUserSettings.ini.old.
Launch Fortnite normally from the Epic Games Launcher.

Technical Explanation: Renaming the configuration file forces the game to generate a new default configuration with safe, display-agnostic settings, eliminating conflicts caused by corrupted resolution or graphics mode entries. Verification: A new GameUserSettings.ini file is created in the directory upon successful launch, and the game starts in a default windowed mode.

Solution 3: Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Internet connection Steps:

Identify your GPU model via Device Manager (display adapters).
Visit the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA or AMD).
Download the latest WHQL-certified Game Ready or Adrenalin driver for your specific GPU model and Windows version.
Run the installer. Select "Custom installation" and check the box for "Perform a clean installation".
Restart your computer after installation completes.
Attempt to launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: A clean driver installation removes previous driver files and registry entries that may contain corruption or incompatible settings, ensuring a stable interface for the game's rendering API. Verification: The GPU driver version in Device Manager or NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Software matches the newly installed version, and the game bootstrapper progresses.

Solution 4: Disable Conflicting Overlay Software

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

For Discord: Open Discord User Settings > "Activity Privacy" > disable "Display currently running game as a status message". Under "Game Overlay", ensure "Enable in-game overlay" is OFF.
For Xbox Game Bar: Press Win + G to open the Game Bar. Go to Settings (cog icon) and disable "Remember this is a game". Then, open Windows Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and toggle it OFF.
For NVIDIA GeForce Experience: Open the application, click the settings gear, and toggle "In-Game Overlay" OFF.
Restart your computer and launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: This prevents third-party DLL injection during the game's startup sequence, which can interfere with the anti-cheat system's memory validation and cause a hang. Verification: Launch Fortnite; the overlays no longer activate, and the game process initializes fully.

Solution 5: Repair Easy Anti-Cheat

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

Navigate to the Fortnite Easy Anti-Cheat directory: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\EasyAntiCheat\.
Locate and run EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe.
In the setup window, ensure "Fortnite" is selected in the dropdown menu.
Click the "Repair Service" button.
Wait for the process to complete, then close the setup window.
Launch Fortnite from the Epic Games Launcher.

Technical Explanation: This reinstalls or repairs the core anti-cheat service files and registry entries, ensuring the bootstrapper can complete the mandatory security handshake. Verification: The repair tool displays a "Repair completed successfully" message. The game launches without the black screen hang.

Solution 6: Perform a Clean Boot

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 7 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator account Steps:

Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
In the System Configuration window, go to the "Services" tab.
Check the box "Hide all Microsoft services".
Click "Disable all".
Navigate 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 restart, launch only the Epic Games Launcher and attempt to start Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, eliminating software conflicts from background services that may hook into the game process. Verification: Fortnite launches successfully. You can then re-enable services and startup items in groups to identify the specific conflict.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a regular schedule for updating graphics drivers, opting for clean installations monthly or with each major game engine update. Configure the Epic Games Launcher to run with administrative privileges by default via its executable properties. Periodically clear the %localappdata%\FortniteGame\Saved\Config\WindowsClient directory of configuration files to prevent corruption from accumulating. Monitor system performance logs after major Windows updates for compatibility issues. Establish a standard launch protocol: ensure all overlay software is disabled before initiating the game client. Verify the integrity of the Easy Anti-Cheat service using its setup utility following any game patch.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Player Support if all solutions fail and the black screen persists across multiple system restarts and a complete game reinstall. Provide the diagnostic log files located in C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs. Include a DxDiag report, generated by running dxdiag and saving all information, and your full system specifications. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games website under the "Help" section; do not seek assistance from unofficial community forums for account-sensitive troubleshooting.