0xc0000005 Fortnite

Fortnite Crash to Desktop with Exit Code 0xc0000005 - Troubleshooting Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 8 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

The primary fix for this crash is to disable the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) compatibility layer by adding the `-eac_launcher` command line argument to the Fortnite shortcut.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The Fortnite crash to desktop with exit code 0xc0000005 is a critical application termination error. This error signifies an ACCESS_VIOLATION exception, where the game process attempts to read or write to an invalid memory address. The crash occurs specifically during the launch sequence of certain game modes, such as Ballistic, typically at the 5% loading point. The primary diagnostic evidence is found in the FortniteLauncher.log file, concluding with the fatal error message referencing exit status 0xc0000005 and numeric code 3221225477. This issue predominantly affects the Windows 11 platform on systems with recent hardware configurations, including AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. It is classified as an occasional but severe bug, resulting in a complete and reproducible game crash that prevents access to specific content.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application terminates abruptly during the initial loading phase of specific game modes. The user observes the game window transitioning to a black screen before closing without an error dialog. The Epic Games Launcher interface remains open and functional. In the background, the FortniteLauncher.log file records a warning and a fatal error. The warning message states: "error running fortnite: exit status 0xc0000005". This is immediately followed by the fatal log entry: "error running fortnite: 3221225477". The FortniteGame.log file typically contains no relevant error data, as the crash occurs before the primary game engine initializes fully. The failure is consistent and reproducible when launching the affected game types.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: The Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) compatibility layer, designed for Linux/Proton, can incorrectly engage on Windows systems. This layer conflicts with the standard Windows EAC module during memory initialization for specific game modes. Why this causes the problem: The conflict during protected memory allocation triggers an access violation (0xc0000005) as the anti-cheat system fails to hand off control correctly between the launcher and the game executable. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or invalid local game configuration files in %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Config\WindowsClient\. Why this causes the problem: Engine configuration files (e.g., GameUserSettings.ini) containing malformed data for new game modes can cause the render thread or asset streaming to fail during early load. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Outdated or corrupted Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages, specifically the 2015-2022 versions required by both Fortnite and Easy Anti-Cheat. Why this causes the problem: The anti-cheat service and game binaries link to specific runtime libraries; a missing or damaged DLL causes a memory access fault when the function is called. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A latent defect in the game's asset streaming logic for newer, high-memory-content game modes like Ballistic. Why this causes the problem: The engine attempts to reference a memory address for a specific asset package that has not been properly mapped or loaded, resulting in the access violation. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect or overly aggressive memory-related settings in the Windows Page File or BIOS (EXPO/XMP for AMD/Intel). Why this causes the problem: Unstable memory timings or insufficient virtual memory allocation can cause memory address corruption during the intensive initial load phase of new maps. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Third-party application interference, particularly from RGB control software (e.g., ASUS Armoury Crate, iCUE), overlay tools (Discord, MSI Afterburner), or security software. Why this causes the problem: These applications inject DLLs into the game process; the anti-cheat system or the game itself may misinterpret these injections, leading to a protective crash.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Disable the EAC Compatibility Layer via Command Line Argument

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Standard user permissions. Steps:

Close the Epic Games Launcher completely via the system tray icon.
Navigate to your desktop or create a shortcut for Fortnite if one does not exist.
Right-click the Fortnite shortcut and select Properties.
In the Target field, append the following text after the existing command: -eac_launcher
Ensure there is a space between the closing quote of the original command and the new argument. The target should resemble: "C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe" -eac_launcher
Click Apply and then OK.
Launch Fortnite using this modified shortcut.

Technical Explanation: This argument disables the Proton-based Easy Anti-Cheat compatibility layer that can erroneously activate on Windows, forcing the game to use the native Windows EAC module and preventing the memory handoff conflict that causes the access violation. Verification: Launch the previously crashing game mode (e.g., Ballistic). The game should progress past the 5% loading point and enter the match. Check the FortniteLauncher.log file; the fatal error 0xc0000005 should no longer be present.

Solution 2: Perform a Clean Reinstallation of Visual C++ Redistributables

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

Press Windows Key + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter to open Programs and Features.
In the list, uninstall all instances of Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (both x64 and x86).
Download the latest Visual C++ Redistributable packages from the official Microsoft website. Obtain both the VC_redist.x64.exe and VC_redist.x86.exe versions.
Right-click each downloaded executable and select Run as administrator.
Follow the installation prompts, restarting your computer if prompted.
After reboot, launch Fortnite normally and attempt to access the problematic game mode.

Technical Explanation: This ensures the core runtime libraries that Fortnite and EAC depend on for memory management and function calls are present and uncorrupted, resolving access violations stemming from faulty DLL linkages. Verification: The game should launch without the crash. You can further verify by checking the Windows Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) under Windows Logs > Application; there should be no new Application Error events with Faulting Module Name pointing to a VC_RUNTIME DLL.

Solution 3: Reset Local Fortnite Configuration Files

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Fortnite must not be running. Steps:

Press Windows Key + R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved, and press Enter.
Rename the entire Saved folder to Saved.OLD.
Launch the Epic Games Launcher and start Fortnite. The game will generate a new, clean Saved folder with default configuration files.
Reconfigure your in-game video and audio settings as needed, as they will be reset to default.
Test the crashing game mode.

Technical Explanation: This eliminates the possibility of corrupted or mode-specific settings in files like GameUserSettings.ini or Engine.ini that could be instructing the game engine to load assets incorrectly during the initial phase. Verification: The new Saved folder will have a recent creation date. The game will start with default settings, and the previously crashing mode should initiate its first-time setup shader compilation before loading.

Solution 4: Perform a Clean Boot to Eliminate Software Conflicts

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Administrator access, careful attention to steps. Steps:

Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
Navigate to the Services tab.
Check the box Hide all Microsoft services, then 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 computer.
After booting into the clean environment, launch only the Epic Games Launcher and Fortnite.
Test the game mode. If it works, re-enable services and startup items in groups to identify the conflicting software.

Technical Explanation: This starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, preventing third-party applications (RGB controllers, overlays, aggressive antivirus) from injecting code into the game process and conflicting with Easy Anti-Cheat. Verification: A successful launch in the clean boot state confirms a software conflict. The specific culprit is identified when the crash recurs after re-enabling a particular group of services or startup items.

Solution 5: Verify Game Files and Repair via Epic Games Launcher

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10-30 minutes (varies by installation size) Success Rate: Low (but necessary as a baseline) Prerequisites: None. Steps:

Open the Epic Games Launcher.
Click on your profile icon in the bottom left and select Settings.
Scroll down to the Manage Games section.
Find Fortnite in the list and click the three dots (...) under it.
Ensure Cloud Saves is enabled, then click Verify.
Wait for the process to complete. The launcher will download and replace any missing or corrupted files.
After verification, restart the launcher and launch the game.

Technical Explanation: This process compares the local game file checksums with the official Epic Games server manifest, replacing any corrupted executable or asset files that could be causing the memory access fault during a specific load sequence. Verification: The Epic Games Launcher will display a "Verified successfully" message. The FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64 directory files will have updated timestamps.

Solution 6: Adjust Virtual Memory (Page File) Settings

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Low Prerequisites: Administrator access. Steps:

Press Windows Key + Pause/Break or open System Properties.
Click Advanced system settings on the right.
Under the Advanced tab, in the Performance section, click Settings.
Go to the Advanced tab in the new window and click Change... under Virtual memory.
Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
Select your system drive (usually C:), select Custom size, and set both Initial size and Maximum size to 16384 MB (or 1.5x your physical RAM if 16GB or less).
Click Set, then OK, and restart your computer.

Technical Explanation: Providing a large, static page file ensures Windows has a consistent and sufficient range of virtual memory addresses available for the game and anti-cheat system during intensive loading, preventing allocation conflicts. Verification: After reboot, you can confirm the setting is active by opening System Information (msinfo32) and checking the Page File Space value under System Summary.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain system software integrity by regularly updating graphics drivers via the manufacturer's website (AMD Adrenalin/NVIDIA GeForce Experience) and installing Windows Updates. Configure the Epic Games Launcher to apply game updates automatically. Avoid modifying core game configuration files (Engine.ini, GameUserSettings.ini) with untested community tweaks. Establish a routine to clear the FortniteGame\Saved configuration folder after every major game engine update (Seasonal updates). Monitor the FortniteLauncher.log file periodically after updates to check for new warning patterns. Keep third-party overlay and hardware control software updated to their latest stable versions.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all documented solutions fail and the crash remains 100% reproducible. Escalation is required when the error manifests across multiple fresh Windows installations or on different hardware. Prepare the following diagnostic information: the complete FortniteLauncher.log and FortniteGame.log files from %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs, a DxDiag report (dxdiag /t dxdiag.txt), and your system's hardware specification list. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games Help page at epicgames.com/help.