Crash/Freeze Fortnite

Fortnite Crashes on Launch with Fatal Error in RenderingThread.cpp - Fix Guide

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

🎯 Quick Answer

The primary fix for the "GameThread timed out waiting for RenderThread" error is to perform a clean installation of your graphics drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

This error constitutes a fatal application crash in Fortnite for Windows. The technical definition is a thread synchronization failure where the primary GameThread exceeds its 40.00-second timeout threshold while waiting for the RenderThread to complete its operations. The error originates in the Unreal Engine's rendering core module at RenderingThread.cpp:1276. This issue affects the Windows PC platform exclusively, as the error trace references Win64 architecture and DirectX. It occurs across multiple Fortnite client versions, typically following significant system events like unexpected power loss or major driver updates. The frequency classification is occasional but persistent once triggered. The severity impact is game-breaking, as it prevents the application from initializing and terminates the process before reaching the main menu. The exact error message is:

Fatal error: [File:D:\build\++Fortnite\Sync\Engine\Source\Runtime\RenderCore\Private\RenderingThread.cpp] [Line: 1276] GameThread timed out waiting for RenderThread after 40.00 secs

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application terminates during the initial loading sequence, typically after the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) splash screen but before the Epic Games logo or main menu appears. A critical error dialog box displays the fatal error message referencing RenderingThread.cpp and the 40.00-second timeout. The FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe process exits with a non-zero error code. The Epic Games Launcher may subsequently show the game as "Running" for a brief period before updating to "Launch" status. No in-game assets or menus render before the crash occurs. The Windows Event Viewer may log an Application Error for the Fortnite process with Faulting Module details.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Hardware Issue Specific technical explanation: GPU instability or failure, often triggered by a sudden power loss event. An unclean shutdown can corrupt the GPU's VRAM or cause the driver to enter a faulty state that cannot synchronize rendering commands within the required timeout. Why this causes the problem: The RenderThread, which executes on the GPU, fails to signal completion back to the CPU's GameThread, causing the fatal timeout. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or incompatible graphics driver installation, particularly NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready Driver versions 531.x and 535.x, or AMD Adrenalin Edition versions 23.x. These versions contain known issues with thread synchronization in DirectX 12 applications. Why this causes the problem: The driver's scheduling and command submission mechanisms fail to meet the engine's timing expectations, stalling the RenderThread. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect or corrupted Fortnite graphics settings stored in %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Config\WindowsClient\GameUserSettings.ini. A mismatch between the configured renderer (e.g., DirectX 12) and system capability forces a re-initialization loop that times out. Why this causes the problem: The game attempts to load an invalid rendering configuration, causing the RenderThread initialization to hang. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Overlay software conflict from applications like Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, Xbox Game Bar, or MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS). These inject DLLs into the rendering pipeline that can delay frame presentation. Why this causes the problem: Injected overlay hooks intercept and delay rendering commands, causing the RenderThread to exceed its operation timeout. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A corrupted or missing FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe or FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping_BE.exe (Easy Anti-Cheat) executable. This can occur during an interrupted update or file verification process. Why this causes the problem: The game binary contains faulty logic for thread synchronization, or the anti-cheat module fails to initialize the rendering environment correctly. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Outdated or corrupted Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables or DirectX End-User Runtime components required by the Unreal Engine. Why this causes the problem: Core threading APIs within the C++ runtime return incorrect values or block indefinitely, preventing proper thread signaling.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Clean Graphics Driver Reinstallation

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access, internet connection for driver download. Steps:

Download the latest graphics driver from NVIDIA (https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx) or AMD (https://www.amd.com/en/support) but do not install it yet.
Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from https://www.guru3d.com/download/display-driver-uninstaller-download/.
Boot Windows into Safe Mode. Access this by pressing Windows Key + R, typing msconfig, and under the Boot tab, checking "Safe boot" with the "Minimal" option selected. Restart.
Extract and run DDU. Select your GPU vendor (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel) from the dropdown menu.
Click "Clean and restart". The system will reboot automatically.
After the restart into normal Windows, install the graphics driver downloaded in step 1. Select "Custom (Advanced)" installation and check "Perform a clean installation".
Restart the system once more after installation completes.

Technical Explanation: This process removes all remnants of previous driver installations, including registry entries and leftover files that can cause thread synchronization conflicts, ensuring a pristine driver state that meets the RenderThread's timing requirements. Verification: Launch Fortnite. The application proceeds past the Easy Anti-Cheat splash screen and loads the Epic Games logo sequence without crashing.

Solution 2: Reset Fortnite Graphics Configuration

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

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Config\WindowsClient and press Enter.
Locate the file GameUserSettings.ini and rename it to GameUserSettings.ini.old.
Navigate to %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved and rename the entire Config folder to Config_Backup.
Launch the Epic Games Launcher, right-click on Fortnite, and select "Verify". Allow the verification to complete.
Launch Fortnite. The game generates new, default configuration files.

Technical Explanation: This forces the game to rebuild its configuration from defaults, eliminating any corrupted or incompatible renderer settings (like forced DirectX 12 on an unsupported GPU) that cause the RenderThread initialization to hang. Verification: Check the newly created GameUserSettings.ini file. The PreferredRenderingAPI setting should be appropriate for your system (e.g., DirectX11 or DirectX12).

Solution 3: Disable Conflicting Overlay and Monitoring Software

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

Close all non-essential applications via the system tray (next to the clock).
Disable the Discord in-game overlay: Open Discord > User Settings (gear icon) > Game Overlay > Toggle "Enable in-game overlay" to OFF.
Disable the Xbox Game Bar: Press Windows Key + I to open Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar > Toggle "Enable Xbox Game Bar" to OFF.
Disable the NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay: Open GeForce Experience > Settings (gear icon) > General > Toggle "In-Game Overlay" to OFF.
Exit RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) and MSI Afterburner completely from the system tray.
Temporarily disable any antivirus real-time protection, particularly if it includes "game mode" or injection scanning features.
Launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: Third-party overlays hook into the DirectX rendering pipeline, introducing latency in frame presentation and command queue submission. This additional latency can cause the RenderThread to exceed its operation timeout. Verification: If Fortnite launches successfully, re-enable applications one by one and restart the game to identify the specific conflicting software.

Solution 4: Repair Microsoft Visual C++ and DirectX Runtimes

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Low Prerequisites: Administrator access. 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++ 20XX Redistributable" where XX is 13, 15, 17, 19, etc. Note the exact versions.
Restart the computer.
Download the latest Visual C++ Redistributable package from Microsoft's official website. Install both the x86 and x64 versions.
Download the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft. Run dxwebsetup.exe and follow the installation prompts.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and execute the command: sfc /scannow. Allow the System File Checker to complete.
Restart the system.

Technical Explanation: The Unreal Engine relies on specific threading and synchronization APIs provided by these runtimes. Corrupted runtime files cause these APIs to block or return errors, breaking communication between the GameThread and RenderThread. Verification: Execute dxdiag from the Run dialog. The "System" and "Display" tabs should report no problems found. Fortnite should initiate its rendering pipeline without timing out.

Solution 5: Perform a Clean Fortnite Reinstall

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 30-60 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Sufficient bandwidth to re-download the game. Steps:

Open the Epic Games Launcher and navigate to your Library.
Click the three dots under the Fortnite tile and select "Uninstall". Confirm the action.
Press Windows Key + R and type %LOCALAPPDATA%. Delete the FortniteGame folder.
Navigate to %PROGRAMDATA% and delete the Epic Games folder.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the original Fortnite installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite). Delete any remaining folders.
Restart the Epic Games Launcher.
Reinstall Fortnite to a different drive if possible (e.g., from C: to D:). During installation, ensure the target drive has at least 50 GB of free space.

Technical Explanation: This removes all local game files, including potentially corrupted binaries, cached shaders, and broken registry associations, ensuring a fresh installation with intact thread synchronization logic. Verification: The Epic Games Launcher downloads and installs the complete game. The first launch will compile shaders; the game must complete this process without a timeout error.

Solution 6: Launch with DirectX 11 Forced via Command Argument

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

Open the Epic Games Launcher.
Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Settings".
Scroll down to the Fortnite entry and expand it.
Check the box for "Additional Command Line Arguments".
In the text field that appears, enter: -d3d11
Click "Apply".
Attempt to launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: This command line argument forces the game to use the DirectX 11 rendering API instead of the default DirectX 12. DX11 has a different, often more stable, thread synchronization model that may avoid the specific timeout condition. Verification: Upon successful launch, access the in-game Settings > Video > Advanced Graphics. The "Rendering Mode" will display "DirectX 11".

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a regular schedule for graphics driver updates, verifying new versions for stability before widespread deployment. Configure Windows Update to delay major feature updates that can affect driver compatibility. Establish a system backup routine using Windows System Restore before making significant hardware or software changes. Monitor GPU health metrics, including temperature and clock stability, using manufacturer-provided tools. Avoid interrupting game updates or system shutdowns. Keep the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables updated through official channels. Periodically clean the %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved directory of old logs and cached files.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all solutions fail and the error persists across multiple clean Windows installations. Provide the full error message, the Epic Games Launcher logs from %LOCALAPPDATA%\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved\Logs, and the Fortnite crash logs from %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs. Include a complete DxDiag report and system specifications. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games Help Center at https://www.epicgames.com/help/en-US/. Escalation is necessary when the error indicates potential hardware failure, such as consistent GPU-related timeouts across multiple applications.