Crash/Freeze Fortnite

Fortnite EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION Crash on Launch - Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-06 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-06 👥 Reports: 3 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Update your Intel graphics driver to the latest version, as the crash originates from the `igd10iumd64.dll` file, which is a known issue after major game updates.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error is a critical memory access violation that causes the Fortnite client process to terminate immediately. This specific error manifests as a read operation attempting to access the null memory address 0x0000000000000000. The call stack indicates the fault originates within the Intel Graphics Driver component igd10iumd64.dll, which then propagates through the Direct3D 11 runtime (d3d11.dll) and into the game executable FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe. This error exclusively affects the Windows platform, specifically 64-bit systems with integrated Intel graphics or systems where the Intel driver is present. The problem frequently occurs immediately following a major seasonal game update, such as the transition to Chapter 3 Season 4. The error is classified as common during post-update periods and has a severe, game-breaking impact, preventing the application from progressing past the initial login sequence.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application initiates and displays the Epic Games Launcher or direct game window. The process proceeds to the "Logging in..." phase of the startup sequence. Within seconds, the application window terminates without warning or error dialog. The Epic Games Launcher may subsequently display a generic "Fortnite has crashed" notification. The primary diagnostic evidence is found in the game's log files, which contain the exact Unhandled Exception: EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION reading address 0x0000000000000000 entry. The call stack consistently shows the first faulting module as igd10iumd64.dll, followed by d3d11.dll.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Driver Incompatibility / Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: An outdated, corrupted, or incompatible version of the Intel UHD/Iris Xe Graphics driver (igd10iumd64.dll is the Intel user-mode driver DLL). A major game engine update introduces new DirectX 11 API calls that the older driver cannot process correctly, leading to a null pointer dereference. Why this causes the problem: The game's rendering engine issues a command via Direct3D 11 that the Intel driver mishandles, causing an attempt to read from an invalid memory location and triggering a fatal access violation. Category: DirectX Runtime Corruption Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or missing Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime files, specifically components of Direct3D 11. The d3d11.dll appears in the call stack immediately after the Intel driver fault. Why this causes the problem: The DirectX runtime acts as an intermediary between the game and the graphics driver. If its state is corrupted, it can pass incorrect parameters or fail to handle driver errors gracefully, resulting in a crash. Category: Game File Integrity Failure Specific technical explanation: One or more game files, particularly the FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe binary or its associated .pak asset files, failed to download correctly or were corrupted during the seasonal update process. Why this causes the problem: The game executable or its data expects specific code paths and assets. Corruption alters these expectations, leading to unstable execution that can expose latent driver bugs. Category: Anticheat Service Conflict Specific technical explanation: The Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) service fails to initialize properly or conflicts with the graphics driver's low-level memory access patterns post-update. Why this causes the problem: EAC operates at a kernel level and monitors process memory. A driver fault during its operation can cause EAC to terminate the game process for security reasons. Category: Operating System Update Deficiency Specific technical explanation: Missing critical Windows system updates, including .NET Framework updates, Visual C++ Redistributables, or specific security patches that affect memory management and application compatibility. Why this causes the problem: The operating system lacks necessary runtime libraries or system-level fixes that both the game and the graphics driver depend on for stable operation. Category: Conflicting Overlay Software Specific technical explanation: Third-party overlay applications (Discord, Xbox Game Bar, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, MSI Afterburner) inject code into the game's DirectX rendering pipeline. This injection can interfere with the sequence of calls between d3d11.dll and igd10iumd64.dll. Why this causes the problem: The injected code alters the expected flow of graphics API commands, potentially creating a scenario the Intel driver cannot process.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Update Intel Graphics Drivers

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10-15 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access, internet connection. Steps:

Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click on your Intel graphics device (e.g., Intel(R) UHD Graphics, Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics) and select Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers and allow Windows to install the latest version.
If Windows reports the best driver is already installed, proceed to the Intel Driver & Support Assistant website. Visit https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.html to download and run their automatic detection tool.
Follow the tool's prompts to download and install the latest driver package specific to your hardware.
Restart your computer after installation completes.

Technical Explanation: This resolves the root cause by replacing the faulty igd10iumd64.dll file with a newer version that contains fixes for the specific Direct3D 11 API calls introduced in the Fortnite update. The update patches the memory handling routine that was causing the null pointer access. Verification: Launch Fortnite. The application should progress past the "Logging in..." phase and reach the lobby screen without crashing. Check the game log file; the EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error should no longer be present.

Solution 2: Verify Fortnite Game Files

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5-20 minutes (depends on disk speed and file corruption) Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Epic Games Launcher installed. Steps:

Open the Epic Games Launcher.
Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.
Scroll down to the MANAGE GAMES section.
Locate Fortnite in the list and click the ... (three dots) icon next to it.
Click Verify from the dropdown menu.
The launcher will scan all game files against the official manifest and download any missing or corrupted files. Do not interrupt this process.
Once verification reaches 100%, launch the game.

Technical Explanation: This process ensures the FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe and all game asset files match the checksums on Epic's servers. Replacing corrupted files eliminates instability that could trigger the underlying driver fault. Verification: The Epic Games Launcher will display a "Verification complete" message. A successful launch to the lobby confirms the fix.

Solution 3: Perform a Clean Reinstall of Graphics Drivers

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

Download the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) tool from https://www.guru3d.com/download/display-driver-uninstaller-download/.
Download the latest Intel graphics driver package from Intel's website for your specific CPU/GPU model. Save it to a known location (e.g., C:\Drivers\).
Boot Windows into Safe Mode. (Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, go to the Boot tab, check Safe boot, select Minimal, click OK, and restart).
In Safe Mode, run DDU. Select Intel from the device type dropdown in the right panel.
Click Clean and restart. DDU will remove all Intel driver components and restart the system.
After booting into normal Windows, install the Intel driver package you downloaded in Step 2.
Restart your computer when prompted.

Technical Explanation: A standard driver update may not remove all corrupted configuration files or registry entries. DDU performs a complete removal, eliminating any persistent corrupted state in igd10iumd64.dll or its configuration that causes the access violation. Verification: Check Device Manager to confirm the fresh driver version is installed. Launch Fortnite to test stability.

Solution 4: Reinstall DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables

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

Press Windows Key + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter to open Programs and Features.
Uninstall the following programs if found:

* Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64) * Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86)

Navigate to the Fortnite DirectX installation folder: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\DirectX.
Run the DXSETUP.exe file as Administrator.
Follow the installation prompts to repair the DirectX runtime.
Download the latest Visual C++ Redistributable installer from the official Microsoft website. Search for "Latest supported Visual C++ Downloads".
Run the vc_redist.x64.exe installer as Administrator.
Restart your computer.

Technical Explanation: This ensures the d3d11.dll and its dependent runtime libraries are in a clean, correct state. A fresh installation resolves any corruption in the DirectX runtime that could be miscommunicating between the game and the Intel driver. Verification: Launch Fortnite. Monitor for changes in crash behavior. The error may shift or be resolved.

Solution 5: Disable Conflicting Software and Overlays

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

Close the Epic Games Launcher completely via the system tray.
Disable the Discord 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. * Go to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar. * Toggle Enable Xbox Game Bar to OFF.

Disable NVIDIA/AMD overlays if applicable from their respective control panels.
Temporarily exit any monitoring software like MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner Statistics Server, or CAM.
Launch Fortnite directly from the Epic Games Launcher.

Technical Explanation: Third-party overlays hook into the DirectX rendering pipeline. Disabling them removes this external code injection, allowing the native sequence of calls between FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe, d3d11.dll, and igd10iumd64.dll to proceed without interference. Verification: If the game launches successfully, re-enable overlays one by one to identify the specific conflicting software.

Solution 6: Modify Fortnite Graphics Rendering Mode

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Low-Medium Prerequisites: Ability to edit a configuration file. Steps:

Navigate to the Fortnite configuration directory: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\FortniteGame\Saved\Config\WindowsClient.
Open the GameUserSettings.ini file in a text editor like Notepad.
Locate the line [SystemSettings]. If it does not exist, add it on a new line at the end of the file.
Under [SystemSettings], add the following line: r.Shaders.Optimize=0
Also, locate or add the line bUseDX12=False under the [/Script/FortniteGame.FortGameUserSettings] section to ensure DirectX 11 mode is forced.
Save the file and set it to Read-only (right-click > Properties > check Read-only > Apply).
Launch Fortnite.

Technical Explanation: The r.Shaders.Optimize=0 directive disables an aggressive shader optimization pass that may be generating GPU commands incompatible with your specific Intel driver version. Forcing DX11 mode ensures the game does not attempt to use DX12, which has a different code path. Verification: The game launches using the modified rendering settings. Performance may be slightly reduced, but stability is achieved.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a regular schedule for updating graphics drivers, particularly in the week preceding and following a major Fortnite seasonal update. Configure Windows Update to install optional driver updates. Before applying large game updates, perform a verification of game files in the Epic Games Launcher to ensure a clean baseline. Establish a system restore point before installing any new driver package. Monitor the FortniteGame\Saved\Logs