Crash/Freeze Fortnite

Fortnite Stuck on "Connecting" - PC Launch Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-06 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-06 👥 Reports: 7 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Terminate the Epic Games Launcher process tree via Task Manager, then launch Fortnite directly from its executable file to bypass the launcher's connection handshake.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The "Connecting" hang error is a startup failure where the Fortnite client initiates but cannot complete its initial handshake with Epic Games services. The process halts indefinitely at the "Connecting..." screen without progressing to login or menu interfaces. This error primarily affects the Windows PC platform across all modern game versions, including the latest builds. The error frequency is common, particularly following major game or system updates. The severity is game-breaking, as it completely prevents application access. The error manifests without specific error codes; the primary observable symptom is a static "Connecting..." message with a rotating animation. This state persists until the application is forcibly terminated by the user or system.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The Fortnite client process launches and displays the initial splash screen. The interface transitions to a full-screen view with the "Connecting..." text and an animated circular indicator. The process enters an indefinite hang state at this point with no network activity progression. No authentication prompt, menu, or error message appears. The application remains responsive to ALT+F4 or Task Manager termination but does not respond to in-window inputs. The process continues running in the background, consuming system resources, without establishing a functional game session. This occurs consistently upon every launch attempt post the Epic Games Launcher handoff.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: The Epic Games Launcher process (EpicGamesLauncher.exe) or its web helper subprocesses maintain a stale or corrupted connection socket that conflicts with the Fortnite client's attempt to establish a new one. Why this causes the problem: The Fortnite client inherits or attempts to use a compromised network context from the launcher, resulting in a failed handshake. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Outdated or corrupted DNS cache on the local system resolves Epic Games server domains to incorrect or unreachable IP addresses. Why this causes the problem: The client cannot route packets to the correct authentication endpoints, causing a timeout during the connection phase. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) service corruption or version mismatch between the installed module and the game's required version. Why this causes the problem: The game client halts the connection sequence if the anti-cheat integrity check fails, before any error can be displayed to the user. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect or read-only permissions on the %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Config\WindowsClient directory or its GameUserSettings.ini file. Why this causes the problem: The client cannot write necessary session data or configuration updates required to complete the connection protocol. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Overly restrictive Windows Defender Firewall or third-party antivirus rules that block the FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe process post-launch. Why this causes the problem: Outbound packets from the game executable are silently dropped, preventing the completion of the TCP/UDP connection sequence to Epic services. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A corrupted FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe file persists despite the Epic Launcher's verification process, which may not validate all runtime dependencies. Why this causes the problem: The primary executable has a code defect that triggers during the early network initialization routine.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Bypass Launcher & Flush Network Cache

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

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Navigate to the "Processes" tab.
Locate and select every process named "EpicGamesLauncher". Click "End task". Confirm if prompted.
Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to launch Command Prompt as administrator.
Execute the following commands in order:

ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew netsh winsock reset

Navigate to the Fortnite installation directory: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\
Right-click FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe and select "Run as administrator".

Technical Explanation: This terminates conflicting launcher sockets and clears the local network stack's DNS and TCP/IP catalog, forcing a fresh resolution of Epic's server domains and establishing a clean Winsock session for the game executable. Verification: The game client bypasses the launcher interface and proceeds past the "Connecting..." screen to the login prompt or main menu within 60 seconds.

Solution 2: Repair Easy Anti-Cheat Installation

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

Navigate to the Easy Anti-Cheat directory: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\EasyAntiCheat\
Locate and run EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe as administrator.
In the setup dialog, ensure "Fortnite" is selected in the game dropdown menu.
Click the "Repair Service" button. Wait for the "Operation completed successfully" message.
Close the setup utility.
Launch Fortnite normally from the Epic Games Launcher.

Technical Explanation: The repair operation reinstalls the EAC service kernel driver and verifies the integrity of all anti-cheat modules, resolving version mismatches or corrupted files that halt the pre-connection security check. Verification: Monitor the system tray during launch for the Easy Anti-Cheat splash screen. Successful progression past "Connecting" confirms the service loaded correctly.

Solution 3: Configure Firewall and Antivirus Exclusions

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

Press Windows Key, type "Windows Security", and open the app.
Go to "Firewall & network protection" > "Allow an app through firewall".
Click "Change settings". Locate and remove any existing entries for "Fortnite" or "Epic Games Launcher".
Click "Allow another app". Browse to C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\ and add FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe.
Repeat step 4 for EpicGamesLauncher.exe typically located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher\Portal\Binaries\Win32\.
Ensure both Private and Public network boxes are checked for each entry. Save changes.
Open your third-party antivirus software and add the same two directories to its exclusion or allow list.

Technical Explanation: This creates explicit permit rules for the game and launcher executables, preventing host-based security software from intercepting or dropping the outbound UDP packets required for the initial connection sequence. Verification: Launch Fortnite and observe network activity in the Task Manager's "Performance" tab under "Ethernet" or "Wi-Fi". Sustained send/receive activity after the "Connecting" screen appears indicates packets are flowing.

Solution 4: Reset Game Configuration Directory

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

Ensure the Epic Games Launcher and Fortnite are fully closed (verify via Task Manager).
Press Windows Key + R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved, and press Enter.
Rename the entire Config folder to Config_Backup.
Rename the WindowsClient folder (if present inside Saved) to WindowsClient_Backup.
Launch Fortnite from the Epic Games Launcher. The game will generate fresh configuration files.
If the game connects, you may manually copy specific custom settings files (e.g., GameUserSettings.ini) from the backup to the new folder, but avoid copying the entire directory.

Technical Explanation: Corrupted or read-locked .ini files in the configuration directory can contain invalid session data or network parameters. Renaming the folder forces the game to rebuild them with default, functional values. Verification: The game launches and creates a new Config and WindowsClient folder. Success is confirmed by progressing past the "Connecting" screen.

Solution 5: Perform a Clean Reinstall with Directory Removal

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 30+ minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Stable internet connection for re-download Steps:

Uninstall Fortnite via Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Uninstall the Epic Games Launcher via the same method.
Navigate to and delete the remaining Epic Games directories:

C:\Program Files\Epic Games\ C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\ %LOCALAPPDATA%\EpicGamesLauncher\ %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\

Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\. Delete any Epic Games or EpicGames keys found. (Exercise caution in the registry editor).
Restart the computer.
Download and install the latest Epic Games Launcher installer from the official website. Install it to a default directory.
Install Fortnite through the newly installed launcher.

Technical Explanation: A standard reinstall often leaves behind corrupted runtime files and registry entries. This method ensures a completely clean state, removing all persistent data that could conflict with a fresh installation. Verification: A successful launch from the new installation with no residual settings indicates the corruption was in the removed user data or runtime files.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain consistent Windows Update and GPU driver update schedules. After any graphics driver update, execute the Easy Anti-Cheat repair tool. Configure the Epic Games Launcher to close completely when a game launches via its Settings. Regularly clear the DNS cache using ipconfig /flushdns in an administrative Command Prompt. Avoid modifying permissions or setting files to read-only within the FortniteGame\Saved directory. Monitor the integrity of game files through the launcher only after a full system restart to prevent file lock conflicts.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all solutions fail and the issue persists across a clean Windows user profile. Provide the full diagnostic log located at %LOCALAPPDATA%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs\FortniteGame.log. Include a DXDiag report and the specific build numbers of Windows, your GPU driver, and the Epic Games Launcher. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games Help Center website. Do not submit reports without the required log files and system specifications.