Network Issue Fortnite

Fortnite Zero Build Network Kick Error - Complete Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-06 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-06 👥 Reports: 4 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Clear the Epic Games Launcher cache and verify Fortnite game files to resolve the network error causing disconnections in Zero Build mode.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

This error is a network session termination specific to Fortnite's Zero Build playlists. The system disconnects the client from the game server approximately 10 minutes into a match while maintaining the party voice channel and team interface. The error affects the Windows platform across multiple game versions where Zero Build and OG Build modes operate on separate backend services. This is a common occurrence with a high severity impact, as it renders the affected game mode unplayable. The exact error message presented is "Network Error." The issue manifests exclusively in Zero Build modes, including Duos, while the OG Build mode operates without disconnection, indicating a configuration or session-handling conflict between the two game environments.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application experiences a forced disconnection from the game server during a Zero Build match. The disconnection occurs consistently at the 8-12 minute interval of active gameplay. The user interface displays a "Network Error" notification. Following the disconnection, the player returns to the Fortnite lobby. The in-game party system remains active, allowing continued voice communication with the teammate. The game client does not crash or terminate. The issue is reproducible in every Zero Build match but does not occur in OG Build mode matches under identical network conditions.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or outdated cache data in the Epic Games Launcher creates a conflict during the handshake with Zero Build-specific servers. Why this causes the problem: The launcher cache stores temporary authentication and session data. Mismatched or stale cache entries for the Zero Build environment cause the server to reject the client's session after an initial validation period. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A version mismatch or corruption in one or more Fortnite game files specific to Zero Build game logic. Why this causes the problem: The game's file verification system may not flag minor corruptions in mode-specific assets, leading to a runtime error that triggers a protective network disconnect. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Aggressive firewall or antivirus software intermittently blocks the UDP ports used by Zero Build servers after a connection is established. Why this causes the problem: Some security software uses heuristic analysis that may identify the sustained data stream of a Zero Build match differently from an OG Build match, resulting in a delayed block. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Outdated or corrupt Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables or DirectX runtime components required for the game's networking layer. Why this causes the problem: The game's networking library depends on these runtime components. A faulty installation can cause memory leaks or handle errors that only manifest under the specific load of a Zero Build session. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Incorrect DNS settings or a polluted local DNS cache causing routing degradation to the specific server cluster hosting Zero Build matches. Why this causes the problem: DNS resolves to a suboptimal game server. Latency or packet loss increases over the first few minutes of the match until the connection times out, while voice chat uses a different, stable pathway.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Clear Epic Games Launcher Cache and Verify Game Files

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: None Steps:

Completely exit the Epic Games Launcher via the system tray icon.
Press Windows Key + R, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.
Navigate to the EpicGamesLauncher folder, then the Saved folder.
Delete the webcache and webcache_4147 folders.
Open the Epic Games Launcher, navigate to your Library, and click the three dots under Fortnite.
Select Manage and then click Verify. Allow the process to complete.
Restart your computer and launch Fortnite to test Zero Build mode.

Technical Explanation: This process removes corrupted temporary data that interferes with the launcher's ability to maintain a stable game session and ensures all game client files are intact, eliminating version mismatch errors. Verification: Launch a Zero Build Duos match and monitor for the "Network Error" message beyond the 12-minute mark. A successful session confirms the fix.

Solution 2: Perform a Clean Network Stack Reset

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

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Execute the following commands in sequence, pressing Enter after each:

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

Restart the computer after all commands complete.
Before launching Fortnite, configure your network adapter. Open Network & Internet settings, select Change adapter options, right-click your active adapter, and select Properties.
Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Ensure "Obtain DNS server address automatically" is selected. Click Advanced, go to the DNS tab, and ensure no static DNS entries are listed.

Technical Explanation: This resets the Windows network stack to its default state, clears corrupted DNS entries, and releases/renews the IP configuration, resolving underlying TCP/IP stack corruption that can cause timed disconnections. Verification: Run ping 8.8.8.8 -t in Command Prompt for 5 minutes to check for packet loss. Then test a Zero Build match for the full disconnection period.

Solution 3: Configure Firewall and Antivirus Exceptions

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

Add Fortnite and the Epic Games Launcher as exceptions in Windows Security. Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall.
Click Change settings, then Allow another app. Browse to and add:

C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher\Portal\Binaries\Win64\EpicGamesLauncher.exe

In your third-party antivirus software, locate the application control or firewall settings and create allow rules for the same two executable files.
Temporarily disable any "gaming mode," "network intrusion protection," or "packet inspection" features in your security software for testing purposes.

Technical Explanation: This ensures no security software is selectively blocking or inspecting the UDP traffic on ports 5222, 5795, 7777, or 7787, which Fortnite uses for game server communication, after an initial connection period. Verification: Monitor the antivirus or firewall logs while playing a Zero Build match. No blocked events for Fortnite should appear. A stable match confirms the configuration.

Solution 4: Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 20 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Administrator access Steps:

Open the Windows Apps & features settings.
In the search bar, type "Microsoft Visual C++". For each entry from 2015 through 2022, select it and choose Uninstall. Restart the computer when prompted.
Download the latest Visual C++ Redistributable packages directly from the official Microsoft website. Obtain both the x64 and x86 versions of the latest release.
Install the x86 version first, then the x64 version. Restart the computer after installation is complete.
Launch Fortnite and test the Zero Build mode.

Technical Explanation: A clean installation of these runtime libraries resolves memory handling and socket connection issues within the game's executable that may only be triggered by the specific networking calls of the Zero Build environment. Verification: Check Windows Event Viewer for application errors related to VCRUNTIME or MSVCP after a gameplay session. Their absence indicates a stable runtime.

Solution 5: Perform a Clean Boot and Isolate Software Conflict

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 25 minutes Success Rate: Low Prerequisites: Administrator access Steps:

Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab. Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
Navigate to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager. Disable every startup item.
Click OK and restart the computer. This state is a Clean Boot.
Launch only the Epic Games Launcher and Fortnite. Test a Zero Build match.
If the error is resolved, re-enable services and startup items in groups of five via msconfig, restarting and testing after each group, until the error recurs to identify the conflicting software.

Technical Explanation: This diagnostic procedure eliminates all third-party software conflicts, such as overlay applications, RGB controllers, or network optimizers, that may interfere with game network traffic. Verification: A stable Zero Build match in the Clean Boot state confirms a software conflict. The culprit is identified in the last group of services/enabled before the error returns.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a monthly schedule to clear the Epic Games Launcher cache by deleting the webcache folders. Configure permanent firewall exceptions for the Fortnite executables and avoid modifying them. Before major game updates, perform a verification of game files through the launcher. Monitor network stability using the in-game network debug stats (enable in HUD settings) at the start of each gaming session. Keep the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables updated through the official Microsoft update catalog rather than relying on game installers.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support if all solutions fail and the error persists exclusively in Zero Build modes. Provide the full diagnostic report from the Epic Games Launcher (Help > Diagnostics) and the network logs from Fortnite (located in %localappdata%\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs). Include a detailed timeline of the disconnection from multiple matches. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games website under the Help section. Escalate with the specific error code "Network Error" and note the 10-minute interval pattern.