Graphics Issue
Fortnite
Split Screen Not Working After Update - Fortnite Fix Guide
🎯 Quick Answer
The split-screen feature has been temporarily disabled by Epic Games as of the OG Season Week 3 update; there is no user-configurable fix until the developer re-enables the functionality.
SECTION 1: OVERVIEW
The error is the complete absence of the split-screen functionality within Fortnite. This is a service-side feature flag disable, not a client-side configuration error. The issue affects Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 platforms specifically, as these are the only consoles that support the feature. The problem manifests starting with the game update corresponding to Fortnite OG Season, Week 3. The frequency is universal for all players on affected platforms attempting to use split-screen. The severity is game-breaking for co-located multiplayer sessions, as the core functionality is unavailable. No error codes or messages are generated; the system simply does not present the option to activate split-screen play.SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS
The primary symptom is the non-appearance of the "Press [Button] to Join" prompt on the second controller in the game lobby. The system does not register input from the second controller for player joining purposes, despite the controller being powered on and connected to the console. The console's operating system may recognize the controller, but Fortnite provides no in-game response. This occurs during the lobby phase before matchmaking. The game operates normally in all other aspects for the primary account. No error messages, crashes, or UI elements indicate an attempt to activate the feature.SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES
Category: Game Bug / Service Disable Specific technical explanation: Epic Games has disabled the split-screen feature via a server-side configuration toggle. This is often done to address a critical, newly discovered bug within the feature that could cause stability issues, crashes, or unfair gameplay. Why this causes the problem: The game client, upon connecting to Epic's services, receives a flag that hides the split-screen activation logic. The option is removed at the source, making local client troubleshooting ineffective. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: The primary account's console may have its "Home Xbox" or primary PS5 console settings misconfigured, affecting game license and online service sharing for the second player. Why this causes the problem: If the second player cannot access online services due to license sharing restrictions, the game will not allow them to join, even if the split-screen feature itself is active. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Strict NAT (Type 3) or blocked UDP ports on the router can prevent the necessary peer-to-peer handshake between the two local profiles before merging them into a single matchmaking request. Why this causes the problem: Split-screen requires two separate profiles to authenticate and synchronize with Epic's servers simultaneously; network restrictions can halt this process silently. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: A corrupted or outdated system-level console OS update can conflict with Fortnite's method of allocating GPU and system memory resources for a second viewport. Why this causes the problem: The game's request for additional rendering resources is denied or fails at the operating system level, preventing the initialization of the second screen. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A latent bug in the game's saved data or local cache related to party management can persist through updates, causing the join logic to fail. Why this causes the problem: Corrupted cached data referencing old split-screen sessions can cause the game to skip the invitation prompt under the assumption a session is already active or in an invalid state.SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS
Solution 1: Verify Official Feature Status
Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: High (for diagnosis) Prerequisites: Internet access to check official channels. Steps:- Navigate to the official Fortnite Status page (status.epicgames.com) or the @FortniteStatus account on X (formerly Twitter).
- Search for keywords "split screen" or "local multiplayer" in the recent update history or outage announcements.
- Confirm if there is an active incident report stating the feature is disabled or under investigation.
- If confirmed disabled, no further user action is possible. Monitor these channels for an "All Clear" or "Resolved" update.
Solution 2: Perform a Full Console Power Cycle and Cache Clear
Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium (if the issue is local cache corruption) Prerequisites: None. Steps:- Completely power down the Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5. Do not use Rest Mode or Instant-On.
- Unplug the power cable from the back of the console for a full 60 seconds.
- While unplugged, press and hold the console's physical power button for 10 seconds to discharge residual power.
- Reconnect the power cable and boot the console.
- Launch Fortnite and have the second controller powered on and signed into a separate profile at the console dashboard before entering the game lobby.
Solution 3: Review and Correct Console Sharing Settings
Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Primary account holder credentials. On Xbox Series X|S:- Press the Xbox button and go to Profile & system > Settings > General > Personalization > My home Xbox.
- Select Make this my home Xbox to ensure game license sharing is active on this device.
- Have the second player ensure they are signed into their own Microsoft account on the console.
- Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play.
- Ensure Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play is active for the primary account.
- Have the second player sign into their own PSN profile on the console.
Solution 4: Configure Router for Open NAT
Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 20 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Access to router admin interface. Steps:- Access your router's admin panel (commonly via 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser).
- Enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) if available. This is often found under "NAT" or "Firewall" settings.
- If UPnP is not available, set a Static IP Address for your console and create Port Forwarding rules for the following UDP ports: 5222, 5795, 5847-5849, 7777-7787, 9000-9999, 20500-20510, 44300-44399.
- Apply settings and restart the router.
- On the console, run the network connection test (in Xbox/PS5 settings) to confirm NAT Type is now "Open" or "Type 1".
Solution 5: Reinstall Fortnite
Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 30-60 minutes Success Rate: Low (for this specific server-side issue, but high for local file corruption) Prerequisites: Stable internet connection for re-download. On Xbox Series X|S:- Press the Xbox button, navigate to My games & apps > See all > Games.
- Highlight Fortnite, press the Menu button, and select Uninstall.
- Confirm uninstallation. Restart the console.
- Reinstall Fortnite from the Microsoft Store or your game library.
- Go to the Game Library, highlight Fortnite, press the Options button, and select Delete.
- Confirm deletion. Restart the console.
- Reinstall Fortnite from your Game Library or the PlayStation Store.