How To Fix Fortnite Not Launching on Windows 11

Gaming

Oct 10

Fortnite is an incredibly popular game enjoyed by millions of players around the world. However, for Windows 11 users, launching Fortnite can sometimes be a frustrating experience. If you're one of those players experiencing issues with Fortnite on Windows 11, don't worry, you're not alone. In this article, we will explore some effective methods to fix this problem and get you back to enjoying your favorite game in no time.

As we dive into the different ways to fix the problem when Fortnite is not launching on Windows 11, we will cover various aspects that can cause the issue, including system requirements, graphics card drivers, and compatibility issues. We will also provide step-by-step instructions to help you troubleshoot and fix the problem. So, whether you're a casual gamer or a serious competitor, keep reading to learn how to fix Fortnite not launching on Windows 11 and get back to playing your favorite game.

End all Fortnite & Epic Game Processes

Open up your Task Manager by searching for it in your start menu search. In the Processes tab, end all Fortnite and Epic Games processes that could still be running in the background.

end task task manager — Task Manager > Processes > End Task

Repair the Easy Anti-Cheat Service

Open up your file explorer and navigate to the drive on which you saved Fortnite: Program Files > Fortnite > FortniteGame > Binaries > Win64 > EasyAntiCheat. Double-click the EasyAntiCheat_Setup application and a new window will open up. Click on Repair Service, which will take a few seconds to reinstall EasyAntiCheat to your system.

easy anti cheat repair service.jpg — Program Files > Fortnite > FortniteGame > Binaries > Win64 > EasyAntiCheat

Adjust the Fortnite Compatibility Options

Back in your file explorer, under Win64, scroll down and right-click the FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe application with the largest file size.

In the properties of the application, navigate to the Compatibility tab and make sure to Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 7, and Disable fullscreen optimizations. Don’t forget to apply your changes. This can often fix startup issues for Fortnite.

fortnite compatiblity.jpg — Fortnite App Properties > Compatibility

Verify the Fortnite Game Files

Open up your Epic Games launcher. In your game library, click on the burger menu for Fortnite and select Verify. Redownloading and reinstalling any missing or corrupted game files will take a minute, which could otherwise cause crashes.

Graphics Card Driver Update

An outdated graphics driver or operating system can also be the culprit for startup issues. We suggest using the GeForce Experience application for an NVIDIA GPU, but you can also use the AMD driver suite.

In the Drivers tab, click on Download, and the application will automatically download and install the latest driver. Repeat this step a few times per year to ensure you get the most out of your hardware. You should also ensure not to overclock your graphics card, which could cause game crashes.

In the Home tab, select Details for Fortnite. You will be presented with current in-game settings and the optimal settings suggestion depending on your hardware. Click on the wrench icon, and under Display Mode, set it to Windowed for now; you can always change it back to Fullscreen in your in-game settings. When navigating to your GeForce Settings, disable the In-Game Overlay in your General settings tab, as application overlays often cause performance issues.

check for updates geforce experience.jpg — GeForce Experience > Drivers > Download

Windows Operating System Update

Ensure you are running the latest Windows 11 version. Search for Update in your start menu search to open up your Check for updates system settings window. Click on Check for updates, and after downloading the latest update, restart your PC before launching Fortnite.