How To Fix Fortnite Keeps Crashing on Launch or Startup 2025

It's your system malfunctioning that is causing startup crashes.

M. Mateen
May 14, 2023

Fortnite is an incredibly popular game played by millions of people worldwide, but it’s frustrating when the game keeps crashing on launch or startup. There are several reasons why Fortnite may be crashing, but thankfully, there are also several solutions to fix it.

We have found several reasons why Fortnite may be crashing on launch or startup, including outdated drivers can cause Fortnite to crash on launch, and corrupted game files can also cause Fortnite to crash on launch. This issue can occur due to a failed update, a virus, or a problem with your hard drive. Overclocking your computer’s hardware, particularly your graphics card, can cause instability and lead to Fortnite crashing on launch.

How To Fix Fortnite Keeps Crashing

Now that we understand some of the common causes of Fortnite crashing on launch, let’s explore some solutions to fix the issue:

Check the game requirement if your system meets the minimum system requirements for Fortnite, it should be able to run the game without any issues.
If your system does not meet the recommended system requirements, you may still be able to run the game but could experience performance issues or difficulties.
Restart your PC.
Run Fortnite as an Administrator.
Update your windows to the latest version.

1. Update Graphics Drivers

Updating your graphics drivers can resolve issues with Fortnite crashing on launch. Make sure to update your graphics card, sound card, and other hardware drivers to the latest version. You can also use third-party software to keep your system’s drivers up to date. It is crucial to prevent any kind of issue.

2. Disable Fullscreen Optimization

Disabling full-screen optimization may help with performance issues or crashing problems in some cases, but it’s not a guaranteed fix for all issues related to Fortnite crashing on launch or startup.

To disable full-screen optimization for Fortnite, follow these steps:

Right-click on the Fortnite shortcut on your desktop and select “Properties” from the context menu.
In the Properties window, click on the “Compatibility” tab.
Check the box next to “Disable fullscreen optimizations” click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.

3. Disable Background Apps

Disabling background applications can help improve the performance of Fortnite and reduce the likelihood of crashes or other issues.

Here’s how to disable background applications in Windows 10:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Click on the “More Details” button to expand the Task Manager.
Click on the “Startup” tab.
Disable any unnecessary programs by selecting them and clicking on the “Disable” button at the bottom right of the window.
Close the Task Manager.

4. Repair Visual C++ Redistributable

Repairing or reinstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable packages can help fix issues related to missing or corrupted system files that could be causing Fortnite to crash on launch or startup.

Here’s how to repair the Visual C++ redistributable packages:

Open the Control Panel and select “Programs and Features“.
Find all versions of “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable” in the list of installed programs.
Right-click on each version of the Visual C++ Redistributable and select “Change” or “Repair“.
Follow the on-screen instructions to repair the installation.

5. Disable Overlay Apps

Disabling overlay apps can also help fix issues related to Fortnite crashing on launch or startup. Overlay apps are programs that display information or interact with games while they’re running, such as Discord or GeForce Experience.

Here’s how to disable overlay apps for Fortnite:

If you’re using it, open the Discord app and click on the User Settings icon (the gear icon) in the bottom-left corner of the app window.
Click on “Overlay” in the left-hand menu.
Toggle the switch next to “Enable in-game overlay” to “Off“.
If you’re using GeForce Experience, open the app and click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the window.
Click on “General” in the left-hand menu.
Scroll down to the “In-game overlay” section and toggle the switch to “Off“.

6. Update Direct X

Updating DirectX can also help fix issues related to Fortnite crashing on launch or startup.

Open your web browser and go to the Microsoft DirectX download page.
Click on the “Download” button to start the download process.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of DirectX on your system.

7. Overclock CPU and GPU

Overclocking your CPU or GPU can potentially improve performance in games, including Fortnite. However, it can also cause stability issues, increase heat production, and void warranties. Overclocking should only be done by experienced users who understand the risks involved and are willing to accept the consequences.

8. Repair Fortnite

Verifying the game files can help fix issues related to Fortnite crashing on launch or startup. Here’s how to verify the game files:

Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your game library.
Find Fortnite in your game library and click on the three dots next to the game’s name.
Select “Verify” from the drop-down menu.
The launcher will then check the game files for any issues and download any missing or corrupted files.

9. Reinstall Fortnite

If none of the previous troubleshooting steps have worked to fix the issue of Fortnite crashing on launch or startup, you may need to try reinstalling the game. Here’s how to reinstall Fortnite:

Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your game library.
Find Fortnite in your game library and click on the three dots next to the game’s name.
Select “Uninstall” from the drop-down menu.
Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the game.
Once the game has been uninstalled, restart your computer.
Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your game library.
Find Fortnite in your game library and click on the “Install” button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the game.