Epic Games Launcher Not Working: 16 Solutions & Fixes

Epic Games Launcher is your gateway to games like Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, Fall Guys, and more. However, you may sometimes find your Epic Games Launcher not working. Various reasons can cause this issue. Don’t worry, we will provide detailed and effective solutions in this article to help you get back in the game and reunite with your friends on the battlefield.

Why Is Your Epic Games Launcher Not Working?

Here are all the common causes of the Epic Games launcher not launching, working, or installing.

• Outdated launcher: If you haven’t updated the Epic Games launcher in a while, it might not open or work.
• Crashed public server: Sometimes if Epic Games’s server is down, its launcher will not work responsively.
• Incompatible device: If your device doesn’t meet the system requirements for the Epic Games launcher, it won’t help open the launcher or make it work.
• Geo-restriction: If you are in a region where Epic Games is blocked, you can’t open its launcher.
• Outdated graphic drivers: Graphic drivers are very important for playing games. If it is outdated, your Epic Games launcher and games inside may crash or down.
• Launcher cache: If there is too much cache in your Epic Games launcher, it will lag and won’t work.
• Corrupted files: If your Epic Games launcher’s files are damaged, it might not open or work.
• Blocked by anti-virus software: If the Epic Games launcher is blocked by your Firewall or third-party anti-virus software, it might not launch or work.

How to Fix Epic Games Launcher Not Working – 16 Solutions

Find the solution that works for you and test it. If it doesn’t fix the issue, try another one.

Fix 1. Check Server Status

If the Epic Games Launcher or the games on it won’t open, start by checking the official server status. Go directly to Epic Games’ server status website. You will see each game and service’s operational status. If it is red, the game or service has problems.

All you need to do is wait for the official team to resolve the issue. However, if the servers are functioning properly, the problem likely stems from other factors. In that case, proceed to the next solution.

Fix 2. Use a VPN

A VPN can help you bypass geo-restrictions on the Epic Games Launcher by encrypting your internet traffic and rerouting it through a virtual server in another region. For example, if you’re in China and unable to access the Epic Games Launcher directly, you can connect to a VPN server in the U.S., making it appear as if your IP address is located there.

However, not all VPNs can effectively fix the Epic Games launcher not working issue. Many free VPNs lack advanced encryption protocols and a stable connection, making them unreliable for this purpose. You may need to find the best VPN for Fortnite and Epic Games.

For a seamless gaming experience without lag, it’s best to use a high-performance VPN like LightningX VPN. It leverages the powerful WireGuard protocol and advanced encryption algorithms to successfully bypass restrictions on Epic Games from anywhere. Plus, with no bandwidth limitations, you can enjoy smooth and uninterrupted gameplay.

Fix 3. Check for Computer Specs

To check for your computer’s specs, follow the steps below.

• Press Win + R simultaneously.
• Type msinfo32 and press Enter. This will open the “System Information” window.
• In the window, check for your computer’s specs.
• Compare it with the system requirements for the Epic Games launcher.

If your computer doesn’t meet the required specifications but can still launch the program, it may eventually close on its own. Unfortunately, the only definitive solution to this issue is to upgrade to a new computer that meets the requirements.

Fix 4. Run the Epic Games Launcher as an Administrator

An administrator’s permission can help fix the “Epic Games launcher download not working” issue. Here are the steps to gain permission.

• Press Win + S at the same time. This will open the Windows search bar.
• Type Epic Games launcher and find the result.
• On the left panel, click “Run as administrator”.
• Now, check if your Epic Games launcher starts downloading or updating games.

If this fix doesn’t work, try the next method.

Fix 5. Reinstall the Epic Games Launcher

A simple reinstall can fix many problems with the Epic Games launcher. It doesn’t take much time. Here are the detailed steps.

• Click the start button and go to settings on your computer.
• Select “Apps”.
• Find the Epic Games Launcher and click the Uninstall button to delete it.
• After uninstalling the launcher, download it from the official Epic Games website.

Fix 6. Update the Epic Games Launcher

A simple update can also help fix the Epic Games launcher not working issue. Here are the steps to achieve this.

• Open the Epic Games launcher.
• Click your profile at the upper right corner of the home page.
• Select “Settings” from the list.
• Check if there is a notification for updates. It should appear as “RESTART AND UPDATE”.
• Click the button and start updating the launcher.

Fix 7. Disable Fullscreen Optimization

If the game runs very slow in the Epic Games launcher, disable the fullscreen optimization to increase the FPS (frames per second).

• Exit the Epic Games launcher completely. You can open the system tray at the bottom right, right-click on the Epic Games icon, and select Exit.
• Right-click on the Epic Games Launcher and select “Properties” to open its tab.
• At the top of the tab, select “Compatibility”.
• Under Settings, find “Disable fullscreen optimization” and tick the box next to it.
• Click “Apply” at the bottom right of the tab. Now the fullscreen optimization for the Epic Games launcher is successfully closed.

Fix 8. Clear the Epic Games Launcher Cache

An effective method for the Epic Games launcher not working is to clear the cache of it. Here are the steps.

On Windows PC:

• Turn off the Epix Games launcher completely from the system tray.
• Press Win + R to open the Windows search bar.
• Type %localappdata%\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved and press Enter.
• Delete the present folders named: webcache, webcache_4147, or webcache_4430
• Open the launcher to see if it is fixed.

On Mac:

• Exit the launcher and go to Finder.
• Click on Go > Go to Folder.
• Type ~/Library/Caches/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher and press Enter.
• Completely delete the cache files.

Fix 9. Use Command Prompt to Repair Corrupted Files

Repairing corrupted files can help solve your Epic Games launcher not launching. You can use Command Prompt to achieve this. But note that incorrect commands could cause your data loss, so be careful about the action.

• Press Win + S.
• Type cmd.
• See the Command Prompt and click “Run as administrator” on the right panel.
• Type the command: sfc /scannow
• Now, your Windows will automatically repair corrupted system files.
• After the process is done, restart your computer and launch the Epic Games launcher to see if it can run properly.

Fix 10. Update Computer Graphic Drivers

Updating graphic drivers is a way to fix the Epic Games launcher not working. You can choose to automatically update the drivers or manually download the drivers from the official manufacturer’s website. However, we recommend the latter.

You can read our article to learn how to update any driver on your PC: How to Update Drivers on PC: Easy and Quick Guide.

Fix 11. Force Rendering in OpenGL for Epic Games Launcher

Generally, your launcher or game will be rendered in Directx. However, if it is damaged or lost, use OpenGL to render. Here’s how to do this.

• Right-click on the Epic Games Launcher shortcut and select Properties.
• In the Shortcut tab at the top, locate the Target field.
• At the end of the target path, add ” -opengl” (including the space before the dash). The final path should look like this: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher\Portal\Binaries\Win32\EpicGamesLauncher.exe” -opengl
• Click Apply, then OK to save the changes.

Fix 12. Open Epic Games Launcher Through Steam

If you can’t open the Epic Games launcher, try opening it through Steam. Here’s how to do this.

• Open the Steam desktop on your computer.
• At the bottom of the Steam page, click “Add a Game”.
• Select “Add a Non-Steam Game”.
• Find the Epic Games Launcher from the list and tick the box next to it.
• Click “Add Selected Programs”.
• Go to “LIBRARY” and click on Epic Games Launcher.
• Click “Play” to open the Epic Games Launcher through your Steam.

Fix 13. Update BIOS

Updating the BIOS of your computer can also help troubleshoot the Epic Games launcher not working issue. However, we recommend you use a hard disk to save the important data on your computer before the update.

To do so, read our article: How to Update BIOS on Windows 11/10, ASUS, MSI.

Fix 14. Use Onboard Graphics Card

Normally, your laptop automatically enables the dedicated graphics card to handle games, but sometimes driver issues can prevent the game from launching. You can switch to the integrated graphics card to resolve the issue.

• Right-click on the computer desktop and select “Display settings”.
• In the right panel, select “Graphical settings”.
• Under “Choose an app to set preference”, select “Classic app” > “Browse”.
• Find the Epic Games Launcher exe. File. (Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Binaries\Win64)
• Click on the app and choose “Options”.
• Under “Set graphics preference”, choose an option to run your onboard graphics card (e.g. Power saving).
• Save the change.

Fix 15. Allow Epic Games Launcher Through Firewall or Anti-Virus Software

Follow the steps below to allow the Epic Games launcher through the firewall.

• Press Win + S to open the Windows search bar.
• Type “Firewall & network protection”.
• Click on the result.
• Click the “Allow an app through firewall” option.
• Click “Change settings” at the upper right.
• Find the Epic Games Launcher and tick both boxes next to it.
• Click “OK” to save the change.

Fix 16. Contact Epic Games Support

If none of the above solutions can fix your Epic Games launcher not launching, downloading, or working, report your problem to Epic Games official support. You can screenshot the issue to help them solve it easily.

Conclusion

The issues with Epic Games Launcher may be caused by software or hardware problems on your computer. The solutions above are likely to resolve the issue. However, if your computer itself has hardware limitations, switching to a new one may be the best option. Hopefully, you can fix the Epic Games Launcher issue and get back to gaming!