Fortnite is a wildly popular, free-to-play battle royale game developed by Epic Games. The game was initially released in 2017, but even after 5 years it remains one of the most-grossing games. Gamers worldwide appreciated the game’s fresh concept of the battle royale formula and its vivid, cartoony and yet detailed art style. The game has had numerous updates and has collaborations with major brands and characters from pop culture, and the amount of impact it has had on pop culture in itself is commendable. 5 years later, it stands with the likes of Minecraft or the Call of Duty franchise as one of the most played games of all time.

However, no game is without its fair share of issues. This is especially true for online games and amongst them, battle royale games. Because battle royale games host 100 (or more) players competing in real-time, sometimes the server can cause some issues in the game and cause it to not run efficiently. This happens with many battle royale games and is true with Fortnite as well. Fortnite occasionally runs into some technical glitches, which might cause issues with players. Such one problem is the issue of Fortnite being stuck on “checking for updates” and not loading further. In this article, we tackle this problem and tell you what to do to make the game run as intended and get you back on the battle bus for some Fortnite action as soon as possible!

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Understand Why Fortnite Gets Stuck On Checking For Updates?

Before we move forward with how to fix the issue of Fortnite stuck on checking for updates, we need to first understand and evaluate what causes this issue to arise. This problem occurs when the game fails to progress beyond the update verification stage, which leaves the players unable to access the latest content and features. There can be various reasons for this problem to occur. It can be triggered due to multiple factors, such as problems with internet connectivity, and having conflicting software or game files being corrupted. This issue mostly occurred on PC/laptop devices, and we explore the reasons for the problems below in detail.

Common problems causing Fortnite to be stuck on the checking for updates screen are:

• Epic Games Server Problems– Many times, Epic Games server might go offline or be undergoing some maintenance. This can cause the game to not function as the server is temporarily down. This may cause the screen to be stuck on checking for updates.
• Game Files Being Damaged– Sometimes the files of Fortnite may get corrupted. This means that you cannot properly update your game and get the latest features and content, making the game stuck on the checking for updates screen for a long time.
• Issues With Your Internet Connection– The game could not be opening due to an unreliable or slow connection by your internet. Or some misconfiguration and DNS problems can cause the game to not access the internet as it should. This can result in the game being stuck on checking for updates.
• Antivirus Blocking The Game– Oftentimes, the antivirus on your laptop or PC can actually result in blocking some features of applications and games. The same might happen to Fortnite, which will result in it being stuck on the checking for updates screen for a long period.

All of these are the most common issues for why your game might not be running well. But fear not, because we have a definitive list of solutions to make your game run as intended, and put you back on Fortnite quickly.

Before you take any steps from your end to fix this issue, you need to understand that this problem of the game not loading beyond the checking for updates screen can be caused by server issues. In fact, that is the reason for most of the time this issue arises. In that case, one can do nothing but wait till the server gets open again to access the game. You can check the status of Fortnite and Epic games as well on the Epic Games site (or click here). Through this, you can keep track of when the servers come back online.

Fixes For Fortnite Stuck On Checking For Updates Issue

Below we cover all solutions to Fortnite getting stuck and not loading beyond the checking for updates problem. Read the below methods to fix your issue easily. Keep in mind as we stated above though, that before this make sure to check if the issue is on the game’s end and not on your end. Regardless, these methods will make sure that Fortnite is up and running in minutes.

• Verify your Internet Connection:
  For successful Fortnite updates, a steady and dependable internet connection is essential. Make that your network is operating properly, and if there are any brief connectivity issues, think about rebooting your modem or router. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your device directly to the modem for a more reliable connection.
• Configure or Disable Firewalls and Antivirus Software: Excessive firewall or antivirus settings may prevent Fortnite updates from taking place. Disable or set these security tools momentarily to permit Fortnite to freely communicate with the required servers. For continuous protection following the update, don’t forget to reactivate them.
• Clear the Launcher Cache: The Epic Games Launcher’s accumulated cache files can cause problems linked to updates. These issues can be fixed by clearing the cache. To delete saved data, open the launcher’s settings, find the cache-clearing option, and then adhere to the directions. Restart the Epic Games Launcher after that to look for updates once more.
• Check the Integrity of Game Files: Missing or damaged game files can cause the update process to halt. Check the Fortnite game files’ consistency using the Epic Games Launcher to fix this. The launcher is then prompted to check for errors and automatically fix or replace any damaged files. Launch the Epic Games Launcher, go to the Library area, click Fortnite’s three dots, and then choose “Verify.”
• Turn Off Background Applications: Background processes for resource-intensive applications may obstruct Fortnite’s update procedure. To free up system resources and guarantee a smooth update experience, close unused programmes. Altogether pressing up Ctrl + Shift + Esc will open up the Task Manager on the screen. Go to the “Processes” tab and end any unnecessary processes that are using a lot of resources.
• Run the Launcher as Administrator: By giving the Epic Games Launcher administrative rights, you can make sure it has the freedom to carry out updates unhindered. Click the launcher icon with the right mouse button, choose “Run as administrator,” and then confirm any system prompts that appear. Bypassing any user permission difficulties that might be preventing the update process, this step completes it.
• Update Graphics Drivers: Fortnite’s performance, particularly its ability to properly update, can be hampered by outdated or incompatible graphics drivers. To ensure optimal compatibility, go to the website of the company that makes your graphics card, get the most recent drivers, and install them. You can follow this guide for more. After installing the updated drivers, restart your computer and try the Fortnite update once more.
• Reinstall Epic Games Launcher: If everything else fails, you can try to fix the update problem by reinstalling the Epic Games Launcher. Reinstall the launcher by uninstalling it first, then downloading the most recent version from the official Epic Games website. Start the new launcher, log into your Epic Games account, and then search for Fortnite updates.

Depending on your device, one of these methods is sure to come in handy for fixing Fortite being continuously stuck on the checking for updates screen. By following the methods, the problem can be resolved quickly.

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Conclusion

Fortnite has been one of the most popular and relevant games for the past 5 years, and it has a large fanbase and player community. As such, getting the issue of Fortnite being stuck on the checking for updates page is frustrating. However, through this guide you can easily fix this problem. The issue of Fortnite stuck on checking for updates is not a particularly difficult one to fix, as we can see by the easy methods described in our article. After reading this guide, you can quickly hop back into Fortnite and return to your gaming adventures!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) Can Fortnite get stuck checking for updates due to a bad internet connection?

Ans: Yes, a steady internet connection is necessary for successful Fortnite updates. The game may not correctly check for updates if your internet connection is spotty or unreliable. Before trying the update, confirm that your connection is secure and has good speed.

Q) Are there some particular software conflicts which can be the root of the update problem?

Ans: It is true that some firewall and antivirus settings can prevent Fortnite from receiving updates. But, as we have stated in our guide, the problem may be solved by temporarily disabling or setting these security programmes to provide Fortnite unrestricted access to the required servers.

Q) What should I do if Fortnite does not work even after all the troubleshooting methods?

Ans: If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting techniques and the problem persists, you should contact Epic Games Support for additional help. They can assist in solving the issue by offering more detailed advice that is targeted to your circumstances.