Why Does Fortnite Keep Crashing After the New Update? Troubleshooting Guide

Fortnite crashing after a new update is a frustratingly common issue. Several factors can contribute to these crashes, ranging from outdated drivers and corrupted game files to server issues and hardware limitations. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the most common causes and provide practical solutions to get you back into the game.

Common Causes of Fortnite Crashes After Updates

Before diving into solutions, understanding the common culprits behind these crashes is crucial. This helps you target the most likely causes first.

  • Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers: Graphics drivers are the bridge between your operating system and your graphics card. Outdated or corrupted drivers often lead to instability, especially after a game update that pushes the hardware harder.
  • Corrupted Game Files: The update process itself can sometimes corrupt existing game files. This leads to errors during gameplay, often resulting in crashes.
  • Insufficient System Resources: New updates may increase the game’s demands on your system’s resources, such as RAM or CPU. If your system barely meets the minimum requirements, the update may push it over the edge.
  • Overheating: Increased game demands can cause your CPU or GPU to overheat. Overheating can trigger crashes to prevent permanent hardware damage.
  • Background Applications: Other applications running in the background can compete for resources and interfere with Fortnite, leading to crashes.
  • DirectX Issues: Fortnite relies on DirectX. Problems with the DirectX installation can cause crashes.
  • Server Issues: Sometimes, the problem isn’t on your end. Server instability on Epic Games’ side can lead to crashes for many players.
  • Hardware Incompatibility: In rare cases, a new update may expose an incompatibility issue with a specific piece of hardware.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Fortnite Crashes

Here’s a systematic approach to troubleshooting and resolving Fortnite crashes after an update:

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

  • NVIDIA: Go to the NVIDIA website or use the GeForce Experience application to download and install the latest drivers.
  • AMD: Go to the AMD website or use the AMD Radeon Software to update your drivers.
  • Intel: Use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

After updating, restart your computer.

2. Verify Game Files

Epic Games Launcher has a built-in tool to verify the integrity of the game files:

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher.
  2. Go to your Library.
  3. Find Fortnite.
  4. Click the three dots next to the game’s name.
  5. Select “Verify.”

This process will scan your game files and redownload any corrupted or missing files. It can take some time to complete.

3. Close Background Applications

Close unnecessary applications running in the background:

  • Windows: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and close any resource-intensive applications.
  • macOS: Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities) and quit any unnecessary processes.

This frees up system resources for Fortnite.

4. Lower Graphics Settings

If your system is struggling to run the updated game, try lowering the graphics settings:

  1. Launch Fortnite.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Navigate to the Graphics section.
  4. Lower settings like resolution, visual quality, and effects.

Experiment with different settings to find a balance between performance and visual quality.

5. Check for Overheating

Monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing. You can use software like:

  • MSI Afterburner
  • HWMonitor

If temperatures are consistently high (above 80°C for CPU and GPU), consider improving your cooling solution (cleaning dust from fans, reapplying thermal paste, or upgrading your cooler).

6. Reinstall DirectX

Corrupted DirectX files can cause crashes. Reinstalling DirectX can resolve these issues:

  1. Navigate to the Fortnite game installation directory. (Usually located in Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64)
  2. Look for the DirectX installer (usually a file named DXSETUP.exe).
  3. Run the installer and follow the instructions.

7. Reinstall Fortnite

If none of the above solutions work, a complete reinstall of Fortnite might be necessary. This ensures a clean installation of all game files.

  1. Uninstall Fortnite through the Epic Games Launcher.
  2. Delete any remaining Fortnite folders in your Program Files directory.
  3. Reinstall Fortnite through the Epic Games Launcher.

8. Check Game Server Status

Visit the Epic Games Server Status page (https://status.epicgames.com/) to see if there are any known server issues. If there are, the problem is likely on Epic’s end, and you’ll have to wait for them to resolve it.

9. Run Fortnite as Administrator

Running Fortnite as an administrator can sometimes resolve permission issues that might be causing crashes:

  1. Right-click on the Fortnite executable file.
  2. Select “Run as administrator.”

10. Update Windows

Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date. Sometimes updates include fixes relevant to game stability:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Check for updates and install any available updates.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the basic steps don’t resolve the issue, here are some more advanced troubleshooting steps:

  • Check System Requirements: Make sure your PC meets the minimum and recommended system requirements for the updated version of Fortnite.
  • Run Memory Diagnostic: Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to check for memory issues.
  • Check Hard Drive Health: Check your hard drive’s health using tools like CrystalDiskInfo.
  • Contact Epic Games Support: If all else fails, contact Epic Games Support for further assistance. Provide them with detailed information about your system and the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.

Conclusion

Fortnite crashes after updates can be frustrating, but by systematically troubleshooting the common causes and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can often resolve the issue and get back to enjoying the game. Remember to start with the simplest solutions first and work your way up to more advanced troubleshooting. Good luck, and happy gaming!