4 Ways to Fix the Fortnite ESP-DIST-001 Error on a Windows PC

The ESP-DIST-001 error is an issue many Fortnite players have reported. One Fortnite player’s Reddit post says, “On PC, I get error ESP-DIST-001 then Fortnite shuts down and shows the Athena Crash Reporter.” The ESP-DIST-001 error message says, “An error occurred while connecting to Epic’s server.” This error appears within Fortnite causing the game to close shortly after players start it. It’s a gaming issue that can occur on Windows PCs and consoles. This is how you can fix the ESP-DIST-001 error on a Windows 11/10 PC.

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Check the Server Status for Fortnite

As this is a connection error, I recommend you check to see if there’s a general Fortnite server outage. To do so, go to this Epic server page and click Fortnite there. If that page shows there to be an outage, wait until Epic has sorted out Fortnite’s server-side issues before starting the game again.

The Fortnite server status page

Restart Your PC’s Router

A few players confirm restarting (power cycling) their routers can fix the ESP-DIST-001 error code. Doing so will clear the router’s cache, which can resolve some Fortnite connection issues. You can power cycle a two-in-one router/modem like this.

1. Turn off your PC or laptop.
2. Remove the power cable from the router.
3. Wait one or two minutes and reconnect the router by plugging it back in.
4. You’ll then need to wait about five minutes for all the router’s lights to come back on.

Add Fortnite to Windows Defender Firewall’s Allowed List

Adding Fortnite to the allowed list for Windows Defender Firewall is a widely confirmed way to fix the ESP-DIST-001 error. So, it’s often the case that this error occurs because firewalls block Fortnite from connecting with the game server. This is how you can add Fortnite to Windows Defender Firewall:

1. Click on the Type here to search button or box within the Windows taskbar to enter a firewall keyword.
2. Select the Windows Defender Firewall Control Panel applet inside the search tool.
3. Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall to bring up the exclusion list.
   
   

   The Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall option

4. Select the Change settings option.
   
   

   The allowed apps list for Windows Defender Firewall

5. Click Allow another app and Browse.
6. Next, select the FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe file in Fortnite’s installation folder (inside the Bin64 subfolder) and click OK.
7. Click on the Add option.
8. Select Fortnite’s Private and Public boxes within the allowed apps list.
9. Click OK to save the changed firewall settings.

Users who’ve got third-party security apps installed on their PCs will need to check firewall settings in them. If your security (antivirus) software has a firewall, open its allowed list, and add Fortnite to it.

Change Your DNS Server to Google

Fortnite connection issues like the ESP-DIST-001 error can also sometimes occur because of unreliable default DNS servers. So, try changing your DNS to the Google alternative if the ESP-DIST-001 persists after applying other potential solutions. You can set the Google DNS on a Windows 11/10 PC like this.

1. Start the Run command dialog (use the Windows logo + R hotkey to open it).
2. Enter ncpa.cpl into Run and select its OK option.
3. Right-click the network adapter for your internet to select Properties.
4. Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 to view an IPv4 window.
5. Select Use the following DNS server to activate two DNS address boxes.
6. First, enter 8.8.8.8 in the Preferred box.
7. Click in the Alternate DNS box to enter 8.8.4.4 there.
   
   

   The DNS settings

8. Select the Internet Protocol Version 4 window’s OK option.

So, try applying those potential solutions whenever the ESP-DIST-001 error stops Fortnite from starting on your Windows PC. In most cases, the issue is usually caused by firewall blocks or conflicting third-party antivirus apps. You can also contact the technical help service for Fortnite by clicking Contact Us on this Epic page if more potential fixes for this issue are required.