6 Ways to Fix the Fortnite “Checking for Updates” Error on a Windows PC

Many players have reported that Fortnite gets stuck on a “checking for updates” message when they try to play Epic’s battle royale blast ’em up. This is what one player said about that issue on Reddit, “For about a day now, I’ve been having an issue loading into Fortnite, the loading screen will go as normal and then it will get stuck on checking for updates; and I’m not sure if it’s a game, console or internet issue.” Here are some ways you can fix the Fortnite “checking for updates” error on a Windows 11/10 PC.

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Check the Server Status for Epic

First, check if any general Epic server-side issue could be causing the Fortnite “checking for updates” error. Open this Epic webpage and click Fortnite to see if it shows any issues with matching, game services, etc. If it does, wait a day or two until Epic sorts out the server-related issue.

The Epic status page

Restart Your Router/Modem

Restarting your router/modem can sometimes fix game connection issues, which the Fortnite “checking for updates” error is. You can reboot your router/modem by unplugging it and then reconnecting. Try restarting your router as instructed on this Epic technical support page.

Change Your DNS Server

Changing your DNS server can fix DNS issues causing the Fortnite “checking for updates” error to occur. Epic recommends players set a Google DNS to fix this Fortnite error. These are the steps for setting up a Google Domain Name System on Windows PCs.

1. Right-click the Windows logo (Start button) on the taskbar and select Run.
2. Enter the ncpa.cpl Run command and click OK.
3. Next, right-click the Wi-Fi or other adapter for your internet to select a Properties option on its context menu.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 and click Properties.
5. Click Use the following DNS server.
6. Input an 8.8.8.8 value for the Preferred DNS setting.
7. Type 8.8.4.4 into the box for the Alternative DNS setting.
   
   

   The Use the following DNS server addresses radio button

8. Click OK on the properties window to apply settings.
9. Restart your Windows laptop or desktop and try playing Fortnite.

Reset Winsock and Clear the DNS Cache

Corrupted Winsock catlogs or DNS caches can cause gaming connection issues to occur. A quick Winsock reset or DNS flush will address this possible cause for the Fortnite “checking for updates” error. You can apply this potential fix by executing commands for resetting winsock and flushing the DNS like this.

1. Activate the search box by pressing the Windows logo button + S key combination.
2. Type in cmd and click Run as administrator for the Command Prompt result shown.
3. Enter netsh winsock reset and hit Return to execute.
   
   

   The netsch winsock reset command

4. Type the ipconfig /flushdns command into the Prompt and press Enter.
   
   

   The ipconfig flushdns command

Run Epic Games With Administrative Rights

1. Click your Epic Games desktop shortcut to select Properties.
2. Select the Run this program as an administrator checkbox inside the Compatibility tab. 
3. To save the setting selected, click on Apply > OK.
   
   

   The Compatibility tab

4. Double-click your Epic Games Launcher shortcut, and start Fortnite from there.

Reset Proxy Settings

Some players confirm they’ve fixed the Fortnite “checking for updates” error by resetting proxy settings, which can cause Epic server connection issues. Those players executed a command for disabling proxy servers. You can reset proxy settings with that command like this.

1. Go through steps one and two of resolution four above to start the Command Prompt.
2. Input netsh winhttp reset proxy inside the Command Prompt.
   
   

   The reset proxy command

3. Press Enter to execute the command for resetting proxy settings.

Those potential fixes for the Fortnite “checking for updates” error have worked for many players. So, maybe one of them will work for you as well. If not, you can also discuss this issue with Epic’s help service by clicking Contact Us on this technical support page.