Epic Games Store errors and common problems

Launcher won't open: Launcher crashes or never starts

Means

The Epic Games Launcher crashes, freezes or does not start at all. Epic says an outage, an old launcher version, a bad cache, graphics drivers or antivirus can all cause it.

First step

Check the Epic Games status page for an outage first. All steps

Downloads slow or stuck: Speed limit, network or DNS trouble

Means

Games download far slower than your connection allows or seem to stall. Epic points to server trouble, Wi-Fi, a speed limit in the launcher, DNS or a proxy.

First step

Check the Epic Games status page to see if the servers are up. All steps

Launcher is blank: Web cache or display scaling issue

Means

The launcher opens to a white or blank window, or its layout looks broken. Epic says the web cache, DNS or high DPI scaling are the usual causes.

First step

Make sure the launcher is up to date. All steps

Can't claim free games: The CAPTCHA won't load or verify

Means

A free game or purchase won't go through because the CAPTCHA check fails to load or keeps rejecting you.

First step

Open the store or your browser in a private or incognito window. All steps

LS-0013: Game is unable to launch

Means

A game won't start from the launcher. Epic says missing or damaged files are a common cause, along with a bad cache, admin rights and security software.

First step

Verify the game files in the launcher. All steps

II-E1003: Install failed because files can't download

Means

The launcher can't download the files it needs to install a game.

First step

Update the Epic Games Launcher to the latest version. All steps

SU-PQR1603: Launcher prerequisites failed to install

Means

The launcher's self update failed while installing the files it needs, often shown as "The necessary prerequisites have failed to install".

First step

Run the Epic Games Launcher as an administrator. All steps

MD-DL-0: Install download times out

Means

A game install fails because the download of the install data times out. Epic's fix gives the launcher more time to fetch it.

First step

Exit the launcher from its icon in the system tray. All steps

IS-MF-01: File failed to relocate during install

Means

While installing a game, the launcher couldn't move a downloaded file into place.

First step

Turn off background apps with a clean boot on Windows or Safe Mode on Mac. All steps

LS-0018: The game is still running

Means

The game you are trying to start, or its own launcher, is still running in the background.

First step

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del and open Task Manager. All steps