How to Fix Fortnite Freezing During Gameplay: Simple Solutions

Fortnite is one of the most popular games in the world, but it can be frustrating when the game freezes during gameplay. This issue can be caused by various factors, such as hardware failure, software conflicts, incompatible device drivers, corrupted game files, and low RAM. Fortunately, there are several solutions to fix Fortnite freezing during gameplay. 

One of the most common reasons for Fortnite freezing during gameplay is low RAM. If your PC does not have enough RAM to run Fortnite smoothly, the game may freeze or crash. To fix this issue, you can try upgrading your RAM or closing other applications that are running in the background.

Another solution to fix Fortnite freezing during gameplay is to update your device drivers. Outdated or incompatible device drivers can cause conflicts with Fortnite, leading to freezing issues. You can update your device drivers manually or use a driver updater tool to automatically update them. By following these solutions, you can enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience while playing Fortnite on your PC.

Understanding the Basics

When it comes to fixing Fortnite freezing during gameplay, it is important to start with the basics. This section will cover the essential information that players need to know about their system requirements and computer specs.

System Requirements

Fortnite is a demanding game that requires a certain level of hardware to run smoothly. The minimum system requirements for Fortnite are as follows:

Component	Minimum Requirement
Operating System	Windows 7/8/10 64-bit or Mac OSX Sierra
Processor	Core i3 2.4 GHz
Memory	4 GB RAM
Graphics	Intel HD 4000

It is important to note that these are just the minimum requirements. To have a better gaming experience, players should aim to exceed these requirements.

Checking Computer Specs

To check your computer specs, you can follow these steps:

1. On Windows, click the Start button and search for "System Information". On Mac, click the Apple menu and select "About This Mac".
2. Look for the following information:
   • Operating System
   • Processor
   • Memory (RAM)
   • Graphics Card

If any of these components do not meet the minimum requirements for Fortnite, players may experience freezing or other issues during gameplay.

Identifying the Issue

When Fortnite freezes during gameplay, it can be frustrating and impact the overall experience. Before attempting to fix the issue, it is important to identify the root cause of the problem. This section will cover two sub-sections to help players recognize the issue: Recognizing Freezing vs Crashing and Detecting Lag and Screen Tearing.

Recognizing Freezing vs. Crashing

It is important to differentiate between freezing and crashing as they require different solutions. Freezing occurs when the game stops responding, but the computer remains functional. On the other hand, crashing occurs when the game shuts down unexpectedly. To determine if Fortnite is freezing or crashing, players can check if they are able to close the game or if they need to force quit it. If the game can be closed normally, it is likely freezing. If the game needs to be force quit, it is likely crashing.

Detecting Lag and Screen Tearing

Lagging and screen tearing can also be mistaken for freezing or crashing. Lagging occurs when the game is slow to respond to player input, while screen tearing is when the image on the screen appears to be split or distorted. To detect lag and screen tearing, players can look out for stuttering or jumpy movements in the game, or check if the screen appears to be split or distorted. These issues can often be fixed by adjusting the graphics settings or updating drivers.

In summary, identifying the issue is the first step towards fixing Fortnite freezing during gameplay. By recognizing freezing vs crashing and detecting lag and screen tearing, players can better understand the root cause of the problem and find appropriate solutions.

Epic Games and Fortnite Specifics

Understanding the Epic Games Launcher

The Epic Games Launcher is a software application that allows players to access and manage their games, including Fortnite. It is important to understand how the launcher works to troubleshoot freezing issues during gameplay.

One common reason for Fortnite freezing is outdated or corrupted game files. The Epic Games Launcher allows players to verify and repair their game files if necessary. To do this, players should navigate to the game in their library, click the three dots on the right side of the game line, select "Manage", and then click the "Verify" button. This will check for any missing or corrupted files and repair them if necessary.

Another potential cause of Fortnite freezing is outdated graphics drivers. The Epic Games Launcher can also help with this by providing access to the latest graphics driver updates. Players should navigate to the "Settings" menu in the launcher, select "Updates", and then click "Check for Updates" under the "Graphics Drivers" section. If any updates are available, they can be downloaded and installed directly through the launcher.

Reinstalling and Verifying Fortnite

If verifying game files and updating graphics drivers does not resolve the freezing issue, players may need to reinstall Fortnite. This process involves uninstalling the game and then reinstalling it through the Epic Games Launcher.

To uninstall Fortnite, players should navigate to the game in their library, click the three dots on the right side of the game line, select "Uninstall", and then follow the prompts to complete the process.

Once the game has been uninstalled, players can reinstall it through the Epic Games Launcher. They should navigate to the "Store" tab, search for Fortnite, and then click "Install". This will download and install the latest version of the game.

After reinstalling Fortnite, players should verify their game files to ensure that all necessary files are present and not corrupted. This can be done by following the same steps as outlined above in the "Understanding the Epic Games Launcher" section.

Overall, understanding how to use the Epic Games Launcher and how to reinstall and verify Fortnite can help players troubleshoot freezing issues during gameplay. By following these steps, players can ensure that they have access to the latest game files and graphics drivers and that their game is running smoothly.

Addressing Software Issues

When Fortnite freezes during gameplay, it's often due to software issues. Here are some steps to take to address these issues.

Keeping Windows Up to Date

One of the most important steps to take is to keep Windows up to date. This ensures that the operating system is running optimally and that any security issues are addressed. To update Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. From here, you can check for updates and install any that are available.

Dealing with Bugs and Game Patches

Another common cause of Fortnite freezing is bugs in the game. These can be caused by a variety of factors, including conflicts with other software or hardware, outdated drivers, or corrupt game files. To address these issues, it's important to keep the game up to date with the latest patches and bug fixes.

To update Fortnite, open the Epic Games Launcher and click on the Library tab. From here, find Fortnite and click on the three dots on the right side of the game line. Select Manage, then click the Verify button. This will check for any corrupt game files and repair them if necessary.

It's also important to keep your drivers up to date. This includes graphics card drivers, sound card drivers, and any other drivers that are relevant to your system. To update drivers, go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest version.

In conclusion, addressing software issues is a crucial step in fixing Fortnite freezing during gameplay. By keeping Windows up to date, updating Fortnite with the latest patches and bug fixes, and keeping drivers up to date, players can ensure that their game runs smoothly and without interruption.

Addressing Hardware Issues

When it comes to addressing Fortnite freezing during gameplay, hardware issues are one of the most common culprits. In this section, we will discuss two sub-sections that will help you understand and address hardware issues: Understanding AMD and Nvidia Differences and Updating Graphics Drivers.

Understanding AMD and Nvidia Differences

AMD and Nvidia are two of the most popular graphics card manufacturers in the market. They have a significant impact on the performance of your game. Here are some key differences between them:

• Price: AMD graphics cards are generally cheaper than Nvidia graphics cards.
• Power Consumption: AMD graphics cards tend to consume more power than Nvidia graphics cards.
• Performance: Nvidia graphics cards tend to perform better than AMD graphics cards in most cases.

If you are experiencing Fortnite freezing during gameplay, it is essential to understand the differences between AMD and Nvidia graphics cards. This understanding will help you make an informed decision when purchasing a graphics card that is compatible with your system.

Updating Graphics Drivers

Updating your graphics drivers is one of the most effective ways to address hardware issues that cause Fortnite freezing during gameplay. Graphics drivers are software that allows your operating system to communicate with your graphics card. Here are some steps to update your graphics drivers:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Display Adapters section.
3. Right-click on your GPU driver and select Update Driver.
4. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

It is essential to keep your graphics drivers up to date to avoid compatibility issues that can cause Fortnite freezing during gameplay.

Optimizing PC for Gameplay

To fix Fortnite freezing during gameplay, optimizing the PC for gaming is crucial. Here are some tips to optimize the PC for a smooth gaming experience.

Managing Virtual Memory and Background Apps

Virtual memory, also known as paging file size, is a space on the hard drive that is used to store data temporarily when the RAM is full. To optimize the PC for gaming, it is recommended to adjust the virtual memory settings.

To manage virtual memory on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select System.
2. Click on Advanced system settings.
3. Under the Advanced tab, click on Settings under the Performance section.
4. Click on the Advanced tab and click Change under the Virtual Memory section.
5. Uncheck the box that says "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives."
6. Select the drive where the game is installed and click on "Custom size."
7. Set the initial size and maximum size to the same value (the recommended size is 1.5 times the amount of RAM in the PC).

In addition, closing background apps that are not needed can also help optimize the PC for gaming. To close background apps on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy.
3. Click on Background Apps.
4. Turn off the toggle switches for apps that are not needed.

Adjusting Resolution, Refresh Rate, and Vsync

Adjusting the resolution, refresh rate, and vsync settings can also help optimize the PC for gaming.

Lowering the resolution can help increase the frame rate, which can result in a smoother gaming experience. To adjust the resolution on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
2. Under the Scale and layout section, click on the drop-down menu under Display resolution.
3. Select a lower resolution.

Increasing the refresh rate can also help increase the frame rate. To adjust the refresh rate on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
2. Scroll down and click on Advanced Display settings.
3. Click on Display adapter properties for Display 1.
4. Click on the Monitor tab and select a higher refresh rate.

Enabling vsync can help prevent screen tearing, which can result in a smoother gaming experience. To enable vsync on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
2. Scroll down and click on Graphics settings. 
3. Click on Browse and select the game executable.
4. Click on Options and select High Performance.
5. Click on Save.
6. Launch the game and enable vsync in the game settings.

By following these tips, users can optimize their PC for gaming and fix Fortnite freezing during gameplay.

Conclusion

Fortnite freezing during gameplay is a common issue experienced by many Windows users. Fortunately, there are several fixes available that can help resolve this problem.

One of the most common causes of Fortnite freezing is outdated or corrupted drivers. Updating the drivers of the graphics card, motherboard, and other hardware components can help resolve this issue. Users can check for driver updates manually or use driver update software to automate the process.

Another solution is to adjust the graphics settings of the game. Lowering the graphics quality and turning off unnecessary features like shadows and reflections can help reduce the load on the system and prevent Fortnite from freezing.

Verifying the game files and running Fortnite as an administrator can also help resolve freezing issues. Users can do this by opening the Epic Games Launcher, selecting the game, clicking on the three dots on the right side of the game line, selecting Manage, and clicking the Verify button.

Finally, users can try adjusting the virtual memory settings of their system. Increasing the virtual memory can help provide additional resources to the game and prevent freezing.

There are several fixes available for Fortnite freezing during gameplay. Users can try out different solutions until they find the one that works best for them. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can enjoy a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.