Fortnite is distributed through the Epic Games app, not Steam. Only download it from the official Epic Games website — search results occasionally surface fake “Fortnite installer” sites that are not affiliated with Epic.
If something goes wrong after installing, start with our guide to fixing PC game crashes, stutter and launch errors.
Step 1: Download the Epic Games app
Go to the official Epic Games website and download the Epic Games launcher. This is a separate app from Fortnite itself — it’s the platform you’ll use to install and update the game.
Step 2: Create or sign in to an Epic account
Sign in with an existing Epic Games account, or create a free one. If you’ve played Fortnite on console or mobile before, use that same account to keep your cosmetics and progress.
Step 3: Install Fortnite
In the Epic Games app, search for Fortnite and click Get, then Install. Choose an install location with at least 30 GB free — an SSD will noticeably reduce loading screen times compared to a hard drive.
Step 4: First-launch checks
- Fortnite will prompt you to select a region — pick the one closest to you for the best ping.
- On first launch, check the in-game video settings match your monitor’s native resolution.
- If you plan to play competitively, Performance Mode (a simplified rendering mode) can significantly boost FPS on lower-end hardware at the cost of some visual fidelity.
If the installer gets stuck or fails
- Pause and resume the download — this resolves a large share of stalled downloads.
- Verify the game files: right-click Fortnite in your Epic library → Manage → Verify.
- Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall software during installation only — some security software incorrectly flags the anti-cheat component during first install.
- Make sure Windows is fully updated; Fortnite’s anti-cheat has minimum OS build requirements.
After you’re in
Fortnite’s fast movement and building mechanics reward a mouse with a reliable, low-latency sensor — see our Best Gaming Mouse guide if you’re shopping for one.
