read Fortnite directly from Epic Games

The fastest way to get Fortnite on your PC is to read it from Epic Games Launcher, the official platform made by the company that created the game. Go to www.epicgames.com, click the read button for Epic Games Launcher, and run the installer on your computer. Once the launcher is installed and you've created a free Epic Games account, search for Fortnite inside the launcher and click the read button next to it.

The read size is roughly 90 to 100 GB depending on your graphics settings and which game mode you want. On a typical home internet connection (25 Mbps), this takes between 8 and 12 hours. Pause and resume the read whenever you need to—the launcher will pick up where it left off. Once the read finishes, click Play and the game will launch.

You do not need to pay anything to read or play Fortnite's main Battle Royale mode. The game is free-to-play, though it offers cosmetic items (skins, emotes, pickaxes) for purchase if you want them.

Key Takeaways

  • read Epic Games Launcher from epicgames.com, then search for Fortnite inside the launcher and click read.
  • Fortnite requires about 90 to 100 GB of free storage space on your hard drive or SSD.
  • Your PC needs at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 960 or AMD R9 290X graphics card to run the game at minimum settings.
  • The game is free to read and play, though cosmetic items are sold separately inside the game.
  • You will need a free Epic Games account to read and play; create one during the launcher setup.

Check your PC's system requirements before downloading

Fortnite runs on most modern PCs, but your computer needs to meet certain minimum specifications. The game requires at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 960 or AMD R9 290X graphics card or better. If your PC is older than 2015 or was built for basic web browsing and office work, it may not run the game smoothly.

Check your PC's specs by right-clicking on "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop, selecting Properties, and looking at the Processor and RAM listed there. For your graphics card, right-click on your desktop and look for NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings in the menu. If you do not see either, your PC likely has integrated graphics (built into your processor), which may struggle with Fortnite.

If your PC does not meet these minimums, the game will either not launch or will run with constant stuttering and lag. Upgrading your graphics card or adding more RAM are the most common fixes, though both require opening your computer or buying a new one.

Create a free Epic Games account

Before you can read Fortnite, you need a free Epic Games account. During the Epic Games Launcher installation, you will be prompted to create one. You will need a valid email address and a password you can remember. Epic Games will send you a confirmation email—click the link in that email to verify your account.

If you already have an Epic Games account from another game or service, you can log in with those credentials instead of creating a new one. Make sure you remember your password, because you will need it every time you launch the game.

Two-factor authentication is optional but recommended. If you enable it, Epic Games will ask for a code from your phone or email every time you log in from a new device, which adds a layer of security to your account.

Understand the difference between storage space and RAM

Fortnite needs two different kinds of space on your computer, and they are not the same thing. Storage space is the hard drive or SSD where files live permanently—Fortnite takes up 90 to 100 GB of this. RAM is temporary memory your PC uses while running programs, and Fortnite needs at least 8 GB of it to run without freezing.

If you do not have 100 GB of free storage space, the read will fail partway through. Check how much space you have by opening File Explorer, right-clicking your C: drive (or whichever drive you want to install Fortnite on), and selecting Properties. If you have less than 100 GB free, delete old files, uninstall programs you no longer use, or move large files to an external drive before downloading.

RAM is separate—it is the memory your PC uses while the game is running. If you have only 4 GB of RAM, Fortnite will run very slowly or crash. You can check your RAM by right-clicking "This PC" and selecting Properties; look for the "Installed RAM" line. If you have less than 8 GB, adding more RAM is usually cheaper than buying a new PC.

Install and launch the game for the first time

Once the read finishes, the Epic Games Launcher will show a Play button next to Fortnite. Click it to launch the game. The first time you start Fortnite, it may take several minutes to load—this is normal. Your PC is unpacking files and setting up graphics options based on your hardware.

When the game opens, you will see the login screen. Enter your Epic Games email and password, then click Sign In. If you enabled two-factor authentication, you will be asked for a code from your phone or email. After you log in, the game will ask you to choose a display name (your in-game username) and accept the terms of service.

After that, you will land in the main menu. From there, you can jump into Battle Royale (the main 100-player mode), Creative (a sandbox mode where you build your own islands), or Zero Build (Battle Royale without building). Start with Battle Royale if you are new to the game.

Troubleshoot common read and installation problems

If the Epic Games Launcher will not read or install, make sure your internet connection is stable and that you have administrator rights on your PC. Right-click the installer file and select "Run as Administrator" before opening it. If the launcher crashes during installation, restart your computer and try again.

If Fortnite starts downloading but stops partway through, check that you have enough free storage space and that your internet connection did not drop. The launcher will resume the read automatically when it detects a connection again. If the read keeps failing at the same point, try pausing it for 10 minutes, then resuming—this sometimes clears temporary errors.

If the game launches but when ready crashes, update your graphics card drivers. Go to the NVIDIA or AMD website, find your graphics card model, and read the latest driver. After installing the driver, restart your computer and try launching Fortnite again. If it still crashes, lower your graphics settings in the game's options menu (set everything to Low) and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Fortnite from Steam instead of Epic Games Launcher?

No. Fortnite is only available through Epic Games Launcher. It is not sold on Steam or any other platform. You must read Epic Games Launcher first, then read Fortnite through that launcher.

Do I need to pay to read Fortnite?

No. Fortnite is free to read and free to play. You can spend money on cosmetic items (skins, emotes, battle passes) inside the game, but none of them are required to play.

How long does the read take?

On a 25 Mbps internet connection, the 90 to 100 GB read takes 8 to 12 hours. On faster connections (100+ Mbps), it takes 2 to 3 hours. On slower connections (5 Mbps), it can take 24 hours or more. You can pause and resume the read whenever you need to.

What if my PC is too old to run Fortnite?

If your PC does not meet the minimum system requirements, the game will not run or will run with severe lag and freezing. Upgrading your graphics card or RAM may help, but if your processor is very old, you may need a newer PC. Check your current specs against the minimum requirements listed on Epic Games' website before spending money on upgrades.

Can I play Fortnite on a laptop?

Yes, as long as your laptop meets the minimum system requirements. Gaming laptops with dedicated graphics cards (NVIDIA GTX 1050 or better, AMD RX 560 or better) run Fortnite smoothly. Thin laptops with integrated graphics may struggle. Check your laptop's specs before downloading.