The LEGO Fortnite villager Metal Smelter bug was addressed in Epic Games’ v28.10 update on January 23, 2024. Epic’s patch notes said villagers would now do the Metal Smelter job when assigned. If you are encountering the old symptom, first make sure your game is updated to v28.10 or later; the 2024 fix does not establish whether the issue has recurred in the current game.
What was the Metal Smelter bug?
In December 2023, players reported that a villager assigned to the Metal Smelter produced no output while the job appeared to remain in progress for hours or days. PiunikaWeb reported that Epic support was aware and that the issue was marked as in development on Fortnite’s Trello board, with no estimated release date at that time: PiunikaWeb’s December 20, 2023 report.
A Reddit post titled “Villager smelting” was one example of player discussion cited in that report. It is anecdotal context, not evidence of how common the problem was: the Reddit post.
What fixed it?
Epic’s official LEGO Fortnite v28.10 update notes, published January 23, 2024, included the line: “Villagers will now actually do their ‘Metal Smelter’ job if assigned it!” This is the documented resolution. Epic did not describe the underlying technical cause or publish a separate player workaround in those notes.
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- BRING THE ADVENTURE TO LIFE – Creative fans ages 12 and up can enjoy building this LEGO Fortnite Supply Llama, a video game toy for kids and teens
- ICONIC FORTNITE CHARACTER – Based on an iconic character from the world of LEGO Fortnite, this llama toy has a movable head and opening mouth
- AMAZING DETAILS – The set features lots of accessories based on items from LEGO Fortnite, including a Grappler, Slurp Juice, Rough Ruby, Back Pack, Good Luck Charm, Slap Juice and Dynamite
- FORTNITE PLAYSET – Once kids have built and played with this LEGO Fortnite set, it becomes a piece of LEGO decor that they can showcase proudly in their bedrooms or gaming rooms
- FORTNITE GIFT IDEA – The video game building set makes a great gift for teen girls and boys, or presents for Fortnite fans ages 12+
For the historical bug, the practical step is to update the game to a version containing v28.10 or later. That follows from the patch notes; it is not a separate troubleshooting procedure prescribed by Epic.
Is the bug still happening in LEGO Fortnite Odyssey?
Epic announced on December 9, 2024 that LEGO Fortnite would become LEGO Fortnite Odyssey with the Storm Chasers update: Epic’s naming announcement. The name change does not show that the Metal Smelter issue returned. The available information confirms the January 2024 fix but does not establish whether the same bug has recurred in the current version.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FORTNITE BUILDING TOY – This video game toy for boys and girls ages 10 years old and up lets kids set out on adventures with the LEGO Fortnite Battle Bus
- FORTNITE BATTLE BUS COLLECTIBLE – Fortnite fans will be thrilled to create a brick-built version of the Battle Bus, a feature in the LEGO Fortnite video game
- AMAZING DETAILS – This Fortnite toy features accessories that include Slurp Juice, a Grappler, Pickaxes and Slap Juice
- 9 MINIFIGURES – Battalion Brawler, Adventure Peely, Brite Bomber, Cuddle Team Leader, Cube Assassin, Trespasser Elite, Drift, Meowscles and Raven bring the adventure to life
- GIFT IDEA FOR FORTNITE FANS – The set makes a great gift for 10 year old boys and girls who love video games, as well as Fortnite fans of all ages
Rank #4
- DROP IN AND BUILD – Kids ages 7+ bring Fortnite adventures to life with Peely & Sparkplug's Camp (77075) LEGO Fortnite building toy
- FORTNITE TOY FOR BOYS & GIRLS – Set includes the iconic Peely and Sparkplug, plus a skeleton minifigure, all equipped with accessories for authentic battle royale action
- AUTHENTIC GAME DETAILS – This LEGO Fortnite Set features a campfire for crafting, workbench for upgrades, and transformable ruins just like in the LEGO Fortnite game
- FORTNITE ACTION FIGURES – Stage exciting missions with the Supply Llama figure and poseable wolf with movable legs and tail for immersive Fortnite pretend play
- BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR KIDS – Surprise Fortnite fans with this exciting toy figures & playset combination that brings their favorite game into the real world
Rank #3
- WELCOME TO DURR BURGER – Kids ages 10+ can build the iconic Fortnite restaurant (77076) with authentic details from the popular battle royale game
- FORTNITE BATTLE SQUAD – Create epic restaurant battles with Beach Bomber, Beef Boss, Grimey, and skeleton characters, each with their own battle accessories
- ICONIC GAME LOCATION – This building toy features a fully equipped restaurant with condiment station, soda machine, cash register, and customizable sections
- BATTLE ROYALE HIDEOUT – Transform this Fortnite toy with outdoor seating, fried egg, spicy pepper plant, and a secret attic hideaway with spider figure
- BIRTHDAY GIFT IDEA FOR KIDS – Surprise young Fortnite fans with a collectible building toy for boys and girls who love creative play
Rank #2
- KLOMBO HAS ARRIVED – Kids ages 10+ can build an enormous LEGO Fortnite creature from the battle royale game
- PEELY & ORO MINIFIGURES – Peely and Oro can ride on Klombo's back, just like in the popular game, for epic Fortnite adventures
- POSEABLE ACTION FIGURE – This Klombo Fortnite toy features fully movable legs, opening mouth for feeding, and rotating tail to recreate favorite game moments and poses
- "FEED ME KLOMBERRIES!" – Buildable Fortnite figure comes with its own Klomberry bush and detachable LEGO berries to calm an angry Klombo
- GIFT FOR FORTNITE FANS – Makes a perfect birthday present for boys and girls who love Fortnite toys and building challenges that combine creativity with their favorite game
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