What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
You can try a public DNS server when Fortnite will not connect, but changing DNS is not a guaranteed fix for matchmaking errors, party issues, packet loss, or high latency. Epic Games recommends it as a later troubleshooting step, after checking for outages and trying basic connection checks. For the console instructions below, Epic’s Google Public DNS values are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
What changing DNS can—and cannot—fix
DNS translates website and service names into IP addresses. As Epic Games support explains, “A DNS server translates domain names into IP addresses.” If the resolver your device is using is contributing to a connection problem, switching to a public resolver may help it find services reliably. Epic says this “may be a step worth trying if other connectivity troubleshooting has failed.”
That is not a promise that DNS will lower Fortnite ping, eliminate packet loss, or fix every “Unable to matchmake or connect to games” or “Unable to join other parties” error. Epic’s reviewed support guidance publishes no success rate or comparative measurements showing that one DNS provider is universally fastest. A service outage or degraded ISP connection will not be repaired by changing DNS on your console.
Check for outages and save your current settings first
- Check Epic Games Server Status. If Fortnite or a related Epic service is experiencing an issue, wait for it to be resolved before expecting a local DNS change to help.
- Check with your ISP for an outage or degraded service in your area.
- Try basic connection troubleshooting. Epic’s broader guidance includes restarting your modem or router and checking the connection before moving on to public DNS. See Epic’s connection troubleshooting steps.
- Record your existing DNS values before changing them. If the new setting does not help, restore those original values.
Epic’s console connection guidance also points to platform-specific network tests after checking outages. See how to test your network connection on your console.
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Google DNS values used in Epic’s console instructions
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary DNS | 8.8.8.8 |
| Secondary DNS | 8.8.4.4 |
These are the Google Public DNS addresses in Epic’s Xbox and PlayStation directions and its Switch procedure for the specific “Checking for Updates” problem. Epic also mentions Cloudflare Public DNS as an alternative, but the steps below follow Epic’s Google-specific instructions; do not substitute other addresses into them without checking the relevant provider’s instructions.
Change DNS on Xbox
- Open Settings > General > Network Settings > Advanced settings > DNS settings.
- Select Manual.
- Enter 8.8.8.8 as the primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 as the secondary DNS.
- Save the settings, then try Fortnite again.
Xbox menu wording may vary with system updates. Epic’s instructions are available in its public DNS guide.
Rank #2
- Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router - Up to 5400 Mbps WiFi for faster browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading, all at the same time(6 GHz: 2402 Mbps;5 GHz: 2402 Mbps;2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps)
- WiFi 6E Unleashed – The 6 GHz band brings more bandwidth, faster speeds, and near-zero latency; Enables more responsive gaming and video chatting
- Connect More Devices—True Tri-Band and OFDMA technology increase capacity by 4 times to enable simultaneous transmission to more devices
- Unique Design, More RAM, Better Processing - A unique housing design provides optimal heat dissipation, combined with a 1.0 GHz dual-core CPU and 512 MB High-Speed Memory, the AXE75 is designed for long-term reliability and performance.
- EasyMesh-compatible - Extend network range even more by adding EasyMesh-compatible routers, extenders, or wireless powerline adapters for a seamless, whole-home connection. Eliminate dead zones, drops, and lag as you move across your home.
Change DNS on PlayStation
- Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection, then choose Wi-Fi or LAN. Epic recommends LAN in this setup flow; a wired connection is optional and does not itself change DNS.
- Choose Custom.
- Set IP Address Settings to Automatic.
- Set DHCP Host Name to Do Not Use.
- Set DNS Settings to Manual, then enter 8.8.8.8 for primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 for secondary DNS.
- Set MTU Settings to Automatic and Proxy Server to Do Not Use.
- Run the internet connection test, then open Fortnite and check whether the error has changed.
These settings follow Epic’s general public-DNS instructions. Epic has a separate PlayStation article for being stuck on “Checking for Updates”; that dedicated flow gives a different MTU instruction (manual, 1500). Do not combine that specific-error procedure with the general DNS setup above. If that is your exact problem, follow Epic’s PlayStation “Checking for Updates” guidance.
Change DNS on Nintendo Switch only for the “Checking for Updates” issue
Epic’s general public-DNS page points Switch players to Nintendo’s manual DNS instructions. The following Google DNS steps are from Epic’s separate troubleshooting procedure for a Switch stuck on Fortnite’s “Checking for Updates” screen; they are not a blanket fix for every Switch connection error.
Rank #3
- Tri-band 2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz; latest WiFi 6E supports 8-streams on tri-band simultaneously, up to 6.6Gbps speed
- AI QoS; satisfies all users' needs by automatically prioritizing data packets
- Powerful processor; 1.8 GHz quad core processor delivers ultra fast and reliable connections
- Mystic light; sync RGB light effects with mystic light compatible products
- Game accelerator; provides an uninterrupted WiFi connection for immersive gaming experiences
- Check Epic Games Server Status, then close Fortnite.
- Open System Settings > Internet Settings > Connection Settings.
- Select the saved connection, choose Change Settings, and set DNS to manual.
- Enter 8.8.8.8 as primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 as secondary DNS, then save.
- Run the connection test, restart the Switch, and relaunch Fortnite.
Menu labels may change. Epic’s specific procedure and related steps are in its Nintendo Switch “Checking for Updates” article.
What about Windows PC?
Epic’s public-DNS guidance begins its Windows 11 directions at System > Network & Internet, with separate Ethernet and Wi-Fi choices, but the complete Windows procedure is not established in the instructions cited here. Use Epic’s current Windows-specific directions rather than guessing at the remaining settings. The console steps above do not apply to a PC.
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 - Designed with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, featuring Multi-Link Operation (MLO), Multi-RUs, and 4K-QAM. Achieve optimized performance on latest WiFi 7 laptops and devices, like the iPhone 16 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
- 𝟔-𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟔.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐭𝐡 - Achieve full speeds of up to 5764 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band with 6 streams. Enjoy seamless 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and incredibly fast downloads/uploads.
- 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Get up to 2,400 sq. ft. max coverage for up to 90 devices at a time. 6x high performance antennas and Beamforming technology, ensures reliable connections for remote workers, gamers, students, and more.
- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Test the change, then choose the next step by symptom
After changing DNS, run the platform’s connection test where available and try Fortnite again. If nothing improves, restore the DNS values you saved. Then return to the symptom rather than assuming DNS was the cause: check Epic status and ISP service again, and continue with the relevant steps in Epic’s connection troubleshooting guide. Its options include router restart, connection-type checks, device clock synchronization, cache reset, operating-system updates, proxy checks, port forwarding, DNS cache flushing, and firewall exceptions. For a console error code, Epic recommends looking up the exact message and checking for known issues.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Please update the firmware upon initial setup of the router, as it greatly enhances the device's performance and ensures a superior user experience.*** 【WiFi 6 Standard with ultra-low latency】Wi-Fi 6 speeds up to 6 Gbps to let you enjoy smoother 4K streaming, gaming, video calls and more, DDR4 1GB / eMMC 8GB
- 【High Speed Gaming Router】Dominate with uninterrupted performance with the ultimate MT6000 gaming internet router, equipped with 8-stream Wi-Fi 6 technology, the Flint 2 delivers blazing speeds, ensuring a stable and high-speed connection during intense multiplayer battles.
- 【Rapid OpenVPN & Wireguard speed】Wireguard VPN and OpenVPN speeds up to 900Mbps and 880Mbps respectively, giving you complete control over your gaming, streaming and working bandwidth. Actual speed may differ depending on internet service provider, network environment, VPN server location, VPN service provider, etc.
- 【AdGuard Home Supported】Enabling the use of a DNS server for blocking unwanted tracking and offers a convenient web interface for filtering selected digital advertisements. Users can take full control of their online experience and enjoy a clutter-free browsing environment with ease.
- 【Mass device connectivity】Experience enhanced online connectivity with our higher storage capacity, catering to over a hundred devices and fulfilling the requirements of DIY users seeking to install additional plugins. Enjoy stable and reliable connections, ensuring seamless performance and accommodating a wide range of digital needs.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
