Start by checking the launcher’s service status, then work from low-risk checks—updates, system requirements, account and library access, free space, and network conditions—before changing or deleting game files. A download speed that drops to 0 may mean the launcher is writing downloaded data to disk, not that the internet connection has failed.
Start with checks that do not change game files
Check the launcher’s service status
Look at the affected launcher’s official service-status page before troubleshooting your PC. A service problem can prevent downloads or installs even when your computer is working normally. Epic Games’ general launcher troubleshooting guide includes checking server status.
Update the launcher and check system requirements
Make sure the launcher is up to date and that your PC meets the game’s requirements. These are among the general checks in Epic’s troubleshooting guidance; exact steps and requirements vary by launcher and game.
Confirm the account, library, and platform
Check that you are signed in to the account that owns or claimed the game, that the game is available for your operating system, and that it appears in the launcher’s library. Account and compatibility checks are useful when a game is missing or unavailable, but the instructions below for specific error codes apply to Epic Games Launcher only.
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Check the install drive and destination folder
Out of disk space
Epic error IS-DS01 or IS-IN-DS01 means the device does not have enough free space for the installation. Free space on the target drive or choose another installation directory with enough room, as Epic explains in its IS-DS01 support article. Check the drive selected in the launcher, not just the space available on your system drive.
“Could not create directory”
For Epic error IS-0003, Epic recommends clearing the launcher webcache, restarting the computer, running the launcher as administrator, and trying again. Follow the steps in Epic’s IS-0003 instructions. This error points to a directory-creation problem; it is not the same as running out of disk space.
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“Directory must be empty”
For this Epic error, the support instructions are to delete the attempted game’s installation folder, restart the launcher, and retry. First verify the exact error and the folder’s location and contents: deleting a folder removes files, and this is not a general fix for every failed install. See Epic’s “Directory must be empty” guidance.
When download speed drops to 0
A zero-speed reading does not always mean the download is stuck. Epic says its launcher may pause network transfer while it writes already-downloaded files to disk. Check the launcher’s download graph for disk read/write activity; if the disk is working, give it time to finish before pausing, cancelling, or restarting the download. Epic describes this behavior in its download-speed explanation.
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Troubleshoot a genuinely slow download
If the launcher shows no disk activity and the download remains slow, Epic’s recommendations include checking service status, trying wired Ethernet or another available connection, clearing the device cache, confirming that a download limit is off, checking network allow-list settings, flushing or changing DNS, and disabling a proxy. These are Epic-specific suggestions; the relevant settings and their effects depend on your launcher, network, and device. See the full Epic slow-download checklist.
Use file cleanup only for the matching error
Epic IS-0007
Epic identifies a corrupt or invalid file as a possible cause of IS-0007. Its troubleshooting steps include removing the affected game folder and trying again, or choosing a different folder. Because this involves deleting files, confirm the error and the exact game directory before proceeding. Follow Epic’s IS-0007 instructions.
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Before deleting any installation folder
- Match the displayed error to the support instructions; do not assume a folder deletion will fix a different error.
- Check that the folder belongs to the affected game and is the one named or selected by the launcher.
- Prefer reversible checks—service status, available space, and launcher cache clearing—before removing game files.
If the install still fails, gather logs for support
For Epic Launcher problems, Epic advises reproducing the issue and enabling debug logging. For installation, update, verification, or uninstall problems, collect recent launcher logs along with install-helper and main-service logs, then provide them to support. Use Epic’s log collection instructions so the requested files correspond to the failure.
Instructions differ by launcher
The error codes, menu paths, and remedies in this guide are for Epic Games Launcher where specified. For Steam, Xbox for PC, EA app, or another launcher, consult that product’s current official support page rather than applying Epic’s error codes or folder steps to it. Launcher procedures can change, so check the affected product’s current instructions before making changes to its files.
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