Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo test Fortnite with elevated permissions, close Epic Games Launcher, right-click its shortcut, choose Run as administrator, approve the Windows User Account Control prompt, and launch Fortnite normally. This is a troubleshooting step for permission-related launch problems—not a requirement for Fortnite and not a way to improve FPS.
Run Fortnite as administrator once
- Close Epic Games Launcher completely.
- Right-click the Epic Games Launcher shortcut. If the option is hidden, choose Show more options.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Approve the UAC prompt. If Windows requests an administrator password, the device owner must provide it.
- Start Fortnite from the launcher.
Epic recommends this as a possible fix for permission-related launch failures. It may help when Fortnite fails immediately, the launcher shows the game as “Running” without opening it, or a file, service, or update cannot be accessed. It will not repair corrupted files, reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat, fix driver problems, or resolve an Epic server outage.
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Epic’s launcher-elevation instructions cover this one-time test for Windows PC installations.
Make Epic Games Launcher always run as administrator
Try the one-time method first. Permanent elevation adds a UAC prompt every time and can create mismatched permissions between the launcher, Fortnite, and anti-cheat components.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
- Right-click the Epic Games Launcher shortcut and select Properties.
- Open the Compatibility tab.
- Check Run this program as an administrator.
- Select Apply, then OK.
- Open the launcher and approve UAC whenever Windows displays the prompt.
Do not enable administrator mode for every executable at random. Use the launcher-level setting unless a specific troubleshooting step points to Fortnite’s executable.
Run the Fortnite executable as administrator
This is an advanced, installation-dependent test. Fortnite is normally started through Epic Games Launcher, and its files can differ between installations and updates.
Rank #2
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
- Open Epic Games Launcher and select Library.
- Open Fortnite’s three-dot menu and choose Manage.
- Select Open Install Location, if available.
- Open
FortniteGameBinariesWin64. - Right-click the relevant Fortnite executable, select Properties, and open Compatibility.
- Check Run this program as an administrator, then select Apply and OK.
- Start Fortnite through Epic Games Launcher.
Common filenames documented by Epic include:
FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe
FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping_BE.exe
FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping_EAC.exe
FortniteLauncher.exeYou may not see all of these files, and your installation may be on another drive or in a custom folder. Use Open Install Location instead of assuming a default path. Changing one executable may not affect the process that is actually failing, so avoid permanently elevating every Fortnite and anti-cheat file unless Epic specifically instructs you to do so.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Epic’s LS-0013 troubleshooting guidance identifies these binaries and also notes that disabling administrator privileges can solve some launch problems.
Rank #3
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Stop Fortnite or Epic Games Launcher from running as administrator
If elevation causes Fortnite to stop launching, closes the game after startup, or creates anti-cheat or compatibility problems, undo the permanent setting:
- Right-click the Epic Games Launcher shortcut or the Fortnite executable you changed.
- Select Properties and open Compatibility.
- Clear Run this program as an administrator.
- Select Apply, then OK.
- Repeat the steps for any other Fortnite executable you manually changed.
- Restart Epic Games Launcher and try Fortnite again.
Administrator mode gives an application broader access to Windows. Use it only with the official Epic Games Launcher and official Fortnite files; do not download modified executables or “admin bypass” tools.
Rank #4
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Administrator mode versus Easy Anti-Cheat
Running the launcher as administrator is not the same as repairing Easy Anti-Cheat. If Fortnite reports an anti-cheat error, repair the service separately:
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- In Epic Games Launcher, open Library.
- Open Fortnite’s three-dot menu and select Manage.
- Choose Open Install Location.
- Open
FortniteGame→Binaries→Win64→EasyAntiCheat. - Open the Easy Anti-Cheat setup tool, select the current game, and choose Repair Service.
For the specific “Easy Anti-Cheat is not installed” error, Epic documents a separate shortcut-based repair procedure that adds repair to the shortcut target. That is an error-specific repair, not the normal way to launch Fortnite, so follow Epic’s exact instructions rather than improvising the command.
Best Value
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
If “Run as administrator” is missing
- Make sure you right-clicked the shortcut or executable, not an empty area of a folder.
- On the shortened Windows context menu, open Show more options.
- Check that the shortcut still points to an installed Epic Games Launcher file.
- On a school, work, family, or managed PC, your Windows account may not have administrator rights.
A standard user cannot legitimately bypass an administrator credential request. Ask the device owner or system administrator, and do not disable UAC or use an unofficial bypass.
If running as administrator does not fix Fortnite
Return the launcher and Fortnite files to their normal permission settings if you enabled permanent elevation, then work through these remedies in order:
- Verify Fortnite’s files: In Epic Games Launcher, open Library, use Fortnite’s three-dot menu, choose Manage, and select Verify.
- Restart Windows and Epic Games Launcher: This can clear a stuck launcher or game process.
- Clear the Epic Games Launcher cache: Follow Epic’s current cache-clearing instructions for Windows.
- Update Windows and your graphics driver: Launch and crash problems can be unrelated to file permissions.
- Repair Easy Anti-Cheat: Use the Win64 setup tool and Repair Service path above.
- Check security software: Epic recommends checking antivirus and firewall blocks. If needed, use a narrowly scoped exclusion for the official installation folder rather than disabling protection indefinitely.
- Disable problematic background applications: Overlays and other startup software can interfere with launch or anti-cheat.
- Reinstall only as a later step: Reinstall Fortnite or the launcher after the less destructive remedies fail.
- Search the exact error code: Epic’s guidance differs for errors such as LS-0013, anti-cheat installation failures, crashes, and network problems.
Epic’s Fortnite PC troubleshooting guide covers this broader sequence. For a game that appears to be running but never opens, see Epic’s specific launch troubleshooting article.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What administrator mode can—and cannot—do
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Fortnite require administrator mode? | No. Epic presents elevation as a troubleshooting option, not a general requirement. |
| Will it improve FPS or input latency? | No known basis supports that claim. Administrator mode addresses access permissions, not graphics performance. |
| Should Easy Anti-Cheat always run as administrator? | No. Repair or installation problems require their own supported procedures. |
| Can I use it without an admin password? | Only if your account already has the required permission and Windows allows the elevation. You cannot bypass a credential request legitimately. |
| What if Fortnite works only when the launcher is elevated? | That suggests a permission or access conflict, but it does not prove permanent elevation is the best fix. Check installation permissions, verify files, repair anti-cheat, and review the exact error. |
Bottom line
On Windows 10 or Windows 11, first close Epic Games Launcher, reopen it with Run as administrator, and launch Fortnite normally. Keep the setting temporary unless it clearly resolves a permission problem. If it does not help—or causes new launch or anti-cheat failures—turn it off and use file verification, cache clearing, driver updates, Easy Anti-Cheat repair, and Epic’s error-specific troubleshooting instead.
Quick Recap
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