Fortnite Servers are not invulnerable and can be subject to frequent planned and unplanned shutdowns. If you find servers offline, it usually means an update is on the way, but sometimes it can be due to a bug.
Fortnite “server offline” bug, explained
The “server offline” error is caused by multiple versions of the game being made available through the Epic Games Launcher. There are two ways to get around the problem: one that can fix it, and the other that should work in the meantime if you want to get into the game right away.
A temporary solution to the problem is Fortnite via a desktop shortcut. This should launch the game correctly, as the error is related to the Epic Games Launcher and appears to occur when players try to launch the game via the app.
How to fix Fortnite server offline error
To completely resolve the error, you need to check if multiple versions of Fortnite in your launcher. If so, uninstall the additional copy and check the files for the original game to make sure it will run.
To verify your Fortnite To open the file in the Epic Games Launcher, follow these steps:
- Find Fortnite in the Epic Games Launcher library
- Select the three dots to open a new menu
- Select “Manage” from this menu
- Select the “Verify” option
- Once the process is complete, your files are verified and ready to use!
If you’ve tried all the steps above and you’re still seeing the server offline error, it could be caused by one of two things. The servers could actually be offline, which you can check by checking the game’s server status. Alternatively, the problem could still persist, in which case we recommend you create a support ticket so the developers know.
