Epic Games Launcher Not Working: Status Check and Error Code Fixes
When the Epic Games Launcher or Store stops working, check the Epic Games Public Status page at status.epicgames.com first. It lists the Epic Games Store with separate components for Login, Download/Installation, Purchasing/Refunding, Epic Wallet and Store Browsing. Epic’s own troubleshooting article says launcher problems caused by a server outage may clear once the server is back. If every component shows Operational, the fix is on your PC or network.
Our live Epic Games Store status page shows recent reports from our checks next to Epic’s own page.
Is the Epic Games Store down right now?
The Epic Games Public Status page is the official answer. Read it this way.
- Find the Epic Games Store group and look at Login, Download/Installation, Purchasing/Refunding and Store Browsing.
- Read any active incident. Each one has timestamped updates.
- Check for a scheduled maintenance notice.
- Compare with our Epic Games Store status page.
- If all is clear, test the PC on another network, such as a phone hotspot.
That notice said existing sessions could time out and matchmaking could be temporarily unavailable during the window. Our guide to reading a status page explains labels such as investigating and monitoring.
Epic lists Fortnite and the Epic Games Store as separate groups on the status page. The store can fail while Fortnite works, and the reverse. If the game is the problem, our Fortnite server status guide and our Fortnite status page cover it.
What do Epic Games Launcher error codes mean?
Epic’s support site has an Error Messages section with a separate article for each code. The table summarizes the articles for common connection, download and launch codes as of November 2026.
| Code | Epic’s article title | What to do, per Epic support |
|---|---|---|
| LS-0005 | Unable to contact patch server | Can appear during an outage on Epic’s servers or a problem with your connection. Check the status page. If there is an issue, wait for it to be fixed, then install again. |
| LS-0015 | Unable to contact waiting room server | Usually a connection problem. Work through Epic’s connection troubleshooting steps, then reconnect. |
| IS-0005 | Unable to connect | Appears when the computer is not connected to the internet. Follow Epic’s network troubleshooting steps. |
| LS-0013 | Game is unable to launch | Start by verifying the game files, then clear the launcher cache, update the operating system and run the launcher as administrator. |
| Other AS codes | AS error codes | Usually a network configuration problem or a web cache that needs clearing. AS-18004, AS-18031 and AS-1010 have their own articles. |
| IS-DS01 | Out of disc space before trying to install a game | Free up space on the drive, or install the game to another drive. |
If your code is not in the table, find it by its exact letters and numbers in Epic’s Error Messages list. Do not rely on lists of codes from other sites, because Epic’s articles are updated over time.
How do I fix the Epic Games Launcher when there’s no outage?
Epic’s article Troubleshooting the Epic Games Launcher lists these steps for crashes, download problems and launch errors. Try them in order.
- Check Epic’s server status.
- Update the Epic Games Launcher.
- Check that your PC meets the launcher’s system requirements.
- Clear the launcher cache (steps below).
- Run the launcher as administrator.
- Update your graphics card drivers.
- Close background applications.
- Reinstall the launcher.
Epic says that if none of this works, you may need to contact your hardware manufacturer.
How do I clear the Epic Games Launcher cache?
Clearing the cache can fix display problems and errors that stop the launcher or games from working, according to Epic’s cache article. The steps differ by system.
| System | Steps from Epic support |
|---|---|
| Windows | Close the launcher from the system tray (the up arrow in the lower right, then right-click the Epic Games icon). Press Windows+R, type %localappdata% and press Enter. Open EpicGamesLauncher, then Saved. Delete the webcache, webcache_4147 and webcache_4430 folders if they exist. |
| Mac | Quit the launcher. In Finder, choose Go, then Go to Folder, and enter ~/Library/Caches/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher. Move the webcache folder to the Trash and empty it. |
Restart the launcher afterward. These steps touch only the webcache folders, not the folder where your games are installed.
Why is my Epic Games download stuck at 0?
A download that drops to 0 is often not stuck at all. Epic’s support article says the launcher can pause downloading new files while it installs files it has already downloaded. Look at the read and write activity on the download graph. When the disk is busy installing, downloading resumes after the install step finishes. If the speed stays at 0 with no disk activity, check the Download/Installation component on the status page, then your connection.
What network fixes does Epic recommend?
Epic’s connection issues article covers sign-in failures, downloads that won’t start and launcher error codes. Its main steps are these.
- Restart your modem and router.
- Switch to a public DNS for a more stable connection.
- Sync the clock on your device.
- Add the domains Epic lists to any exception list on your network or security software.
- Find and turn off any proxy server.
- Flush the DNS cache. Our guide to flushing the DNS cache gives the commands.
- Restore the Windows hosts file to its default contents.
- Close background apps that may interfere with the launcher.
Epic also has an article on running games in offline mode through the launcher. Games that need online servers will still fail.
What should I avoid when the Epic Games Store isn’t working?
Do not repeat a purchase that looks stuck. Check the Purchasing/Refunding component and your Epic account’s transaction history first, so you are not charged twice. Ignore sites and messages that offer free games or V-Bucks to “fix” an error, because they are scams. Sign in only at epicgames.com or in the official launcher, and never share your password or a two-factor code with anyone who contacts you.
Bottom line
Check status.epicgames.com first and wait if Login or Download/Installation shows a problem. If everything is operational, look up your exact code in Epic’s Error Messages list, clear the launcher cache, and work through Epic’s network steps.
FAQ
Is Epic Games down right now?
Open status.epicgames.com and our Epic Games Store status page. If both are clear, the problem is probably your PC or network.
What does LS-0005 mean in the Epic Games Launcher?
Epic titles the article “Unable to contact patch server.” It says the code can appear during an outage on Epic’s servers or when your connection has a problem.
Does clearing the Epic cache delete my games?
No. Epic’s cache steps delete only the webcache folders, not the folders where games are installed.
Can I play Epic games while the launcher is offline?
Some games, yes. Epic supports an offline mode in the launcher, but games that need online servers still won’t work during an outage.