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Fixing The Fortnite Connecting to Servers Error on Xbox

Fixing The Fortnite Connecting to Servers Error on Xbox

Sitting down to play the number one battle royale should be as seamless and effortless as possible, nobody wants to see the Fortnite error connecting to epic servers. Xbox players across the globe often come up against this issue though.

This Fortnite error of connecting to Epic servers on Xbox is usually caused by a limited number of easily solved problems. One of the main issues is the Epic servers being offline, it can also be caused by internet issues and porting issues. They can all be solved easily either by checking the server status or by a few tweaks to your internet or modem port settings.

Read on as we run through a number of the most common issues for this Xbox error and exactly how to fix it.

Epic Servers Are Offline

This issue is by far the most common reason for this error being displayed. Periodically, Epic will take down its servers for maintenance to run updates and add new things to the game. This never usually takes too long, a few hours at most, and will result in an updated game with new features and bugs worked out. When this is the case nobody will be able to connect to the server you use.

It is very simple to find out when the servers will be offline, Epic will always make their players know about planned downtime. If it is unplanned due to server errors they will also make their players aware. 

Epic Online Server Status

By visiting this page you can check not only Fortnite but all Epic games servers. They have updates and explanations for downtime to ensure their player base can scratch that reason off the list of the Fortnite error connecting to Epic servers on Xbox.

Ensure a Good Network Connection

One good thing to rule out is your own internet connection. If you are using a wireless connection to connect your Xbox to the internet it may be wise to switch to a wired connection.

Wireless connections can be unreliable and drop out, simple changes in environment like walls in a house or electronic interference can all affect an Xbox’s connection to a network. You can check your internet speeds here.

Ethernet Cable In Modem

Switching to a wired connection will drastically improve network reliability. Not only will a cable guarantee a stable connection but it is also a surefire way to speed up downloads and streaming.

Getting a wired connection for your Xbox is as simple as buying an ethernet cable long enough to reach your router and plugging it into both devices. The Xbox will automatically recognize a wired connection and prioritize this over wireless. If you’re unable to connect via an ethernet cable and are having trouble connecting via wireless you can check out our article on how to fix weak Xbox connectivity.

Open Network Ports

Network ports are the routes in a modem that allow information to flow backward and forward from servers. These can often be blocked for one reason or another, unblocking them will often not only allow you to get online with Fortnite but may also positively affect your download speeds.

This process can be a little tricky for the less tech-savvy but with these simple-to-follow steps you should have your network ports unblocked easily. These steps will have to be done on a PC or laptop that is connected to the same network as your Xbox.

Acquire Your IP And Default Gateway

  1. Open Start Menu
  2. Type CMD and press enter
  3. Type ipconfig and press enter
  4. Copy your Default Gateway and IPv4

Reconfigure Your Router

  1. Open a web browser
  2. Copy and paste your Default Gateway into the browser
  3. When a login is required try just pressing enter, a common alternative is simply admin and password. Often the username and password are written on the router itself. If these don’t work check here for your specific router.
  4. In the administration tab locate Port Forwarding and ensure you have port forwarding rather than port triggering enabled.
  5. This page is where you will need to ensure the ports are configured properly. Configure the following ports with the local IP and protocol copied previously. 80 (TCP/UDP), 433 (TCP), 443 (TCP), 3478 (TCP/UDP), 3479 (TCP/UDP), 5060 (TCP/UDP), 5062 (TCP/UDP), 5222 (TCP), 6250 (TCP/UDP), and 12000-65000 (TCP/UDP)

This is a long process and does require careful attention but is more common than you may think. If it hasn’t worked, it is a good idea to run through the process one more time just to ensure it is all correct. We have some more information here about issues with router’s internet connection.

Turn it Off And on Again

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. A simple reset of your Xbox console can often be the answer to your problems. Switch off your console completely rather than standby mode and leave it for a minute or two before switching it on again. This will ensure that when it comes back online it searches for errors, updates, and reconnects to the internet properly. This method will make sure that the disk is running without corruption and that all necessary files are where they need to be.

xbox power off

Hardware can get tired over time, especially when it is left running or in standby mode for prolonged periods. Giving it a break and a chance to run a disk check can correct many small errors that occur over long play times and multiple small updates.

Contact Customer Support

If all of these steps don’t solve your Fortnite connection error then you can always take your issue to the Epic customer support team. They can be contacted here. Make sure you include all the steps you have previously taken to speed up the process.

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