How long does it take for Fortnite to download? On a gigabit fiber connection using a wired Ethernet cable and a solid-state drive, the download can finish in as little as 5 minutes, while on slower connections or older systems using Wi-Fi, it can take over 30 hours.
How long does it take for Fortnite to download?
Your total download time depends on your internet speed, connection type, storage drive, and server load. For a standard 66 GB PC installation, here are estimated times across common internet speeds:
| Internet Speed | Estimated Download Time (66 GB) |
|---|---|
| 10 Mbps | ~14.7 hours |
| 25 Mbps | ~5.9 hours |
| 50 Mbps | ~2.9 hours |
| 100 Mbps | ~1.5 hours |
| 250 Mbps | ~35 minutes |
| 500 Mbps | ~18 minutes |
| 1 Gbps | ~9 minutes |
These are estimates. Real-world times vary due to network congestion and the other factors explained below.
Fortnite file sizes on every platform
Knowing the exact file size for your device helps you set expectations and ensure you have enough free space. Sizes increase with major updates and new seasons.
- PC: The full installation ranges from approximately 62.90 GB to 66.50 GB. If you include all optional packs and high-resolution textures, the size can reach 80 GB or more.
- PlayStation (PS4/PS5): Fortnite typically requires around 72.2 GB of storage space.
- Xbox (Xbox One/Series X/S): The installation size is approximately 65.2 GB to 69.88 GB.
- Nintendo Switch: The game uses about 15.4 GB, making it the most storage-friendly console version.
- Android: The initial download is around 13.70 GB, but you may need up to 25 GB of free space for the full download and installation.
Why your Fortnite download is slow
Four key factors determine how fast the game arrives on your system. Understanding them helps you know exactly what to fix.
Your internet speed
This is the biggest factor. A faster connection means shorter download times. If your plan is 10 Mbps, a 66 GB download will take many hours; at 1 Gbps, it finishes in minutes.
Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet
Using a wired Ethernet connection provides a more stable and potentially faster download than Wi-Fi, which is prone to interference and signal loss.
Storage type: SSD vs. HDD
Installing Fortnite on a solid-state drive (SSD) reduces overall installation time compared to a hard disk drive (HDD). An SSD processes data much faster, which matters when the launcher unpacks and writes files.
Epic Games server load
During peak hours or new season launches, Epic Games servers experience high traffic, which can slow your download. This is beyond your control, but you can plan around it.
Official fixes for a slow Fortnite download
Epic Games provides specific troubleshooting steps to improve download performance. Follow these in order to get the fastest possible speed.
- Check the Epic Games Status page to see if servers are experiencing issues.
- Turn off the download speed limit within the Epic Games Launcher settings.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi.
- Clear the launcher cache on your device.
- Flush your DNS to improve the connection to Epic Games servers.
- Disable any proxy servers that may be interfering with the connection.
Additionally, ensure all necessary domains are whitelisted to prevent interference, and if available, try using a different internet connection.
Platform-specific tips to download faster
Each platform has unique settings that can help you speed up the download. Here is brief advice for each.
PlayStation (PS4/PS5)
Put your console in rest mode while downloading, as this often allows the system to prioritize the download over other processes.
Xbox (Xbox One/Series X/S)
Nintendo Switch
Place the console in its dock and use a wired internet connection via a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, as the Switch's Wi-Fi can be slower.
PC
Close unnecessary applications and background processes before starting the download. Ensure your download location is on an SSD for faster unpacking. If you have a gigabit connection, you can expect it to finish in as little as 5 minutes with a wired connection and SSD.
