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How to Fix Waiting in Queue Error in Fortnite

Can't get into Fortnite? Here's what you need to know about the waiting for queue error.

Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2: Myths & Mortals is here, and with it come plenty of Olympian legends. While the servers are typically slammed with any new Season, they’re especially bogged down right now. If you’re left twiddling your thumbs, here’s how to “fix” the waiting in queue error.

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Can You Fix the Fortnite Waiting in Queue Error?

You’ve booted up Fortnite, but you’ve been hit with a waiting-in-queue error when starting the game. You’ll be stuck on a loading screen that shows an estimated waiting time. In my experience, it was about 19 minutes when I loaded the game. But is there a way to fix it?

Unfortunately, no. We can’t fix the waiting in queue error because it’s technically not an error, such as the ESP-DIST-001 error. Instead, it means that there’s a waiting line to get into the game. Indeed, it’s a server-side issue and has nothing to do with your connection — or anything else on your end. The “fix” is to simply wait things out until it’s your turn to enter the game.

Once the timer is up, start connecting and log in. That said, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to matchmake once you get in. Servers are overloaded with the influx of players ready to jump into Myths & Mortals.

Why is There a Queue for Fortnite?

There’s a queue for Fortnite because the new season has just started on March 8! The queue meters the number of players allowed into matches at any given time. This keeps the servers from getting overloaded and crashing. If that happened, no one could drop into Mount Olympus or progress their Myths & Mortals battle pass! The queue typically appears when there are high player counts.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

How to Check Fortnite Server Status

Aside from getting stuck on the loading screen, there are several ways to check if Fortnite is having server issues. The first place I like to look is the Fortnite Down Detector page. It provides a real-time look into reports from other players. You can also look at the outage map to see the relative number of outages in your immediate area.

The second place I like to look is the Epic Games Public Status page. It will tell you if Fortnite is currently down. It also provides insight into what services are currently under maintenance and when scheduled maintenance is set to occur. The Fortnite Status X account is another good place to look. Lastly, join the Fortnite Discord channel for other real-time updates from players.

Unlike other “errors” that you may experience in Fortnite, there’s no reason to check your internet status, reset your router, or reset the game. It’s confirmed that this issue isn’t on your end. All you’ll do is reset the queue timer from the beginning. My second time was another 14 minutes.

That’s how to “fix” the waiting in queue error in Fortnite. Simply wait the allotted time, and you should drop right into the game without any other issues. For more, head over to our guides hub.


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Author
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Jonathan Moore
Jonathan Moore is the Editor-in-Chief of GameSkinny and has been writing about games since 2010. With over 1,200 published articles, he's written about almost every genre, from city builders and ARPGs to third-person shooters and sports titles. While patiently awaiting anything Dino Crisis, he consumes all things Star Wars. He has a BFA in Creative Writing and an MFA in Creative Writing focused on games writing and narrative design. He's previously been a newspaper copy editor, ad writer, and book editor. In his spare time, he enjoys playing music, watching football, and walking his three dogs. He lives on Earth and believes in aliens, thanks to Fox Mulder.