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Fortnite latency and ping troubleshooting

What is latency or ping?

Latency (also called ping) is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the Fortnite servers and back. We measure ping in milliseconds (ms).

What affects latency or ping?

Several factors can influence your ping:

  • Bandwidth: Maximum data capacity of your connection.
  • Throughput: Actual data successfully sent and received.
  • Routing: The path your data travels to reach Fortnite servers.

A sudden increase in ping is usually due to how your internet service provider (ISP) is routing traffic. ISPs use internet exchange points to direct data. If one of these points is down or congested, your ping may spike.

You can check your ping to Fortnite data centers:

  • NA-East: ping-nae.ds.on.epicgames.com
  • NA-Central: ping-nac.ds.on.epicgames.com
  • NA-West: ping-naw.ds.on.epicgames.com
  • Europe: ping-eu.ds.on.epicgames.com
  • Oceania: ping-oce.ds.on.epicgames.com
  • Brazil: ping-br.ds.on.epicgames.com
  • Asia: ping-asia.ds.on.epicgames.com
  • Middle East: ping-me.ds.on.epicgames.com

How to test your ping

Windows 11

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type cmd, then press Enter.
  3. Type:
    ping ping-nae.ds.on.epicgames.com -n 50
  4. Press Enter. This will send 50 packets and show your average latency.

macOS

  1. Click the magnifying glass and open Network Utility.
  2. Go to the Ping tab.
  3. Enter the server you want to test (e.g., ping-nae.ds.on.epicgames.com).
  4. Set it to send 50 pings.
  5. Click Ping to see your results.

How to improve your ping

If the issue is with your ISP, contact them directly. Otherwise, try these steps:

  • Restart your modem and router: How to restart your modem or router.
  • Use a wired ethernet connection. Wireless can cause lag due to signal loss.
  • Try a different router. A faulty router can affect performance.
  • Place your router in a better location. Avoid closets, basements, or blocked spaces.
  • Update your router firmware. Firmware updates can improve performance.
  • Switch Wi-Fi bands:
    • 2.4 GHz: Covers more distance but may be crowded.
    • 5 GHz: Faster but has a shorter range.
    • Test both and use the best one for your setup. Refer to your router’s manual for instructions.
  • Disable Cosmetic Streaming in Fortnite: How to disable Cosmetic Streaming.