Troubleshooting Epic Games Launcher Issues

When the Epic Games Launcher fails to start an update and remains stuck with the message "Please wait while we start your update," multiple causes may be at play. These could range from server problems related to the Epic Games platform, closed ports required for the application's function, or even a corrupted launcher installation. The issue can hinder users' ability to play or update their preferred games.

Cause #1: Server Issues

Epic Games may face server issues or outages, leading to this problem. Sometimes, the servers undergo maintenance, resulting in them being temporarily down, affecting the efficiency of the launcher. Unfortunately, the user cannot do more than wait for server issues to be resolved at such times. It is always prudent to check the server status of Epic Games because these problems could possibly be causing the failure. If the servers are down, wait patiently for Epic Games to fix it; your issue should be resolved once the servers are back up.

Cause #2: Closed Required Ports

The inability to launch an update can also originate from ports required by Epic Games Launcher being closed. Certain applications function appropriately only with specific, necessary ports, with the Epic Games Launcher as one example. Data transfer over the game server can occur unhindered only when these ports are open. However, you can resolve this issue by enabling port forwarding on your PC. Doing this for ports demanded by the launcher, like the TCP/UDP 80, TCP 433, TCP 443, TCP/UDP 3478, TCP/UDP 3479, TCP/UDP 5060, TCP/UDP 5062, TCP 5222, TCP/UDP 6250, and TCP/UDP 12000-65000, should rectify the problem.

Cause #3: Corrupted Installation

The issue could also persist because of a corrupted installation of the Epic Games Launcher. An incomplete or faulty installation can lead to updates failing to start or proceed, leaving the launcher stuck on the "please wait" message. In such cases, reinstalling the application may help. Be sure to uninstall the current version properly before installing the new version since remnants of the old version might still cause issues. Reinstallation should ideally replace any corrupted files with fresh, functional ones.

Resolve the Issue Using Administrative Rights

Providing the Epic Games Launcher with administrative rights is another potential way to work around this issue. Doing this boosts the app's permissions, evading any complications related to game downloads.

1. Close Epic Games Launcher using Task Manager: Before granting administrative rights, it is good practice to close it entirely. The most efficient way to do this is through the Task Manager. Use the Ctrl+Shift+Esc hotkey to open Task Manager, and under the 'Processes' tab, locate and select the 'EpicGamesLauncher' program. Once selected, press the 'End task' button to completely close the application.
2. Run Epic Game Launcher as Administrator: Once the application has been effectively closed, the next step involves running the Epic Games Launcher as an administrator. This is carried out by selecting the application shortcut and, upon right-clicking on it, choosing the 'Run as administrator' option from the context menu that appears. This action should ideally prevent the application from getting stuck on the 'Please wait while we start your update' screen. If the launcher begins to operate flawlessly following this step, consider adjusting your settings so Epic Games Launcher always opens with administrative rights.

Check Server Status

It's crucial to confirm whether the server of Epic Games Launcher is functional. This step should ideally be carried out before diving into more technical fixes or solutions. Certain situations might cause the Epic Games servers to experience downtime, significantly affecting the launcher's functionality. Server maintenance is a common reason servers are temporarily unavailable, disrupting the overall user experience. In addition, a complete server outage can also lead to similar complications. Check the Epic Games Server Status page to confirm all systems are operational. If an outage or system failure occurs, waiting for it to be resolved might be the most convenient solution. However, further troubleshooting is necessary if their servers are functional while the problem persists.

Edit WindowsEngine.ini file

Another known solution to combating this problem is by editing the WindowsEngine.ini file. Some users have found success in this method, as it could potentially resolve connection issues and enhance the download speed of the launcher.

1. Close Epic Games Launcher from Task Manager: Before making any changes to the WindowsEngine.ini file, it's essential to close the Epic Games Launcher entirely. This can be done by utilizing the Task Manager described in the processes above.
2. Open the file via File Explorer: Once Epic Games Launcher is closed, open File Explorer using the Windows Key + E shortcut. Navigate to the directory where Epic Games Launcher is installed. The default location is often: C:\Program Files (x\Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Config\Windows. However, this can vary based on your personal installation location. Upon reaching the folder, locate and right-click on the WindowsEngine.ini file. A context menu will appear, select 'Open with' from the options, and thereafter, choose the Notepad application to open the file.
3. Add a new command line: In the notepad file that opens up, scroll down to the end of the document. Insert the following command into a new line: "[Launcher] ForceNonSslCdn=false." This command line is known to aid in resolving the launcher's continuity issues.
4. Save and restart the launcher: Click on the File menu on the Notepad application, and select 'Save' to permanently store the newly made changes. Once the file is saved, close Notepad and restart Epic Games Launcher. In an ideal situation, this modification should fix any issues with the start-up of updates.