How do I add an exception for my games to Windows Defender Firewall?

Firewalls are a tool that your computer uses to protect you from malicious software.

They can interfere with the way your computer communicates with our online games. You can create an exception in the firewall. This will allow your computer to better communicate with the Epic Games Servers.

Turn your firewall off and test a game to see if the issue still occurs:

1. Press the Windows Key on your keyboard.
2. Type Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Press the Enter Key on your keyboard.
4. Select Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
5. Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall box under Private Network Settings.
6. Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall box under Public Settings Network.
7. Launch one of our online games.
8. Play a match or round to see if the issue has been resolved.

Turn the firewall back on:

1. Close our games and the Launcher.
2. Press the Windows Key on your keyboard.
3. Type Windows Defender Firewall.
4. Select Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
5. Select the Turn on Windows Defender Firewall box under Private Network Settings.
6. Select the Turn on Windows Defender Firewall box under Public Settings Network.
7. Close the window.

If the issue is resolved by disabling the firewall, you need to create an exception for the games you wish to play. Adding an exception to your firewall will allow Epic Games to connect to your computer.

Follow the steps below to create an exception:

1. Press the Windows Key on your keyboard.
2. Type Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Press the Enter Key on your keyboard.
4. Select Allow apps to communicate through Windows Defender Firewall.
5. Scroll down until you find the game you're trying to launch.
6. Check all boxes that carry the game's name such as Fortnite or Rocket League.
7. Click the OK button.

If you do not see the game you're trying to play in the Allow apps to communicate through Windows Defender Firewall list, you will need to add it.

1. Click the Allow another app… button in the Allow apps to communicate through Windows Defender Firewall window.
2. Click the Browse button.
3. Locate the app you're trying to launch. Some common paths are:

   • Epic Games Launcher
     C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Binaries\Win64
     C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Binaries\Win32

   • Fortnite
     C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64

   • Rocket League
     C:\Program Files\Epic Games\rocketleague
     C:\Program Files(x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\rocketleague\Binaries\Win64

   • Fall Guys
     C:\Program Files\Epic Games\FallGuys

4. Check all boxes with the game's name.
5. Click the OK button.

If this did not help solve the issue try the next step in our troubleshooting: Contacting your hardware manufacturer