How do I fix the Epic Games Launcher when I get the error "The necessary prerequisites have failed to install"?

If you receive a Self Update Failed error message that provides an error code like, or similar to, SU-PQE1223 or SU-PQR1603, this article contains steps that could resolve this.


Update Windows

You may need to Update Windows. Steps for this can be in the Microsoft article: Update Windows

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
  2. In the search field type: Check for Updates
  3. Select Check for Updates.
  4. Download and install any available updates.

Run the Epic Games Launcher as an Administrator

This will ensure that you're able to install games to protected folders on your computer.

  1. Locate your Epic Games Launcher shortcut.
    By default, you should see this on your desktop. If you don't see it on your desktop:
    1. Click on Start.
    2. Type Epic Games Launcher and follow the steps below.
  2. Right-click on your Epic Games Launcher shortcut.
  3. Click on Run as administrator.

Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

    • On 64-bit Windows also install Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x64)
    • On 32-bit Windows install vcredist_x86.exe.
    • On 64-bit Windows install both vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe.
    • On 32-bit Windows install vcredist_x86.exe.
    • On 64-bit Windows install both vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe.
    • On 32-bit Windows install vcredist_x86.exe.
    • On 64-bit Windows install both vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe.
  1. Install the latest version of the Epic Games Launcher.
    • You can download the latest version by visiting our website and clicking Get Epic Games in the upper right corner.

Confirm you have read/write access to the folder

  1. Navigate to your selected install location.
  2. Right-click and select Properties.
  3. Select the Security tab.
  4. Select your username in the Group or user names box.
  5. Verify that there is a check under Allow beside both Read and Write in the Permissions box.

Add the Skip Patch command line

If you continue having troubles try adding this command line:

  1. Close the Epic Games Launcher entirely.
  2. Right-click on the Epic Games Launcher shortcut.
  3. Select Properties.
  4. At the end of the Target line insert the following with a space:
    -SkipBuildPatchPrereq
  5. Click on Apply.
  6. Right-click on the Epic Games Launcher shortcut.
  7. Select Run as Administrator.

Reset the Temp Folder

If you are still having trouble, try resetting the temp folder.

Windows 11

  1. Click on Start and search for Settings
  2. Scroll to the bottom and open the About section.
  3. Under the Device Specifications box, locate the Related links section and select Advanced System Settings
  4. Under the Device Specifications box, locate the Related links section and select Advanced System Settings
  5. This should open a pop-up called System Properties
  6. Locate the Advanced tab and select Environment Variables.
  7. In the top box and locate TEMP and TMP.
  8. Select one at a time then click on Edit.
  9. Change the TEMP and TMP values to C:\Temp and click OK.
  10. Next, restart the PC.
    • Note: When the reboot completes, make sure that the Epic Games Launcher is not running.
  11. Right-click the Epic Games Launcher icon, and select Run as Administrator.

Windows 10 and older

  1. Click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner.
  2. Type My PC and right-click on it then click Properties.
  3. Click on Advanced System Settings.
  4. Click on Environment Variables.
  5. Scroll down in the top box and locate TEMP and TMP.
  6. Select one at a time then click on Edit.
  7. Change the TEMP and TMP values to C:\Temp and click OK.
  8. Have the player try installing their game again.

Note: If you would like to go back to the original temp directory you can change it to: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp.

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