Your download is probably stalling because of a connection issue, a launcher problem, or a conflict with your firewall or antivirus software

When your Epic Games launcher shows 0% and won't move, the download hasn't actually started yet — it's stuck at the handshake stage. This almost always means the launcher can't reach Epic's servers, your internet connection is dropping packets, or something between your computer and the internet is blocking the transfer. The good news is that this is fixable without reinstalling anything.

The most common culprits are a stalled launcher cache, a firewall rule that's too strict, or your internet connection resetting mid-download. Less often, it's a problem with your router or a temporary outage on Epic's end. We'll walk through the fixes in order of how likely they are to work.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart the Epic Games launcher completely — close it in Task Manager, not just the window — before trying again, because a stuck launcher process is the most common cause.
  • Check that your firewall and antivirus software aren't blocking the launcher by temporarily disabling them during the download, or by adding the launcher to their exception list.
  • Clear the launcher's cache folder by deleting the contents of C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved\webcache while the launcher is closed.
  • Switch to a wired internet connection if you're on Wi-Fi, because wireless drops are a common reason downloads stall at 0%.
  • If none of that works, uninstall and reinstall the Epic Games launcher itself, which usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and fixes launcher-level problems.

Force-close the launcher and clear its cache

The launcher sometimes gets stuck in a state where it thinks it's downloading but isn't actually communicating with Epic's servers. Restarting it the normal way — closing the window — doesn't always clear this stuck state. You need to force it to close completely.

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Look for "EpicGamesLauncher" or "Epic Games Launcher" in the list. Right-click it and select "End Task". Wait 10 seconds, then open the launcher again and try your download. If that doesn't work, move to the cache step.

While the launcher is closed, navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved\webcache. Replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username. Delete everything in the webcache folder. This clears out corrupted temporary files that can prevent the launcher from connecting. Restart the launcher and try the download again.

Check your firewall and antivirus settings

Your firewall or antivirus software may have a rule that's blocking the Epic Games launcher from reaching the internet. This is especially common if you've recently installed new security software or if Windows Defender has become more aggressive with its rules.

The quickest test is to temporarily disable your antivirus software entirely and try the download. If it works, you know the antivirus is the problem. Then turn the antivirus back on and add the Epic Games launcher to its exception list. The launcher is usually located at C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Binaries\Win64\EpicGamesLauncher.exe.

For Windows Defender specifically, open Windows Security, go to Virus & Threat Protection, then Manage Settings. Scroll down to Exclusions and add the entire Epic Games folder to the list. For third-party antivirus software, look for a settings menu labeled Exceptions, Whitelist, or Trusted Programs, and add the launcher path there.

Switch to a wired connection if you're using Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi connections drop packets and lose signal more often than wired connections, and Epic's servers are sensitive to these interruptions. If you're downloading over Wi-Fi and the download keeps stalling at 0%, plug your computer directly into your router with an Ethernet cable and try again.

If you don't have an Ethernet cable nearby, move your computer closer to the router and make sure nothing is blocking the signal — walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can all weaken the connection. If the download works on a wired connection, your Wi-Fi is the problem. You can improve it by moving the router to a more central location, switching to the 5 GHz band if your router supports it, or restarting the router.

Restart your router and check your internet connection

Your router may have assigned your computer an IP address that's conflicting with Epic's servers, or your internet service provider may be having a temporary issue. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for all the lights to stabilize — usually about two minutes — then try the download again.

While you're waiting for the router to restart, open a web browser and try loading a website like Google.com to confirm your internet is actually working. If the website loads slowly or not at all, your internet connection is the problem. Contact your internet service provider or restart your modem as well — unplug it for 30 seconds just like the router.

Uninstall and reinstall the Epic Games launcher

If the download still won't start after all the steps above, the launcher itself is corrupted. Uninstalling and reinstalling it usually fixes launcher-level problems without affecting your installed games.

Go to Settings, then Apps, then Apps & Features. Search for "Epic Games Launcher" and click it. Select Uninstall and follow the prompts. Once it's gone, download the launcher again from epicgames.com/download. Install it in the default location and log in with your account. Your installed games should appear in the library automatically — the launcher stores game files separately from the launcher itself, so reinstalling the launcher won't delete your games.

After the fresh install, try downloading again. The launcher should now connect to Epic's servers without stalling.

Check Epic Games' server status if nothing else works

Occasionally Epic Games has a temporary outage that prevents downloads from starting. This is rare and usually only lasts a few hours, but it's worth checking before you spend more time troubleshooting.

Go to status.epicgames.com and look at the status of the Epic Games Launcher and the download service. If either shows a red X or a yellow warning, Epic is having an outage. In that case, wait a few hours and try again. If both show green checkmarks, the problem is on your end and one of the steps above should have fixed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the download show 0% instead of starting at a higher percentage?

The launcher is stuck before it even begins the actual file transfer. It's trying to connect to Epic's servers but failing at the authentication or handshake stage. This is different from a download that starts and then stalls — a 0% stall means the connection was never established in the first place.

Will clearing the cache delete my saved games or settings?

No. The webcache folder only contains temporary internet files that the launcher uses to load web pages inside the launcher. Your saved games are stored in a different folder, and your account settings are stored on Epic's servers. Clearing the cache is completely safe.

Do I need to reinstall my games if I reinstall the launcher?

No. The launcher and the games are stored in separate locations. Reinstalling the launcher will not touch your installed games. When you log back in, they'll appear in your library automatically.

What if the download works for a few seconds and then drops to 0%?

This is usually a connection dropout rather than a launcher problem. Try switching to a wired connection, restart your router, or try the download at a different time of day when your internet may be less congested. If it keeps happening, contact your internet service provider to check for line issues.

Can I download multiple games at once, or does that cause the 0% problem?

You can queue multiple downloads, but the launcher will only download one at a time. Queuing doesn't cause the 0% stall — that's a connection or launcher issue. However, if you're downloading one game and it keeps stalling, don't queue another one until the first one finishes.