The Epic Games Store has become a major player in the gaming industry, offering exclusive titles, frequent free games, and a competitive alternative to Steam. One of its most popular games, Fortnite, continues to attract millions of players worldwide. However, some users have encountered confusion around the “In the Launcher” status when checking their friend list in Fortnite. If you’ve ever wondered what “In the Launcher” means in Fortnite, how Epic Games Store works, or how to access it securely, this guide has all the answers.
What Does 'In the Launcher' Mean in Fortnite?
Many Fortnite players encounter the message "In the Launcher" when checking their friends list. But what does it mean?
1. Your Friend Has Launched the Epic Games Launcher:
This status appears when a user is online in the Epic Games ecosystem but hasn’t started Fortnite yet.
2. Game Not Fully Loaded
If a player is stuck "In the Launcher," they may be waiting for Fortnite to finish updating or verifying files.
3. Idle Status
The player may have the Epic Games Launcher open without actively playing a game.
4. Network or Account Issues
Occasionally, an outdated Epic Games Launcher or connectivity problems may cause this status to appear incorrectly.
How to Fix 'In the Launcher' Status Issue?
If your friend’s status remains "In the Launcher" for too long, try these solutions:
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Restart the Epic Games Launcher.
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Ensure Fortnite is updated to the latest version.
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Log out and log back into Epic Games.
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Check for network connectivity issues.
What is Epic Games Store?
Epic Games Store is a digital distribution platform for PC games, offering exclusive titles, frequent free game giveaways, and access to popular games like Fortnite. As a competitor to Steam, it provides gamers with a unique selection of games, often with better revenue-sharing models for developers.
Key Features of Epic Games Store:
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Free Games Every Week: Epic Games Store regularly gives away premium games for free.
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Exclusive Titles: Games like Fortnite, Alan Wake 2, and Rocket League are available exclusively on the platform.
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User-Friendly Interface: A simple and clean UI for managing your game library.
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Cloud Saves: Keep game progress safe and accessible from multiple devices.
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Bonus: How to Access Epic Games Store Safely
If you’re in a region where Epic Games Store is restricted or facing slow download speeds, using the best free VPN for games can improve access and security.
Why Use UFO VPN for Epic Games Store?
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Bypass Regional Restrictions: Play Fortnite and access the Epic Games Store from anywhere.
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Faster Game Downloads: Prevent ISP throttling and improve connection speeds.
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Enhanced Privacy Protection: Encrypt your data while gaming to stay secure from hackers.
Steps to Access Epic Games Store Securely with UFO VPN
Download UFO VPN from the official website or app store.
Install and launch the VPN.
Select a gaming-optimized server for the best speed and low latency.
Connect and start browsing Epic Games Store securely.
FAQs
1. Why does my Fortnite status show 'In the Launcher'?
It means you have launched Epic Games Launcher but have not yet started Fortnite.
2. How can I fix 'In the Launcher' status in Fortnite?
Try restarting the launcher, logging out and back in, or updating Fortnite.
3. Can I access Epic Games Store from any country?
Some countries may restrict access to Epic Games Store. Using UFO VPN can help bypass these restrictions.
4. Does Epic Games Store offer free games?
Yes, Epic Games Store gives away free games every week.
5. Will using a VPN affect my Fortnite gameplay?
A gaming-optimized VPN like UFO VPN can improve connection stability and reduce lag.
Conclusion
Epic Games Store is a fantastic platform for free games and exclusive titles, and Fortnite remains one of its biggest successes. If you ever see "In the Launcher" in Fortnite, now you know exactly what it means and how to troubleshoot it.