Fortnite Won’t Update PS5? | Fix It Fast

Stuck on a Fortnite update screen on your PlayStation 5? You’re not alone. The cause is usually simple: storage headroom, a system update waiting, a flaky network, or downtime on Epic’s side. Work through the steps below in order. You’ll go from quick checks to deeper fixes that clear stubborn update loops.

Quick Wins Before Deep Fixes

Run these basics first. They solve most “won’t update” cases without touching your saves or settings.

Step	How	What It Solves
Confirm Fortnite servers	Check the Epic Games Status page.	Rules out issues outside your console.
Free storage space	Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games & Apps.	Updates fail when the SSD is near full.
Restart the PS5	Hold PS button > Power > Restart PS5.	Clears temporary glitches.
Reboot router	Unplug for 30 seconds, then power on.	Refreshes a stuck connection.
Pause and resume	Select Fortnite > Options > Pause, then Resume.	Kicks a stalled download.

Fortnite Not Updating On PS5: Causes And Fixes

Now dig into fixes for each trigger. Stop after the update completes.

Check Server And Account

Open the official status page linked above. If Fortnite shows degraded service or maintenance, sit tight until green. If the status is clear, double-check you’re signed in with the profile that owns the game, and that the console is online under Settings > Network. If you use a child account, make sure family settings allow game updates.

Free Up Space For The Patch

Updating a live service game takes more space than the patch size shown. Leave a cushion of 20–30 GB on internal storage. Delete an old game, move titles to USB extended storage, or trim clips and screenshots. Don’t delete Fortnite’s saved data; you’re only removing the application, not your account progress.

Why Patches Need Extra Room

Fortnite replaces large chunks of data during a patch. The console first downloads the package, then unpacks it, then swaps files. Each step needs working space so the system can copy and rewrite assets safely. That’s why an 8 GB patch might need far more than 8 GB free while it runs. If space runs out mid-way, you’ll see “Can’t download” or a stuck bar. Clearing a big buffer in advance avoids those half-finished files that trigger loops. After a successful update, the temporary data is removed and your storage frees up again.

Refresh The Network Path

Use a wired Ethernet cable if possible. On Wi-Fi, run a quick speed test from Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. If speeds drop, move closer to the router, switch to the 5 GHz band, or pick a cleaner channel on the router. Power-cycling the router clears stuck sessions that can stall downloads.

Update PS5 System Software

Out-of-date system software can block game updates. Head to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. Install any pending update, then retry the Fortnite update. You can also update in Safe Mode using a USB if the standard method fails; Sony’s guide shows the flow.

Rebuild Database And Clear Cache

If the progress bar jumps around or errors repeat, rebuild the database. Power off the console fully. Hold the power button until the second beep to enter Safe Mode, connect the controller with USB, then pick “Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.” Sony documents the steps here: PS5 Safe Mode. This scan reorganizes the drive index and clears cached data that can corrupt downloads.

Restore Licenses

License hiccups can block downloads. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. Wait for the sync to finish, then try the update again.

Open Downloads And Give Fortnite Priority

Press the PS button and open Downloads/Uploads. If the queue shows multiple items, cancel any other downloads, then resume Fortnite. A busy queue can split bandwidth and slow patching to a crawl. Give the game a clear lane to finish.

Delete And Reinstall The Application

Still stuck? Remove the application, keep saved data, and reinstall. Select Fortnite on the home screen, press Options, select Delete. Then find Fortnite in your Library and install fresh. This replaces damaged files and pulls the newest build in one go. Launch the game and sign in.

Move Fortnite Back To Internal Storage

If you keep PS5 games on an M.2 SSD, leave Fortnite there. If you moved anything to USB extended storage, move Fortnite back to console storage; PS5 versions can’t run from USB and update logic expects the internal drive.

Turn Off Rest Mode Quirks

Some players see updates stall after the console sleeps. While you troubleshoot, turn off Rest Mode auto sleep: Settings > System > Power Saving. Set Enter Rest Mode to Don’t Put In Rest Mode. You can put these back later.

Re-add Your Network

Forget and re-add the Wi-Fi network. Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection > your network > Options > Forget. Reconnect and enter the password. This clears a bad DNS or DHCP lease that can block content servers.

Try A DNS Change

If downloads crawl or time out, change DNS to a known public resolver. Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > your network > network options. Set DNS to Manual and add 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Keep the rest on Automatic.

Check PSN Service And Region

From the console, check PlayStation Network service alerts under Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > PSN Service Status. If there’s a regional hiccup, letting the queue sit won’t help. Wait until the alert clears, then resume. Then try again later.

Test With Another Profile

Create a new local user and sign in. Start the download from your Library. If the update runs on that profile, the original profile may need a license refresh or a clean sign-out and sign-in. Switch back and try again after the sign-in cycle.

Rebuild Database With Drive Space In Mind

If you’ve rebuilt once and the update still loops, run it again after deleting a few large titles. A second pass with more free space often clears fragments the first pass couldn’t move.

Error Messages And What They Mean

Match your screen message to a fix.

Message / Code	What It Means	Try This
“Can’t download” or “Installation stopped”	Storage headroom too low or file conflict.	Free 20–30 GB, restart, then resume.
“Checking for updates” loop	Cache or license issue.	Restore licenses, rebuild database, relaunch.
CE-107857-8 / CE-100005-6	Data corrupted or download failed.	Delete Fortnite, reinstall from Library.
NW-102315-2	DNS or connection error.	Reboot router, set manual DNS.
“Servers not responding”	Epic maintenance or outage.	Check the status page, wait for green.

Settings That Help Updates Finish

Once Fortnite finally pulls the patch, lock in these settings so the next one is smooth.

Leave Headroom On The SSD

Keep at least 20 GB free on the internal SSD at all times. Live games patch often and need space for unpacking. When space gets tight, archive a big single-player title to USB extended storage, or delete a game you’ve finished. Clip trimming helps too if you record a lot of gameplay.

Schedule Auto Downloads

Enable automatic downloads so updates start while you’re away. Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates. Turn on Auto-Download and Auto-Install In Rest Mode. If Rest Mode caused stalls earlier, test it again after fixes.

Prefer A Wired Link

An Ethernet cable beats Wi-Fi for large patches. If wiring isn’t possible, stick to the 5 GHz band and keep the console within a room or two of the router. Avoid crowded channels during peak evening hours.

Keep System Software Current

New firmware improves download logic and error handling. From time to time, run a manual check under System Software Update and Settings. If a normal update fails, use Safe Mode with a USB drive as Sony describes in its Safe Mode article.

Close Other Bandwidth Hogs

Streaming in 4K on the same network can starve the console. Pause heavy streams or downloads on other devices while the patch runs. A quick reboot of the router before starting the update can also clear stale sessions.

Mind M.2 Drive Setup

If you installed an M.2 SSD, make sure it meets the speed spec and has a heatsink. Slow or hot drives can throttle under load and slow big patches. For best results, keep Fortnite on the internal SSD, then move slower, single-player titles to the add-on drive.

Still Stuck? Do A Clean Reinstall

If none of the steps above help, back up your PS5 saved data to cloud or USB. Then delete Fortnite, reboot the console, and reinstall from the Library. Sign in, let the content finish, and launch once without jumping to a match. This first launch verifies files and pulls any hotfix files that follow the main update.

When To Reach Out For Help

If the console throws new errors, freezes in Safe Mode, or can’t install system firmware, it’s time to contact PlayStation or Epic. Sony can walk you through Safe Mode options and firmware installs, and Epic can confirm account or entitlement issues. Keep the two references handy: the Epic Games status page for live service info, and Sony’s PS5 Safe Mode guide for the exact steps.