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These steps uninstall and reinstall the Epic Games Launcher—not your Epic account. Before you remove it, note that Epic says uninstalling the launcher also removes games installed through it on that computer. Your library and purchases remain tied to your Epic account, but local game files may need to be downloaded again. Back up local saves and other important game files first; cloud saves are available only for games that support them and have synced successfully.
If only one game is causing trouble, uninstall that game from the launcher instead. If the launcher still opens but has display or loading problems, try clearing its web cache before removing it.
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Choose the least disruptive fix
- One game is broken: uninstall and reinstall that game, not the launcher.
- The launcher opens but pages or content display incorrectly: try clearing its web cache first.
- The launcher will not open, repeatedly fails to update, or appears damaged: a full launcher reinstall may help, though it is not guaranteed to fix every problem.
Epic’s launcher reinstall instructions warn that removing the launcher removes installed games from the computer. If you want to free disk space while keeping the launcher, uninstall selected games instead.
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Before uninstalling: protect your account and files
- Make sure you know the email address and password for the Epic account that owns your games. If you use two-factor authentication, confirm you can access its authentication method.
- If the launcher still opens, check that you are signed into the expected account and can see your Library.
- Let any supported cloud-save sync finish. Cloud saves are not guaranteed for every game, so back up local save folders, configuration files, screenshots, and mods where applicable.
- Note custom launch options and the installation locations of games you may want to reinstall. Check that you have enough disk space to download them again.
Epic’s guidance says cloud-supported game progress can be retained; it does not promise that every game’s saves are cloud-backed. See its launcher installation-directory guidance for the account, library, and cloud-save context.
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- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Try clearing the launcher cache first
Cache clearing is a lower-impact option when the launcher opens but has display, loading, or similar interface problems. Epic says the launcher rebuilds the cache after it is removed. It does not uninstall games.
Windows 10 and 11
- Exit Epic Games Launcher from its system-tray icon near the clock: right-click the icon and choose Exit.
- Press Windows + R, enter
%localappdata%, and press Enter. - Open
EpicGamesLauncherSaved. - Delete any of these folders that exist:
webcache,webcache_4147, orwebcache_4430. - Start Epic Games Launcher again.
macOS
- Quit Epic Games Launcher.
- In Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter
~/Library/Caches/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher. - Move the
webcachefolder to the Trash, then reopen the launcher.
For the exact cache steps, see Epic’s cache-clearing instructions.
Uninstall and reinstall on Windows
Run a repair scan if you are troubleshooting a launcher problem
Epic recommends System File Checker in its troubleshooting guidance. This is an optional repair-oriented step, not a requirement for every ordinary reinstall.
- Open Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
- Enter
sfc /scannowand wait for the scan to finish. - Restart Windows before continuing.
Epic’s instructions are available in its launcher troubleshooting guide.
Rank #2
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Remove Epic Games Launcher
- Close any running games. Right-click the Epic Games icon in the system tray and choose Exit.
- Open Start, search for Add or Remove Programs, and open it.
- Find Epic Games Launcher, select it, choose Uninstall, and follow the prompts.
If that route is unavailable or does not work, use one of these alternatives. Windows menu names can vary slightly by version.
- Settings: Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Epic Games Launcher, select its three-dot menu, then choose Uninstall.
- Control Panel: search for Control Panel, open Programs > Programs and Features, select Epic Games Launcher, and choose Uninstall.
Microsoft notes that some programs cannot be removed from Settings and may need the Control Panel route. See Microsoft’s Windows uninstall guidance.
Install it again
- Go to the official Epic Games Store site and use its download option to get the current launcher installer.
- Run the downloaded installer and follow its prompts.
- Open the launcher and sign into the same Epic account as before.
- Open Library, select Install for each game you want back, choose an installation folder, and allow the download and verification to finish.
Reapply custom launch options, settings, or mods as needed. Check the game’s save progress before restoring a backup or overwriting any files.
Uninstall and reinstall on Mac
Remove the launcher
- Quit Epic Games Launcher. If it will not quit or the app appears to be in use, open Activity Monitor and check that no Epic Games Launcher processes remain.
- In Finder, open Applications, locate Epic Games Launcher, and move it to the Trash.
- For a standard removal, empty the Trash if you want the app permanently removed.
Apple advises checking whether an app provides its own uninstaller before moving it to the Trash. If Epic’s app does not provide one, moving the app to the Trash is the standard macOS method described in Apple’s app removal guidance.
Rank #3
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Remove Epic-specific support files for a clean reinstall
For persistent corruption or reinstall problems, Epic’s clean-reinstall procedure also checks these locations:
~/Library/Application Support~/Library/Caches~/Library/Preferences~/Library/Logs~/Library/Cookies
Remove only files or folders clearly associated with Epic Games Launcher. Do not delete any of these parent folders in full; other apps store their data there.
Install it again
- Download the current Mac installer using the download option on the official Epic Games Store site.
- Open the installer and follow its prompts.
- Sign in with the same Epic account, then install the games you want from Library.
If you only want to remove one game
When the launcher works and just one title is malfunctioning—or you want to free space without removing the launcher—use the game’s own uninstall option:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Open Epic Games Launcher and select Library.
- Find the game and select the three-dot menu beside its title.
- Choose Uninstall and confirm.
- To reinstall it, select Install for that title in the Library.
Epic’s full instructions are in how to uninstall a game in the Epic Games Launcher.
Rank #4
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
If uninstalling or reinstalling fails
The launcher is still running
Closing its window may leave it active in the background. Exit it from the Windows system tray; on Mac, quit it and check Activity Monitor. Restart the computer and retry if the uninstaller still reports that the app is running.
Windows cannot remove the launcher
Try the other Windows uninstall route (Settings or Control Panel), then restart and retry. If Windows reports an installer or removal failure, use Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. Avoid deleting registry entries or broad folders without an exact, current procedure.
The installer says a previous installation exists
Use Epic’s current Launcher Support guidance for the specific error rather than guessing at registry or installer cleanup steps.
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Epic says changing the launcher’s installation directory requires uninstalling and reinstalling it. Its installation-directory instructions also describe moving the Mac app after installation by holding Command while dragging it. Do not confuse the launcher’s location with the separate folders where games are installed.
Best Value
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Recover games and saves after reinstalling
Sign into the same Epic account and check Library before assuming a purchase is missing. If a game is absent, verify the account first, then check Library filters and whether the title was obtained through another platform or account-linking arrangement. Do not create a new account or repurchase the game as a first response.
Installed files are local, while ownership is tied to the account; a launcher reinstall may mean downloading games again. Save progress is a separate matter: a game may use Epic cloud saves, local files, or another publisher’s save system. If progress is missing, check the game’s own support guidance and restore your backup carefully.
Manually remove a broken game installation only as a last resort
If normal uninstall or repair fails for a specific game, Epic’s guidance for certain installation errors says to close the launcher, delete that game’s installation folder, restart the launcher, and try installing again. The default Windows game folder is C:Program FilesEpic Games, but you may have chosen another location. Delete only the affected game folder, not the entire Epic Games folder if it contains other games. See Epic’s IS-0007 installation-error instructions.
Quick Recap
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