How to Fix “Self Update Failed” in Epic Games Launcher

“Self Update Failed” errors in the Epic Games Launcher commonly appear with codes like SU-PQR1603 or SU-PQE1223. These errors show up when the launcher tries to install its update components but cannot complete the update cycle. Instead of applying new files, the process stops midway and the launcher closes.

The failure occurs when the installer cannot verify, install, or access the system components required for patching. Based on user reports, these errors often come from:

• Missing or corrupted prerequisites such as Visual C++ runtimes or the .NET Framework.
• Permission problems that block the launcher from writing new files.
• Update conflicts caused by damaged, moved, or incomplete patch files.
• Broken registry or service entries that stop the patching engine from finishing the update.

The good news is that this is a software level issue. Users have confirmed that repairing prerequisites, resetting the launcher environment, or adjusting access rights fixes these update errors. The methods below include verified community tested solutions that resolved both SU-PQR1603 and SU-PQE1223.

Once you understand the cause, move forward with the solutions below that directly target each trigger.

1. Add -SkipBuildPatchPrereq in the Launcher’s Target

Adding -SkipBuildPatchPrereq forces the launcher to bypass its prerequisite checks, which allows the update cycle to continue without depending on those components. This helps when the prerequisites are present but the installer fails to recognize them.

1. Right click on Epic Games Launcher and select Properties.
2. Open the Shortcut tab.
3. Add a space at the end of the Target field and type -SkipBuildPatchPrereq.
4. Go to Compatibility, enable Run this program as an administrator, then click Apply.
5. Launch Epic Games Launcher and check if the update completes.

2. Install Visual C++ Redistributables Manually

The Epic Games Launcher depends on several runtime libraries to start its update installer. Visual C++ Redistributables are part of these libraries and are used to load modules, verify integrity, and run the functions that apply new patches. When these files are missing or damaged, the update service cannot initialize properly, which results in errors like SU-PQR1603 and SU-PQE1223.

Installing the Redistributables manually restores all the required runtime files. This prevents crashes caused by missing DLLs or incomplete runtime environments and ensures that the launcher’s update engine can run without interruptions.

1. Visit the Visual C++ Redistributables page and download the correct packages for your Windows version.
2. Run and install all the downloaded Redistributables.
3. After setup finishes, relaunch the Epic Games Launcher and test the update.

3. Reinstall Epic Games Launcher

Reinstalling with Revo Uninstaller helps because it removes leftover configuration files, install records, and update cache that the default uninstaller does not clean fully. These leftover items can confuse the patching system by making the launcher believe old components are still present. A clean reinstall resets the entire environment, rebuilds the update folders, and restores all required services.

1. Go to Revo Uninstaller’s website.
2. Download Revo Uninstaller.
3. Install Revo Uninstaller.
4. Open Revo and go to the Uninstaller tab.
5. Select Epic Games Launcher, right click it, and choose Uninstall.
6. Click Continue to proceed.
7. Select Yes when Windows requests confirmation.
8. Enable Advanced in scanning modes, then click Scan.
9. Click Select All then Delete when leftover registry entries appear.
10. Repeat the same process for leftover folders and files.
11. Restart your PC.
12. After the restart, go to the official Epic Games website and click Download.
13. Run the installer and complete the setup to confirm if the issue is resolved.