How to Fix Slow Download Speeds in Epic Games Launcher?

Epic Games downloads running slower than expected, even on a fast internet connection? This usually happens when the launcher fails to fully utilize your bandwidth due to a misconfigured Engine.ini file, a slow DNS server, or background bandwidth restrictions. Each of these issues limits how much of your internet speed Epic Games can use, resulting in slow downloads.

Fortunately, there are multiple proven solutions depending on the root cause. Below, we’ll go through step-by-step fixes that have worked for many users.

1. Configure the Engine.ini File

The Engine.ini file contains the network configuration settings for the Epic Games Launcher, including parameters that dictate bandwidth allocation during downloads. By default, the launcher applies certain network limits, which can restrict download speeds. By modifying this file, you can optimize how the Epic Games Launcher handles data transfers, allowing it to use your internet connection more effectively.

1. Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type %appdata% in the input box and click OK to open the AppData folder.
3. Once the folder opens, navigate to EpicGamesLauncher > Saved > Config > Windows.
4. Locate and open the Engine.ini file.
5. If the file is empty or contains existing values, replace its contents with the following code:

   [HTTP]
   HttpTimeout=10
   HttpConnectionTimeout=10
   HttpReceiveTimeout=10
   HttpSendTimeout=10
   [Portal.BuildPatch]
   ChunkDownloads=3
   ChunkRetries=20
   RetryTime=0.5

   

6. After pasting the values, click File at the top and select Save to apply the changes.
   
7. Launch the Epic Games Launcher and check if the issue is resolved.

2. Switch Your DNS Server

Sometimes, slow downloads in Epic Games aren’t caused by your internet speed but by the way your system connects to Epic’s servers. If your default DNS server is slow or unreliable, it can hinder data transfers and reduce download speeds. Switching to a faster DNS service, such as:

• Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or
• Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1)

can improve your connection stability and speed up downloads.

1. Open the Start Menu and type Control Panel.
2. Press Enter to open the Control Panel.
3. Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
4. From the left pane, click Change Adapter Settings.
5. Right-click your Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection and select Properties.
6. In the Properties window, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
7. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the Google DNS addresses:

   8.8.8.8
   8.8.4.4

   

8. Click OK to save the changes.

3. Set the Network Throttling to 0

The Epic Games Launcher includes a feature called “Throttle Downloads,” which allows users to limit the download speed to prevent it from consuming all available bandwidth. However, if this setting is enabled and set to a low value, it can significantly reduce your download speeds.

Setting the Network Throttling to 0 means that you are setting it to unlimited. This should remove any limitation on your internet speed for Epic Games.

Note: Some users have reported that enabling download throttling and setting it to a specific value close to their maximum bandwidth, rather than 0, resulted in improved speeds. If setting the throttle to 0 doesn’t yield the desired results, consider setting it to a value slightly below your maximum download speed.

1. Click on your Profile icon at the top of the screen and select Settings.
2. Scroll down to the bottom and locate the Throttle Downloads option. Ensure it is checked if it isn’t already.
3. Set the throttle value to 0.
4. Once done, check if your download speed has improved.

4. Reset Network Settings

Network configurations can sometimes become corrupted or misconfigured, which may result in slow download speeds in the Epic Games Launcher. Resetting your network settings can resolve these issues by restoring everything to its default state, potentially improving your download performance.

Keep in mind that this process will remove custom settings, such as saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords. Make sure you have this information handy before proceeding.

1. Press the Windows key to open the Start menu, then type Network Reset in the search bar.
2. Press Enter to open the Network Reset settings.
3. Click Reset Now to begin resetting your network settings.
4. Once the process is complete, check if your download speed on Epic Games has improved.

If the issue still persists, try reinstalling the Epic Games Launcher. This should resolve slow download speeds if they are caused by corrupted or problematic files.