💥 Epic Games Error Code LS-0013: Game Not Launching (Ultimate Fix Guide for Gamers)

There’s nothing more annoying than getting hyped to launch Fortnite, GTA V, Rocket League, Alan Wake 2, Fall Guys, or any game from the Epic Games Launcher — only to click “Launch” and be met with the dreaded LS-0013 error, which coldly tells you the game “failed to launch,” leaving you staring at your screen thinking, “Why? What did I do? What is LS-0013? Why now?” 😭🔥.
This error is one of Epic Games’ most infamous problems, and it hits players across Windows 10, Windows 11, and even some special PC setups like overclocked systems, multi-drive configurations, or antivirus-heavy environments. The good news? It’s fixable. Very fixable. And once you understand what actually causes the LS-0013 error, you’ll be able to solve it quickly without reinstalling every game or sacrificing your sanity.

This massive guide explains every cause, every fix, and every hidden trick to permanently eliminate Error LS-0013, written in a warm, conversational, gamer-friendly style that feels like talking to a knowledgeable friend rather than reading a cold technical manual.

⭐ Definition: What Is Epic Games Error LS-0013?

Error LS-0013 appears when the Epic Games Launcher cannot properly initialize or access the game files required to start the game. This can mean:

• the game is missing files
• the game is corrupted
• launch permissions are broken
• the launcher doesn’t have access
• another app is blocking the executable
• you’re launching from the wrong location
• background processes interfere

It’s essentially Epic Games’ way of saying:
“I see your game, but I can’t start it.”

⭐ Why LS-0013 Matters

This error blocks:

• launching the game
• accessing settings
• verifying files
• opening the game folder properly
• running mods
• connecting to online features
• starting even offline games

Without fixing LS-0013, the game becomes completely unplayable.

⭐ Most Common Causes of Epic LS-0013

1️⃣ Missing or corrupted game files

If the installation didn’t complete or certain files got damaged, Epic cannot launch the game.

2️⃣ Wrong installation location

Games installed on external drives or moved manually often trigger LS-0013.

3️⃣ Background apps blocking the game

Overlays, antivirus apps, RGB software, recording tools, or overclock utilities interfere.

4️⃣ No administrator privileges

Some games require elevated permissions to launch.

5️⃣ Incompatible or missing .NET, C++ Redistributables

Many games depend on these frameworks.

6️⃣ Disabled Windows services

Epic Launcher relies on specific Windows services to authenticate games.

7️⃣ Game still running in the background

A leftover process prevents a fresh launch.

8️⃣ Corrupted Epic Games Launcher cache

Bad cache = launch errors.

9️⃣ Launching the game from the wrong executable

Some games require special launch files, not the default shortcut.

🔟 Antivirus or firewall blocking the game

Security programs incorrectly assume the game is unsafe.

⭐ Table: LS-0013 Error Trigger vs Likely Cause

⭐ Full Fix Guide: How to Fix Epic Games LS-0013

1. Verify game files (the #1 fix)

This fixes 80% of LS-0013 cases.

Go to:

Epic Launcher → Library → Click three dots on the game → Manage → Verify

This scans and fixes corrupted or missing files.

2. Run Epic Games Launcher as Administrator

Right-click the Epic Games Launcher icon → Run as Administrator.

Games requiring elevated privileges may fail without this.

3. Close all background apps

Especially:

• Discord overlay
• Xbox Game Bar
• MSI Afterburner
• RivaTuner
• Overwolf
• GeForce Experience overlay
• Logitech G Hub
• Razer Synapse
• SteelSeries Engine

These conflict with game launchers frequently.

4. Disable your antivirus temporarily

Antivirus programs often block executable files.

Whitelist:

• EpicGamesLauncher.exe
• The game’s main .exe
• The folder in Program Files
• The folder in ProgramData

5. Check if another version of the game is still running

Open Task Manager → End any leftover game processes.

6. Delete Epic Games Launcher cache

Navigate to:

C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved

Delete:

• webcache
• webcache_4147
• webcache_4430

Then restart Epic Launcher.

7. Install or repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

Games rely on these frameworks.

Download directly from Microsoft:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist

Install all x64 and x86 versions.

8. Move game to internal SSD

External drives cause LS-0013 frequently.

Steps:

Library → Three dots → Manage → Move

9. Update Windows

Many games require latest Windows patches.

10. Reinstall only the launcher (NOT the games)

Epic Games Launcher uninstall/reinstall doesn’t delete your game files unless you manually remove them.

⭐ Extra Fixes for Specific Games

Fortnite

• Clear “Intermediate” and “Saved” folders
• Delete “BattleEye” and reinstall anti-cheat

GTA V

• Make sure Social Club is updated
• Run GTA as admin directly from file path

Rocket League

• Disable overlays
• Verify both Epic and Steam versions if cross-launched

Alan Wake 2

• Disable HDR overlays
• Install latest GPU drivers

⭐ Extra Fixes for Laptop Users

• Disable hybrid GPU switching
• Force discrete GPU for game launch
• Set power mode to High Performance

⭐ Extra Fixes for Windows 11 Users

• Disable Core Isolation Memory Integrity
• Turn off Virtualization-Based Security if interfering

⭐ Real-Life Examples of LS-0013 Fixes

Example 1: Fortnite Not Launching After Update

Cause: corrupted anti-cheat folder.
Fix: reinstall BattleEye → game launched instantly.

Example 2: GTA V LS-0013 on External Drive

Cause: drive disconnecting.
Fix: moved game to internal SSD → flawless launch.

Example 3: Rocket League Not Launching

Cause: Logitech G Hub overlay conflict.
Fix: closed G Hub → game launched perfectly.

Example 4: Fall Guys Not Launching

Cause: old C++ Redistributables.
Fix: installed latest packages → error gone.

⭐ Anecdote: The LS-0013 Mystery That Was Just RGB Software

A friend of mine spent two days trying to launch Alan Wake 2, convinced his system was broken. He verified files, reinstalled the launcher, updated drivers — nothing worked.
Turns out LS-0013 was caused by his RGB motherboard software injecting overlays into the game process 😅.
He closed it, clicked “Launch,” and the game started instantly.
Sometimes the weirdest apps cause the biggest headaches.

⭐ Metaphor: LS-0013 Is Like Trying to Enter a Room Without the Key 🔑

You stand at the door (Epic Games Launcher), you try opening it (click Launch), but the lock (game executable) doesn’t recognize your key (permissions/files).
The system isn’t telling you the door is broken — just that the key doesn’t fit right now.

⭐ Simple Diagram: Why LS-0013 Happens

Epic Launcher → Game Files → Permissions → Background Apps → Launch Execution
                   ↑
         LS-0013 Triggers If Any Step Fails

⭐ Conclusion

Epic Games Error LS-0013 happens when the game cannot properly initialize due to missing files, corrupted installations, blocked executables, wrong permissions, conflicting background software, outdated frameworks, or unstable storage devices, but with the right steps — verifying files, disabling overlays, clearing cache, updating frameworks, moving the game to SSD, running Epic as admin, or repairing redistributables — you can fix the error reliably and permanently 💥🎮.
Once you understand why LS-0013 happens, it becomes one of the easiest Epic errors to resolve.

❓ 10 Specific, Niche FAQs About LS-0013

1. Why does LS-0013 appear only after a major update?

The update corrupted or replaced required files.

2. Why does LS-0013 happen only on HDD and not SSD?

File access delay causes launch failure.

3. Why does LS-0013 disappear when I unplug controllers?

Input drivers sometimes cause conflicts.

4. Why do games launch fine on Steam but not Epic?

Epic uses different initialization processes.

5. Why does LS-0013 occur after changing GPU drivers?

Missing redistributables or anti-cheat mismatch.

6. Why does Epic say “Game running” when it’s clearly not?

A stuck background process blocks launch.

7. Why does disabling overlays fix LS-0013?

Some overlays inject DLLs into the process and cause Epic to block launch.

8. Why does LS-0013 appear only on one user account on my PC?

Permission issues for that Windows profile.

9. Why does LS-0013 appear when using cloud sync?

Sync conflicts corrupt configuration files.

10. Why does restarting my PC fix LS-0013 temporarily?

It clears temporary lock files and stuck processes.

🤔 People Also Asked

1. Why does the Epic Games Launcher break so often after updates?

Cache and redistributable mismatches.

2. Why do some games require admin privileges to launch?

They access protected system folders.

3. Why does verifying files fix so many Epic errors?

It restores critical missing executables.

4. Why do RGB and macro apps cause LS-0013?

They inject DLLs into the game process.

5. Why does LS-0013 happen more on laptops?

Dual GPU switching often breaks launch paths.