Fortnite continues to dominate the gaming space with its high-octane gameplay, fast-paced action, and ever-evolving seasonal content. However, technical hiccups such as loading screen issues—particularly with specific event content like the “Thrills and Chills” loading screen—can completely halt that excitement. If you’ve found yourself stuck watching an unresponsive loading screen during this haunting seasonal event, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are reliable ways to diagnose and fix this problem so you can jump back into the action without delay.

TLDR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)

The “Thrills and Chills” loading screen issue in Fortnite typically stems from corrupted game files, outdated system drivers, or account syncing issues. Restarting the game, clearing the cache, or verifying the game’s files through the Epic Games launcher often fixes the issue. If basic methods fail, clearing saved data or reinstalling the game may be necessary. Always ensure your system drivers and Fortnite build are fully up-to-date.

1. Understand the Problem: What is the Thrills and Chills Loading Screen Bug?

The “Thrills and Chills” loading screen is part of Fortnite’s seasonal Halloween-themed content. Users have reported that while trying to load into matches during this event, their game freezes or gets indefinitely stuck on the themed loading screen. This prevents players from progressing into the actual gameplay, forming a significant barrier especially for limited-time challenges.

The issue affects players across all platforms—PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. The root causes may vary by system, but they generally fall into a few categories including:

• Corrupted game files or cached data
• Unstable internet connections
• Outdated system or graphics drivers
• Cloud sync conflicts with Epic Games servers

2. Quick Fixes You Should Try First

Before diving into deeper recovery methods, you should attempt a few quick and simple steps that resolve the issue for many users:

1. Restart the game – Sometimes just closing Fortnite completely and launching it again is enough to fix the issue.
2. Restart your system – Rebooting your PC or console can clear temporary memory conflicts.
3. Check Fortnite server status – Visit Epic Games’ server status page to ensure Fortnite services are operational.

3. Verify Game Files (PC-Specific)

If you’re on PC and the loading screen persists, verifying your game files through the Epic Games Launcher can address missing or corrupted assets:

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher.
2. Navigate to your Library.
3. Click on the three dots next to Fortnite.
4. Select Verify.

This process will scan your Fortnite installation for faulty or missing files and replace them. Depending on your system and connection, this might take several minutes.

4. Clear Cache and Stored Data

On all platforms, outdated or corrupted cache files can hinder the game’s ability to load properly. Clearing these can often resolve problems related to the “Thrills and Chills” loading screen.

PC

1. Exit Fortnite and the Epic Games Launcher completely.
2. Go to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved.
3. Delete the entire webcache folder.

PlayStation and Xbox

1. Turn off your console completely (do not use rest mode).
2. Unplug the power cable for at least 30 seconds.
3. Plug it back in and restart. This action clears the system cache.

Nintendo Switch

1. On the Home menu, go to System Settings → Data Management.
2. Select Clear Cache on Fortnite, then press Reset.

5. Check for Game and Driver Updates

Running an outdated version of Fortnite or missing core driver updates can lead to compatibility issues and gameplay bugs. Follow these steps to ensure your system is current:

• On PC, go to your graphics card provider’s site (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download the latest driver package.
• Ensure Fortnite is updated by launching the Epic Games Launcher and checking for any pending patches or updates under your Library.
• On consoles, open the game tile, press the options button, and choose Check for Update.

6. Disable Cloud Sync Temporarily

Occasionally, Epic Games’ cloud save feature can result in loading conflicts, particularly when there’s any save syncing issue tied to the “Thrills and Chills” event settings. While not a common fix, it’s worth trying if nothing else works:

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher.
2. Click your profile icon > Settings.
3. Scroll to Manage Games, find Fortnite, and uncheck Enable Cloud Saves.

After disabling it, restart Fortnite to see if the problem resolves. Don’t forget to re-enable Cloud Sync later to ensure your data is saved properly.

7. Reinstallation as a Last Resort

If you’ve tried everything else and still can’t get past the loading screen, a fresh installation may be your best option. Here’s how to properly do it:

For PC:

1. Uninstall Fortnite via the Epic Games Launcher.
2. Delete any remaining game files at C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite.
3. Restart your PC and reinstall Fortnite.

For Consoles:

1. Delete Fortnite from your game library or storage settings.
2. Turn the system off and back on.
3. Reinstall Fortnite from your respective store (PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or Nintendo eShop).

Note: Reinstalling will not erase your progress as long as your Epic Games account is properly linked to your console or PC.

8. Submit a Ticket to Epic Games Support

If all else fails, it’s time to take your issue directly to the developers. Epic Games provides strong customer support. To contact them:

1. Visit Epic Games Help Center.
2. Choose Fortnite.
3. Select Contact Us and fill out the form with a detailed explanation of your problem.

Include any error codes or screenshots of the frozen loading screen if you can. This can help Epic’s support team diagnose the issue more effectively.

Final Thoughts

The “Thrills and Chills” loading screen freeze is undeniably frustrating, especially during seasonal events where missing gameplay can mean permanently missing out on rewards. The good news is that most of these problems are solvable by verifying your game files, clearing corrupted cache, or simply updating drivers. By working through the steps outlined above, you’ll maximize your chances of rejoining the Fortnite battlefield without further interruptions.

If you continue to experience issues even after applying these solutions, monitor Fortnite’s subreddit and Epic Games forums for any widespread reports. Sometimes, it may be a server-side issue that only the developers can fix. Whatever the case, armed with this guide, you’re now well-prepared to troubleshoot and overcome loading screen barriers.