How to Clear Epic Games Cache to Fix Stuttering and Launch Issues

Ever feel like the Epic Games Launcher is just dragging its feet? You click "Launch" on Fortnite or Alan Wake 2, and instead of the game opening, you get a spinning circle that seems to last an eternity. Sometimes the thumbnails for your library don't even load. It’s annoying. Most people assume their internet is acting up or that Epic's servers are melting down again. Often, the culprit is much simpler. It’s the cache.

Basically, the launcher stores a bunch of temporary files to help things load faster. It's meant to be a shortcut. But over time, these files get corrupted or outdated. Instead of a shortcut, they become a roadblock. How to clear Epic Games cache is the one troubleshooting step that actually works for about 90% of launcher-related bugs.

I’ve seen people reinstall their entire 100GB game library trying to fix a "Could not connect" error when all they really needed to do was delete a folder called webcache. Don't be that person.

Why Your Launcher is Acting Up

Software isn't perfect. When the Epic Games Launcher updates—which feels like it happens every three days—it sometimes struggles to reconcile new data with the old files sitting in your local app data folder. This leads to "LS-0013" errors or the dreaded "Please Wait" loop.

Think of it like a messy desk. If you keep piling papers on top of each other, eventually you can't find your stapler. Clearing the cache is just sweeping the desk clean so the launcher can start fresh. It doesn't delete your games. It doesn't mess with your save files, which are usually handled by cloud saves or stored in your Documents folder anyway. It just resets the interface and the connection handshake.

How to Clear Epic Games Cache on Windows 10 and 11

Windows stores these temporary files in a hidden directory. You can't just find it by clicking through your C: drive unless you have "Hidden items" turned on. But there’s a faster way.

First, make sure the launcher is actually closed. I don't just mean hitting the "X" in the top right. Epic likes to hide in your System Tray. Look down by your clock, find the Epic logo, right-click it, and hit Exit. If it's being stubborn, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and kill any process that says "EpicGamesLauncher."

Now, follow these steps:

👉 See also: Why the Black Among Us Character Still Dominates Your Lobby

1. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard. This opens the "Run" box.
2. Type in %localappdata% and hit Enter. This isn't a typo; those percent signs are vital.
3. Find the folder named EpicGamesLauncher. Open it.
4. Open the Saved folder.
5. You’ll see a folder named webcache. Sometimes there's also a webcache_4147 or similar.
6. Delete them. All of them.

Don't panic. The launcher will recreate these folders the next time you open it. Once they're in the bin, restart your computer. It might feel like an extra step, but it clears the RAM and ensures no ghost processes are holding onto those old file paths.

What Happens After You Delete It?

When you log back in, the launcher might feel a tiny bit slower for the first thirty seconds. That’s normal. It’s re-downloading the images for your library and setting up fresh configuration files. You’ll probably notice that the store loads faster and those weird graphical glitches in the menu are gone.

Troubleshooting the "Permissions" Error

Sometimes Windows will scream at you that the folder is "in use" and won't let you delete it. This is usually because a sub-process like the EpicWebHelper is still running in the background. If Task Manager doesn't show it, a quick reboot almost always releases the lock on those files.

I’ve also run into cases where antivirus software like Bitdefender or Norton puts a "protection" lock on the AppData folder. If you're getting a "Destination Folder Access Denied" message, try disabling your "Real-time Protection" for just a minute while you trash the cache. Just remember to turn it back on. Safety first, obviously.

Clearing Cache on macOS

Mac users aren't immune to this stuff. Even though the file structure is different, the logic remains the same. If your library is blank or the "Install" button is grayed out on your MacBook, you need to dive into the Library folder.

1. Close the Epic Games Launcher completely.
2. Open Finder.
3. Click Go in the top menu bar, then click Go to Folder...
4. Type ~/Library/Caches/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher and press Enter.
5. Drag everything in that folder to the Trash.

Empty the Trash and restart the app. It's much simpler on macOS than it used to be, but Apple loves to hide the ~/Library folder to keep people from accidentally deleting system files. Using the "Go to Folder" command is the safest way to get there without getting lost in the weeds.

When Clearing Cache Isn't Enough

Sometimes, the problem isn't the cache. It's the "High DPI" settings or a weird conflict with your graphics drivers. If you’ve cleared the cache and the launcher is still a blurry mess or flickering, you might need to tweak the compatibility settings.

Right-click your Epic Games shortcut and go to Properties. Under the Compatibility tab, look for "Change high DPI settings." Check the box that says "Override high DPI scaling behavior." Set it to System. This is a literal lifesaver for people using 4K monitors or laptops with weird scaling ratios.

Also, check your system clock. It sounds ridiculous, but if your computer’s time is off by even a few minutes, Epic’s servers will reject your login attempt for "security reasons." The cache stores your login tokens, and if the time on the token doesn't match the time on the server, everything breaks. Set your Windows time to "Sync automatically" and save yourself the headache.

Real-World Example: The Fortnite Update Loop

I remember a specific instance during a big Fortnite season launch where half my friends list couldn't get the update to start. They were stuck on "Initializing." We spent two hours checking router settings and DNS IPs.

The fix? How to clear Epic Games cache.

Specifically, deleting the webcache folder forced the launcher to re-verify the version manifest. As soon as they cleared it and logged back in, the update bar jumped to 100% and they were in the lobby within five minutes. It’s the "did you turn it off and back on again" of the modern gaming era.

A Note on "Verify Files" vs Cache Clearing

A lot of people confuse clearing the cache with "Verifying" game files. They aren't the same.

• Verifying checks the actual game data (the stuff in Program Files) to make sure Grand Theft Auto V or Rocket League isn't missing a .dll file.
• Clearing Cache fixes the Launcher—the storefront, the friend list, and the login portal.

If your game crashes after it opens, verify the files. If the game won't even try to open, clear the cache.

Keeping Your System Lean

You don't need to do this every week. That would be overkill and actually make your launcher slower over time because it has to keep re-downloading data. Think of it as a seasonal cleaning. If you notice things getting sluggish or you've just finished a massive update, that's the time to strike.

Actually, there is one more folder you might want to look at if you're low on space: Template. Inside the Epic folder in AppData, there’s often a bunch of old "News" templates and promotional banners from events that happened three years ago. You can ditch those too.

Actionable Steps to Take Right Now

If you're staring at a broken launcher right now, don't overthink it. Follow this sequence and you'll be back in your game in under five minutes.

• Kill the process: Use Task Manager to ensure EpicGamesLauncher.exe and EpicWebHelper.exe are dead.
• Navigate to the path: Use the %localappdata% shortcut to jump straight to the source.
• Delete the webcache: Don't just empty it; delete the whole folder.
• Flush DNS: This is a pro tip. Open Command Prompt as Admin and type ipconfig /flushdns. It clears out any bad connections to Epic's content delivery network.
• Restart and Log In: Have your 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) ready, because clearing the cache might log you out.

Once you're back in, go to the launcher settings and disable "Run when my computer starts." This prevents the cache from bloating up unnecessarily when you aren't even gaming. It keeps your boot times fast and your launcher fresh for when you actually need it.