The MD-DL error is a gaming issue that arises for some players when they try to install or update Fortnite. For example, this is what a player said about that error on Reddit, “Hello, I do not know where to post this, but when I tried updating Fortnite, it gave me an error code called MD-DL.” The MD-DL error message says, “Install Failed Could not download installation information.” This is how you can fix the Fortnite Install Failed MD-DL error on Windows PCs.
Looking for more Fortnite guides from KeenGamer?
- 6 Ways to Fix the Fortnite Bad Image Error 0xc0000428 on a Windows PC
- 6 Ways to Fix Fortnite Packet Loss on a Windows PC
- 6 Ways to Fix the Fortnite “Network Connection Lost” Error on Windows PCs
- 8 Ways to Fix Fortnite FPS Drops on a Windows PC
- 7 Ways to Fix the Fortnite “Login Failed” Error on a Windows PC
Check the Epic Server Status
First, check if there are server-side issues that could be causing the Install Failed MD-DL error. Open this status page and click Fortnite there to check the server status. If that shows there are some server-side issues, try waiting a day or two before attempting to update and play Fortnite again.
The Epic server status page
Restart Your Router
Some players say restarting their internet routers fixed the Fortnite Install Failed error on their PCs. To do this, unplug your router’s power cable and wait a minute. Then, plug that power cable back in and wait five more minutes.
Disable SSL
Disabling SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) for Fortnite is another way to fix the Install Failed error some players confirm to have worked for them. SSL is a data encryption protocol that can seemingly sometimes cause the MD-DL error to occur. You can disable SSL for Fortnite like this:
- Open Run (press the Windows logo + R key combination), input %localappdata%, and click on OK.
- Navigate to EpicGamesLauncher\Saved\Config\Windows from the Local folder that opens.
The Windows folder
- Next, right-click the Engine.ini file and select Open with > Notepad.
- Input the following text into Notepad:
[Launcher]
ForceNonSslCdn = false
The Engine.ini file
- Click on File and select Save from the menu.
Set an Alternative DNS Server
The default DNS server set on your PC might not be especially reliable for games. Changing that DNS to better alternatives, such as Google, is a potential fix for the Fortnite Install Failed MD-DL error. You can set up a Google DNS server like this:
- Open Run, input ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
- Right-click on the adapter for the internet and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 and click Properties for IPv4.
- To activate Domain Name System settings, click Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Enter 8.8.8.8 into the Preferred DNS value box.
- Type 8.8.4.4 inside the Alternative DNS box.
The Internet Protocol Version 4 settings
- Select OK to save the settings.
Reinstall Epic Games Launcher
The Program and Features applet
Players say reinstalling Epic Games Launcher has fixed the Fortnite Install Failed MD-DL error on their PCs. However, note that this will also uninstall all games installed with Epic Games. You will need to install Fortnite and other games after reinstalling Epic. This Epic help page includes step-by-step instructions for reinstalling Epic Games.
Other Possible Ways to Fix the Fortnite Install Failed MD-DL Error
There are more possible resolutions for the Fortnite Install Failed MD-DL not covered above. These extra potential solutions might also resolve the MD-DL error for some players:
- Disable the Windows Defender Firewall before updating Fortnite.
- Clear the cache for Epic Games as instructed on this support page.
- Close unneeded background apps with Task Manager.
- Repair Fortnite with the Verify option in Epic Games Launcher.
The potential resolutions above have fixed the Fortnite Install Failed MD-DL error for some players. So, maybe one will resolve the same gaming issue on your Windows 11/10 PC. If not, try sending a support ticket to Epic about this error, as covered on this support page.
